Fresh off his 2006 Rookie of the Year honor, Hanley Ramirez walked into his agent Andy Mota's office and declared bigger things were ahead, Mota recalled in October 2007 to MLB.com."Last year, at the end of the year, he said he was surprised [at his rookie numbers]," Mota told MLB.com. "He didn't know he was going to do as well as he did"
"This year in Spring Training, he was in my office, and he said, 'I'm going to hit 30 homers, and I'm going to be MVP.' I said, 'MVP of the team?' He said, 'MVP of the league.' We kind of laughed it off, but it showed how confident he was. He was unbelievable this year."
Mota spoke after Ramirez won top National League shortstop honors from the Sporting News. The next spring, Mota would help Ramirez with something arguably bigger, negotiating a six-year, $70 million deal with the Marlins.
Mota's career as a major league agent came after an eight-season playing career himself. Mota signed with the Astros after being taken in the 12th round in 1987 out of Cal-State Fullerton.
Mota followed his father Manny Mota and brother Jose Mota into baseball. Jose Mota is a fellow member of the 1990 CMC set. He made AA Columbus in 1990 and AAA Tucson in 1991.
The Houston Chronicle pegged Mota as a darkhorse candidate for the Astros' second-base job for 1991. He would make Houston, but not until Aug. 31. Mota played 27 games for the Astros, hitting one home run and batting just .189. Mota's first major league home run was also the first given up by the Mets' Terry Bross.
Mota never returned to the majors. His brief 27-game stint with Houston still beat out his brother Jose Mota's 19 big-league games.
1990 CMC Tally
Cards Reviewed: 69/880 - 7.8%
Made the Majors: 41 - 59%
Never Made the Majors: 28 - 41%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 16
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 21
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