J.D. Ramirez, Working Summer - 2703

J.D. Ramirez thought his career was over. That's because he'd planned for his post-playing career as a teacher, and that post-playing career came calling with a job offer, according to The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

But teachers still have summers off. And there Ramirez was, in the summer of 1997, playing in his ninth professional season.

"I didn't have anything to do over the summer," Ramirez told The Avalanche-Journal. "I figured I would come on back, have fun with the guys and put up some more numbers."

Ramirez came back for that summer and two more. By the time his career was over, Ramirez had time in 11 professional seasons. In that career, though, he made one brief appearance at AAA, but he never made the majors.

Ramirez' career began in 1989, signed by the independent Salt Lake Trappers out of his home state of Arizona.

With the Trappers, Ramirez got into games, knocking a double in a mid-July win. Ramirez also caught the eye of the Expos, Montreal purchasing his contract in August. He played out the year at short-season Jamestown.

Ramirez moved to single-A Rockford for 1990, then high-A West Palm Beach for 1991. He hit .235 at West Palm Beach, ending his Expos career.

For 1992, Ramirez moved back to independent Salt Lake City. In 44 games, he hit .347. He didn't start with the team until that July, according to The Deseret News, collecting three hits in his first game back.

"I felt right at home," Ramirez told The News upon his return. "They treated me like I never left."

After spending 1993 with independent Sioux City, Ramirez returned to affiliated ball for 1994 and 1995 with the Angels. He played most of that time at AA Midland, but he also got a game at AAA Vancouver.

For 1996, Ramirez arrived at Lubbock. He ended up playing there through 1998. He hit no worse than .327. He also made the 1997 league All-Star game. He played his final games as a pro in 1999, with Sioux City.

• Deseret News, July 24, 1992: Ramirez returns to lead Traps past Gems in errorless effort
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, June 14, 1997: Ramirez enjoys summer vacation from classroom

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,406
Made the Majors: 730 - 51.9%
Never Made Majors: 676-48.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 319
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 188-X