July 7, 2007

The Marlins' other Ramirez left his heart in Santa Ana
By MIGUEL A. MELENDEZ
The Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES It seemed to be a reasonable question to ask Erasmo Ramírez.

"Why did you buy a house in Santa Ana when you could have bought a mansion for probably the same price in Texas?"

It was a question Santa Ana's Erasmo Ramírez had a ready answer for when friends and family asked it.

"Santa Ana will always be home," Florida Marlins left-hander Ramírez said simply. "I wouldn't want to go anywhere else, and I know my wife would not want to go anywhere (else) either."

Ramírez purchased his Santa Ana home while playing in the Texas Rangers organization. The Cal State Fullerton and Saddleback High alum was drafted by the San Francisco Giants but was traded to Texas in 2003 for Andres Galarraga.

Ramírez, 31, made his major-league debut in 2003 with the Rangers. He signed with the Oakland A's last season then signed as a free agent with the Marlins earlier this season. He has appeared in two games in relief for his new team and has yet to give up a run.

Few would have predicted Ramirez would get this far. He is a first generation Mexican-American who attended schools with limited resources in Santa Ana.

"I've gone through a lot of hurdles and obstacles dating back to high school," Ramírez said. "People saying I wasn't big enough (he is a 6-foooter now), didn't throw hard. In college people telling me I would never get drafted. In the minors (people telling me) I wouldn't get past Single A, Double A and Triple A. I've gotten over every hurdle and I'm going to keep playing until my arm falls off."

He has shared his story.

Ramírez has gone back to Saddleback High to speak with the players to stress the importance of education and tell them not to let a gang-infested environment take over their lives.

Ramírez's family still lives in Santa Ana, and on Friday night, he had about 20 friends and family members at Dodger Stadium to watch the Marlins edge the Dodgers, 6-5, in 10 innings.

Ramírez says that he is a lucky man. He married Veronica, a girl he met in kindergarten at John Adams Elementary. They attended the same schools through college and have two daughters, Liliana, 3 1/2 and Arianna, 10 months.

Family is the main reason Ramírez chose to stay in Santa Ana.

"You know how Latino families are," he said. "I have tons of cousins and aunts there in Santa Ana and in L.A. and my wife the same. We have big Christmas and Thanksgiving parties, which I get to celebrate twice. That's what makes it so sweet."

Ramírez credits his parents, born in Zacatécas, for his success, noting the strict work ethic of his father, a concrete finisher. It has resulted in one major-leaguer and potentially another in his brother Ivan, who was drafted in the 50th round by the Rangers.

There were unlikely characters who helped Ramírez along the way.

"Alex Rodriguez was one guy back in Texas that pulled me off to the side and would talk to us (rookies) for hours about umpires, certain teams, certain players and you just listen and open your ears," Ramirez said.

"I can name a lot of guys that have helped me along the way pitching-wise, but one guy that sticks out is Kenny Rogers. He was great. He talked to me during batting practice and taught me a lot of good things about pitching."