One is a left-handed batter from Sandburg, standing 5-foot-9 and majoring in criminology. He was a redshirt sophomore this season.
The other is a right-handed hitter from McKinley Park neighborhood in Chicago, measuring 6-2 and majoring in finance. He was a junior in the spring.
While there are obvious differences between UIC second baseman David Cronin and first baseman Ricardo Ramirez, there also are similarities that have helped them form a strong bond on and off the field.
“We came in together (at UIC),” Ramirez said. “I know him well and he knows me well. I know that he’ll be there on balls (hit) to my right. We communicate before every pitch and I know where he’ll be. We hold each other accountable and remind ourselves that we belong here.
“I love that kid. I don’t know how to describe him other than he gets after it. That’s the way he is. He plays like a little dirtbag. It’s just fun to watch him play.”
Cronin said his admiration of Ramirez, who attended De La Salle, is mutual.
“We’ve been good buddies ever since we came in together and that’s nice to have,” Cronin said. “If I get mad about something, he can tell me to calm down. He’ll crack a joke with me to get me to smile and not think about a bad at-bat.
“If he’s upset with an at-bat he’s had, I’ll tell him let’s play defense to take his mind off the at-bat or if something isn’t going well.”
This season, things went very well for both Cronin and Ramirez.
Cronin was named to second team all-region by the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings as well as first team all-conference by the Horizon League. Ramirez, named an Horizon League Batter of the Week earlier in the season, also was first team all-conference.
Cronin started 54 games. He led UIC in batting average (.360), total bases (101), stolen bases (16) and hits (80). Cronin was second in runs (33), tied for third in home runs (three) and RBIs (28) and fourth in doubles (12).
“My strength is that I’m able to hit the ball to all fields and to the gaps,” Cronin said. “People see me as a little guy without much power, but I can hit the ball over your head, or in the next at-bat I can put down a bunt for a hit.
“I’m the smallest guy out there on the field all the time, so my work ethic has to get me to the next level. I just have to work my butt off, which I don’t mind doing because I love it, so I have no complaints with it.”
Ramirez, who batted .272, started 52 games. He paced the Flames in doubles (17), home runs (six), RBIs (43) and slugging percentage (.472), while finishing second in total bases (92) and third in runs (32) and hits (53).
The friendship between Cronin and Ramirez has continued into the offseason as members of the Rockford Rivets of the Northwoods League, a summer circuit for collegiate players.
“We’ve gotten really close to the point that we work out together,” Ramirez said. “He’d want to go hit and I’d say that I was a little tired. He’d text me back asking me if I want to be great.
“I know how to approach him and speak to him about things. I have his back. I respect him and he respects me.”
Fittingly, both Cronin and Ramirez are among the top performers for Rockford.
Earlier this week, Cronin led the Rivets in runs (19), hits (37) and doubles (seven), while placing second in batting average (.339) and tied for third in RBIs (13). Ramirez was second in RBIs (18) and doubles (six), tied for second in runs (16) and third in hits (25).
“We are absolutely good friends,” Cronin said. “It definitely makes things easier when you have two friends who push each other every day and want to be the best at our positions.
“It’s good to know he has my back and I have his back whenever we need it.”
Top Cat: Richards graduate Brianna LeBeau was one of 13 Northwestern softball players named to the academic all-conference by the Big Ten. LeBeau was honored for the third straight season. The Worth resident appeared in 29 games with six starts and drove in nine runs.
Mike Walsh is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.
