RWFrog's Blog

After the Rangers' epic 5-4 walk-off win last night, a game that saw Josh Hamilton hit his first homerun since June 17th, all of the media personnel from DFW swarmed to the LandShark's locker, waiting for Hamilton to address the them after his two-run jack  in the bottom of the ninth put the Rangers past LA and the Angels' amazing Franciso Rodriguez.

Well chronicled is the story of Josh Hamilton. There is no lack of appreciation and praise for a man who has overcome much more than tough pitching. However, sitting all alone at his locker was the man who made it possible for Hamilton to even get the chance to hit.

That man is Rangers' utility infielder Ramon Vasquez. Vasquez drew a four-pitch walk from Rodriguez to lead off the memorable ninth inning, and would later come around to score on Michael Young's 2-out single to left to make the game 4-3.  Getting on base against one of the game's best closers is a difficult task even when a hitter is feeling good at the plate. But Vasquez hadn't played the entire game due to some shoulder stiffness.  It didn't matter. 

He is the glue for this Texas team. A guy that Michael Young called one of the smartest players he's ever been around. This season alone, Ramon is hitting .317 with 5 homeruns and 29 rbi in 66 games. That doesn't seem all that impressive until you factor in his .384 OBP or on-base percentage.

But anything the Rangers have asked Vasquez to do this season, he has done without complaining.  He is the definition of a pro. Not flashy and definitely not a prima donna.

Which is why I almost felt bad for the guy as all the attention was focused on Hamilton. This probably doesn't even register to Vasquez. He seems perfectly content flying under ther radar. I guarantee you everyone in that clubhouse knows how important he has been to the team's resurgence this season.