Baseball legend Alex Ramírez becomes legally Japanese
Yokohama DeNA Baystars coach "Alex Ramírez" ( アレックス Arekkusu ・ ラミレス RAMIRESU ), born Alexander Ramón Ramírez Quiñónez — and transcribed into Japanese in the Japanese government naturalization notices 官報 { kampō } (Official Gazette) as ラミレス RAMIRESU ・ カプリレス Kapuriresu ・ アレキサンダー Arekisandā ・ ラモン Ramon — but known by his Japanese nickname of ラミちゃん { Rami-chan } to his fans, officially became a Japanese national on January 23rd, 2019 at the age of 44. Ramírez started in the American minors (earning a player of the year award), then progressing to the MLB 's Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates before going to the Tokyo's Yakult Swallows then the Yomiuri Giants , where he became the first player to get 2,000 career hits in 2013. This led him to being the first and only foreign player to be invited to the 日本プロ野球名球会 { Nippon Puro meiyakyū-kai } (Golden Players Club) , one of the two hall of fame organizations for Japanese baseball. Having played fo...