Aarykah Navarro/ THE RIDER
Julius Ramirez, an entrepreneurship and innovation junior from San Juan, Texas, is a designated hitter and first baseman for the UTRGV Baseball Team. Ramirez has made 2 home runs and 8 RBI’s in the current season.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: “I like to play golf, and I can make everyone laugh a lot.”
Q: Who got you into baseball?
A: “My parents. They put me in it [when I was 5 years old], and they kept me in it, took me to all my practices and my games.”
Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration/role model?
A: “My dad and my brother. My dad wasn’t fortunate enough to play because he had to work from a young age. And my brother, I’m sure he wishes he could do what I am doing right now, so he just motivates me, pushes me every day.”
Q: Who is your favorite baseball player and team?
A: “My favorite baseball player is Armani Raygoza. … My favorite team is the Dodgers.”
Q: What was the last song you listened to and what kind of music do you listen to?
A: The last song I listened to was ‘Tiramisu’ by Don Toliver. And I like to listen to rap, a lot of country and some Spanish music and a little bit of house music.”
Q: What shows/movies do you like to watch?
A: “I don’t want to expose myself … but I like to watch anime. Right now, I’m watching ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ and ‘Fire Force.’ And my favorite movie is ‘Batman.’
Q: What do you like most about UTRGV?
A: “I love the fans and the fact that I’m home and my family can come watch me play. Just being able to represent such a great university playing for the baseball team means so much to me.”
Q: What keeps you motivated when you’re not doing good during a game?
A: “I just think to myself: Flush it, get to the next bat, and just try and help the team win.”
Q: What other sports do you like to play?
A: “I like to golf. I would say I also like to play basketball; I like to go hoop.”
Q: What are your biggest goals?
A: “I eventually want to make it to the major league. But besides being a professional baseball player, I want to open up a business here in the [Rio Grande] Valley for athletes that focus on getting them better for, not only baseball, but for other sports, like a big multi-sport facility.”
—Compiled by Aarykah Navarro
