Farewells have not come easily for the Red Sox in recent seasons, the departures of Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, and other notable players tinged with far more rancor than nostalgia.

Nomar Garciaparra, one player whose departure was particularly painful, asked for the chance to do it again and the Red Sox granted that wish yesterday, signing their former star shortstop to a one-day contract before he announced his retirement from baseball.

"Nomah'' was back where he started, all forgiven if not forgotten.