 One of a handful of ML players from the town of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, Ramirez was the Braves' speedy, smooth-fielding shortstop from 1981 to 1986, leading NL shortstops in double plays four straight years while hitting quite well for his position.He made the NL All-Star team in 1984 with a .304 average at mid-season, but in 1987 torn knee ligaments limited him to only 56 games and he was traded to Houston after the season.With the Astros in 1988, Ramirez posted his best batting average since 1983 (.276) and drove in a career-high 59 runs.