Aramis Ramírez
Encyclopedia
Aramis Nin Ramírez is an All-Star
Major League Baseball
third baseman for the Chicago Cubs
.
He started his professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates
in 1998, before being traded to the Cubs in 2003. On November 12, 2006, Ramírez signed a five-year deal with the Cubs. He declined his option for 2012 and will file for free agency.
Ramírez struggled in his first three seasons, splitting playing time between the Pirates and Triple-A Nashville. Playing with the Pirates for an entire season for the first time in 2001, Ramírez hit .300 with 34 home runs. In 2002, his batting performance dipped to .234 with 18 home runs.
Kenny Lofton
on July 23, 2003. Ramírez finished the 2003 season strong in Chicago, though he led the majors with 33 errors at third base. He had the lowest fielding percentage of all Major League third basemen with .929. The Cubs made the playoff
s and defeated the Atlanta Braves
before being beaten by eventual World Series
champions the Florida Marlins
in the seven-game 2003 National League Championship Series
. During Game 4 of the NLCS, Ramírez made Cubs history. In the first inning, Ramírez hit the first grand slam
in the playoffs in Cubs history off Marlins starter Dontrelle Willis
. Ramírez was one of the more productive Cubs' players during the NLCS, hitting 3 home runs, driving in 7 RBIs, and hitting a triple in Game 1.
of 2.26 was the lowest among all Major League third basemen.
. He collected his 1000th hit
on July 15 versus the New York Mets
. On defense, his range factor
of 2.41 was the lowest among Major League third basemen for the third straight year. After the season, he was listed as being potentially the biggest free agent in the market. Ramírez elected to stay with the Cubs, agreeing to a 5-year, $73 million contract on November 12, 2006.
Ramírez hit his 200th career home run off Claudio Vargas
on April 23, 2007. On June 29, 2007, Ramírez ended a crucial game against the Milwaukee Brewers
with a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the 9th to cap a five-run comeback win.
The Cubs won the 2007 National League Central division, thanks in large part to Ramírez, whose 101 RBIs led the team. He finished second on the Cubs in home runs (26) and batting average (.310). The divisional title came only after battling it out with Milwaukee for the final month of September.
Ramírez made strides to improve his defensive game in 2007, as he lowered his error total and improved his range factor for the third consecutive year.
On July 7, Ramírez was selected to play in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game as a reserve. Prior to game 4 of the 2008 World Series, Ramírez was awarded the Hank Aaron Award
as the most outstanding offensive performer in the National League. Ramírez finished the season with the lowest range factor
(2.16) of all major league third basemen.
. His first-inning homer in the season opener off Roy Oswalt
was the 250th of his career. On April 18 against the St. Louis Cardinals
, he hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning
.
On May 8, Ramírez dislocated his left shoulder while fielding a ground ball in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers
.
was recalled from the Iowa Cubs
to replace Ramirez.
Ramirez returned to the starting lineup on June 25 in Chicago against the White Sox. On defense, in 2010 he had the lowest fielding percentage among major league third baseman, at .939.
On June 27, 2011, Ramirez and teammate Carlos Pena
homered twice in a 7-3 win over the Colorado Rockies
. Ramirez and Pena both hit a two-run home run and a solo home run each.
On July 1, 2011, Ramírez hit his 300th career home run against the Chicago White Sox just 1 day after Mark Teixeira
hit his 300th Home run
On July 10, 2011, Aramis Ramirez was asked by National League manager Bruce Bochy
to replace Placido Polanco
in the 2011 MLB All-Star game, but Ramirez declined the invitation due to previous plans to be with his family during the break.
On October 30, 2011, Ramirez declined his portion of the $16 million option on his contract and will instead become a free agent.
On November 02, 2011, Ramirez was awarded the The Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award for best offencive NL 3rd Baseman
. In his 9th season as a Cub
, Ramirez batted .306
with 35 doubles
, 26 HRs
and a team-high 93 RBIs. He also led the team in slugging percentage and on-base percentage.
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
third baseman for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
.
He started his professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in 1998, before being traded to the Cubs in 2003. On November 12, 2006, Ramírez signed a five-year deal with the Cubs. He declined his option for 2012 and will file for free agency.
Early years with Pirates
On November 7, 1994, Ramírez signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. On May 26, 1998, he made his major league debut with the Pirates, becoming the youngest player in MLB at that time.Ramírez struggled in his first three seasons, splitting playing time between the Pirates and Triple-A Nashville. Playing with the Pirates for an entire season for the first time in 2001, Ramírez hit .300 with 34 home runs. In 2002, his batting performance dipped to .234 with 18 home runs.
2003: Traded to the Cubs
Ramírez was traded to the Chicago Cubs with outfielderOutfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton
Kenneth Lofton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder known for his great speed on the base paths as well as in the field, award-winning defensive play , timely hitting, and playful spirit. He batted and threw left-handed...
on July 23, 2003. Ramírez finished the 2003 season strong in Chicago, though he led the majors with 33 errors at third base. He had the lowest fielding percentage of all Major League third basemen with .929. The Cubs made the playoff
Playoff
The playoffs, postseason, or finals of a sports league are a game or series of games played after the regular season by the top competitors, usually but not always with a single-elimination system, to determine the league champion or a similar accolade.In the U.S...
s and defeated the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
before being beaten by eventual World Series
2003 World Series
The 2003 World Series marked the 99th baseball World Series event. The Florida Marlins defeated the New York Yankees in six games, 4–2.-Background:...
champions the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
in the seven-game 2003 National League Championship Series
2003 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 7, 2003 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, IllinoisThe Marlins took Game 1 of the series, coming back from an early 4–0 deficit. They scored five runs in the third on three home runs from Juan Encarnacion, rookie Miguel Cabrera, and Ivan "Pudge" Rodríguez. In the sixth inning,...
. During Game 4 of the NLCS, Ramírez made Cubs history. In the first inning, Ramírez hit the first grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
in the playoffs in Cubs history off Marlins starter Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Wayne Willis , nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American professional baseball pitcher. Willis is notable for his success during his first few years in the league and for his unconventional pitching style, which includes a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter...
. Ramírez was one of the more productive Cubs' players during the NLCS, hitting 3 home runs, driving in 7 RBIs, and hitting a triple in Game 1.
2004 season
On September 16, 2004, Ramírez became the 14th player in Major League history to have two different games with three home runs in a season. On defense, his range factorRange Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
of 2.26 was the lowest among all Major League third basemen.
2005 season
In 2005, he was elected to play in his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Ramírez finished the season on the disabled list, after straining his quadriceps femoral muscle on August 24. He finished the season with 31 home runs and 92 RBIs.2006 season
In , Ramírez hit 38 home runs while driving in 119 runsRun (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
. He collected his 1000th hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
on July 15 versus the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. On defense, his range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
of 2.41 was the lowest among Major League third basemen for the third straight year. After the season, he was listed as being potentially the biggest free agent in the market. Ramírez elected to stay with the Cubs, agreeing to a 5-year, $73 million contract on November 12, 2006.
2007 season
Claudio Vargas
Claudio Vargas Almonte is a former Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers...
on April 23, 2007. On June 29, 2007, Ramírez ended a crucial game against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
with a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the 9th to cap a five-run comeback win.
The Cubs won the 2007 National League Central division, thanks in large part to Ramírez, whose 101 RBIs led the team. He finished second on the Cubs in home runs (26) and batting average (.310). The divisional title came only after battling it out with Milwaukee for the final month of September.
Ramírez made strides to improve his defensive game in 2007, as he lowered his error total and improved his range factor for the third consecutive year.
2008 season
On June 20, in the bottom of the 9th, during the first game of the 2008 Crosstown Classic against the Chicago White Sox, Ramírez hit his 2nd home run of the day for a walk off. He went on to homer in each of the next two games in that series.On July 7, Ramírez was selected to play in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game as a reserve. Prior to game 4 of the 2008 World Series, Ramírez was awarded the Hank Aaron Award
Hank Aaron Award
The Hank Aaron Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball players selected as the top hitter in each league, as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. It was introduced in 1999 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Hank Aaron's surpassing of Babe Ruth's career home run mark...
as the most outstanding offensive performer in the National League. Ramírez finished the season with the lowest range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
(2.16) of all major league third basemen.
2009 Season
Ramírez got off to a quick start in 2009 with 5 RBI during the Cubs' opening series against the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. His first-inning homer in the season opener off Roy Oswalt
Roy Oswalt
Roy Edward Oswalt is an American Major League Baseball pitcher and Olympic gold medalist who is currently a free agent. Oswalt, a slender six-foot right-handed starting pitcher, is currently in his eleventh major league season...
was the 250th of his career. On April 18 against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, he hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning
Extra innings
Extra innings is the extension of a baseball or softball game in order to break a tie.Ordinarily, a baseball game consists of nine innings , each of which is divided into halves: the visiting team bats first, after which the home team takes its turn at bat...
.
On May 8, Ramírez dislocated his left shoulder while fielding a ground ball in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
2010 Season
Ramirez began the season fairly slowly, batting .168 with 5 home runs and 22 RBIs through his first 47 games before landing on the 15-Day Disabled List on June 9 with a bruised thumb. Infielder Chad TracyChad Tracy
Chad Austin Tracy is a Major League Baseball third baseman, who is currently with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.-College & draft:...
was recalled from the Iowa Cubs
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
to replace Ramirez.
Ramirez returned to the starting lineup on June 25 in Chicago against the White Sox. On defense, in 2010 he had the lowest fielding percentage among major league third baseman, at .939.
2011 Season
Ramirez activated his 14 million dollar contract on November 3 of 2010 to stay on with the team in the 2011 season.On June 27, 2011, Ramirez and teammate Carlos Pena
Carlos Peña
Carlos Felipe Peña is a Dominican professional baseball left-handed first baseman. He played previously with the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs.Although he was born in Santo Domingo and his family is from San Francisco de Macorís,...
homered twice in a 7-3 win over the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. Ramirez and Pena both hit a two-run home run and a solo home run each.
On July 1, 2011, Ramírez hit his 300th career home run against the Chicago White Sox just 1 day after Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...
hit his 300th Home run
On July 10, 2011, Aramis Ramirez was asked by National League manager Bruce Bochy
Bruce Bochy
Bruce Douglas Bochy is the manager of the San Francisco Giants. Prior to joining the Giants, Bochy had been the manager of the San Diego Padres for twelve seasons. Bochy is the only former Padres player to serve as the team's manager. He has participated in all five postseason appearances in...
to replace Placido Polanco
Plácido Polanco
Plácido Enrique Polanco is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies and has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. He is a third baseman, but in the past has played second base and shortstop...
in the 2011 MLB All-Star game, but Ramirez declined the invitation due to previous plans to be with his family during the break.
On October 30, 2011, Ramirez declined his portion of the $16 million option on his contract and will instead become a free agent.
On November 02, 2011, Ramirez was awarded the The Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award for best offencive NL 3rd Baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
. In his 9th season as a Cub
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, Ramirez batted .306
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with 35 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 26 HRs
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
and a team-high 93 RBIs. He also led the team in slugging percentage and on-base percentage.