Ramón Vázquez
Encyclopedia
Ramón Luis Vázquez is a Puerto Rican
professional baseball
infielder
. Vázquez has played with the Seattle Mariners
, San Diego Padres
(-), Boston Red Sox
, Cleveland Indians
(2005-), Texas Rangers
(-), and Pittsburgh Pirates
. He bats left-handed
and throws right-handed.
and Indian Hills Community College
in Centerville, Iowa
. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 27th round (734th overall) of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft
.
Vázquez debuted with the Mariners in 2001. Following the 2001 season, he was traded with Tom Lampkin
, Brett Tomko
and cash to the San Diego Padres
for Alex Arias
, Ben Davis
and Wascar Serrano
.
Following the 2004 season, Vázquez was traded with David Pauley
, Jay Payton
and cash to the Boston Red Sox
for Dave Roberts following the 2004 season. On July 7, 2005, he was traded by the Red Sox the Cleveland Indians
for Alex Cora
.
Vázquez became a minor league free agent
after the 2006 season, and on November 17, 2006, signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers. Midseason injuries to Rangers third baseman
Hank Blalock
and second baseman
Ian Kinsler
forced Vázquez into an everyday role for the first time since the season.
On August 22, , Vazquez had seven RBI
with two homers
in a record-setting 30-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles
.
On May 12, , against his former team, the Seattle Mariners, Vázquez hit a walk-off home run
in the 10th inning off Brandon Morrow
.
On July 29, 2008, Vázquez victimized the Mariners again with last at bat
heroics. After his third error
of the game allowed the Seattle to take a 10-9 lead in the top of the 9th, Vázquez doubled
to right-center field off Mariners closer
J. J. Putz, just out of Ichiro
's reach, to drive in 2 runs
as the Rangers won the game 11-10. In a postgame interview with Jim Knox, broadcast over the stadium speakers, Vázquez thanked all the fans that were cheering him on despite his three errors, and also told those fans who booed him to "Take that, *BLEEP*!" (Vázquez did not curse, but rather sounded out the bleep.)
On December 12, 2008, Vázquez signed a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ramón also participated in the 2009 World Baseball classic representing Puerto Rico in the spring of 2009 where he played 3rd base. His only home run
of 2009 came against the Florida Marlins
. He finished the season with 17 runs, 7 doubles, no triples, 1 home run, 16 runs batted in, 1 stolen base, to go along with a .230 average, a .335 on base percentage, and a .279 slg percentage in 204 at bats.
On April 4, 2010, in a last-minute roster move, Vazquez was designated for assignment by the Pirates, and was released four days later. Vazquez signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners
on April 16, 2010. He was later released on June 16, 2010. He signed on to play with the Houston Astros
AAA affiliate Round Rock Express
on June 24, 2010.
After signing a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals
for 2011, he was released on June 1. He signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays
on June 19. He was released on July 22. On August 15, he signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins
.
.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
. Vázquez has played with the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
(-), Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(2005-), Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(-), and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. He bats left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
and throws right-handed.
Career
Vázquez attended Barrio Valle Real High School in Cidra, Puerto RicoCidra, Puerto Rico
Cidra is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the central region of the island, north of Cayey; south of Comerío and Aguas Buenas; east of Aibonito and Barranquitas; and west of Caguas. Cidra is spread over 12 wards and Cidra Pueblo...
and Indian Hills Community College
Indian Hills Community College
Indian Hills Community College is a two-year public community college, with campuses located in Ottumwa, Iowa and Centerville, Iowa. I.H.C.C. serves both traditional residential students and commuter students.-History:...
in Centerville, Iowa
Centerville, Iowa
Centerville is a city in and the county seat of Appanoose County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,528 in the 2010 census, a decline from 5,924 in the 2000 census. After the turn of the 20th century Centerville had a booming coal mining industry that attracted many European immigrants...
. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 27th round (734th overall) of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft
1995 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign-Background:Outfielder Darin Erstad of the University of Nebraska was the first pick in the 1995 Rule 4 Draft. Erstad compiled a career .356 average in three seasons with the...
.
Vázquez debuted with the Mariners in 2001. Following the 2001 season, he was traded with Tom Lampkin
Tom Lampkin
Thomas Michael Lampkin is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played in , -, and -. He is currently a cable FSN baseball analyst for the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League in AAA baseball....
, Brett Tomko
Brett Tomko
Brett Daniel Tomko is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, St...
and cash to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for Alex Arias
Alex Arias
Alejandro Arias is a former infielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1992–2002....
, Ben Davis
Ben Davis (baseball)
Mark Christopher "Ben" Davis is a former Major League Baseball catcher. Davis began his career as a promising catcher, but converted to a pitcher in...
and Wascar Serrano
Wascar Serrano
Wascar Radames Serrano is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played part of one season in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres in 2001...
.
Following the 2004 season, Vázquez was traded with David Pauley
David Pauley
David Wayne Pauley is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed. Pauley is a graduate of Longmont High School in Longmont, Colorado.-Career:...
, Jay Payton
Jay Payton
Jason Lee "Jay" Payton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He has played for the New York Mets , Colorado Rockies , San Diego Padres , Boston Red Sox , Oakland Athletics Baltimore Orioles and the Colorado Rockies in 2010. He bats and throws right-handed. Payton is an opposite-field...
and cash to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for Dave Roberts following the 2004 season. On July 7, 2005, he was traded by the Red Sox the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for Alex Cora
Alex Cora
José Alexander "Alex" Cora is a Major League Baseball infielder. He played college baseball at the University of Miami.-Early career:...
.
Vázquez became a minor league free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after the 2006 season, and on November 17, 2006, signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers. Midseason injuries to Rangers third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
Hank Blalock
Hank Blalock
Hank Joe Blalock is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.-High school:Blalock attended Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, California...
and second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Ian Kinsler
Ian Kinsler
Ian Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
forced Vázquez into an everyday role for the first time since the season.
On August 22, , Vazquez had seven RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
with two homers
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in a record-setting 30-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
On May 12, , against his former team, the Seattle Mariners, Vázquez hit a walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
in the 10th inning off Brandon Morrow
Brandon Morrow
Brandon John Morrow is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....
.
On July 29, 2008, Vázquez victimized the Mariners again with last at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
heroics. After his third error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
of the game allowed the Seattle to take a 10-9 lead in the top of the 9th, Vázquez doubled
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
to right-center field off Mariners closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
J. J. Putz, just out of Ichiro
Ichiro Suzuki
, usually known simply as is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including the sport's single-season record for hits with 262...
's reach, to drive in 2 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
as the Rangers won the game 11-10. In a postgame interview with Jim Knox, broadcast over the stadium speakers, Vázquez thanked all the fans that were cheering him on despite his three errors, and also told those fans who booed him to "Take that, *BLEEP*!" (Vázquez did not curse, but rather sounded out the bleep.)
On December 12, 2008, Vázquez signed a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ramón also participated in the 2009 World Baseball classic representing Puerto Rico in the spring of 2009 where he played 3rd base. His only home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
of 2009 came against the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. He finished the season with 17 runs, 7 doubles, no triples, 1 home run, 16 runs batted in, 1 stolen base, to go along with a .230 average, a .335 on base percentage, and a .279 slg percentage in 204 at bats.
On April 4, 2010, in a last-minute roster move, Vazquez was designated for assignment by the Pirates, and was released four days later. Vazquez signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
on April 16, 2010. He was later released on June 16, 2010. He signed on to play with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
AAA affiliate Round Rock Express
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team in Round Rock, Texas, owned by RSR Sports and founded by Reid Ryan, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and...
on June 24, 2010.
After signing a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for 2011, he was released on June 1. He signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
on June 19. He was released on July 22. On August 15, he signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
.
Personal
He is married to his wife Griselda. They have two children, son Nomar and daughter Sofia, and reside in Cayey, Puerto RicoCayey, Puerto Rico
Cayey is a mountain town in central Puerto Rico located on the Central Mountain range, north of Salinas and Guayama; south of Cidra and Caguas; east of Aibonito and Salinas; and west of San Lorenzo Cayey is spread over 21 wards and Cayey Pueblo...
.