The Hall of Fame added it's third member today when Saskatoon starter Demarcus Ramirez announced his retirement following Saskatoon's capture of the Cecil Cup.
Ramirez is one of the last (if not THE last) 2002 player still in the league today. He pitched in three games in 2002 before being sent back to the minors, not to reappear in the majors until 2005. After having decent seasons in 2005 and 2006, he finally achieved stardom in 2007 when he won 20 games (against only 7 losses) and had a 2.28 ERA. He won 20 games for four consecutive years, including the 2009 campaign when we was 28-3 with a 1.86 ERA, 259 strikeouts and a stingy 0.90 WHIP.
Many people thought his career was coming to an end after a mediocre season in 2013 and an 8-17 record in 2014. However, he managed to bounce back and have three more very good years (and one more mediocre year) in Saskatoon. Ramirez, however, managed to go out on top. In his final season, he won 19 games, had an ERA of 2.76 and struck out 242 batters and won the Cecil Cup.
Ramirez retires with four Outstanding Pitcher Awards (including three in a row from 2007-2009). He also retires in second place on the all-time victory ladder (232 wins), second in innings pitched (3212.2), second in strikeouts (3178), second in ERA (2.79) and first in shutouts (24).
And, congratulations to Demarcus Ramirez on a stellar career. Rarely have I been so happy to see a player head off to his happy retirement.
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