Baseball Star’s Son Blasts Two Home Runs for Brazil in World Classic

Lucas Ramirez, son of former MLB superstar Manny Ramirez, delivered a spectacular performance with two home runs for Team Brazil against the United States in the World Baseball Classic. The 20-year-old Angels prospect honored his father's legacy while wearing his dad's iconic number 24 jersey.

HOUSTON — During his legendary 19-season MLB career, Manny Ramirez launched 555 home runs into the stands across ballparks nationwide.

Friday evening at Daikin Park, the former All-Star experienced the thrill from a different perspective as he watched his son Lucas deliver a two-homer performance for Brazil’s national team in their World Baseball Classic matchup against Team USA.

The younger Ramirez opened the game with a leadoff blast, then delivered another solo shot during the eighth inning in an impressive display of power hitting.

The baseball apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

Lucas, age 20, connected on Logan Webb’s second offering, sending it over the right field wall to narrow the American advantage to 2-1 following Aaron Judge’s two-run blast in the previous half-inning. His eighth-inning drive off Gabe Speier brought Brazil closer at 8-5.

“I was looking forward for him to do something special,” Manny Ramirez shared with The Associated Press following his son’s opening homer. “So, he’s been working so hard all year round and I’m proud of him.”

Lucas qualifies to represent Brazil through his mother Juliana Ramirez, a São Paulo native who was present at the stadium Friday evening, radiating joy after witnessing the leadoff home run.

The Angels selected the younger Ramirez in the 17th round of the 2024 amateur draft, and he completed his first professional season in Single-A ball with a .266 batting average, three long balls, 30 runs batted in, and six stolen bases.

His international experience includes participating in the 2026 WBC qualifying tournament, where he collected five hits in 13 at-bats for Brazil.

While Manny Ramirez, the two-time World Series champion and 2004 Fall Classic MVP, would have celebrated his son’s success against any opponent, facing one of the tournament’s elite squads made the moment even more meaningful.

“Oh yeah, they’re No. 1,” he acknowledged.

The proud father believes this breakthrough performance will provide momentum heading into the upcoming minor league season.

“It’s going to be more special for him because that’s going to give him — he’s going to be ready for the season,” Ramirez explained. “I hope he’s going to do good.”

Lucas sports the same number 24 uniform that his father wore throughout most of his distinguished career, and Manny couldn’t be happier witnessing his son’s achievements on baseball’s international stage.

“I’m proud of him,” he stated. “Thank God for this opportunity that he has.”