Sox' Ramirez dressed for success
Before officially becoming a major-league baseball player, Alexei Ramirez had to take care of a little business Monday.
After the White Sox played a Cactus League game against the Seattle Mariners in Peoria, Ariz., Ramirez and his agent, Jaime Torres, went shopping.
"We've got to get him some suits,'' Torres said.
Starting Monday, when the Sox open the regular season against the Indians in Cleveland, Ramirez will be ready to dress like a big-leaguer.
Ramirez played like one from the start of spring training to the end, erasing all questions about whether he was ready to play in the majors after spending the last seven years with Pinar del Rio in the Cuban League.
"No, I'm not surprised,'' Ramirez said through an interpreter after batting .355 with 2 home runs and 17 RBI in 20 Cactus League games. "I think I've played like this all the time. I go out and play the best I can. That's just me.''
The White Sox thought they uncovered a pretty good player when they signed Ramirez to a four-year contract in late December. Now, it looks like Ramirez is going to be quite a bargain at a collective price of $4.75 million.
"We understood we took the leap in terms of offering him a contract and signing him,'' Sox GM Kenny Williams said. "To do such, we believe in the talent. But to also get a savvy player who has knowledge of the nuances and can set up a pitcher here and there and be accomplished at three positions is certainly a bonus. He's a player.''
The big question now is, where does Ramirez play? In spring training, he logged time at shortstop, second base and center field.
"Wherever they want to put me, I'm going to give it 100 percent,'' Ramirez said. "My natural position is shortstop, but to help the team, I'll play out in center field, second base, whatever the team needs.''
With center fielder Jerry Owens opening the season on the 15-day disabled list, it looks like Ramirez will get his first shot in the outfield. But he'll also back up Juan Uribe at second base and Orlando Cabrera at short.
"I think this kid did more than I thought he was going to do,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "This kid comes out and plays the game, plays the outfield, plays second base, shortstop. I am pretty impressed. I know it is not easy to come to the States for the first time and perform the way he does.
"I think he does not have any fear. He feels comfortable out there. He believes in himself and he believes he is good. He has been playing great all spring training.''
The slender Ramirez was a standout player in Cuba, and last year he led the league in batting average (.335) and home runs (20). While Guillen still wants to see more when the regular season starts, Ramirez is confident he'll pick up where he left off in spring training.
"The play here in the majors, you're getting players from all over the world,'' Ramirez said. "In Cuba, there's not as much talent. Here, now I know I'm going to be facing some tough pitchers who throw 90-95 (mph). In Cuba, there's maybe a couple of pitchers that throw that hard. I just have to keep working at it, but I am looking forward to showing what I can do as a player.''