Alexei Ramírez

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For the Yokohama DeNA BayStars player, see Alex Ramirez.
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ramírez and the second or maternal family name is Rodriguez.
Alexei Ramírez
Alexei Ramirez Minute Maid Park Houston May 2015.jpg
Ramírez with the Chicago White Sox
Shortstop
Born: (1981-09-22) September 22, 1981 (age 39)
Pinar del Río, Cuba
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
March 31, 2008, for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB appearance
October 2, 2016, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
Batting average.270
Home runs115
Runs batted in590
Teams
Career highlights and awards
hide
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Cuba
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2004 Athens Team
Baseball World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2005 Rotterdam Team
Intercontinental Cup
Gold medal – first place 2006 Taichung Team
Central American and Caribbean Games
Gold medal – first place 2006 Cartagena Team
World Baseball Classic
Silver medal – second place 2006 San Diego Team
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2007 Rio de Janeiro Team

Alexei Fernando Ramírez Rodriguez (born September 22, 1981) is a Cuban former professional baseball shortstop. He has played for the Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays in MLB and Pinar del Rio of the Cuban National Series. His nickname, given to him by former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén, is "The Cuban Missile" due to his tall, slim physique and combination of speed, power, and strong throwing arm.

Early career[]

In seven years[citation needed] of baseball in the Cuban National Series, Ramírez spent most of his time playing shortstop and outfield for Pinar del Rio. He had a batting average of .335 in Cuba, and led the league in 2007 with 20 home runs while posting a .338 average.[citation needed] Ramírez played center field for Cuba at the 2006 World Baseball Classic, collecting 6 hits in 16 at-bats and impressing US scouts in the process. He hits and throws right-handed.

Professional career[]

Chicago White Sox[]

In September 2007, Ramírez left Cuba to apply for citizenship in the Dominican Republic, and also apply to Major League Baseball to enter free agency, according to his agent, Jaime Torres. He auditioned for many baseball teams before coming to an agreement on a four-year contract with the Chicago White Sox on December 21, 2007.[1]

2008 season[]

Ramírez made his MLB debut on March 31, 2008.[2] He recorded his first major league hit on April 2,[3] a single off Cleveland Indians reliever Jorge Julio.[4] Ramírez hit his first major league home run on May 16,[3] off San Francisco Giants reliever Billy Sadler.[5]

Ramírez hit his first career grand slam on July 22, 2008.[6] On September 19, Ramírez hit his third grand slam of the season off of pitcher Brian Bannister of the Kansas City Royals, tying an American League rookie record set by Shane Spencer of the New York Yankees in 1998. It was the White Sox's eleventh grand slam of the season, equaling the previous club record from 2006.[7] On September 29, Ramírez hit his fourth grand slam of the season, setting a major-league single-season record for a rookie,[8] off of Detroit Tigers pitcher Gary Glover in an 8–2 Sox victory to qualify the Sox for a one-game tiebreaker against the Minnesota Twins for the AL Central title. This also broke the team record for most grand slams in a single season.[9]

Ramírez with Adam Jones and umpire Scott Barry in 2009.

During his first season in the Majors, Ramírez excelled both offensively and in the field, despite primarily playing second base instead of his customary shortstop position. Over 136 games, he posted a .290 batting average, hitting 21 homers and driving in 77 runs.[2] He finished in second place in the voting for American League Rookie of the Year honors, losing to Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays.[10] Ramírez led the major leagues in grand slam home runs in 2008, with four, and also swung at 59% of all pitches he saw for the season, also the most in the majors.[11]

2009 season[]

Ramírez appeared in 148 games in his second MLB season. He posted a .277 batting average, 15 home runs, 68 RBI, and 15 stolen bases.[2] He fielded a ground ball for the final out of Mark Buehrle's July 23, 2009 perfect game.[12]

2010 season[]

Ramírez saw action in 156 games with Chicago. His batting average climbed to .282 and he tallied 18 homers and 70 runs batted in. He also won the American League Silver Slugger Award for the shortstop position.[2][13]

2011 season[]

In 158 games, Ramírez posted a .269 batting average, 15 home runs, and 70 runs batted in.[2]

2012 season[]

Ramírez again appeared in 158 games, as his batting average dipped slightly to .265. His home run total decreased to 9, but he still drove in 73 runs. He also set a new career high with 20 steals.[2]

2013 season[]

Ramírez in 2015.

For a third consecutive season, Ramírez saw action in exactly 158 games. His batting average of .284 was the highest since his rookie season. His power numbers fell further as he hit only six homers and drove in 48 runs. He also stole 30 bases, surpassing his previous career best from the year before.[2]

2014 season[]

On May 5, 2014, Ramírez recorded his 1,000th career hit off of Chicago Cubs' pitcher Justin Grimm in the 12th inning of the Crosstown Classic.[citation needed]

Ramírez was announced to his first All-Star game at the 2014 MLB All-Star Game along with teammates Chris Sale and fellow countryman José Abreu. He replaced Derek Jeter in the field in what was previously announced to be the Yankee star's final MLB season.[citation needed]

2015 season[]

On November 4, 2015, the White Sox declined Ramírez's $10 million option for the 2016 season, making him a free agent.[14]

San Diego Padres[]

On January 22, 2016, Ramírez signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the San Diego Padres, with a $4 million mutual option for 2017.[15] He broke up Steven Matz's no-hit bid with a RBI single in a game against the New York Mets on August 14, 2016.[16] Ramírez appeared in 128 games with the Padres, mainly at shortstop. He batted .240, with 5 home runs and 41 runs batted in.[2] He was released by the Padres on September 4.[2]

Tampa Bay Rays[]

On September 8, 2016, Ramírez signed a major league deal with the Rays.[2] He appeared in 17 games with Tampa Bay, tallying a .246 average, one home run, and 7 RBI. On November 3, Ramírez became a free agent.[2]

Diablos Rojos del México[]

On February 8, 2018, Ramírez signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican Baseball League.[17] He was released by the team on August 16, 2018.

In May 2020, Ramírez announced he was still seeking professional baseball opportunities. As of April 2021 he remains unsigned.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Ramirez agrees to four-year, $8M deal with White Sox. ESPN.com. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k "Alexei Ramirez Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Alexei Ramirez 2008 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  4. ^ "Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians Box Score, April 2, 2008". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  5. ^ "Chicago White Sox at San Francisco Giants Box Score, May 16, 2008". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  6. ^ Ramirez cracks first career grand slam while Buehrle handles Rangers in win. ESPN.com. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  7. ^ Ramirez's grand slam, Wise's two homers power White Sox past Royals. ESPN.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  8. ^ "Grand Slam Records". Baseball Almanac. 2008-09-29. Archived from the original on 28 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  9. ^ Ramirez's grand slam paves way as White Sox force tiebreaker with Twins. ESPN.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  10. ^ "2008 Awards Voting". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  11. ^ "2008 Major League Baseball PH/HR/Situ Hitting". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  12. ^ "Two descriptions of historic perfection, '09 Harrelson vs. '65 Scully". Chicago Tribune. 2009-07-23. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  13. ^ "MLB Silver Slugger Award Winners". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  14. ^ Van Schouwen, Daryl (November 4, 2015). "White Sox decline option on shortstop Alexei Ramirez". chicago.suntimes.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  15. ^ Lin, Dennis. "Padres sign Alexi Ramírez". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  16. ^ Lin, Dennis (August 14, 2016). "Padres' Ramirez breaks up Matz's no-hit bid in loss". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  17. ^ "Con nueve años de experiencia en Grandes Ligas, Alexei Ramírez se une a los Diablos" (in Spanish). Retrieved February 8, 2018.

External links[]

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