Orlando Ramírez

Orlando Ramírez Leal (born December 18, 1951), nicknamed as "El Ñato" (Snub Nose), is a Colombian former Major League Baseball shortstop who played for the California Angels between 1974 and 1979. He was the first recognized Colombian-born player in major league history, following Luis Castro, who played 42 games for the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1902 season.[1]

For the Chilean soccer player, see Orlando Ramírez (footballer).
Orlando Ramírez
Shortstop
Born: (1951-12-18) December 18, 1951
Cartagena, Colombia
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 6, 1974, for the California Angels
Last MLB appearance
May 16, 1979, for the California Angels
MLB statistics
Batting average.189
Home runs0
Runs batted in16
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Colombia
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 1971 Cali Team
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ramírez and the second or maternal family name is Leal.

In his 143-game major league career, Ramírez batted .189 with 16 RBI, 24 runs, five doubles, one triple and 16 stolen bases.

Early Colombian career

Ramírez began his career with the Willard club from Barranquilla, Colombia in 1966 which was recognized as the top level of Colombian baseball. At the age of 17, Ramírez made the Colombian national team and debuted in his first game in the Amateur World Series held in Santo Domingo. He batted third and played third base on the Colombian national team. In the 1970 and 1971 Amateur World Series, Ramírez played shortstop and led all players in stolen bases. He led the Colombian national team to a silver medal in the 1971 Amateur World Series.[2] He also won a bronze medal at the 1971 Pan American Games.

Career in the United States

Ramírez first played for the Shreveport Captains in the Texas League, the Double-A affiliate of the California Angels. He excelled and was transferred to the Idaho Falls Angels in the Pioneer Rookie League. From Idaho Falls, he was sent to the minors in 1973, playing for the Quad Cities Angels where he soon played Double-A again in 1974. A short time after playing Double-A, Ramírez was promoted to the majors.[2]

Colombian significance

Ramírez was inducted in the Colombian Baseball Hall of Fame in September 2009. He was the first Colombian to play in the Major Leagues. The Colombian Professional Baseball League Most Valuable Player award has been in his name since the winter of 2005-06.[2]

See also

References
  1. "Players Born in Colombia - Baseball-Reference.com". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  2. Costello, Rory. "Orlando Ramirez". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
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