1985 Donruss Tribute: G-Rated Brave

Professional athletes these days don't seem too concerned about all those future fans out there, the KIDS. F-Bombs riddle the airwaves on and off the field. 1984 was a more civil time in sports. Gentlemen played the game. One of those gentler men, Rafael Ramirez! Here he is, doing his part to shield the eyes of children everywhere from the horrors of his unmentionables. This camera man tried to go tabloid with this one but Rafael would have none of it. Ramirez might as well be wearing a cape and touting the benefits of eating vegetables and getting 8 hours of sleep. While he will be be remembered by most as a light-hitting shortstop for some bad Atlanta teams, I will remember him as a light-hitting shortstop for some bad Atlanta teams who protected my innocence for one more year.
Ramirez wasn't great but his glove kept him in the league for 13 seasons. He made one All-Star team in 1984 and even received multiple MVP votes in 1983. According to Baseball Reference, Rafael is statistically most similar to my new favorite player from the 70's, TITO FUENTES.

If only Ramirez was quick enough to cover Billy Ripken's bat a few years later.

Next Up: Mets cards in my mailbox!