Manny Ramirez

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ramirez was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. When he was 13 years old, he moved to New York City with his parents, Onelcida and Aristides. He attended George Washington High School and became a baseball standout. He was drafted 13th overall by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the 1991 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut on September 2, 1993. In 1994, Ramirez became a major league regular and finished second in voting for the Rookie of the Year Award. By 1995, he had become an All-Star. He helped lead the Indians to five consecutive playoff berths from 1995 to 1999; this included an appearance in the 1995 and 1997 World Series. In 1999, Ramirez set the Indians' single-season RBI record with 165 RBIs. After the 2000 season, Ramirez signed with the Boston Red Sox. During his time in Boston, Ramirez and teammate David Ortiz became one of the best offensive tandems in baseball history. Ramirez led the Red Sox to World Series Championships in 2004 and 2007 before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008 as part of a three-team deal that also involved the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2009, Ramirez was suspended 50 games for violating baseball's drug policy by taking human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a women's fertility drug that is often taken after steroids. In the spring of 2011, Ramirez was informed by MLB of another violation of its drug policy, and a 100-game suspension. He chose to retire on April 8 rather than be suspended. However, in September 2011, Ramirez wished to be reinstated and agreed in December with the league to a reduced 50-game suspension. Though he played at various points in the Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and Chicago Cubs systems, as well as internationally, Ramirez did not appear in another Major League game.

In Their Own Story

The source details Ramirez's arrival in Boston after signing following the 2000 season, where he immediately joined forces with David Ortiz to create a formidable offensive force. His impact was immediate and sustained, contributing to World Series victories in both 2004 and 2007. The narrative of his career in Boston is one of high production and team success, capped by these two championships. Although the source does not detail specific game-by-game moments from the 2004 or 2007 playoffs beyond the titles themselves, it confirms he was part of the core that achieved these feats. His departure came in 2008 as part of a three-team deal involving the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers, ending his run with the club after leading them to multiple titles.

Reader's Guide

Known as a complete hitter who could hit for both power and average, and widely regarded as one of the best right-handed hitters of his generation, Ramirez finished his career with a lifetime .312 batting average, 555 home runs (15th all-time), and 1,831 RBI (18th all-time). In 111 postseason games, Ramirez posted a .285 batting average with 29 home runs and 78 RBI.

Did You Know?

• Ramirez's 21 grand slams are third all-time in MLB history.
• His 29 postseason home runs are the most in MLB history.
• He set the Cleveland Indians' single-season RBI record with 165 RBIs in 1999.
• Ramirez was suspended 50 games in 2009 for violating baseball's drug policy by taking hCG.