Alexei Ramírez

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. Ramírez batted and threw right-handed.

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
Ramírez with the Chicago White Sox
Shortstop
Born: (1981-09-22) September 22, 1981
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
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

Early career

In seven years of baseball in the Cuban National Series, Ramírez spent most of his time playing shortstop and outfield for Pinar del Rio.[1] He had a batting average of .332 in Cuba, and led the league in 2007 with 20 home runs while posting a .335 average.[1] Ramírez played center field for Cuba at the 2006 World Baseball Classic, collecting six hits in 16 at-bats and impressing Major League Baseball scouts in the process.

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, $8 million contract with the Chicago White Sox on December 21, 2007.[2]

2008 season

Ramírez made his MLB debut on March 31, 2008 against the Cleveland Indians, finishing the game 0-for-4 as the starting center fielder.[3] He recorded his first major league hit on April 2,[4] a single off Indians reliever Jorge Julio.[5] Ramírez hit his first major league home run on May 16,[4] off San Francisco Giants reliever Billy Sadler.[6]

Ramírez hit his first career grand slam on July 22, 2008.[7] 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.[8] On September 29, Ramírez hit his fourth grand slam of the season, setting a major-league single-season record for a rookie,[9] 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.[10]

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 recording 77 RBI.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13]

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.[11] He fielded a ground ball for the final out of Mark Buehrle's July 23, 2009 perfect game.[14]

2010 season

Ramírez saw action in 156 games with Chicago. His batting average climbed to .282 and he tallied 18 homers and 70 RBI. He also won the American League Silver Slugger Award for the shortstop position.[11][15]

2011 season

On January 31, 2011, Ramírez signed a four-year, $32.5 million contract with the White Sox that included a club option for a fifth year.[16] In 158 games, Ramírez posted a .269 batting average, 15 home runs, and 70 RBI.[11]

2012 season

Ramírez again appeared in 158 games, as his batting average dipped slightly to .265. His home run total decreased to nine, but he still had 73 RBI. He also set a new career high with 20 steals.[11]

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 recorded 48 RBI. He also stole 30 bases, surpassing his previous career best from the year before.[11]

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.[17][18]

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.[19]

2015 season

On November 4, 2015, the White Sox declined Ramírez's $10 million option for the 2016 season, making him a free agent.[20]

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.[21] 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.[22] Ramírez appeared in 128 games with the Padres, mainly at shortstop. He batted .240, with five home runs and 41 RBI.[11] He was released by the Padres on September 4.[23]

Tampa Bay Rays

On September 8, 2016, Ramírez signed a major league deal with the Rays.[24] 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.[11]

Diablos Rojos del México

On February 8, 2018, Ramírez signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican Baseball League.[25] He was released by the team on August 16, 2018.

In May 2020, Ramírez announced he was still seeking professional baseball opportunities. He later confirmed his retirement the next year.[26]

See also

References
  1. "Alexei Ramírez Cuban, Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  2. Rojas, Enrique (December 22, 2007). "ChiSox ink Cuban star Ramírez to four-year deal". ESPN. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  3. "Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians Box Score, March 31, 2008". Baseball-Reference.com. March 31, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  4. "Alexei Ramirez 2008 Batting Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  5. "Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians Box Score, April 2, 2008". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. April 2, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  6. "Chicago White Sox at San Francisco Giants Box Score, May 16, 2008". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  7. "Ramirez cracks first career grand slam while Buehrle handles Rangers in win". ESPN. July 22, 2008. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  8. "Ramirez's grand slam, Wise's two homers power White Sox past Royals". ESPN. Associated Press. September 19, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  9. "Grand Slam Records". Baseball Almanac. September 29, 2008. Archived from the original on October 28, 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  10. "Ramirez's grand slam paves way as White Sox force tiebreaker with Twins". ESPN. Associated Press. September 29, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  11. "Alexei Ramirez Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  12. "2008 Awards Voting". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  13. "2008 Major League Baseball PH/HR/Situ Hitting". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  14. Rosenthal, Phil (July 23, 2009). "Two descriptions of historic perfection, '09 Harrelson vs. '65 Scully". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  15. "MLB Silver Slugger Award Winners". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  16. Sullivan, Jeff (January 31, 2011). "Alexei Ramirez Signs Four-Year Contract Extension With White Sox". SB Nation. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  17. "Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs Box Score, May 5, 2014". Baseball-Reference.com. May 5, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  18. Forsha, Stephen (May 5, 2014). "Marcus Semien sends White Sox to extra-inning win over Cubs". Southside Showdown. FanSided. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  19. Sullivan, Paul (July 16, 2014). "White Sox relish taking part in Jeter tribute". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  20. Van Schouwen, Daryl (November 4, 2015). "White Sox decline option on shortstop Alexei Ramirez". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  21. Lin, Dennis (January 22, 2016). "Padres sign Alexi Ramírez". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  22. Lin, Dennis (August 14, 2016). "Padres' Ramirez breaks up Matz's no-hit bid in loss". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  23. Cassavell, AJ (September 4, 2016). "Padres release veteran shortstop Ramirez". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  24. "Alexei Ramirez, cut by Padres, signs with Rays". ESPN. September 8, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  25. "Con nueve años de experiencia en Grandes Ligas, Alexei Ramírez se une a los Diablos". Diablos Rojos del México (in Spanish). Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  26. Lazowski, Jordan (December 28, 2021). "Interview with Former White Sox Shortstop Alexei Ramirez". Sox On 35th. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
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