This article was researched and compiled
by Carrie Birdsong
Birthplace: Pinar del Rio, Cuba
Position: Shortstop
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB Debut: 3 – 31 – 2008, for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB Appearance: 10 – 2 – 2016, for the Tampa
Bay Rays
Batting Average: .270
Home Runs: 115
Runs Batted In: 590
Played for:
Batting Average: .270
Home Runs: 115
Runs Batted In: 590
Played for:
1. Chicago White Sox (2008 – 2015)
2. San Diego Padres (2016)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (2016)
Career highlights and awards:
2. San Diego Padres (2016)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (2016)
Career highlights and awards:
1. All–Star (2014)
2. 2x Silver Slugger Award (2010, 2014)
Medals Men’s Baseball:
2. 2x Silver Slugger Award (2010, 2014)
Medals Men’s Baseball:
1. Representing Cuba
2. World Baseball Classic (Silver, 2006 San Diego)
3. Olympic Games (Gold, 2004 Athens)
4. Baseball World Cup (Gold, 2005 Rotterdam)
5. International Cup (Gold, 2006 Taichung)
6. Central American and Caribbean Games (Gold,
2. World Baseball Classic (Silver, 2006 San Diego)
3. Olympic Games (Gold, 2004 Athens)
4. Baseball World Cup (Gold, 2005 Rotterdam)
5. International Cup (Gold, 2006 Taichung)
6. Central American and Caribbean Games (Gold,
2006 Cartagena)
7. World Baseball Classic (Silver, 2006 San Diego)
8. Pan American Games (Gold, 2007 Rio de Janeiro)
Early Career
In seven years of baseball in the Cuban National Series, Ramirez 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). Ramirez 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.
Chicago White Sox
In September 2007, Ramirez left Cuba to apply for citizenship in the Dominican Republic and also to 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 27th, 2007. (2)
2008 season
Ramirez made his MLB debut on March 31st, 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 2nd, 4 a single off Indians reliever Jorge Julio(5). Ramirez hit his first major league home run on May 16th,(4) off San Francisco Giants reliever Billy Sadler.(6)
Ramirez hit his first career grand slam on July 22nd, 2008 (7). On September 19th, Ramirez 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 29th, Ramirez 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)
During his first season in the majors, Ramirez excelled both offensively and on 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 runs batted in (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). Ramirez 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
Ramirez appeared in 148 games in his second MLB season. He posted a .277 batting average, 15 home runs, 68 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases(11). He fielded a ground ball for the final out of Mark Buehrle’s July 23rd, 2009, perfect game. (14)
2010 season
Ramirez saw action in 156 games with Chicago. His batting average climbed to .282, and he tallied 18 home runs and 70 RBIs. He also won the American League Silver Slugger Award for the shortstop position.(11)(15)
2011 season
On January 31st, 2011, Ramirez 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, Ramirez posted a .269 batting average, 15 home runs, and 70 RBIs.(11).
2012 season
Ramirez 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 RBIs. He also set a new career high with 20 steals. (11)
2013 season
For a third consecutive season, Ramirez saw action in exactly 158 games. His batting average of .284 was the highest since his rookie season. His power number fell further as he hit only six home runs and recorded 48 RBIs. He also stole 30 bases, surpassing his previous career best from the year before. (11)
2014 season
On May 5th, 2014, Ramirez recorded his 1,000th career hit off of Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Grimm in the 12th inning of the Crosstown Classic. (17)(18)
Ramirez was announced for his first All–Star game at the 2014 MLB All–Star Game along with teammates Chris Sale and fellow countryman Jose Abreu. He replaced Derek Jeter on the field in what was previously announced to be the Yankee star’s final MLB season. (19)
2015 season
On November 4th, 2015, the White Sox declined Ramirez’s $10 million option for the 2016 season, making him a free agent. (20)
8. Pan American Games (Gold, 2007 Rio de Janeiro)
Early Career
In seven years of baseball in the Cuban National Series, Ramirez 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). Ramirez 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, Ramirez left Cuba to apply for citizenship in the Dominican Republic and also to 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 27th, 2007. (2)
2008 season
Ramirez made his MLB debut on March 31st, 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 2nd, 4 a single off Indians reliever Jorge Julio(5). Ramirez hit his first major league home run on May 16th,(4) off San Francisco Giants reliever Billy Sadler.(6)
Ramirez hit his first career grand slam on July 22nd, 2008 (7). On September 19th, Ramirez 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 29th, Ramirez 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)
During his first season in the majors, Ramirez excelled both offensively and on 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 runs batted in (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). Ramirez 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
Ramirez appeared in 148 games in his second MLB season. He posted a .277 batting average, 15 home runs, 68 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases(11). He fielded a ground ball for the final out of Mark Buehrle’s July 23rd, 2009, perfect game. (14)
2010 season
Ramirez saw action in 156 games with Chicago. His batting average climbed to .282, and he tallied 18 home runs and 70 RBIs. He also won the American League Silver Slugger Award for the shortstop position.(11)(15)
2011 season
On January 31st, 2011, Ramirez 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, Ramirez posted a .269 batting average, 15 home runs, and 70 RBIs.(11).
2012 season
Ramirez 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 RBIs. He also set a new career high with 20 steals. (11)
2013 season
For a third consecutive season, Ramirez saw action in exactly 158 games. His batting average of .284 was the highest since his rookie season. His power number fell further as he hit only six home runs and recorded 48 RBIs. He also stole 30 bases, surpassing his previous career best from the year before. (11)
2014 season
On May 5th, 2014, Ramirez recorded his 1,000th career hit off of Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Grimm in the 12th inning of the Crosstown Classic. (17)(18)
Ramirez was announced for his first All–Star game at the 2014 MLB All–Star Game along with teammates Chris Sale and fellow countryman Jose Abreu. He replaced Derek Jeter on the field in what was previously announced to be the Yankee star’s final MLB season. (19)
2015 season
On November 4th, 2015, the White Sox declined Ramirez’s $10 million option for the 2016 season, making him a free agent. (20)
San Diego Padres
On January 22nd, 2016, Ramirez signed a one–year, $3 million contract with the San Diego Padres, with a $4 million option for 2017(21). He broke up Steven Matz’s no–hit bid with an RBI single in a game against the New York Mets on August 14th, 2016(22). Ramirez appeared in 128 games with the Padres, mainly at shortstop. He batted .240, with five home runs and 41 RBIs(11). He was released by the Padres on September 4th.(23)
Tampa Bay Rays
On September 8th, 2016, Ramirez signed a major league deal with the Rays(24). He appeared in 17 games with Tampa Bay, tallying a .246 average, with one home run, and 7 RBIs. On November 3rd, Ramirez became a free agent.(11)
Diablos Rojos del Mexico
On February 8th, 2018, Ramirez signed with the Diablos Rojos del Mexico of the Mexican Baseball League(25). He was released by the team on August 16th, 2018. In 37 games, he hit .236/.306/.340 with 2 home runs, 19 RBIs, and 1 stolen base.
In May 2020, Ramirez announced he was still seeking professional baseball opportunities. He later confirmed his retirement the next year. (26)
For more in–depth stats, click here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramiral03.shtml
References:
1. "Alexei Ramírez Cuban, Winter & Minor
On January 22nd, 2016, Ramirez signed a one–year, $3 million contract with the San Diego Padres, with a $4 million option for 2017(21). He broke up Steven Matz’s no–hit bid with an RBI single in a game against the New York Mets on August 14th, 2016(22). Ramirez appeared in 128 games with the Padres, mainly at shortstop. He batted .240, with five home runs and 41 RBIs(11). He was released by the Padres on September 4th.(23)
Tampa Bay Rays
On September 8th, 2016, Ramirez signed a major league deal with the Rays(24). He appeared in 17 games with Tampa Bay, tallying a .246 average, with one home run, and 7 RBIs. On November 3rd, Ramirez became a free agent.(11)
Diablos Rojos del Mexico
On February 8th, 2018, Ramirez signed with the Diablos Rojos del Mexico of the Mexican Baseball League(25). He was released by the team on August 16th, 2018. In 37 games, he hit .236/.306/.340 with 2 home runs, 19 RBIs, and 1 stolen base.
In May 2020, Ramirez announced he was still seeking professional baseball opportunities. He later confirmed his retirement the next year. (26)
For more in–depth stats, click here: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramiral03.shtml
References:
1. "Alexei Ramírez Cuban, Winter & Minor
year deal". ESPN. Retrieved October 10,
Reference.com. March 31, 2008. Retrieved
com. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 4,
Reference.com. Sports Reference. April 2,
Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved
Associated Press. July 22, 2008. Archived
from the original on January 29, 2016.
Associated Press. September 19, 2008.
Archived from the original on September 23,
September 29, 2008. Archived from the
original on October 28, 2008. Retrieved
Associated Press. September 29, 2008.
Archived from the original on October 1,
com. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 3,
com. May 5, 2014. Retrieved October 28,
win over Cubs". Southside Showdown.
Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 28,
2022.
20. Van Schouwen, Daryl (November 4,
20. Van Schouwen, Daryl (November 4,
2015). "White Sox decline option on
Times. Archived from the original on
November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 4,
Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 22,
Retrieved May 4, 2017.
23. Cassavell, AJ (September 4, 2016).
23. Cassavell, AJ (September 4, 2016).
September 8, 2016. Retrieved October 28,
(in Spanish). Archived from the original
on June 5, 2022. Retrieved February 8,
2018.
26. Lazowski, Jordan (December 28, 2021).
26. Lazowski, Jordan (December 28, 2021).
Shortstop Alexei Ramirez". Sox On 35th.
Retrieved October 28, 2022.
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