AHS Alumnus Signs on with Boston Red Sox

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News Editor

On Aug. 15, AHS alumnus and baseball player Noe Ramirez signed with the Boston Red Sox. Ramirez, who was their fourth-round selection in 2011, received a draft bonus of $625,000 due to his superior talent, his college track record and his determination. however, prospects were not always so optimistic for Ramirez, who came from humble beginnings.
Ramirez and his five siblings were raised by his father in East Los Angeles where violence and delinquency was rampant. He had always sought to escape the struggle of living in poverty; this love for baseball helped him reach his goal.
“One time, Noe said, ‘Dad, when I grow up I want to show that there’s people that can come out of here and do good things.’ He always says he owes his success to his family […], but really, above all, it was baseball that kept him off the streets,” Noe’s father, Rafael Ramirez, said in an ESPN interview.
Ramirez and his son would spend countless afternoons practicing at Hazard Park, which is renowned for its gangs. The unkept diamond was a far cry from the nearby Dodgers Stadium, but that did not dissuade Ramirez’s love for the sport.
“My Pops was the one who tossed me my first baseball [when I was around three years old]. […] I thought baseball was the greatest thing ever,” Ramirez said in an interview with Baseball Historian.
Despite his many hardships, Ramirez was not deterred from pursuing his dream. He would go on to play baseball for AHS before playing for Cal State Fullerton on an athletic scholarship.
“I am fortunate to [have coached] not only Noe, but his brothers as well,” baseball Coach Steve Gewecke said. “[Not only does] Noe have a lot of talent, but he [is] also a great teammate [with] tremendous character, which is more important.”
Despite his achievements, Ramirez remains down-to-earth about his success. He and his eldest sibling have talked about starting a charity where they grew up in order to benefit the children in the neighborhood.
“I just want to be known for the right reasons,” Ramirez said in an ESPN interview. “I’ve never had it easy. I understand what many people are going through. I just want to help out, honestly. That’s what I want to be known for.”