On Monday, January 10, the bullpen catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays, Jean Ramirez, was found dead in a creek bed in a field near his Fort Worth home.
Ramirez had a gunshot wound to his head. An autopsy by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that his cause of death was suicide. He was 28 years old.
The examiner’s office completed its findings and released the information on Thursday, January 13.
Sports Illustrated reported that Ramirez was a 2016 draft selection for MLB by the Tampa Bay Rays. According to NBC DFW, he spent three years in the minor leagues in Tampa Bay; then, in 2019, he began a “three-season stint as a bullpen catcher with the major league team.”
The baseball team announced Ramirez’s death the day after his body was found, although they did not know at that time that it was due to suicide. Kevin Cash, the manager of the Rays, stated, “He brought so much passion and energy each day to our clubhouse and bullpen, and his love for the Rays and baseball was evident to all who interacted with him. He had the biggest heart and most infectious smile. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
According to ESPN, Ramirez’s family stated, “We are very grateful to the Tampa Bay Rays organization, whom we consider our family, for their love and support. Our son felt loved by all of you.”
After learning Ramirez’s cause of death, his family released a statement. “The loss of our son has been the most excruciating experience we have lived. Unfortunately, we sometimes don’t see the signs. Struggling in silence is not ok,” the family expressed.
