Former Major League Baseball third baseman Aramis Ramirez announced his retirement Thursday on a talk show in his native Dominican Republic after 20 professional seasons, per Yahoo Sports‘ Israel Fehr.
It didn’t come as a huge surprise. Ramirez hinted in spring training that 2015 could be his last year, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com: “I don’t want a multiyear deal,” Ramirez said. “I’m going to play this year, and probably be done after this year. I don’t know if I want to play after this year. I think this is it. I had a nice career, and I think enough is enough.”
Ramirez racked up 2,303 hits, 386 home runs and 1,417 RBI while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs. He started his career in 1998 with Pittsburgh and was traded back to the team this year to finish out his career. He was hitless in his lone at-bat during his final game—a 4-0 loss to the Cubs in the 2015 National League Wild Card Game.
The 37-year-old hit at least 25 home runs in a season 10 times and knocked in 100-plus runs seven times, yet he was named to only three All-Star Games. A career .283 hitter, the third baseman never received the accolades he deserved. As Jerry Crasnick of ESPN pointed out, he retires as one of the most prolific-hitting third basemen of all time:
After hitting 76 home runs in parts of six seasons with the Pirates, Ramirez was traded to the Cubs in 2003, where he blossomed. In nine seasons he slashed .294/.356/.531 with 239 home runs and 806 RBI. He earned two of this three All-Star selections while in Chicago.
In his first season with the Brewers in 2012, he led the league with 50 doubles. In 2014 he earned his final All-Star selection.
Ramirez’s numbers are impressive, but he won’t be a Hall of Famer. He never played in a World Series, although he did play in the postseason four times in his career.
He never won a ring but certainly deserved one. As Crasnick pointed out, Ramirez’s career is one he can talk about with pride. Although he is done with MLB, he said it’s possible his playing days aren’t over. He hinted on the radio station suiting up for his hometown Tigres del Licey of the Dominican Winter League is not out of the question.
It would be great if he were able to keep playing and a thrill for local fans to be able to cheer on one of their own.
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