Because “O-Cab” was acquired at the July 31 trade deadline from Montreal, few cards from that year depict him in a Red Sox uniform. This Topps “Heritage” set was modeled after 1955 Bowmans, which honored the then-new “Color TV.”

Orlando “O-Cab” Cabrera had the huge task of replacing fan favorite Nomar Garciaparra at shortstop.

His stellar efforts included 17 post-season hits and 11 RBI.

Tributes from Red Sox fans flowed after after Cabrera’s 2011 retirement.

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Nomar in 2002. By Dlz28 on en.wikipedia (From en.wikipedia; description page is (was) here) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Through 2003, Nomar Garciaparra was a Boston sparkplug. 

His strict at-bat rituals—which started when he left the dugout, one careful step at a time—amused fans. He had five All-Star nods. Two batting titles. Brandon and other fans expected him to help spark Boston’s turnaround.

What happened?

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