[bears9]

MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez deflected questions Tuesday about his involvement in cockfighting, saying it's "personal" and that he wants to focus on baseball.


Ramirez, 29, was mentioned in a recent New York Times story about the popular sport in the Dominican Republic, which said he was featured in an issue of the cockfighting magazine En La Traba. The Times said the magazine included photos of Ramirez with several roosters that he raises for fighting. He told the magazine: "When I'm in

the Dominican Republic, I'm dedicated entirely to [the roosters]."
On Tuesday, before the first full-squad workout, Ramirez was asked about his involvement in cockfighting.
"I'm not going to let you finish that question," Ramirez said. "I'm not talking about that. That's personal. It's a different culture down there. I'm from the Dominican. Let's talk about baseball."

The Official Site of The Chicago Cubs: News: Ramirez shifts focus to back to baseball