Dodgers Team News

Today In Dodger History: Shortstop Hanley Ramirez Was Born In 1983

tumblr_mnw3qltngN1rs467vo1_1280December 23, 1983

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez was born on this day 30 years ago in Samana, Dominican Republic. Ramirez would go on to attend Adbentista High School in Samana.



He was signed as an international free agent in 2000 by the Boston Red Sox and remained with the team until making his debut on September 20, 2005 as a defensive replacement. He finished that season with two at-bats that both ended in strikeouts. That off-season, he was traded to the Florida Marlins, along with Anibal Sanchez in exchange for Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota.

Ramirez became the Marlins’ starting shortstop and was named the NL’s Rookie of the Year in 2006. He finished hitting .292 with 17 home runs and 59 RBI in 158 games. He led all rookies in hits (185), runs (119), triples (11) and stolen bases (51). Ramirez had four more strong seasons with the Marlins before things went sour with the NL East team. In 2011, Ramirez hit just .243 and missed significant time due to injury for the first time in his career. The Marlins would sign shortstop Jose Reyes before the 2012 season, forcing Ramirez to move to third base, which he wasn’t in favor of.

The right-handed hitting Ramirez struggled to begin the year and was unhappy with the team. He was traded to the Dodgers on July 25, 2012 with Randy Choate for Nathan Eovaldi and a minor league pitcher. Ramirez would go on to finish out the season strong for his new team. In 64 games with the Dodgers, he hit .271 with 10 home runs and 44 RBI.

Heading into 2013, Ramirez was forced to spend time on the disabled list after a thumb injury that occurred in the World Baseball Classic. The shortstop also dealt with a hamstring injury last season but managed to be quite productive in his time on the field. He hit .345 with 20 home runs and 57 RBI in just 86 games last season, leading the Dodgers in their journey from last place to NL West champions.

The Dodgers are reportedly working on an extension for Ramirez that would keep the new 30-year-old in town for the significant future.

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Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

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