Aramis Ramirez

Dominican third baseman who played 18 MLB seasons, including nine with the Chicago Cubs, and was a three-time All-Star.

Aramis Nin Ramírez (born June 25, 1978) is a Dominican former professional baseball third baseman, who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and Milwaukee Brewers. He was named an All-Star three times during his career.

Quick Facts

Position: Third baseman
Born: 25 June 1978
Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Debut league: MLB
Debut date: May 26
Debut year: 1998
Debut team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Lore & Background

Ramírez started his professional career with the Pirates in 1998, before being traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2003. On November 12, 2006, Ramírez signed a five-year deal with the Cubs. On December 12, 2011, he signed a three-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. On July 23, 2015, he was traded back to Pittsburgh exactly 12 years after they first traded him, where he would finish the remainder of his final season.

Reader's Guide

Ramírez was traded to the Chicago Cubs on July 23, 2003 with outfielder Kenny Lofton for José Hernández, Matt Bruback and a player to be named later (the Cubs sent Bobby Hill on August 15, 2003 to complete the trade). He finished the 2003 season strong in Chicago, though he led the majors with 33 errors at third base. He had the lowest fielding percentage of all Major League third basemen with .929. The Cubs made the playoffs and defeated the Atlanta Braves before being beaten by the eventual World Series champions Florida Marlins in the seven-game 2003 National League Championship Series.

During the first inning of Game 4 of the NLCS, Ramírez hit the first playoff grand slam in Cubs history off Marlins starter Dontrelle Willis. Ramírez finished the series with three home runs, seven RBIs, and one triple. On September 16, 2004, Ramírez became the 14th player in Major League history to have two different games with three home runs in a season. On defense, his range factor of 2.26 was the lowest among all Major League third basemen.

In 2005, he was elected to play in his first All-Star Game. Ramírez finished the season on the disabled list, after straining his quadriceps femoral muscle on August 24. He finished the season with 31 home runs and 92 RBIs. In 2006, Ramírez hit 38 home runs and 119 RBIs.

He collected his 1,000th hit on July 15 versus the New York Mets. On defense, his range factor of 2.41 was the lowest among Major League third basemen for the third straight year. After the season, he was listed as being potentially the biggest free agent in the market. Ramírez elected to stay with the Cubs, agreeing to a five-year, $73 million contract on November 12, 2006.

Ramírez hit his 200th career home run, off Claudio Vargas, on April 23, 2007. On June 29, 2007, Ramírez had one of the best games of his career, in which he went 3-for-5, highlighted by ending a crucial game against the Milwaukee Brewers with a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning off pitcher, Francisco Cordero to cap a five-run comeback win. The Cubs won the 2007 National League Central division. Ramírez finished the season with 101 RBIs, which led the team.

He finished second on the Cubs in home runs (26) and batting average (.310). Aramis Ramírez hit the longest home run of the season on 9/21/07, at 495 feet.

Did You Know?

Ramírez hit his 300th career home run on July 1, 2011 against the Chicago White Sox.
He was awarded the Hank Aaron Award as the most outstanding offensive performer in the National League prior to Game 4 of the 2008 World Series.