Alexei Ramírez
| Alexei Ramírez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chicago White Sox – No. 10 | |
| Shortstop / Second baseman | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| debut | |
| March 31, 2008, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Career statistics (through 2009 season) | |
| Batting average | .290 |
| Home runs | 24 |
| Runs batted in | 99 |
| On-base percentage | .317 |
| Slugging percentage | .475 |
| Stolen bases | 22 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
| Olympic medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men’s baseball | ||
 |
2004 Athens | Team Event |
Alexei Fernando Ramírez (born September 22, 1981 in Pinar del Río, Cuba) is an Afro-Cuban immigrant to the United States, Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop for the Chicago White Sox. His nickname, given to him by White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén, is "The Cuban Missile" due to his tall, slim physique and combination of speed and power.
Baseball 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.
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.
Ramírez's first season in the Majors was a breakout year for him during which he excelled both offensively and on defense, despite moving from his accustomed shortstop position to play second base and never having faced Major League pitching. For his impressive accomplishments, Ramírez finished in second place in the voting for American League Rookie of the Year honors, losing out to Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Alexei hit his first major league home run on May 16, 2008 versus the San Francisco Giants off Billy Sadler.
Grand slam record
He hit his first career grand-slam on July 22, 2008 against the Texas Rangers.
On September 20, 2008, Ramirez hit his third grand slam of the season off of pitcher Brian Bannister of the Kansas City Royals in a 9-4 White Sox win, tying an American League rookie record set by Shane Spencer of the New York Yankees in 1998. It was the Chicago White Sox's eleventh grand slam this season, tying the club record set in 2006.[1]
On September 29, 2008, Ramirez hit his fourth grand slam of the season, setting a major-league single-season record for a rookie, off of Detroit Tigers pitcher Gary Glover in an 8-2 Sox victory to qualify the Sox for a one-game playoff against the Minnesota Twins for the AL Central title. This also broke the team record for most grand slams in a single season.[2]
Grand slams
- July 22, 2008 vs. Texas Rangers (Pitcher: Dustin Nippert)
- August 17, 2008 at Oakland Athletics (Pitcher: Dan Meyer)
- September 20, 2008 at Kansas City Royals (Pitcher: Brian Bannister)
- Septermber 29, 2008 vs. Detroit Tigers (Pitcher: Gary Glover)
- April 25, 2009 vs. Blue Jays (Pitcher: Shawn Camp)
Career statistics
| Year | Age | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | TB | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 26 | Chicago | AL | 136 | 480 | 65 | 139 | 22 | 2 | 21 | 77 | 13 | 9 | 18 | 61 | .290 | .317 | .475 | .792 | 228 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
| Totals: | 136 | 480 | 65 | 139 | 22 | 2 | 21 | 77 | 13 | 9 | 18 | 61 | .290 | .317 | .475 | .792 | 228 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 14 | |||
Roll over stat abbreviations for definitions. Stats through 2009.[3]
References
- ^ "Ramirez's grand slam lifts White Sox over Royals". Associated Press. 2008-09-20. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
- ^ "Grand Slam Records". Baseball Almanac. 2008-09-29. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
- ^ "Alexei Ramirez Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
External links
- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs
Template:2008 Topps All-Star Rookie Roster
Template:Chicago White Sox Opening Day starting shortstops
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