Hanley Ramirez Q&A

 

 

Q: Do you think poor ownership over the years is a valid reason for fans not to show up to games? Is it frustrating to play for a franchise that doesn't put any money into the team? Alex Pellerano, Brooklyn, N.Y.

 

A: "They should come anyway because we're fighting everyday to win and so we just try to represent Florida. [The payroll] doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. We just go out there and try to take the game."

 

Q: How does it feel to be a leadoff hitter for a National League team instead of a run producer in the heart of the Red Sox order like it looked while you were in the minors? Eric Garfield, Ocean City, Md.

 

A: "Great, because you've got the opportunity to start everything off. It's fun."

 

Q: Do you have any lucky charms or secrets nobody knows? Ricardo Hermida, Miami, Fla.

 

A: "My nickname, H2R. H for Hanley, then my number, 2, for [Yankees shortstop Derek] Jeter, then Ramirez. I've got the Virgin Mary [takes off small pendant from his neck]. I just try to be consistent and do the same thing every day to be prepared for the game."

 

Q: If you played in a big market city, would you reach superstar status and finally get the respect you deserve? Andrew Reich, Hollywood, Fla.

 

A: "Why not, but I'm in Florida and I'm happy over here. It doesn't bother me at all."

 

Q: What's your biggest off-the-field distraction? Stuart Jordan

 

A: "My kid. Playing with him after games, going back home. I'm happy to be a dad."

 

Q: How does it feel to go on the road and play before 20,000 or more people when at home you barely have 10,000? Ken Roberts, Tamarac, Fla.

 

A: "It makes you excited because everybody's booing you, so that motivates you. [At home], it's fun, so it doesn't matter if 50 people are there. They're going to cheer for you."

 

Q: What do you do on a regular basis to prepare for playing? Ricardo Hermida, Miami, Fla.

 

A: "I go to the cage before the game, hit some soft toss. [before I get to the stadium] I do nothing, just wake up around 9 or 10 in the morning. Sometimes I'll go back to sleep and wake up at 1. I eat lunch. My mom cooks for me. And I come to the ballpark, see my teammates. They make me happy. A day game is kind of different because you sometimes come kind of sleepy, so as soon as you get here, everybody wakes you up."

 

Q: How great of an experience was it to smack a game-winning double off of Billy Wagner, one of the best closers in the game?

 

A: "It was exciting because we needed to win. It's great. It's not about me, it's about the Marlins. I was so happy because as soon as I hit it I knew it was going to be a two-run double and it was going to put us ahead in the game."

 

Q: How difficult is it to retain your enthusiasm and momentum as the team's brightest prospect when the team is struggling? Richard Liscombe, Walton-on-Thames, England

 

A: "That's why you're here. That's why you get paid for it, to try to win every day. You've just got to keep concentrating on the game and not worry about what people are going to say off the field."

 

 

 

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...0,2298608.story

The 2 is for Jeter....informative.

I love reading interviews... They give you such a great idea of what players are like off the field, and an even better idea of what they are like on it. They aren't quotes that can be misconstrued (sp?) in any article or story, they're direct and unaltered. Real.

Interviews aren't real, players tell you what you want to hear so they don't get bad press.

 

[/media hate]

Not that anyone cares, but I asked the Billy Wagner question. Awesome to see my question answered. Go Hanley!!!!!

Q: If you played in a big market city, would you reach superstar status and finally get the respect you deserve? Andrew Reich, Hollywood, Fla.

 

What a smart question.

Interviews aren't real, players tell you what you want to hear so they don't get bad press.

 

[/media hate]

 

Correct to some extent. Players will be politically/orginazationally correct in their answers. Even in this interview you can see that. But it does give some insight to the players mind set.

Good interview.