| Ken Ramos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born:(1967-06-06)June 6, 1967 Sidney, Nebraska, U.S. | |
| Died: May 15, 2016(2016-05-15) (aged 48) Pueblo, Colorado, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 6, 1997, for the Houston Astros | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 11, 1997, for the Houston Astros | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .000 |
| On-base percentage | .133 |
| Runs batted in | 1 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Kenneth Cecil Ramos (June 6, 1967 – May 15, 2016) was an Americanoutfielder inMajor League Baseball who played for theHouston Astros inits 1997 season. Listed at 6 foot 1 inch, 185 pounds, he batted and threw left handed.[1]
Ken Ramos is remembered as an outfielder that reached the majors briefly in 1997 with the Astros, even though he was more renowned for his lengthy and productive minor league career.
Born inSidney, Nebraska, Ramos attended theUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln. He was originally selected by theChicago Cubs in the sixth round of the1986 MLB Draft out ofOtero Junior College inLa Junta, Colorado, but he opted not to sign. He then signed as a free agent with theCleveland Indians in 1989, and was traded to theChicago White Sox in exchange forMatt Merullo in the spring of 1994. Finally, a few days later, he was selected off waivers by Houston from the White Sox.[1]
Ramos appeared in 14 games for the Astros, primarily as apinch hitter, and was hitless in 14at-bats while compiling onerun batted in and twowalks.[1] Nevertheless, his Minor League career spanned ten seasons, from 1989 until 1998, including six at Triple-A with stints in the farm systems of the Indians, Astros andMinnesota Twins.[2]
While with theKinston Indians, Ramos earned a spot on the 1990Carolina League All-Star squad. His most productive season in the minors came in 1992, when he hit aslash line of .339/.342/.448 with Double-ACanton-Akron Indians and earned Lou Boudreau Award honors as Indians' Minor League Player of the Year.[2]
Ramos retired in 1998, at age 31, after dividing his playing time at Triple-A with theNew Orleans Zephyrs andSalt Lake Buzz.
Overall, Ramos hit .300 (1036-for-3449) with 24home runs and 328 RBI in 1,039 minor league games, including 599runs, 157doubles, 49triples and 120stolen bases.[2] Besides, he posted averages of .300 or better in five seasons, with a career-best .345 in 1990. In total, hewalked more than hestruck out, amassing 503 walks against 311 strikeouts, to collecton-base percentages of .400 or more five times.[2]
In between, Ramos played winter ball with theÁguilas del Zulia andNavegantes del Magallanes clubs of theVenezuelan League in part of two seasons spanning 1993–1995.[3]
On May 15, 2016, Ramos shot and killed his wife Lisa Ramos and then committed suicide at the couple's home inPueblo, Colorado. He left behind one daughter, Delaney.[4]
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Indians' Minor League Player of the Year (theLou Boudreau Award) 1992 | Succeeded by |