Keith Ramsey
Encyclopedia
Keith Benjamin Ramsey is a surfer, musician, writer, free spirit, and most notably a professional baseball pitcher who once threw a perfect game.
, was the public address announcer of the Los Angeles Dodgers
starting in 1958 until his retirement in 1982. He died in 1990. Besides baseball, Keith's Uncle John also announced Lakers basketball, Rams and Raiders football, Kings hockey and USC
football.
In 1998, as a senior, Ramsey had a .510 batting average with 10 doubles, 21 RBI and 18 runs scored. On the mound, he was 2-1 with a save and a 3.95 ERA. He earned MVP honors at the SoCal Challenge.
Ramsey was also the goalie on the school's soccer team which won the state championship. He was selected as the CIF Goalie of the Year and established school records in shutouts and goals against average.
One of Ramsey's friends during his high school career, Kriston Palomo, was killed during a game by a runner's batting helmet which hit him in the larynx. From that day on, Ramsey has tried to wear Palomo's #29 whenever possible in his collegiate and professional careers and, after each victory, Keith points to the sky to honor his friend.
in 1999 and 2000. He was a two-time All-Conference player.
While a freshman, Ramsey pitched in six games. He had a 1-1 record with a 1.10 ERA. As an outfielder, he hit .420 with 7 doubles, 20 RBI and 18 runs scored.
During his sophomore year, Ramsey was 1-1 with one save and a 2.31 ERA. He struck out 28 in 31 and a third innings. At the plate, he hit .361 with six doubles and 22 RBI.
As a junior in 2001, Ramsey switched to the University of Florida
where he put up a 4-3 record with 9 saves and a 2.24 ERA as a reliever. At one point in the season, he had nine consecutive appearances without giving up a run. He struck out 56 batters in 52 and a third innings. In the SEC
Tournament and the NCAA
postseason, Ramsey made four appearances and posted a perfect 0.00 ERA while collecting a save. He struck out 12 in just 6 and two thirds innings pitched. He was awarded the team's Best Pitcher Award for the season.
At the end of the 2001 season, Ramsey was selected by the Cincinnati Reds
in 11th round (336th overall) of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft
, but he decided to play his senior season for Florida. Ramsey made the switch to being a starter for the 2002 season. He would end up starting 17 of the 19 games he appeared in and also collecting 2 complete game shutouts. His record for the year was 10-3 with a 3.88 ERA.
Throughout Ramsey's collegiate career, he participated in various amateur leagues including the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League where he hit .331 with 19 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 10 doubles while having a perfect 0.00 ERA and 6 saves for the Melville Millionaires
. He also played with the Compton Rottweilers.
Ramsey earned a degree in English while at Florida.
(304th overall) by the Cleveland Indians
, and he signed with them.
Ramsey began his minor league career in 2002 with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers
of the New York-Penn League. In his collegiate career, he was used mostly as a reliever until his senior year. From the very start of his professional days, Ramsey was a starter. He would start 10 of the 13 games he appeared in in 2002. Ramsey finished the campaign with a 6-3 record with a 2.03 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. Keith led the Scrappers in ERA, WHIP (0.85), and strikeouts. He was 5th in the NYPL in ERA.
Keith spent most of 2003 with the Lake County Captains
in the South Atlantic League
. For the season, he posted a 13-6 record and a 2.99 ERA. He threw 3 complete games including a shutout. Keith led the Captains in stikeouts with 108. Ramsey also started two games for the Akron Aeros
in the Eastern League
going 1-0 with a 6.55 ERA. He was 0.01 shy of 10th place in the SAL in ERA.
Ramsey moved on to the Kinston Indians
in the Carolina League
for 2004. While in Kinston, Ramsey had a big hand in helping the K-Tribe capture the league championship with a 10-4 record, 2 complete games, and a 3.85 ERA despite also leading the league with 19 home runs allowed. On September 6, Ramsey threw a 6-0 perfect game
against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
in the last game of the season with his sister Allie in the stands at Coastal Federal Field
. It was just the fourth nine-inning perfect game in Carolina League history and the first since a 1978 gem by Marty Bystrom
for the Peninsula Pilots
. Keith threw just 97 pitches in the contest, two changeups, two splitters, 35 curveballs, and 58 fastballs in the 82-84 mph range. He recorded five strikeouts, seven groundouts, and fifteen flyouts. The closest that the Pelicans came to a hit was a line drive to right center that Jonathan Van Every
made a "highlight-reel catch" of for the second out in the ninth inning. Keith reached a full count just twice. The game itself almost did not happen due to a steady mist that delayed the start nearly a half hour. The weather along with the fact that it was technically a meaningless game since the playoff spots had already been decided, led to some pregame discussion of a cancellation. Ramsey has called the game "a gift from God ... my shining moment." It also uplifted his team. The K-Tribe had lost seven of ten games going into the game. The excitement of the perfect game was credited with picking up the team's spirits and giving them the momentum they needed going into the playoffs. Teammate Dennis Malave
was quoted as saying that the game "set us free from negative thinking."
During the season, Ramsey also got two starts for the Buffalo Bisons
in the International League
where his record was 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA. As of yet, these two triple-A starts are the closest Ramsey has been to the major leagues.
Following the 2004 season, Keith pitched for the Peoria Javelinas
in the Arizona Fall League
. Ramsey was in Peoria to work on his changeup and tweak his mechanics in an effort to make him throw harder. Reflecting on this stint years later, Keith has stated that he had "tried to become something he wasn't ... and that's kind of where things went downhill." He was used entirely in relief and in 11 appearances pitched just 10 innings. Keith was not involved in any decisions and he posted a 10.80 ERA. On December 13, Keith was selected by Colorado Rockies
in the Rule V Draft.
In 2005, Ramsey would see action for three different teams in three different farm systems. He began the year with the Tulsa Drillers
in the Texas League
for the Rockies. While in Tulsa, Keith went 1-3 in 10 games with a 7.68 ERA. He also batted in a game going 1 for 3 with a sacrifice for a .333 batting average. His subpar performance on the mound led to his release by the Rockies. He was then picked up by the Arizona Diamondbacks
who assigned him to the Lancaster Jethawks
in the California League
. In Lancaster, Keith pitched just 4 relief innings and posted a 0-1 record and an ERA of 4.50. The D-Backs then traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies
for "future considerations". The Phillies assigned Ramsey to their Florida State League
affiliate, the Clearwater Phillies. For the Phils, Keith went 2-4 with a 5.07 ERA.
Late in the 2006 spring training, Ramsey was released by the Phillies. By April 1, he had signed to play with the Somerset Patriots
in the independent Atlantic League
. The Patriots were being managed by Sparky Lyle
. For Somerset, Ramsey put up a 6-7 record with a 3.76 ERA. His 155 and two-thirds innings were the most he pitched since the 2003 season. He was rewarded with a trip to the league All-Star game.
The Texas Rangers
decided to take a chance on him for the 2007 season and signed him to a minor league contract. Ramsey was assigned to the Bakersfield Blaze
of the California League
. Keith was soon released after an 0-2 start. He only made it through six and a third innings for the Blaze and posted a dismal 15.63 ERA. Following his release, Ramsey returned to Somerset where he had a 6-9 record with a 4.64 ERA, 2 complete games, and a shutout. Ramsey also saw a little time in the outfield for the first time since his college days. At the plate, he had one official at bat and a .000 batting average, but he did score a run.
April 2008 saw Ramsey pitching in the Chinese Professional Baseball League
of Taiwan
for the Brother Elephants
. His career in Taiwan lasted just three innings on April 25 as he was rocked for six runs on seven hits, including two home runs in a 12-4 loss against the President Lions. Returning to the United States
, Ramsey found work back in the Atlantic League with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
who are owned by Hall of Fame
member Brooks Robinson
. He was signed on June 4 with the season already in progress. By the end of the season, Keith compiled a record of 7-6 with 1 complete game and a 4.01 ERA. He started 20 of the 21 games he appeared in.
"Hendrix
-style" prior to games for Kinston and Somerset. Keith is the rhythm guitarist and lead singer in a "surf rock
" band called Flava Do. On August 20, 2006, Ramsey pitched six innings in a Patriots victory and then, after the game, put on a concert for the fans with his brother Timmy who also plays in Flava Do. Teammate Dave Elder
joined the brothers on a Pearl Jam
song.
In the off season, Ramsey keeps in shape by surfing (often with his dad) and acting as a personal trainer for a friend. He also throws with other ballplayers who live in the area including Mark Prior
.
Besides playing in local gigs with his band, Ramsey earns extra money during the off season by delivering pizzas. Now that he is 28 and less likely to make it to the major leagues, Keith has explored the possibility of helping to run a surf camp in Costa Rica
or opening a sushi restaurant.
Family
Keith Ramsey is the son of Chris and Florann Ramsey. Chris is an attorney and lifelong surfer. Keith has a sister named Allie and a brother named Timmy. Keith's uncle, John RamseyJohn Ramsey (announcer)
John J. Ramsey was a public address announcer best known as the original PA voice for the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Raiders. He was also the PA voice for the Los Angeles Rams and USC Trojans football and basketball teams...
, was the public address announcer of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
starting in 1958 until his retirement in 1982. He died in 1990. Besides baseball, Keith's Uncle John also announced Lakers basketball, Rams and Raiders football, Kings hockey and USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
football.
High school career
Ramsey attended Loyola High School of Los Angeles. While there, he earned All-League and All-Conference honors.In 1998, as a senior, Ramsey had a .510 batting average with 10 doubles, 21 RBI and 18 runs scored. On the mound, he was 2-1 with a save and a 3.95 ERA. He earned MVP honors at the SoCal Challenge.
Ramsey was also the goalie on the school's soccer team which won the state championship. He was selected as the CIF Goalie of the Year and established school records in shutouts and goals against average.
One of Ramsey's friends during his high school career, Kriston Palomo, was killed during a game by a runner's batting helmet which hit him in the larynx. From that day on, Ramsey has tried to wear Palomo's #29 whenever possible in his collegiate and professional careers and, after each victory, Keith points to the sky to honor his friend.
College career
Ramsey began his collegiate career with LA Harbor Junior CollegeLos Angeles Harbor College
Los Angeles Harbor College is one of two community colleges serving the South Bay region of Los Angeles. LAHC serves mainly students from Harbor City, Carson, San Pedro, Gardena, Lomita, Wilmington and the Palos Verdes Peninsula....
in 1999 and 2000. He was a two-time All-Conference player.
While a freshman, Ramsey pitched in six games. He had a 1-1 record with a 1.10 ERA. As an outfielder, he hit .420 with 7 doubles, 20 RBI and 18 runs scored.
During his sophomore year, Ramsey was 1-1 with one save and a 2.31 ERA. He struck out 28 in 31 and a third innings. At the plate, he hit .361 with six doubles and 22 RBI.
As a junior in 2001, Ramsey switched to the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
where he put up a 4-3 record with 9 saves and a 2.24 ERA as a reliever. At one point in the season, he had nine consecutive appearances without giving up a run. He struck out 56 batters in 52 and a third innings. In the SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
Tournament and the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
postseason, Ramsey made four appearances and posted a perfect 0.00 ERA while collecting a save. He struck out 12 in just 6 and two thirds innings pitched. He was awarded the team's Best Pitcher Award for the season.
At the end of the 2001 season, Ramsey was selected by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in 11th round (336th overall) of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft
2001 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Background:The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be...
, but he decided to play his senior season for Florida. Ramsey made the switch to being a starter for the 2002 season. He would end up starting 17 of the 19 games he appeared in and also collecting 2 complete game shutouts. His record for the year was 10-3 with a 3.88 ERA.
Throughout Ramsey's collegiate career, he participated in various amateur leagues including the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League where he hit .331 with 19 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 10 doubles while having a perfect 0.00 ERA and 6 saves for the Melville Millionaires
Melville Millionaires
The Melville Millionaires are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based out of Melville, Saskatchewan. They play out of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. They play their home games in the Melville Stadium which has a seating capacity of 2,100. The Melville Millionaires and the Yorkton Terriers are...
. He also played with the Compton Rottweilers.
Ramsey earned a degree in English while at Florida.
Minor league career
Keith was selected in the 10th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft2002 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 4 and 5.This year's draft is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book Moneyball.-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Compensation Selections:...
(304th overall) by the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, and he signed with them.
Ramsey began his minor league career in 2002 with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers
Mahoning Valley Scrappers
The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are a minor league baseball club based in Niles, Ohio, a city in the valley of the Mahoning River. The Scrappers play in the Pinckney Division of the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League and are affiliated with the Cleveland Indians Major League...
of the New York-Penn League. In his collegiate career, he was used mostly as a reliever until his senior year. From the very start of his professional days, Ramsey was a starter. He would start 10 of the 13 games he appeared in in 2002. Ramsey finished the campaign with a 6-3 record with a 2.03 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. Keith led the Scrappers in ERA, WHIP (0.85), and strikeouts. He was 5th in the NYPL in ERA.
Keith spent most of 2003 with the Lake County Captains
Lake County Captains
The Lake County Captains are a minor league baseball team in Eastlake, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. The team, a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, plays in the Midwest League....
in the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
. For the season, he posted a 13-6 record and a 2.99 ERA. He threw 3 complete games including a shutout. Keith led the Captains in stikeouts with 108. Ramsey also started two games for the Akron Aeros
Akron Aeros
The Akron Aeros are a minor league baseball team based in Akron, Ohio, USA. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.The Aeros play in Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, which seats 9,097 fans...
in the Eastern League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
going 1-0 with a 6.55 ERA. He was 0.01 shy of 10th place in the SAL in ERA.
Ramsey moved on to the Kinston Indians
Kinston Indians
The Kinston Indians were a minor league baseball team of the Carolina League , and the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. They were located in Kinston, North Carolina, and were named for their parent club...
in the Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
for 2004. While in Kinston, Ramsey had a big hand in helping the K-Tribe capture the league championship with a 10-4 record, 2 complete games, and a 3.85 ERA despite also leading the league with 19 home runs allowed. On September 6, Ramsey threw a 6-0 perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a minor league baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League and the franchise is currently the farm team of the Texas Rangers. From their inaugural season until 2010, the Pelicans were an affiliate of the...
in the last game of the season with his sister Allie in the stands at Coastal Federal Field
Coastal Federal Field
BB&T Coastal Field is located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and is the home field of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, a minor league affiliate of the Texas Rangers in the Carolina League. The stadium, located just off Highway 17 in Myrtle Beach, opened in 1999. It holds up to 6,600 people...
. It was just the fourth nine-inning perfect game in Carolina League history and the first since a 1978 gem by Marty Bystrom
Marty Bystrom
Martin Eugene Bystrom , is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1980-1985. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees.-External links:...
for the Peninsula Pilots
Peninsula Pilots
The Peninsula Pilots are an amateur baseball team in the Coastal Plain League, collegiate summer baseball league. The team plays its home games at the War Memorial Stadium in Hampton, Virginia...
. Keith threw just 97 pitches in the contest, two changeups, two splitters, 35 curveballs, and 58 fastballs in the 82-84 mph range. He recorded five strikeouts, seven groundouts, and fifteen flyouts. The closest that the Pelicans came to a hit was a line drive to right center that Jonathan Van Every
Jonathan Van Every
Jonathan Eugene Van Every is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who now plays for the St. Paul Saints. Van Every attended Itawamba Community College.-Baseball career:...
made a "highlight-reel catch" of for the second out in the ninth inning. Keith reached a full count just twice. The game itself almost did not happen due to a steady mist that delayed the start nearly a half hour. The weather along with the fact that it was technically a meaningless game since the playoff spots had already been decided, led to some pregame discussion of a cancellation. Ramsey has called the game "a gift from God ... my shining moment." It also uplifted his team. The K-Tribe had lost seven of ten games going into the game. The excitement of the perfect game was credited with picking up the team's spirits and giving them the momentum they needed going into the playoffs. Teammate Dennis Malave
Dennis Malavé
Dennis Malavé is a Major League Baseball bullpen catcher for the Cleveland Indians.-References:...
was quoted as saying that the game "set us free from negative thinking."
During the season, Ramsey also got two starts for the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
in the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
where his record was 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA. As of yet, these two triple-A starts are the closest Ramsey has been to the major leagues.
Following the 2004 season, Keith pitched for the Peoria Javelinas
Peoria Javelinas
The Peoria Javelinas, established in 1992, are a baseball team that plays in the West Division of the Arizona Fall League. The Javelinas play their home games in the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona, which is a spring training site for both the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners.For...
in the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
. Ramsey was in Peoria to work on his changeup and tweak his mechanics in an effort to make him throw harder. Reflecting on this stint years later, Keith has stated that he had "tried to become something he wasn't ... and that's kind of where things went downhill." He was used entirely in relief and in 11 appearances pitched just 10 innings. Keith was not involved in any decisions and he posted a 10.80 ERA. On December 13, Keith was selected by 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...
in the Rule V Draft.
In 2005, Ramsey would see action for three different teams in three different farm systems. He began the year with the Tulsa Drillers
Tulsa Drillers
The Tulsa Drillers are a minor league baseball team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies major-league club.-Stadium:...
in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
for the Rockies. While in Tulsa, Keith went 1-3 in 10 games with a 7.68 ERA. He also batted in a game going 1 for 3 with a sacrifice for a .333 batting average. His subpar performance on the mound led to his release by the Rockies. He was then picked up by the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
who assigned him to the Lancaster Jethawks
Lancaster JetHawks
The Lancaster JetHawks are a minor league baseball team of the California League located in Lancaster, California. The team is named for the city's association with the aerospace industry and plays its home games at Clear Channel Stadium...
in the California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. In Lancaster, Keith pitched just 4 relief innings and posted a 0-1 record and an ERA of 4.50. The D-Backs then traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for "future considerations". The Phillies assigned Ramsey to their Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
affiliate, the Clearwater Phillies. For the Phils, Keith went 2-4 with a 5.07 ERA.
Late in the 2006 spring training, Ramsey was released by the Phillies. By April 1, he had signed to play with the Somerset Patriots
Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are an American professional baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. They are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
in the independent Atlantic League
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
. The Patriots were being managed by Sparky Lyle
Sparky Lyle
Albert Walter "Sparky" Lyle is an American former left-handed relief pitcher who spent sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball . He was a closer from 1969 to 1977, first for the Boston Red Sox and then the New York Yankees. A three-time All-Star, he won the American League Cy Young Award in 1977...
. For Somerset, Ramsey put up a 6-7 record with a 3.76 ERA. His 155 and two-thirds innings were the most he pitched since the 2003 season. He was rewarded with a trip to the league All-Star game.
The Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
decided to take a chance on him for the 2007 season and signed him to a minor league contract. Ramsey was assigned to the Bakersfield Blaze
Bakersfield Blaze
The Bakersfield Blaze are a minor league baseball team in Bakersfield, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and are a farm team of the Cincinnati Reds. The Bakersfield Blaze play their home games at Historic Sam Lynn Ballpark...
of the California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. Keith was soon released after an 0-2 start. He only made it through six and a third innings for the Blaze and posted a dismal 15.63 ERA. Following his release, Ramsey returned to Somerset where he had a 6-9 record with a 4.64 ERA, 2 complete games, and a shutout. Ramsey also saw a little time in the outfield for the first time since his college days. At the plate, he had one official at bat and a .000 batting average, but he did score a run.
April 2008 saw Ramsey pitching in the Chinese Professional Baseball League
Chinese Professional Baseball League
The Chinese Professional Baseball League , or CPBL, is the top-tier professional baseball league in Taiwan. The league was established in 1989. CPBL eventually absorbed the competing Taiwan Major League in 2003...
of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
for the Brother Elephants
Brother Elephants
The Brother Elephants are a professional baseball team in Taiwan. It was originally established as an amateur team in 1984 by the Brother Hotel located in Taipei City, and later joined the Chinese Professional Baseball League in 1989...
. His career in Taiwan lasted just three innings on April 25 as he was rocked for six runs on seven hits, including two home runs in a 12-4 loss against the President Lions. Returning to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Ramsey found work back in the Atlantic League with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs is an American professional baseball team based in Waldorf, Maryland. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2008 season...
who are owned by Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
member Brooks Robinson
Brooks Robinson
Brooks Calbert Robinson, Jr. is a former American professional baseball player. He played his entire 23-year major league career for the Baltimore Orioles . Nicknamed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner", he is generally acclaimed as the greatest defensive third-basemen in major league history...
. He was signed on June 4 with the season already in progress. By the end of the season, Keith compiled a record of 7-6 with 1 complete game and a 4.01 ERA. He started 20 of the 21 games he appeared in.
Musical career and off season activities
Ramsey is an accomplished guitarist who plays right-handed despite being a southpaw. He has played the National AnthemThe Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships...
"Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
-style" prior to games for Kinston and Somerset. Keith is the rhythm guitarist and lead singer in a "surf rock
Surf music
Surf music is a genre of popular music associated with surf culture, particularly as found in Orange County and other areas of Southern California. It was particularly popular between 1961 and 1965, has subsequently been revived and was highly influential on subsequent rock music...
" band called Flava Do. On August 20, 2006, Ramsey pitched six innings in a Patriots victory and then, after the game, put on a concert for the fans with his brother Timmy who also plays in Flava Do. Teammate Dave Elder
Dave Elder
David Alexander Elder – 22 April 1954 at Deepdene, Victoria) was a cricket Test match umpire....
joined the brothers on a Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
song.
In the off season, Ramsey keeps in shape by surfing (often with his dad) and acting as a personal trainer for a friend. He also throws with other ballplayers who live in the area including Mark Prior
Mark Prior
Mark William Prior is an American professional baseball pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs from 2002-2006. His repertoire of pitches includes a low to mid 90s fastball, a curveball, a slurve, and a changeup.-Amateur career:Prior graduated from the...
.
Besides playing in local gigs with his band, Ramsey earns extra money during the off season by delivering pizzas. Now that he is 28 and less likely to make it to the major leagues, Keith has explored the possibility of helping to run a surf camp in Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
or opening a sushi restaurant.
Sources and further reading
- Anon.: "K-Tribe's Ramsey Ends Season With Perfect Game", in The Goldsboro News-Argus (Goldsboro, NC), September 7, 2004. http://www.newsargus.com/sports/archives/2004/09/07/ktribes_ramsey_ends_season_with_perfect_game/
- Anon.: "Ramsey Saddles Up With Rangers", on Our Sports Central, March 12, 2007. http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3436304
- Anon.: "Somerset Patriots Re-Sign Pitcher Keith Ramsey", on NJ.com (blog site), May 29, 2007. article re-posted to blog site
- Ashmore, Mike: "The Keith Ramsey Experience", in The Hunterdon County Democrat, July 27, 2006. On Mike Ashmore's site
- Hall, David: "Former K-Tribe Pitcher Enjoys Life On The Beach", in The Kinston Free Press, January 19, 2007. http://www.kinston.com/common/printer/view.php?db=kfpress&id=1260
- Hall, David: "Perfect Game Perfect Timing", in The Kinston Free Press, September 8, 2004. http://www.kinston.com/common/printer/view.php?db=kfpress&id=19517
- Hall, David: "Ramsey Is Still A Pitcher Of Contentment", in The Kinston Free Press, May 11, 2007. http://www.kinston.com/common/printer/view.php?db=kfpress&id=38243
- Huang, Paul: "President Lions Destroy Brother Elephants 12-4", in The Taipei Times, April 27, 2008. His one game in Taiwan
- Sinclair, Rob: "Ramsey's Perfect Game First In Team History", in The Kinston Indians 2005 Yearbook, p. 39.
- Stanchak, Scott and Mike Ashmore: "Rock On, Ramsey", on Atlantic League Baseball News, August 20, 2006. Atlantic League blog
- Waldrop, Melinda: "PERFECTION", in The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, SC), September 7, 2004. reprinted at the Kinston Free Press website
- Winston, Lisa: "Surfer/Musician Hits Perfect Tune On Mound", in The USA TodayUSA TodayUSA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
, September 24, 2004. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bbw/columnist/winston/2004-11-24-minors_x.htm