1/15 Ramirez comes through

Aramis Ramirez was victimized by counterfeit tickets during an autograph session Saturday at the Cubs Convention. Ramirez was scheduled to sign, starting at 12:30 p.m., although it was only for lottery winners. Apparently, someone made fake tickets, and Ramirez left the session before everyone in line was able to get their souvenirs signed. That included people with legitimate tickets. Hall of Famer Billy Williams also had the same problem and left his autograph session as well. The Cubs were able to take care of the people who had legitimate tickets for Ramirez, who did sign items later in the day.

This was the first Cubs Convention for Ramirez, who took part in an entertaining seminar titled “The Dominican Way of Life” with teammates Carlos Pena and Starlin Castro. Ramirez admitted his father didn’t want him to play baseball but wanted him to be a doctor. He didn’t start playing until he was 13 years old. Ramirez went to one tryout in the Dominican Republic, and the Pirates wanted to sign him immediately. But his father made him finish high school before he could turn pro.

– Carrie Muskat