Ramirez is a hit in return to Miami
Since becoming a Los Angeles Dodger on July 25, Hanley Ramirez has been reticent to discuss his time in Miami with the Marlins, preferring instead to concentrate on his time with the Dodgers and looking ahead.
Ramirez couldn't avoid the questions and the spotlight on Friday, though, because the Dodgers were in Miami to battle the Marlins. But Ramirez came through with three hits and two RBI to help calm the butterflies in his stomach.
"Those seven years were good memories down here," Ramirez said on the television broadcast after Friday's game. "I was a little bit nervous. But after that first pitch, everything came back normally."
Ramirez has had an unusual 2 1/2 weeks as a Dodger. He hit just .156 (5-for-32) in nine games at Dodger Stadium, but after Friday's game he is hitting .385 (10-for-26) with six runs scored and 10 RBI in six road games as a Dodger.
He has at least one hit and at least one run scored in all six road games since joining the Dodgers. But maybe it was the return to Miami that sparked his bat -- Ramirez is hitting .310/.390/.492 in 50 games this season at Marlins Park.
"We have 50 games left (now 49), so I'm going to give 150 percent, the best of me," said Ramirez.
If 150 percent produces anything close to his game Friday night, the Dodgers will gladly take it.
