The Tampa Bay Rays announced Tuesday that Jean Ramirez, one of their bullpen catchers for the last three seasons, has died. He was 28 years old.
The Rays baseball family mourns the loss of bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez pic.twitter.com/CSasYv7Aqm
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) January 11, 2022
“We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Jean’s family,” Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said in a statement. “He was a caring teammate and friend. He exuded so much joy in all he did, and his kind heart was a gift to all.”
Ramirez was drafted in the 28th round in 2016 after finishing his college career at Illinois State, and played 66 games in three minor-league seasons, two in Princeton (Appalachian League) and one in Hudson Valley (New York-Penn League). He then joined the major league staff as a bullpen catcher, taking the place of Scott Cursi, who moved to the umpires clubhouse as an assistant.
“Jean was an incredible teammate and friend,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “He brought so much passion and energy to our clubhouse and bullpen, and his love for the Rays and baseball was evident to all who interacted with him.
“Jean will be deeply missed.”
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
