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Tue, Jul 15th 2008, 10:37
Ramirez shines out of spotlight with Marlins
When the flashbulbs pop shortly after 8 tonight as the first pitch whistles toward home, Hanley Ramirez will be the tiny, indiscernible image at the plate when the digital pictures get processed.
But the Florida Marlins’ 24-year-old shortstop, and former Red Sox prospect, is quickly becoming a giant in the game.
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“Hanley is a unique player. He has a lot of skills — power, speed, the ability to hit for average,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who managed Ramirez in 2006, his rookie season with the Marlins. “He’s got to be very proud of what he’s accomplished, but I think he’s got a lot more to go.”
And that’s just downright scary for opposing pitchers. The 2006 NL Rookie of the Year was a home run short of a 30-30 season in 2007. This year, he could become the fifth player in major league history to go 40-40.
With 23 home runs and 23 steals at the break, he’s the 10th player in the last 35 years to reach 20-20 by the All-Star break. His 80 runs lead the NL. He’s hitting .311 and was the NL player of the month in June.
“If the game has ever come natural to somebody, it’s come natural to him,” said Marlins all-star second basemen Dan Uggla. “It’s never easy, but he makes it look easy. It’s a thrill to watch him every day.”
Signed by the Red Sox as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic, Ramirez was poised to provide stability to the middle of the Sox infield when he was traded away in November 2006. Of course, Ramirez can hardly be viewed as the one who got away.
Sending Ramirez as the centerpiece of a four-prospect package, the Sox landed Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell — and the 2007 World Series title.
Ramirez said he doesn’t think much what might have been.
“They got one of the best pitchers in the game and I’m happy in Florida,” Ramirez said. “Beckett did the job for them and they won the World Series. And I do the job for the Marlins.”
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