‘Struggling in silence is not OK.’ Family of ex Boswell star, Rays staffer, mourn death
Former Boswell baseball player and Tampa Bay Rays bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez died by suicide, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Ramirez, 28, was found dead Monday by a creek bed near his family’s Saginaw home, officials said.
Ramirez’s family released a statement through the Rays on Thursday.
“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 release said.
“It is our commitment to honor our son’s life by helping other families. No parent should have to endure the loss of their child. 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. Thank you to our family, friends and everyone else far and near for the outpouring of love and support. God bless you! Rays Up in Heaven.”
Services are scheduled for Sunday in the area.
The club mourned his death in a release and in social media posts on Tuesday.
Ramirez, who was born in Puerto Rico, graduated from Boswell in 2011 and played at Arkansas, Grayson County College and Illinois State before being selected by the Rays in the 28th round of the MLB draft in 2016.
He was released by the Rays in 2018 and spent time coaching minor league players in the Cleveland organization before he rejoined the Rays’ staff. He had worked on the Rays’ staff the past three seasons, including in 2020 when the Rays played the Dodgers in the World Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“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,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said in a social media post. “He had the biggest heart and most infectious smile. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Jean will be deeply missed.”
Rays President Erik Neander called Ramirez’s death an “unexpected and difficult loss.”
Need help?
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, reach out to the 24–hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255; contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741; or chat with someone online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
My Health My Resources of Tarrant County offers free short-term crisis counseling and stress management to individuals and groups in Tarrant and Denton counties impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the Texans Recovering Together initiative. Access to crisis counseling is available by calling or texting the MHMR ICARE Call Center at 817-335-3022. Trained mental health professionals are available 24 hours a day.
This story was originally published January 14, 2022 at 7:07 AM.
