Orlando Ramírez

Orlando Ramírez Leal, nicknamed as "El Ñato", is a Colombian former Major League Baseball shortstop who played for the California Angels between 1974 and 1979. He was the first recognized Colombian-born player in major league history, following Luis Castro, who played 42 games for the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1902 [Major League Baseball season|1902 season].
In his 143-game major league career, Ramírez batted.189 with 16 batted in|RBI], 24 runs, five doubles, one triple and 16 stolen bases. On the international stage, he led the Colombian national team at the Baseball World Cup and Baseball at the [Pan American Games|Pan American Games].

Professional career

Ramírez began his career with the Willard club from Barranquilla, Colombia in 1966 which was recognized as the top level of Colombian baseball.
Ramírez first played for the Shreveport Captains in the Texas League, the Double-A affiliate of the California Angels. He excelled and was transferred to the Idaho Falls Angels in the Pioneer Rookie League. From Idaho Falls, he was sent to the minors in 1973, playing for the Quad Cities Angels where he soon played Double-A again in 1974. A short time after playing Double-A, Ramírez was promoted to the majors.

At the age of 17, Ramírez made the Colombian national team and debuted in his first game in the 1969 Amateur World Series held in Santo Domingo. He batted third and played third base on the Colombian national team. In the 1970 and 1971 Amateur World Series, Ramírez played shortstop and led all players in stolen bases. He led the Colombian national team to a silver medal in the 1971 tournament, held in Havana. He also won a bronze medal at the 1971 Pan American Games.

Ramírez was inducted in the Colombian Baseball Hall of Fame in September 2009. He was the first Colombian to play in the Major Leagues. The Colombian [Professional Baseball League] Most Valuable Player award has been in his name since the winter of 2005-06.