Even before Hanley Ramirez returned to Boston this offseason, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts admired the three-time All-Star from afar. It made comparing the two that much more practical.
But now, even though Ramirez is a far different player than he was coming up through the Red Sox system a decade ago, Bogaerts can truly embrace the veteran’s prowess while sharing a clubhouse. The 22-year-old is taking full advantage of the opportunity in his own quest to become a superstar.
“My idol,” Bogaerts recently told The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier while discussing Ramirez. “Him being close to my locker, just being around him and in his batting practice group, ridiculous.”
Ramirez acknowledged upon signing with the Red Sox in November that he’s hoping to become a leader in his second stint with the organization. The 31-year-old traded his infield glove for an outfield glove, and he might now resemble a pure slugger rather than someone who once swiped 51 bases. But no one stands to benefit from Ramirez’s evolution more than Bogaerts, who has long been compared to his “idol” since signing as an amateur free agent in 2009.
“Just getting physically stronger, quicker, faster — I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this before,” Bogaerts told Speier of his preparation, which should only improve now with Ramirez in the mix. “After last year, I really felt like I needed to get a lot stronger. Almost halfway through the season my body started wearing down.
“I knew I just had to get a lot stronger, especially because that was my first time in a big league season. I went to (the EXOS performance institute in) Arizona, and I really know that’s what I needed. I’m excited for a new season.”
Bogaerts, who turned 22 in October, can use Ramirez’s career path as a baseline as he looks to overcome a rollercoaster 2014 season. When Ramirez was 21, he hadn’t yet sniffed beyond Double-A. Yet Ramirez broke out at age 22 with a very impressive rookie campaign.
Ramirez hit .292 with 17 homers, 59 RBIs, 51 steals and an .833 OPS en route to Rookie of the Year honors with the Florida Marlins in 2006.
“Two-thirds of (Ramirez’s career path) would be pretty good,” Bogaerts told Speier, reportedly with a smile. “But I just want to keep working to become a great player. I really want to become great. I know it takes a lot of time and effort. I’ll definitely put in the effort, that’s for sure.”
The effort is there. The drive is there. And now, another source of inspiration is there.
The results might soon be there, too.
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
