How Does He Play in Peoria?

By Benjy Lipsman on Jul 28, 2005 7:14PM

Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who tore his groin just weeks into the season, began his rehab assignment in Peoria last night. He's playing for the with the Cub's Single A minor league affiliate -- the Peoria Chiefs.

In his first game since April, Garciaparra got two RBIs on a single in the 6th inning. He also turned a nice double play in the field in the 5th. While not 100% yet -- he admitted to not running full speed out of the batters box -- clearly Nomar's appearance in the Wrigley infield is not too far off.

But just how long will he remain there? Sun-Times columnist Greg Couch seems to be writing him off. True, since he joined the Cubs a year ago, he's missed more games to injury than he's played. By a good bit -- he's only played in 57 games. As such, while Nomar remains a big star across the country because of his days with the Red Sox, he is not really any more a star in Chicago. As the fans haven't had the opportunity to warm up to him, has the same happened with Nomar and Chicago? Might he view the next couple months as little more than an audition for his next roll with some other team? Or will there be opportunity for him to mesh with his teammates enough that he wants to remain? Do Cubs fans even want him back next season, or are they conviced they're better off with somebody else playing shortstop?

Photo via Yahoo!News