Ramirez to Retire After 2015 Season

Aramis Ramirez debuted in 1998 as a Pittsburgh Pirate, and has manned the hot corner in the NL Central ever since.  Ramirez announced today that the 2015 season will be his last.  He will turn 37 in June and has enjoyed a pretty stellar career.

When asked why he exercised his half of the mutual option with the Brewers, instead of seeking a multi-year deal elsewhere, Ramirez responded:

“I don’t want a multiyear deal, 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.”

As I mentioned earlier, Ramirez has spent his entire career in the NL Central, beginning with the Pirates in 1998, then being traded to the Cubs in 2003, and ultimately signing as a free agent with the Brewers in 2011.  He has hit 369 home runs in his career, which ranks him 9th all-time for a third baseman. 

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Ramirez has three times been named an All-Star; 2005, 2008, and last year.  In 2008, he was awarded the NL Hank Aaron Award, which is given to the best hitter in each league.  Ramirez has finished in the top 20 for MVP voting five times, with the most recent coming in the 2012 season, when he finished 9th.  He was also awarded the silver slugger award in 2011.  During that 2012 season, Ramirez led the league in extra base hits with 80, and in doubles with 50.  With 36 doubles this season, he would finish his career with 500, which only 59 other players have ever done in their career.

Ramirez is 14th on the list of games played at third base in a career, at 1990.  He has had his struggles defensively at third base, leading the league in errors for third baseman in 2003 with 33.  He continually worked at improving himself and led the league in fielding percentage by a third baseman twice; in 2006 with a .965 FP, and in 2012 with a .977 FP.

With the third base position open for competition for the 2016 season, we should really get a chance to see what Luis Jimenez can do, this season.  With no other clear-cut competition for the third base position, it seems Jimenez will be there come 2016, barring any trades or breakout seasons from other players.  Guys like Jason Rogers and Hector Gomez could compete for the position as well, but I think it’s Jimenez’ to win.

Ramirez has enjoyed a long career and will be missed by this Brewer fan.  As someone who has followed the Brewers his whole life, I have also followed Ramirez career, as he has been in the same division as the Brewers since he entered the league.  I will enjoy seeing him wear the Brewers uniform for one more season, then wish him the best of luck on the next venture in his life.