1977 Topps Baseball #131 - Orlando Ramirez

• Orlando Ramirez made most of his 25 appearances as a pinch runner. 
• This was the only season of his career (1972-1979) in which he didn't spend some time in the minor leagues.
• Orlando Ramirez, a native of Colombia, signed with the California Angels in 1972. He played in the minors from 1972-1974. He spent the month of July with the Angels and then got a September call-up. Ramirez batted .163 in 31 games.
• Ramirez was given the starting shortstop job in 1975. Manager Dick Williams was high on Orlando, although his reputation as a fielder was better than his statistics (.905 fielding percentage in 41 games). Ramirez batted .240 in 44 games, but his season was interrupted by a series of unfortunate events (a hamstring injury, the death of his brother in a plane crash, and visa problems when he tried to return to the U.S.).
• Orlando was given the starting shortstop job again in 1976, but he was sent down in May after batting .200 in 30 games.
• In 1978 Ramirez spent the entire year in the minors. He played for both AA El Paso and AAA Salt Lake City and batted .279.
• The Angels signed Bert Campaneris in 1979 and Ramirez didn't have much of a shot at playing time. Orlando made the Angels ballclub to start the season, but he was sent down in May after going 0 for 12. Ramirez batted .212 for Salt Lake City, .083 for AAA Charleston, and .220 for Class A Bakersfield.
• Ramirez was cut at the end of spring training in 1980. He spent a few seasons playing in Mexico and also played some winter ball in his native Colombia.
• Ramirez was the first Colombian player in modern times to make it to the majors, and he is still revered in his home country.
• Here is a link to Orlando's SABR biography.
• 1977 Stats: .077 (1 for 13) in 25 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• June 26 - Appeared as a pinch runner and scored the winning run in a 
• July 6 - Appeared as a pinch runner in the 8th inning and scored the tying run. The Minnesota Twins went on to win the game on a 9th inning home run.
• July 15 - Placed on the disabled list due to torn ligaments in his left thumb. Orlando didn't come back until September.
• Other card blogs: none