JC Ramírez was a very efficient big league career primarily as a reliever with the Los Angeles Angels, Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds over a six year span.
In 142 major league games and 26 starts he posted a 15-19 record, 4.71 earned average and two saves. In 288⅓ innings pitched on the grand stage he fanned 204 batters and posted a 1.39 WHIP. The right-hander has been a key part of the Nicaraguan national team in the last two World Baseball Classic.
Last month the hurler took part in the International Baseball Series, four preparation games between Cuba and Nicaragua leading up to the WBC. We recently spoke to Ramírez during the tournament and below are the excerpts from the interview.
Tell me about your experience and how it has helped you in this tournament.
Well, experience is a very important factor because, ultimately, here on the Nicaraguan team, there are a lot of guys who haven’t had experience at the Major League level—or at least at this level of baseball—and that is what has helped me quite a bit: knowing how to handle these moments.
You are half-Cuban. Tell me about the series against Cuba and how you felt facing that team.
Nicaragua-Cuba games are always a wonderful experience, and it’s something that is always thoroughly enjoyed back in Nicaragua. The series was very tight; seeing the Cubans play in Nicaragua is truly impressive, and we really enjoyed it.
Being half-Cuban and half-Nicaraguan, and playing here in Miami—how did it feel to play in a city that is home to so many immigrants from both of those nationalities?
Well, just imagine—it’s practically like being at home, because I can go to places to eat Nicaraguan food and to others to eat Cuban food. Honestly, I can’t complain. I feel good; I feel like I’m among family and embraced by everyone.
Where can we expect to see you this summer, or are you still in negotiations with any Mexican teams?
I’m still in negotiations. The plan is to be in Mexico; to finish my career over there in Mexico would be the ideal scenario.