The soap opera surrounding Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez came to an end for now with his issuing an apology to his teammates Wednesday for loafing after a hit that he had kicked into the left field corner two nights earlier. I say “for now” because when a player treats the game with the disrespect Ramirez did by not hustling to prevent runs from scoring on the hit he is very likely to do it again.

This sort of behavior must come as a surprise to Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who was Florida’s manager in 2006 and ushered Ramirez into the majors. They were award winners that year, Girardi as the National League Manager of the Year and Ramirez as the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year.

I remember when they were honored in January 2007 at the New York Baseball Writers Dinner. Girardi was already let go as the Marlins skipper by the time of the event. One of the most poignant moments came when Ramirez, in accepting his award, looked toward Girardi and said, tearfully, “I love you, Joe.”

There was every indication then that Ramirez was a respectful young guy who just might go on to the type of career that Derek Jeter has had for the Yankees. Obviously, that has not happened. Oh, the ability is there. A lot of people think Ramirez is the best shortstop in the NL. He was, after all, runner-up to Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols for the Most Valuable Player Award last year.

Ramirez’s leisurely jaunt for the ball Monday night was bad enough, but he compounded his mistake by ripping his manager, Fredi Gonzalez, who pulled him from the game and then benched him Tuesday night. While it is true that Ramirez had fouled a ball off his lower leg and may have still been hurting, there is no excuse to pursue a ball in that listless a fashion. Give it a try, at least. And if the leg was still barking, Ramirez should have told the manager about it to get a replacement.

Adding insult to injury, Ramirez showed his manager no more respect than he showed his procession, dismissing the discipline from Gonzalez by noting that “he never played in the big leagues.”

I’ve got news for you, Hanley. Neither did Earl Weaver, who took four Orioles teams to the World Series. Neither did Jack McKeon or Jim Leyland or Joe Maddon, who took teams to the World Series this past decade. Neither did Joe McCarthy, who won nine pennants in the 1930s and ’40s, eight with the Yankees. McCarthy and Weaver are in the Hall of Fame. Want me to go on?

Talking with Don Zimmer before Wednesday night’s game at the Stadium, we both came to the same conclusion. What Ramirez pulled the other night is something you would never see from Derek Jeter. Funny, isn’t it, that when the subject of hustle comes up, Jeter is at the top of the list.