SS Hanley Ramirez of Marlins Shown the Bench for not Hustling

Fredi Gonzalez, manager for the Florida Marlins, showed the bench to Hanley Ramirez after he failed to hustle after a ball opposing the Arizona Diamondbacks during a Monday night game. Error during the second inning Ramirez was best known as the batting champion for the previous year’s NL. However during a recent game, he made a huge mistake during the second inning when Tony Abreu dropped a looper next to him in left field. He inadvertently kicked the ball approximately 100 feet to the left corner of the field, loafing after the ball, which gave two runners access to scores and permitting Abreu to progress to third. Later in the game, Ramirez was able to retrieve the ball. However, Brian Barden entered during the next inning as his replacement. Gonzalez made confirmation after the game was over that Ramirez had in fact been pulled out for not hustling. Ramirez also sustained mild injuries after he fouled a pitch from Edwin Jackson through his left shin during the first inning, and had been attended by a trainer after the incident. Minutes after nonetheless he leaped back into double play towards the end of the inning. Not enough effort Gonzalez explained further why Ramirez had to leave the game. According to him, the issue was not centered on his injury and whether or not he was hurt or that his ankle injury had affected his game play. Gonzales felt that there was not enough effort coming from Ramirez, seeing how the 24 guys in the team are trying their hardest in helping the team. Case in point: Cody Ross was hit by a ball, coming at him with a speed of 95 mph, and yet he was able to stay longer in the game, executing diving plays and really competing on the field. Gonzales added furthermore that while injuries are to be expected, it is crucial for the team of 25 guys to give the game everything they’ve got, otherwise something must be done. After the 5-1 loss from Florida, snapping a four-game winning trend, Ramirez was unavailable for comments. Team effort, team organization Gonzales knew Ramirez cannot leave the game without a word from him so he told the player that he need to go inside, replacing him with Barden on the field. While Barden suffered from a sprained ankle, he was able to scuffle for eight innings, and this is what Gonzalez is expecting from his guys, as part of a competitive team and an organization. Ramirez has had seven home runs, 20 RBIs, and is hitting .293. He’d been a two-time All-Star and is the highest-paid player from the Marlins, after having signed a contract in 2008 that secured his position for 6 years at $70 million. Gonzalez was asked if any further punishment was reserved for Ramirez, to which he replied, asking if the questioner is talking about anything more embarrassing than being shown the bench during a major league game.