Hanley Ramirez is heading back to Boston nine years after MLB debut with Red Sox
Hanley heads back to Boston 9 years after trade
You might remember James Griffin as a singer/songwriter for the sometimes remembered '70s soft-rock superstars, Bread. They had a No. 1 hit in 1970 with "Make it With You", but it was Griffin's 1974 solo record "Breakin' Up Is Easy" that predicted Hanley Ramirez returning to the Red Sox 40-years later.
'Cause I need a change of season.
And I can't believe the reason why I came,
So far away from New England,
Where the winter leaves are fallin'.
For I hear a different callin',
Than I found here in L.A.
On September 20, 2005, Hanley Ramirez -- then the top prospect in the Red Sox system -- made his MLB debut, relieving Edgar Renteria at shortstop to start the seventh inning of a lopsided win over the Devil Rays. Ramirez fielded an Alex Gonzalez ground ball cleanly and threw him out at first in his only fielding chance for the Sox that season. He struck out in his only two at-bats.
That offseason, the Red Sox sent Ramirez and a handful of other players to the Marlins for eventual 2007 ALCS MVP Josh Beckett, eventual 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota.
Nine years, a 2006 Rookie of the Year Award, three All-Star appearances and 1,403 hits later, Ramirez and his .300 career average are coming back to Boston in hopes of revitalizing a lineup that struggled as the Red Sox finished in last place in 2014.
In addition to all of his statistical contributions to winning baseball games, Red Sox fans have a lot of fun to look forward to now that Ramirez is back in Boston.
Like his clubhouse antics:
His dugout antics:
His locks:
His dance moves:
And, obviously, that power:
It also looks like he's heading back east with a Panda, so it's not a bad day to be a Red Sox fan.