Yesterday the Serie Nacional started its 63rd edition and former Major League Alexei Ramírez made his return after a 17-year absence. His return took place at the 26 de Julio Stadium in the province of Artemisa. The Cazadores dropped an 11 to 4 to Pinar del Río.
Ramírez started at third base for the Vegueros yesterday and had a perfect day at the plate, going 3 for 3, with a couple of doubles, a titanic home run, three RBIs, three runs scored and a stolen base.
“First of all I want to thank God for let me be here, it was a decision I made in conjunction with my family. I have a relative very close to me who had a stroke and he had been asking me for a long time return to Cuba, we are here to make his wishes come true,” Alexei said minutes before starting the game.
Alexei Ramírez returned to the Serie Nacional yesterday and had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3, with two doubles, a home run, three RBIs, three runs scored and a stolen base. #Cubanbaseballdigest #SerieNacional pic.twitter.com/yegzPE1pF1
— Cuban Baseball Digest (@CBaseballDigest) March 10, 2024
“We had been in talks with him for several months, precisely before he agreed to participate with us. I want to highlight above all his humility, his addition is a plus for the team on and off the field. Even for us coaches, it will be of great help when it comes to relaying some of his experience to us,” is how Pinar del Río bench coach Joselian Cejas referred to Alexei’s incorporation to the team.
Ramírez played in Major Leagues for nine seasons eight of them being with the Chicago White Sox . In 2008 he finished second in the voting for the young circuit’s Rookie of the Year. He also won Silver Sluggers in 2010 and 2014, during 2014 he was elected to the All-Star Game.
In his eight years in Cuba, Ramírez hit .334, with a on-base percentage of .405, slugged .518 and posted an OPS of .923. Of his 240 extra base hits, 124 were doubles, 26 were triples and he also slugged 90 home runs,while also koncking 397 runs.