Torres: The good hands of Ray Ramirez, baseball’s first Puerto Rican trainer
From SABR member Danny Torres at Hispanic Outlook on October 17, 2018:
Nestled in a rustic village in Cooperstown, New York, and located 1.5 miles from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the Clarks Sports Center has become an annual pilgrimage for baseball aficionados and the legends of America’s pastime.
Last year, Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez, stood proudly in front of an estimated crowd of 27,500 jubilant fans and thanked numerous people who were instrumental in his baseball journey. One of those was a 57-year-old marginal ballplayer who sat proudly knowing his invaluable work as an athletic trainer was greatly appreciated.
“And [to] Ray Ramírez, a longtime trainer, a good friend of mine…thank you, thank you for everything you’ve done for me in preparing me to play everyday,” Rodriguez said during his induction speech.
Since 1985, Ramírez has been a certified athletic trainer. Through a 30-year professional career, including 13 years with the N.Y. Mets, he became the first Puerto Rican to be an athletic trainer in Major League Baseball.
Read the full article here: https://www.hispanicoutlook.com/articles/good-hands-ray-ramirez
Originally published: October 18, 2018. Last Updated: October 18, 2018.