Hanley Ramirez hasn't been the Hanley of old since negotiating and signing the new contract.
Hanley Ramirez singled in the sixth inning Sunday to snap an 0-for-10 streak in which he had struck out five times. Ramirez has had his troubles at the plate of late. The news broke about his six-year, $70 million deal on May 7, and from that point until his single in the sixth Sunday, Ramirez was hitting .142 (4 for 28). Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez talked to Ramirez about the new contract, telling his young star he didn't need to do too much. ''I told him it was one of those things where the contract should make you feel like you are playing in Little League and just having fun,'' Gonzalez said. ``He is signed through 2014, so don't worry, and play like it's Little League. 'I told him, `Sometimes with the dollar signs, people put undue expectations on you. You don't have to do anything more than you are doing,' '' Gonzalez added. 'He doesn't have to hit 60 home runs in the seats. I told him, `Some players feel like they have to do too much. You don't have to.' ''
Good advice from Fredi.
This very common when a player signs a contract for a lot of money. It happens all the time. They end up thinking they need to carry the team everyday when all that is required is that be themselves.
Hanley will be fine.
However if he would like to improve on an aspect of his game, could I suggest, he quit triple pumping on balls he fields which allow the runners to make it to first ahead of the throw. He is doing it way too much this season. I really don't believe it is because he is lackadaisical but I think it is a confidence thing. Field the ball and throw it, quit thinking. Thinking only hurts the ball club.