Hanley Ramírez facts for kids

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Hanley Ramírez

Ramírez with the Boston Red Sox in 2015

Shortstop

Born: December 23, 1983 (age 41)
Samaná, Dominican Republic

Batted: Right

Threw: Right

debut

September 20, 2005, for the Boston Red Sox

Last appearance

April 17, 2019, for the Cleveland Indians

MLB statistics

Batting average

.289

Home runs

271

Runs batted in

917

Teams

Boston Red Sox (2005)
Florida / Miami Marlins (2006–2012)
Los Angeles Dodgers (2012–2014)
Boston Red Sox (2015–2018)
Cleveland Indians (2019)

Career highlights and awards

3× All-Star (2008–2010)
NL Rookie of the Year (2006)
2× Silver Slugger Award (2008, 2009)
NL batting champion (2009)

Medals

Men's baseball

Representing DOM
World Baseball Classic
Gold	2013 San Francisco	Team

Hanley Ramírez is a former professional baseball player from the Dominican Republic. He played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball (MLB). Hanley played for several teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Florida / Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cleveland Indians.

He was a three-time MLB All-Star. In 2006, he won the National League Rookie of the Year Award. While he mostly played shortstop, he also played first base, third base, and left field. Hanley was known for being a great hitter, especially in his best years.

Early Life and Baseball Dreams

Hanley Ramírez was born on December 23, 1983, in Samaná, Dominican Republic. His father worked as an auto mechanic. Hanley's first name is a unique spelling of "Hamlet." His grandmother, who loved to read Shakespeare, suggested the name. A clerk accidentally misspelled it, but Hanley liked it. He once said, "I love my name."

From a young age, Hanley loved baseball. He was also a good basketball player. He went to Adventista High School in Samaná. There, baseball scouts from MLB teams noticed his talent. A scout for the Boston Red Sox, Levy Ochoa, signed him to the team in 2000.

Professional Baseball Journey

Starting in the Minor Leagues

Hanley Ramírez joined the Boston Red Sox as a young player in July 2000. He was 16 years old. In 2001, he played in the Dominican Summer League. The next year, with the GCL Red Sox, he hit very well, with a .340 batting average. He was chosen as an All-Star in the Gulf Coast League. He also played well for the Lowell Spinners.

In 2003, Hanley played for the Augusta GreenJackets. He continued to improve in 2004, playing for different teams. These included the Sarasota Red Sox and the Portland Sea Dogs. Before the 2005 season, Baseball America magazine ranked him as one of the top ten young players in baseball.

First Time with the Boston Red Sox (2005)

Hanley Ramírez made his first appearance in MLB on September 20, 2005. He played against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He entered the game as a defensive player. He only played in one other game that season.

Playing for the Florida / Miami Marlins (2006–2012)

Becoming a Rookie Star in 2006

After the 2005 season, the Red Sox traded Hanley to the Florida Marlins. This trade helped him get a chance to play more. In spring training, he played so well that he became the team's starting shortstop. On April 3, he got his first MLB hit. A few weeks later, on April 18, he hit his first MLB home run. He even hit a second home run in the same game!

Hanley was amazing in his rookie year. He led all MLB rookies in hits, runs, triples, and stolen bases. He hit seven leadoff home runs, which was a team record. He also had 46 doubles, which is a record for a shortstop his age in the National League. He was the first rookie in the National League to have at least 110 runs and 50 stolen bases. At the end of the season, he won the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

Continuing Success in 2007

Hanley kept playing great in his second year. By the All-Star break, he was hitting .331 with 14 home runs and 27 stolen bases. Even with these great numbers, he was not chosen for the All-Star team.

His manager, Fredi González, even tried batting him higher in the lineup. This was because Hanley could hit for power. In July, he hurt his left shoulder while swinging at a pitch. He finished the season with a .332 batting average, 29 home runs, and 51 stolen bases. He almost became only the third player in baseball history to hit 30 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season. After the season, he had surgery on his shoulder.

All-Star and Big Contract in 2008

In 2008, Hanley became one of the main players for the Marlins. He was chosen as the starting shortstop for the National League All-Star team. This was his first time as an All-Star. He also signed a big contract extension with the Marlins for $70 million over six years. This was the largest contract in the team's history.

Hanley was named the NL Player of the Month in June. He hit his 30th home run in September. He became one of only two Marlins players to join the 30–30 club (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in one season). He ended the season with 33 home runs and 35 stolen bases.

Batting Champion in 2009

Ramírez playing for the Florida Marlins in 2009

Before the 2009 season, Hanley played for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. In April, he hit his first career grand slam. In July, he was again the starting shortstop for the All-Star Game. In September, he hit his 100th career home run.

Hanley won his first batting title with a .342 batting average. He also had 106 RBIs and stole 27 bases. He won the Silver Slugger Award for shortstops. He finished second in voting for the National League MVP award.

Challenges in 2010

In May 2010, Hanley fouled a ball off his ankle. He stayed in the game but later made a mistake on defense. His manager, Fredi González, took him out of the game. This led to some disagreements, and Hanley was benched for the next game. About a month later, the manager was fired.

Hanley was voted as an All-Star starter for the third year in a row. He also took part in the Home Run Derby. He finished second to Boston's David Ortiz. In September, he hurt his elbow and missed the rest of the season. He finished 2010 with a .300 batting average, 21 home runs, and 32 stolen bases.

Injuries in 2011

The 2011 season was tough for Hanley. He struggled with his hitting early on. He also injured his shoulder again in August while trying to make a diving catch. This injury ended his season, and he needed surgery. He played in only 92 games that year.

Position Change in 2012

Before the 2012 season, the Marlins signed another great shortstop, José Reyes. This meant Hanley had to change positions to third base. He had a slow start to the season but improved in May.

Time with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2012–2014)

On July 25, 2012, Hanley was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit a triple in his very first at-bat with the Dodgers. He also hit his first home run for the Dodgers a few days later. In 64 games with the Dodgers that year, he hit .271 with 10 home runs.

Injuries and Playoffs in 2013

Ramírez with the Los Angeles Dodgers in April 2013.

Hanley played for the Dominican team again in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He hurt his hand in the championship game. He needed surgery and was expected to miss the start of the season. However, he returned earlier than expected in April.

Soon after returning, he hurt his hamstring and went back on the injured list. He rejoined the Dodgers in June. His return helped the Dodgers' offense, and they started winning many games. They went from last place to winning their division. Hanley played in only 86 games but hit .345 with 20 home runs. He reached the playoffs for the first time in his career.

In the playoffs, he played very well in the first series. But in the next series, he was hit by a pitch and broke two ribs. This injury took him out of the series, and the Dodgers lost.

Last Year with Dodgers in 2014

Ramírez with the Dodgers

In 2014, Hanley dealt with several injuries again. He finished the season hitting .283 with 13 home runs. He became a free agent after the season. During this time, he gained a reputation for not being the best defensive shortstop.

Second Time with the Boston Red Sox (2015–2018)

On November 25, 2014, Hanley signed a four-year contract to return to the Boston Red Sox. The team planned for him to play left field, a position he had never played before.

New Position in 2015

Ramírez talking with umpire Will Little.

On Opening Day 2015, Hanley played left field for the first time. He hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and had 5 RBIs. In April, he hit his 10th home run of the season. However, in May, he crashed into the outfield wall and hurt his shoulder.

Hanley finished 2015 with a .249 batting average and 19 home runs. His defense in left field was not strong. So, the Red Sox decided he would not play left field anymore. They announced he would change positions again in 2016, this time to first base.

Success at First Base in 2016

Hanley worked hard to learn first base. When the season started, he played well at his new position. People praised his improved defense. On July 20, 2016, he hit three home runs in one game. On August 12, he hit two more home runs.

On September 15, Hanley hit a game-winning three-run home run against the Yankees. This helped the Red Sox win 11 games in a row and eventually win their division. On October 2, he hit his 30th home run of the season. He, Mookie Betts, and David Ortiz became the first trio in Red Sox history to each hit 30 home runs and have over 100 RBIs in the same season. Hanley finished 2016 with a .286 batting average and a career-high 111 RBIs.

Designated Hitter in 2017

After David Ortiz retired, Hanley became the team's designated hitter. He had a lower batting average in 2017, hitting .242 with 23 home runs. In the playoffs, he hit very well, batting .571, but the Red Sox lost.

Final Red Sox Season in 2018

In 2018, Hanley started April well but struggled in May. On May 25, the Red Sox decided to release him from the team. He played in 177 games for the Red Sox in his second time with the team. Overall, in his second time with the Red Sox (2015–18), he batted .260 with 78 home runs.

Short Stint with the Cleveland Indians (2019)

On February 26, 2019, Hanley signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians. He played in 16 games for Cleveland, hitting .184 with two home runs. The Indians released him on April 20, 2019. After this, Hanley chose to become a free agent.

Personal Life

Hanley Ramírez is married to Sanoe (Elisabeth), and they have three children. He enjoys reggae music and being a DJ. He also likes listening to merengue and bachata music.

He is good friends with his former teammate, David Ortiz, who is also from the Dominican Republic. In April 2019, Hanley became a naturalized United States citizen.