The Official Site of Hanley Ramirez

Tue, Jun 10th 2008, 11:46

Hanley makes serious bid to start ASG

Hanley Ramirez is a serious candidate to start at shortstop for the National League in the All-Star Game because of his ability to take over a game.

One example came in Atlanta on June 4.

The multifaceted Marlins shortstop belted two home runs off two different pitchers. His second shot was a two-run blast in the ninth inning that lifted the Marlins to a 6-4 win at Turner Field. He drove in three runs, stole a base and scored three times in the victory.

He’s so versatile that it is easy to see why Ramirez has been a popular choice to represent the National League in the Midsummer Classic.

The only Marlin ever to be voted in as an All-Star starter is Gary Sheffield, selected by the fans to play third base in 1993. Ramirez is making a serious case to be organization’s second All-Star starter.

If the 24-year-old does win the fan vote at shortstop — he currently trails Miguel Tejada of the Astros — he will be the first Marlin to open the season with the club and also be named an All-Star starter. In 1993, Sheffield was traded to Florida from San Diego a few weeks before the game. A majority of his votes came when he was wearing a Padres uniform.

Ramirez isn’t the only Marlin making an All-Star push. Second baseman Dan Uggla, who is challenging Chase Utley for the Major League home run lead, is sitting fourth at his position.

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