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{{short description|Dominican baseball player}}
{{Short description|Dominican baseball player & coach (born 1979)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
{{Infobox baseball biography
| image = Ramón Santiago.jpg
| image = Ramón Santiago.jpg
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| caption = Santiago with the Detroit Tigers in 2010
| caption = Santiago with the Detroit Tigers in 2010
| name = Ramón Santiago
| name = Ramón Santiago
| team = Detroit Tigers
| team =
| number = 39
| number =
| position = [[Shortstop]] / [[Second baseman]] / [[Coach (sport)|Coach]]
| position = [[Shortstop]] / [[Second baseman]] / [[Coach (baseball)|Coach]]
| bats = Switch
| bats = Switch
| throws = Right
| throws = Right
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* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|2014}})
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|2014}})
'''As coach'''
'''As coach'''
*[[Detroit Tigers]] ({{mlby|2018}}–present)
*[[Detroit Tigers]] ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2022}})
}}
}}
[[File:Ramón Santiago on September 4, 2014.jpg|thumb|220px|Santiago playing for the [[2014 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati Reds in 2014]]]]
[[File:Ramón Santiago on September 4, 2014.jpg|thumb|220px|Santiago playing for the [[2014 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati Reds in 2014]]]]


'''Ramón David Santiago Sanchez''' (born August 31, 1979) is a [[People of the Dominican Republic|Dominican]] former professional [[baseball]] player, and the current first base [[Coach (baseball)|coach]] for the [[Detroit Tigers]]. Santiago played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) as an [[infielder]] for the Detroit Tigers from 2002 to 2003, the [[Seattle Mariners]] from 2004 to 2005, again with the Tigers from 2006–2013 and with the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in 2014. He spent most of his major league career at [[shortstop]], but also played a significant amount of time at [[second baseman|second base]], and occasionally [[third base]]. He is the only MLB player in history to hit a walk-off, grand slam home run in his last MLB at bat. He accomplished this feat playing with the Cincinnati Reds with two out in the bottom of the 10th inning on September 27th, 2014 on a 1-0 pitch from the Pittsburgh Pirates' Bobby LaFromboise. No other player in history has yet accomplished this feat in their last MLB at bat. [[ESPN|MLB]].
'''Ramón David Santiago Sanchez''' (born August 31, 1979) is a [[People of the Dominican Republic|Dominican]]-[[People of the United States|American]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kulfan |first1=Ted |title=Tigers coach Ramon Santiago excited to become U.S. citizen |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2020/09/12/tigers-coach-ramon-santiago-excited-become-us-citizen/5782319002/ |website=The Detroit News |access-date=September 16, 2020}}</ref> former professional [[baseball]] player, and minor league [[Coach (baseball)|coach]] for the [[Detroit Tigers]]. Santiago played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) as an [[infielder]] for the Detroit Tigers from 2002 to 2003, the [[Seattle Mariners]] from 2004 to 2005, again with the Tigers from 2006 to 2013 and with the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in 2014. He spent most of his major league career at [[shortstop]], but also played a significant amount of time at [[second baseman|second base]], and occasionally [[third base]]. He is the only MLB player in history to hit a grand slam in his last at bat with a walk-off home run. He accomplished this feat playing with the Cincinnati Reds with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning on September 27, 2014, on a 1–0 pitch from the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]' [[Bobby LaFromboise]].


==Career==
==Career==
===Detroit Tigers===
===Detroit Tigers===
Santiago made his major league debut for the Tigers in 2002. Used mainly as a backup, he was still named to the [[Topps All-Star Rookie Rosters|2002 Topps All-Star Rookie Roster]]. During his rookie season, Santiago hit first-inning lead-off home runs on consecutive days (June 3, 2002<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ramon-santiago.com/page2/page2.html |title=June 3, 2002 Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score |accessdate=August 9, 2008 |work=[[Baseball-Reference]] |publisher= |date= }}</ref> and June 4, 2002<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET200206040.shtml |title=June 4, 2002 Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score |accessdate=August 9, 2008 |work=[[Baseball-Reference]] |publisher= |date= }}</ref>). In the June 3 game, he hit a second home run in the seventh inning. In 2003, Santiago assumed the starting shortstop role for the Tigers.
Santiago made his major league debut for the Tigers in 2002. Used mainly as a backup, he was still named to the [[Topps All-Star Rookie Rosters|2002 Topps All-Star Rookie Roster]]. During his rookie season, Santiago hit first-inning lead-off home runs on consecutive days (June 3, 2002<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ramon-santiago.com/page2/page2.html |title=June 3, 2002 Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score |access-date=August 9, 2008 |work=[[Baseball-Reference]] }}</ref> and June 4, 2002<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET200206040.shtml |title=June 4, 2002 Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score |access-date=August 9, 2008 |work=[[Baseball-Reference]] }}</ref>). In the June 3 game, he hit a second home run in the seventh inning. In 2003, Santiago assumed the starting shortstop role for the Tigers.


===Seattle Mariners===
===Seattle Mariners===
Santiago struggled and was traded, along with minor league player Juan Gonzalez, to Seattle in exchange for [[Carlos Guillén]].
Santiago struggled and was traded, along with minor league player Juan Gonzalez, to Seattle in exchange for [[Carlos Guillén]].


During Santiago's two seasons with the Mariners, he played in only 27 games, spending most of his time in the minor leagues for the Triple-A [[Tacoma Rainiers]]. While playing for the Rainiers, Santiago was selected as the team's MVP<ref>{{cite web |url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20060104&content_id=1291465&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det&affiliateId=CommentWidget |title=Santiago signs with Tigers in Minors |accessdate=September 9, 2011 |work= |publisher= |date= }}</ref> and Best Glove in 2005. He was also selected as the 2005 Top Second Baseman for the Triple-A [[Pacific Coast League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20060104&content_id=1291465&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det&affiliateId=CommentWidget |title=About Ramon |accessdate=September 9, 2011 |work= |publisher= |date= }}</ref> However, Santiago was released following the 2005 season.
During Santiago's two seasons with the Mariners, he played in only 27 games, spending most of his time in the minor leagues for the Triple-A [[Tacoma Rainiers]]. While playing for the Rainiers, Santiago was selected as the team's MVP<ref>{{cite web |url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20060104&content_id=1291465&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det&affiliateId=CommentWidget |title=Santiago signs with Tigers in Minors |access-date=September 9, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and Best Glove in 2005. He was also selected as the 2005 Top Second Baseman for the Triple-A [[Pacific Coast League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20060104&content_id=1291465&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det&affiliateId=CommentWidget |title=About Ramon |access-date=September 9, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> However, Santiago was released following the 2005 season.


===Second stint with the Detroit Tigers===
===Second stint with the Detroit Tigers===
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During the Tigers run to the 2011 American League Central Division championship, Santiago played in 101 games, mostly at second base, and hit .260. His season highlights included a walk-off home run on August 30, which gave the Tigers a 2–1 victory over the [[Kansas City Royals]] in the bottom of the 10th inning. He also drove in the winning run with a walk-off triple in a June 13 game against the [[Tampa Bay Rays]].
During the Tigers run to the 2011 American League Central Division championship, Santiago played in 101 games, mostly at second base, and hit .260. His season highlights included a walk-off home run on August 30, which gave the Tigers a 2–1 victory over the [[Kansas City Royals]] in the bottom of the 10th inning. He also drove in the winning run with a walk-off triple in a June 13 game against the [[Tampa Bay Rays]].


On November 30, 2011, the Tigers re-signed Santiago to a two-year extension, which kept him on the team through the 2013 season.<ref>[http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120116&content_id=26359732&vkey=news_det&c_id=detarticle.jsp?ymd=20111130&content_id=26061882&vkey=news_det&c_id=det Tigers re-sign Santiago to a two-year contract] MLB.com November 30, 2011</ref>
On November 30, 2011, the Tigers re-signed Santiago to a two-year extension, which kept him on the team through the 2013 season.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140201173631/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120116&content_id=26359732&vkey=news_det&c_id=detarticle.jsp?ymd=20111130&content_id=26061882&vkey=news_det&c_id=det Tigers re-sign Santiago to a two-year contract] MLB.com November 30, 2011</ref>


With the return of [[Omar Infante]] in July 2012, Santiago lost his every day second base position. He still played some games as a [[pinch hitter]] and as a late-inning defensive replacement. He also started at second and shortstop when needed. In a July 2013 game versus the Toronto Blue Jays, Colby Rasmus slid into second base, slide-tackling Omar Infante. Infante was injured and placed on the disabled list. Santiago was called into the game and finished it out, and played several more games at second base until Infante returned.
With the return of [[Omar Infante]] in July 2012, Santiago lost his every day second base position. He still played some games as a [[pinch hitter]] and as a late-inning defensive replacement. He also started at second and shortstop when needed. In a July 2013 game versus the Toronto Blue Jays, [[Colby Rasmus]] slid into second base, slide-tackling Infante, who was injured and placed on the disabled list. Santiago was called into the game and finished it out, and played several more games at second base until Infante returned.


===Cincinnati Reds===
===Cincinnati Reds===
Santiago was a non-roster invitee to the 2014 [[Cincinnati Reds]] training camp, and he made the team as a reserve infielder.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cincinnati Reds Non-Roster Invite Ramon Santiago Makes Team|url=http://www.cincinnatireds101.com/2014/03/26/cincinnati-reds-non-roster-invite-ramon-santiago-makes-team/}}</ref> On September 27, he hit a walk–off grand slam in the 13th inning against [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] pitcher [[Bobby LaFromboise]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rosecrans|first1=C. Trent|title=Santiago hits walk-off grand slam for Reds win|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2014/09/27/cincinnati-reds-pittsburgh-pirates/16343631/|website=cincinnati.com|publisher=Cincinnati Enquirer|accessdate=April 13, 2017|date=September 27, 2014}}</ref> in what would be the last at–bat of Santiago's Major League career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Home Run in Last At-Bat|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats18.shtml|website=baseball-almanac.com|accessdate=April 13, 2017}}</ref> He elected free agency on October 30, 2014
Santiago was a non-roster invitee to the 2014 [[Cincinnati Reds]] training camp, and he made the team as a reserve infielder.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cincinnati Reds Non-Roster Invite Ramon Santiago Makes Team|url=http://www.cincinnatireds101.com/2014/03/26/cincinnati-reds-non-roster-invite-ramon-santiago-makes-team/}}</ref> On September 27, he hit a walk–off grand slam in the 10th inning against [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] pitcher [[Bobby LaFromboise]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rosecrans|first1=C. Trent|title=Santiago hits walk-off grand slam for Reds win|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2014/09/27/cincinnati-reds-pittsburgh-pirates/16343631/|website=cincinnati.com|publisher=Cincinnati Enquirer|access-date=April 13, 2017|date=September 27, 2014}}</ref> in what would be the last at–bat of Santiago's Major League career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Home Run in Last At-Bat|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats18.shtml|website=baseball-almanac.com|access-date=April 13, 2017}}</ref> He elected free agency on October 30, 2014.


===Toronto Blue Jays===
===Toronto Blue Jays===
Santiago signed a minor league deal with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] on January 30, 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ramon Santiago agrees to minor league deal with Blue Jays|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=12253878|accessdate=January 30, 2015|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN.com|date=January 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Laymance|first1=Austin|title=Blue Jays ink Santiago to Minor League pact|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/107928010/blue-jays-sign-infielder-ramon-santiago-to-minor-league-contract|accessdate=January 30, 2015|publisher=MLB.com|date=January 30, 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203042354/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/107928010/blue-jays-sign-infielder-ramon-santiago-to-minor-league-contract|archivedate=February 3, 2015|df=}}</ref> During a spring training game against the [[Atlanta Braves]] on March 15, Santiago broke his left collarbone.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2015/03/15/blue-jays-ramon-santiago-breaks-collarbone-in-spring-game.html|title=Blue Jays’ Ramon Santiago breaks collarbone in spring game|work=thestar.com|date=March 15, 2015|accessdate=March 15, 2015}}</ref> He was released on March 30.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-send-barton-minors-release-santiago/|title=Blue Jays send Barton to minors, release Santiago|last=Simmons|first=Jeff|work=[[Sportsnet]]|date=March 30, 2015|accessdate=March 30, 2015}}</ref> The Blue Jays re-signed him to a minor league contract on April 6. He started the season on the disabled list of the Triple-A [[Buffalo Bisons]],<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/25137647/blue-jays-sign-infielder-ramon-santiago-to-minor-league-deal|title=Blue Jays sign infielder Ramon Santiago to minor-league deal|last=d'Oliveira|first=Sean|work=fantasynews.cbssports.com|date=April 6, 2015|accessdate=April 6, 2015}}</ref> and was released on July 24.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://twitter.com/BuffaloBisons/status/624625926140116992|title=Buffalo Bisons on Twitter|work=[[Twitter]]|date=July 24, 2015|accessdate=July 24, 2015}}</ref>
Santiago signed a minor league deal with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] on January 30, 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ramon Santiago agrees to minor league deal with Blue Jays|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=12253878|access-date=January 30, 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=January 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Laymance|first1=Austin|title=Blue Jays ink Santiago to Minor League pact|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/107928010/blue-jays-sign-infielder-ramon-santiago-to-minor-league-contract|access-date=January 30, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=January 30, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203042354/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/107928010/blue-jays-sign-infielder-ramon-santiago-to-minor-league-contract|archive-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref> During a spring training game against the [[Atlanta Braves]] on March 15, Santiago broke his left collarbone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2015/03/15/blue-jays-ramon-santiago-breaks-collarbone-in-spring-game.html|title=Blue Jays' Ramon Santiago breaks collarbone in spring game|work=thestar.com|date=March 15, 2015|access-date=March 15, 2015}}</ref> He was released on March 30.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-send-barton-minors-release-santiago/|title=Blue Jays send Barton to minors, release Santiago|last=Simmons|first=Jeff|work=[[Sportsnet]]|date=March 30, 2015|access-date=March 30, 2015}}</ref> The Blue Jays re-signed him to a minor league contract on April 6. He started the season on the disabled list of the Triple-A [[Buffalo Bisons]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/25137647/blue-jays-sign-infielder-ramon-santiago-to-minor-league-deal|title=Blue Jays sign infielder Ramon Santiago to minor-league deal|last=d'Oliveira|first=Sean|work=fantasynews.cbssports.com|date=April 6, 2015|access-date=April 6, 2015}}</ref> and was released on July 24.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BuffaloBisons/status/624625926140116992|title=Buffalo Bisons on Twitter|work=[[Twitter]]|date=July 24, 2015|access-date=July 24, 2015}}</ref>


==Post-playing career==
==Post-playing career==
Santiago rejoined the [[Detroit Tigers]] organization as a coach and served as the first base coach for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/259795272/tigers-complete-major-league-coaching-staff/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102212621/http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/259795272/tigers-complete-major-league-coaching-staff/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2017|title=Tigers add Bosio, complete coaching staff |first=Jason |last=Beck |work=MLB.com |date=November 2, 2017 |access-date=November 2, 2017}}</ref> He shifted to third base coach prior to the 2020 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2019/10/tigers-coaching-staff-will-return-with-new-roles-but-same-faces-in-2020.html|title=Tigers' coaching staff will return with new roles but same faces in 2020|author=Evan Woodbery|website=[[MLive.com]]|date=September 30, 2019|access-date=November 13, 2019}}</ref> Following the hiring of new Tigers manager [[A. J. Hinch]] and third base coach [[Chip Hale]] for the [[2021 Detroit Tigers season|2021 season]], the team announced Santiago would return to coaching first base.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/tigers-hire-bench-hitting-third-base-coaches |title=Tigers add bench, hitting, 3B coaches |first=Jason |last=Beck |website=MLB.com |date=November 7, 2020 |access-date=November 7, 2020}}</ref> In 2022, he returned to coaching at third base. Following the season on October 7, 2022, Santiago was removed from the major–league coaching staff and was offered a player development role within the organization.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Detroit Tigers need a to find hitting coaches to take them in a new direction|url=https://motorcitybengals.com/2022/10/08/detroit-tigers-hitting-coaches-direction/|access-date=June 28, 2023|website=motorcitybengals.com|date=October 8, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
On November 2, 2017, Santiago was named the first base coach for the [[Detroit Tigers]] for the 2018 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/259795272/tigers-complete-major-league-coaching-staff/|title=Tigers add Bosio, complete coaching staff |first=Jason |last=Beck |publisher=MLB.com |date=November 2, 2017 |accessdate=November 2, 2017}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscat|Ramón Santiago}}
{{Commons category|Ramón Santiago}}
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|Dominican Republic}}
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|Dominican Republic}}
{{baseballstats |mlb=421124 |espn=5178 |br=s/santira01 |fangraphs=1417 |cube=20153 |brm=santia001ram}}
{{baseballstats|mlb=421124 |espn=5178 |br=s/santira01 |fangraphs=1417 |brm=santia001ram |retro=S/Psantr002}}


{{Detroit Tigers roster navbox}}
{{Dominican Republic roster 2019 WBSC Premier12}}
{{Dominican Republic roster 2023 World Baseball Classic}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Santiago, Ramon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Santiago, Ramon}}
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[[Category:Gulf Coast Tigers players]]
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Latest revision as of 18:09, 6 October 2024

Ramón Santiago
Santiago with the Detroit Tigers in 2010
Shortstop / Second baseman / Coach
Born: (1979-08-31) August 31, 1979 (age 45)
Las Matas de Farfán, Dominican Republic
Batted: Switch
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 17, 2002, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
September 27, 2014, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
Batting average.243
Home runs30
Runs batted in214
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
As player

As coach

Santiago playing for the Cincinnati Reds in 2014

Ramón David Santiago Sanchez (born August 31, 1979) is a Dominican-American[1] former professional baseball player, and minor league coach for the Detroit Tigers. Santiago played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an infielder for the Detroit Tigers from 2002 to 2003, the Seattle Mariners from 2004 to 2005, again with the Tigers from 2006 to 2013 and with the Cincinnati Reds in 2014. He spent most of his major league career at shortstop, but also played a significant amount of time at second base, and occasionally third base. He is the only MLB player in history to hit a grand slam in his last at bat with a walk-off home run. He accomplished this feat playing with the Cincinnati Reds with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning on September 27, 2014, on a 1–0 pitch from the Pittsburgh Pirates' Bobby LaFromboise.

Career

[edit]

Detroit Tigers

[edit]

Santiago made his major league debut for the Tigers in 2002. Used mainly as a backup, he was still named to the 2002 Topps All-Star Rookie Roster. During his rookie season, Santiago hit first-inning lead-off home runs on consecutive days (June 3, 2002[2] and June 4, 2002[3]). In the June 3 game, he hit a second home run in the seventh inning. In 2003, Santiago assumed the starting shortstop role for the Tigers.

Seattle Mariners

[edit]

Santiago struggled and was traded, along with minor league player Juan Gonzalez, to Seattle in exchange for Carlos Guillén.

During Santiago's two seasons with the Mariners, he played in only 27 games, spending most of his time in the minor leagues for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. While playing for the Rainiers, Santiago was selected as the team's MVP[4] and Best Glove in 2005. He was also selected as the 2005 Top Second Baseman for the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.[5] However, Santiago was released following the 2005 season.

Second stint with the Detroit Tigers

[edit]

The Mariners organization released Santiago after the 2005 season, and he was re-signed by the Tigers as a free agent for 2006.

Santiago played in 43 regular-season games and started in 18 games for the American League Champion Tigers in 2006. He played shortstop, second base and third base and did not make an error in 2052⁄3 innings of play. Santiago started at shortstop in Game 1 and Game 2 of the 2006 World Series.

Santiago played for the Cibao Gigantes in the Dominican Winter League in 2009 and 2010. He led the team to a second-place finish in the Dominican Winter League Championships in 2010 and was asked to play shortstop for the Escogido Leones on Team Dominicana in the 2010 Caribbean World Series, which the Dominican won as Santiago hit .316 at the plate.

During the Tigers run to the 2011 American League Central Division championship, Santiago played in 101 games, mostly at second base, and hit .260. His season highlights included a walk-off home run on August 30, which gave the Tigers a 2–1 victory over the Kansas City Royals in the bottom of the 10th inning. He also drove in the winning run with a walk-off triple in a June 13 game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

On November 30, 2011, the Tigers re-signed Santiago to a two-year extension, which kept him on the team through the 2013 season.[6]

With the return of Omar Infante in July 2012, Santiago lost his every day second base position. He still played some games as a pinch hitter and as a late-inning defensive replacement. He also started at second and shortstop when needed. In a July 2013 game versus the Toronto Blue Jays, Colby Rasmus slid into second base, slide-tackling Infante, who was injured and placed on the disabled list. Santiago was called into the game and finished it out, and played several more games at second base until Infante returned.

Cincinnati Reds

[edit]

Santiago was a non-roster invitee to the 2014 Cincinnati Reds training camp, and he made the team as a reserve infielder.[7] On September 27, he hit a walk–off grand slam in the 10th inning against Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bobby LaFromboise[8] in what would be the last at–bat of Santiago's Major League career.[9] He elected free agency on October 30, 2014.

Toronto Blue Jays

[edit]

Santiago signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on January 30, 2015.[10][11] During a spring training game against the Atlanta Braves on March 15, Santiago broke his left collarbone.[12] He was released on March 30.[13] The Blue Jays re-signed him to a minor league contract on April 6. He started the season on the disabled list of the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons,[14] and was released on July 24.[15]

Post-playing career

[edit]

Santiago rejoined the Detroit Tigers organization as a coach and served as the first base coach for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.[16] He shifted to third base coach prior to the 2020 season.[17] Following the hiring of new Tigers manager A. J. Hinch and third base coach Chip Hale for the 2021 season, the team announced Santiago would return to coaching first base.[18] In 2022, he returned to coaching at third base. Following the season on October 7, 2022, Santiago was removed from the major–league coaching staff and was offered a player development role within the organization.[19]

References

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  1. ^ Kulfan, Ted. "Tigers coach Ramon Santiago excited to become U.S. citizen". The Detroit News. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "June 3, 2002 Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  3. ^ "June 4, 2002 Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  4. ^ "Santiago signs with Tigers in Minors". Retrieved September 9, 2011.[dead link‍]
  5. ^ "About Ramon". Retrieved September 9, 2011.[dead link‍]
  6. ^ Tigers re-sign Santiago to a two-year contract MLB.com November 30, 2011
  7. ^ "Cincinnati Reds Non-Roster Invite Ramon Santiago Makes Team".
  8. ^ Rosecrans, C. Trent (September 27, 2014). "Santiago hits walk-off grand slam for Reds win". cincinnati.com. Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  9. ^ "Home Run in Last At-Bat". baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  10. ^ "Ramon Santiago agrees to minor league deal with Blue Jays". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 30, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  11. ^ Laymance, Austin (January 30, 2015). "Blue Jays ink Santiago to Minor League pact". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  12. ^ "Blue Jays' Ramon Santiago breaks collarbone in spring game". thestar.com. March 15, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  13. ^ Simmons, Jeff (March 30, 2015). "Blue Jays send Barton to minors, release Santiago". Sportsnet. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  14. ^ d'Oliveira, Sean (April 6, 2015). "Blue Jays sign infielder Ramon Santiago to minor-league deal". fantasynews.cbssports.com. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  15. ^ "Buffalo Bisons on Twitter". Twitter. July 24, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  16. ^ Beck, Jason (November 2, 2017). "Tigers add Bosio, complete coaching staff". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  17. ^ Evan Woodbery (September 30, 2019). "Tigers' coaching staff will return with new roles but same faces in 2020". MLive.com. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  18. ^ Beck, Jason (November 7, 2020). "Tigers add bench, hitting, 3B coaches". MLB.com. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  19. ^ "Detroit Tigers need a to find hitting coaches to take them in a new direction". motorcitybengals.com. October 8, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
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