Hanley Ramirez – Dodger Thoughts

Best of the 2010s:
The All-Decade Dodgers

On September 30, 2019

Raymond Gorospe/MLB.com

We have nearly reached the end of the ’10s, and though selections of the Dodgers’ all-decade team should probably wait until after the 2019 World Series, these few days of relative calm before the storm of the postseason seemed like a good time to reveal them. Nothing is likely to affect these choices between now and then (although I’m fascinated by the idea that something could).

Most challenging was having to deal with five legitimate candidates for the four openings at outfield/first base. Catcher was nearly a toss-up, and second base yielded its own surprise.

Here we go …

Purging the ghosts of Dodger postseasons past

By Jon Weisman

On October 6, 2016

In History, Postseason

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

This is exorcism time.

Though it has been nearly 28 years since the Dodgers last reached the World Series, they have come tantalizingly close — closer than you might realize. The list of turning points — any one of which might have redirected the Dodgers from a title — doesn’t merely boggle the mind. It jengas the mind. It gnip-gnops the mind.

In all, there have been four National League Division Series (1996, 2006, 2014, 2015) and three National League Championship Series (2008, 2009, 2013) that might have gone the Dodgers’ way if not for a single play. There are 17 such plays captured below, and that’s not even an all-inclusive list.

Perhaps by confronting this chamber of horrors at once, we can spiritually move the Dodgers forward …

Chase Utley slide joins most controversial plays in Dodger playoff history

By Jon Weisman

On October 11, 2015

In History

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By Jon Weisman

Jackie Robinson safe at home in 1949. Davey Lopes safe at first in 1977. The heat of Hanley Ramirez’s rib fractured by a pitch — two years ago this very day — still simmers. And above all, Reggie Jackson’s hip.

Nothing tops their notoriety in Dodger postseason history, but entering that pantheon is Chase Utley’s slide, a play we will be talking about for years.

In case you missed it: The youngest prospect

By Jon Weisman

On March 7, 2015

In Health/injuries, In case you missed it, Pregame

For more photos from Friday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Dodgers at Indians, 12:05 p.m.
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, DH
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Andre Ethier, DH
Juan Uribe, 3B
Scott Schebler, RF
Darnell Sweeney, CF
(Mike Bolsinger, P)

By Jon Weisman

Looks like Louis Mattingly was told he’s not starting … but Mom and Dad don’t seem discouraged about his long-term potential.

Here are some more notes and news …

Don Mattingly told reporters today that reliever Mike Adams is days away from being “game ready,” but he looks good so far.
“Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke looked sharp Friday,” writes AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, “facing hitters for the first time this spring. Perhaps more importantly, he came away from his live batting practice session pain free.”
Ned Colletti shared his thoughts with Bill Dwyre of the Times about his new role with the Dodgers — paraphrasing Jim Murray in the process. “I think he wrote one time,” Colletti said, “that things can get like riding a tiger. We’re afraid to get on, and once we’re on, we’re afraid to get off.”
Of the four players since 1970 who have played at least 300 games at both shortstop and the outfield, two have played for the Dodgers: Derrel Thomas and Hubie Brooks. Hanley Ramirez could become the third, as Doug Miller of ESPN Insider notes.
Sunday’s Dodger Stadium College Baseball Classic featuring Texas Christian, Vanderbilt, UCLA and USC will have more than 15 top draft prospects, writes David Hood of True Blue L.A.
Minnie Minoso was the Latin Jackie Robinson, suggests Allen Barra at Sports on Earth. Barra then goes on to argue for Minoso’s Hall of Fame worthiness based on his on-field performance.

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Meanwhile, at Dodger Stadium: T-minus one month pic.twitter.com/yFeErgqrSc

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) March 6, 2015

Andre Ethier and the 1988 draft

By Jon Weisman

On November 20, 2014

In History, Transactions

By Jon Weisman

And with the 1,390th pick in the 1988 amateur draft, the Dodgers select 6-year-old outfielder Andre Ethier …

Well, not exactly, but over at Grantland, Ben Lindbergh did something I’ve always wanted to do but never attempted — see how far back you can trace the acquisition of a given player.

Amazingly, he’s done it for all 30 MLB teams, and as you can see above, he routes Andre Ethier all the way back to the 1988 draft, when the outfielder wasn’t quite two months past his sixth birthday. (Click the image to enlarge.)

Dodger comings and goings: Ramirez, Wilson, Elbert

By Jon Weisman

On November 3, 2014

In Transactions

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers have made a qualifying offer to Hanley Ramirez for the 2015 season, which he has until November 10 to accept.

If Ramirez declines the one-year deal, as every other player has since MLB instituted since this process began two seasons ago, he will remain a free agent. The Dodgers can continue to negotiate with him if they choose, but will receive draft-pick compensation (between the first and second rounds in 2015) if he signs with another team.

Meanwhile, Brian Wilson has exercised his option to return to the Dodgers for 2015, but Scott Elbert — designated for assignment in July before returning to the organization and ending up on the 2014 playoff roster — has become a free agent.

Kershaw, Puig lead as Dodgers grab 15 GIBBY noms

By Jon Weisman

On October 30, 2014

In Awards

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By Jon Weisman

The GIBBY Awards aren’t named after Kirk Gibson specifically, though the awkwardness of the full name — Greatness in Baseball Yearly — suggests a determined attempt to arrive at that acronym. In any case, the Dodgers are nominated for several in 2014, and you can vote online through November 7. (Winners will be announced December 6.)

Clayton Kershaw and Yasiel Puig were each nominated in three categories. Here is your full list of Dodger nominees:

MLB MVP: Kershaw
Starting pitcher: Kershaw
Closer: Kenley Jansen
Bounceback player: Matt Kemp
Manager: Don Mattingly
Play: Puig’s double play, July 5 at Colorado
Outfield throw: Puig, September 22 vs. San Francisco
Moment: Vin Scully announces his return for 2015, July 29
Hitting performance: Dee Gordon 5 for 6 with three steals, May 3 at Miami
Hitting performance: Puig, 4 for 4 with three triples, July 25 at San Francisco
Pitching performance: Josh Beckett no-hitter, May 25 at Philadelphia
Pitching performance: Kershaw no-hitter, June 18 vs. Colorado
Oddity: Dodgers’ defensive wall, August 29 at San Diego
Walkoff: Hanley Ramirez’s 12th-inning homer, August 2 vs. Chicago
Cut4 topic: Mo’ne Davis at Dodger Stadium

Dodgers set Los Angeles record in BABIP … what happens next year?

By Jon Weisman

On October 29, 2014

In Analysis, Hitting

Yasiel Puig had a .356 BABIP despite declining from 2013. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Were they feeling lucky?

The Dodgers had a team batting average on balls in play of .318, which was third in the Majors but the franchise’s highest in 84 seasons, since the Brooklyn Robins had a .321 BABIP in 1930.

In general, the Dodgers’ BABIP has trended upward in recent years, thanks in part no doubt to strikeouts becoming a larger percentage of outs. It was a different story, for example, in the 1960s, when the Dodgers’ BABIP bottomed out at .266 in 1967 and .268 in 1968.

The oddity is that several prominent Dodgers underperformed their recent or career BABIP marks in 2014 …

Andre Ethier starts ahead of Yasiel Puig in NLDS Game 4

By Jon Weisman

On October 7, 2014

In Postseason, Pregame

For more photos from Monday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Dodgers at Cardinals, 2:07 p.m.
Dodgers
Dee Gordon, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Andre Ethier, CF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
–
Cardinals
Matt Carpenter, 3B
Randal Grichuk, RF
Matt Holliday, LF
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Matt Adams, 1B
Yadier Molina, C
Jon Jay, CF
Kolten Wong, 2B
Shelby Miller, P

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig, who has a .774 OPS in the National League Division Series but has struck out in eight of his past nine at-bats, has been replaced in the Dodger starting lineup by Andre Ethier.

Ethier will bat sixth, while left fielder Carl Crawford moves up to the No. 2 spot behind Dee Gordon.

Since August 29, Ethier has made one start in a game that had meaning for the Dodgers, going 0 for 2 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch September 7 against Arizona. In his final 46 plate appearances of the regular season, Ethier went 12 for 39 with a .413 on-base percentage and .436 slugging percentage, then went 1 for 2 in Game 1 of the NLDS.

* * *

A few pieces related to starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw to pass along.

While A.J. Cassavell breaks down the risks of pitching on three days’ rest at MLB.com, Russell A. Carleton at Baseball Prospectus notes that the Cardinals do not own Clayton Kershaw.

… When we look at Kershaw’s performance against the Cardinals, we see that his BABIP is quite high at .343. I know that during the postseason everyone likes to pretend that games are won and lost based on magical fairy dust, grit, and character. But frankly, a lot of what drives a baseball game is dumb luck. That’s not comfortable for people to hear, but the sooner that you accept that, the sooner we can have a real conversation about baseball. …

Clayton Kershaw has gotten very unlucky over the last four years against the St. Louis Cardinals, and luck is not a character trait. Luck just kinda happens. If you made bets on a series of coin flips and won seven in a row, that would be an unlikely event (though possible). Yes, you still have the money you just won in your pocket, but it’s not because you have a special skill for calling coin flips or because you are a morally righteous person. You caught a run of good luck. Congrats. Don’t expect it to last. …

Hanley Ramirez has right elbow strain

By Jon Weisman

On September 16, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame

For more highlights from Monday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Dodgers at Rockies, 5:40 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Justin Turner, SS
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Dan Haren, P

By Jon Weisman

Hanley Ramirez was a late scratch from tonight’s Dodger starting lineup with a right elbow strain.

According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Ramirez has been getting treatment on the elbow since the Giants series.

Even so, Ramirez went 2 for 4 in Monday’s 11-3 Dodger victory at Colorado, and is 16 for 36 with a .500 on-base percentage and .556 slugging percentage in his past 10 games.

Clayton Kershaw named NL Player of the Week

By Jon Weisman

On September 15, 2014

In Awards

For more photo highlights from Sunday, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

Two-time 2014 National League Player of the Month Clayton Kershaw is now a two-time 2014 National League Player of the Week.

Kershaw won the award Monday after pitching eight innings in his two starts, including Sunday’s big 4-2 victory over San Francisco, and allowing a total of three runs and 13 baserunners in the 16 innings with 17 strikeouts.

For Kershaw, that makes five career NLPOW wins, including at least one every year since 2011.

Carl Crawford (12 for 20 with a walk, five doubles and a home run) and Hanley Ramirez (11 for 22 with a walk and two doubles) were finalists for the award.

Kershaw is also one of six finalists for this year’s Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, presented to the player who “inspires others to higher levels of achievement by their on-field performances and contributions to their communities.” He has Dodger Insider’s official endorsement.

Defense, defense

By Jon Weisman

On August 31, 2014

In Defense

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Though it was ultimately in vain, the Dodger defense put on a show Saturday. Take a look.

— Jon Weisman

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Dodgers’ fourtitude in 12th isn’t enough

By Jon Weisman

On August 30, 2014

In Health/injuries, Postgame

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By Jon Weisman

The radical, four-on-the-floor finish to one of the crazier 3-2 games you’ll see might not soon be forgotten. Then again it might, if these kinds of extreme defensive shifts become more commonplace.

Two things strike me about this moment of the Dodgers placing four fielders between first and second base:

How close it came to working to perfection. Even with Dee Gordon’s throw bouncing home, the Dodgers missed the inning-ending double play by a hair.
Because Andre Ethier was still officially a center fielder at this point even though he was stationed at first (with Adrian Gonzalez to his right), we just missed seeing a 4-2-8 double play.

Gordon had some rough times in Friday’s loss to the Padres, going 0 for 6 with a throwing error, though he hit a monster fly ball with one on in the fifth that deserved to be a go-ahead home run (inside or outside the park), only for Rymer Liriano to flag it at the top of the fence.

Actually, the lingering sensation from Friday’s game might center on Hanley Ramirez, who came within a triple of the cycle even though he injured himself again, this time slipping on a wet base – and then getting called out via replay on his attempt to make it back to first. Ramirez, who hit an even more monstrous fly ball in the eighth to actually tie the game, looked Pedro Guerreroesque circling the bases (fans of a certain age will recall Guerrero hurting his back on a home run swing and barely making it around the diamond).

The Dodgers have had a welcome week’s worth of good news on the injury front, but that’s now in jeopardy.

Hello, Hanley

By Jon Weisman

On August 24, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

For photo highlights from Saturday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Mets at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Yasiel Puig, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Kevin Correia, P

By Jon Weisman

Yep, it’s consecutive days of players getting healthier.

The Dodgers follow Zack Greinke’s return to the mound in Saturday’s 7-4 victory over the Mets with Hanley Ramirez’s departure from the disabled list to the starting lineup today. Erisbel Arruebarrena has been optioned to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

When he has played, Ramirez has been a consistent hitter for some time now. Since going 4 for 4 with two home runs on May 31, Ramirez has had a .415 on-base percentage and .474 slugging percentage (.889 OPS) in 183 plate appearances.

Ramirez is the No. 2 offensive shortstop in baseball this season behind injured Troy Tulowitzki of Colorado, according to Fangraphs.

Mattingly said Greinke felt good this morning – came out of Saturday’s start “pretty well.”

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 24, 2014

For his part, Greinke gave a positive report to Dodger manager Don Mattingly this morning. He told Ken Gurnick of MLB.com he would tell the Dodgers if he were worried about his physical condition — but at this point he wasn’t.

“Weird circumstances gave me extra time, but I’ve been pretty good,” he said. “Between starts it hasn’t bothered me. I felt great again today. I hope that’s how it stays.

“You’re not going to believe me, but it really hasn’t bothered me when the game’s on the line. It didn’t affect any of my pitches. It really isn’t a big issue.”

He said he’d be honest with manager Don Mattingly if he didn’t feel physically able to help the team or if he thought he was putting himself at risk of serious injury.

“I have no desire to go out there and give up 10 runs or hurt myself more,” he said.

Arruebarrena figures to return to the Dodgers when rosters expand September 1. Miguel Rojas’ greater experience at third base was a main reason he was retained on the roster in the short term over Arruebarrena.

Fun before the game with Hanley Ramirez, Yasiel Puig and Jessica Alba

By Jon Weisman

On August 17, 2014

In Celebrities, Dodger Stadium

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By Jon Weisman

Admittedly, the start of today’s Dodgers-Brewers game wasn’t pretty for the hometown fans, not with Jonathan Lucroy driving in five runs in the first two innings to power Milwaukee to a 7-0 lead over the Dodgers after four. But it was plenty festive inside Dodger Stadium and at Viva Los Dodgers at the historic 76 station beyond center field.

Hanley Ramirez, Yasiel Puig and first-pitch tosser Jessica Alba were among those who put on a show before the show …

Here’s @HanleyRamirez and friends at Viva Los Dodgers #iseeyou pic.twitter.com/JByAVWBV4I

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider)
August 17, 2014

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Tag: Hanley Ramirez (Page 1 of 4)

Best of the 2010s:
The All-Decade Dodgers

Purging the ghosts of Dodger postseasons past

Chase Utley slide joins most controversial plays in Dodger playoff history

In case you missed it: The youngest prospect

Andre Ethier and the 1988 draft

Dodger comings and goings: Ramirez, Wilson, Elbert

Kershaw, Puig lead as Dodgers grab 15 GIBBY noms

Dodgers set Los Angeles record in BABIP … what happens next year?

Andre Ethier starts ahead of Yasiel Puig in NLDS Game 4

Hanley Ramirez has right elbow strain

Clayton Kershaw named NL Player of the Week

Defense, defense

Dodgers’ fourtitude in 12th isn’t enough

Hello, Hanley

Fun before the game with Hanley Ramirez, Yasiel Puig and Jessica Alba

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