Hanley Ramirez says he going to actually put forth an effort this season.
On first base with one out in the sixth inning, Hanley Ramirez said he never thought about stopping when Gaby Sanchez hit a ground ball to third.
Sanchez was easily thrown out on what seemed to be a routine play, but Ramirez motored around second and slid safely into third just ahead of the first baseman’s throw. He wound up scoring the first run in a three-run sixth inning for the Marlins.
"That’s me," Ramirez said after Florida’s 3-0 win over the Twins.
"That’s what I’m going to do in the season, too. That’s how you become a leader. You’ve got to do it by example on the field.’’
No, Hanley, that has not been you. But I like the thought. Now we will see if it happens for 162 games. I don't mean to get down on Hanley, he is incredibly talented, but desire has been lacking in the past.
Should he actually live up to what he promises, it will serve the Marlins and Hanley well. However, I'm not holding my breath. But I'm willing to give him a shot. And who knows, maybe this is the year Hanley decides to be the player he is capable of being. If he does, it will be exciting. If he doesn't, oh well, just another year of wishing he would and not understanding why he doesn't.
It's the spring, which is the time of new growth. And maybe, just maybe, we are seeing it in Hanley.