Player Name: Aramis Ramirez
Sets From: 1997 Bowman and Bowman Chrome
Card Numbers: 310 and 214
Why are these cards a must have?: This one breaks my heart to run because Ramirez was such a bright spot for the Pirates and when they traded him to the Cubs with Kenny Lofton, they got absolutely nothing back. They got completely fleeced in the deal. When I say nothing I mean Bobby Hill, Jose Hernandez (past his prime) and Matt Bruback. Overall he is a heck of a player, in the 11 seasons he has been in the bigs his career numbers are 0.284/249/881, with 2 All Star selections and 4 top 20 MVP finishes. At only 30 he has a good shot to get to 500 homers. Currently he has just over 1400 hits, but I just don’t see him getting to 3000 hits. Is he Hall of Fame caliber? I don’t know, I think the only way he gets in is with 450+ home runs. Still though has a Pirates fan, I hate to see him in a Cubs uniform, knowing that they got absolutely nothing in return.
On a scale of 1 – 10, how must have are these cards: 6, he’s a great talent, but falls under the same catagory as a Matt Williams or a Will Clark. Good enough to be remembered fondly, but just not HOF material. In the book they run about $4, on eBay you can find it for around $2. It’s just one of those player’s rookie cards you have to own.
