PHILADELPHIA, PA — José Ramírez has made an impact on others throughout the entirety of his professional baseball playing career. Personally and from afar.
A career that will much deservingly result in the 33-year-old native of Baní, Dominican Republic being honored with his own plaque at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown down the line long after he decides to hang the cleats up.
Yet, that time is nowhere near close to where he and his Cleveland Guardians are.
Yes, Ramírez’s Cleveland Guardians—currently in the mix of an American League Wild Card spot as well as the AL Central division title at 51-46.
José Ramírez has been sidelined since the middle of June after suffering a fractured left hamate which required surgery – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Second baseman Travis Bazzana (23) and right-handed starter Parker Messick (25), first-time All-Stars out of a Cleveland clubhouse led by the 2025 American League LatinoMVP Award winner Ramírez were asked by Latino Sports during the lead up to MLB’s 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia of the influence the seven-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger has had on the each of them as they pave their own road in the Show.
“He is a pleasure to be around. He is awesome every single day, no matter how he plays, no matter what’s going on,” said Messick, adding “we couldn’t ask for a better leader in the clubhouse.”
Bazzana went as far as saying: “Sharing the clubhouse with José is incredible because he’s gonna go down as probably the greatest Cleveland player of all time and he’s like the same guy every day. Just super happy, gets ready to play, and plays hard every single day. It’s a pleasure to play with him and learn from him.”
On the pitching side of things for Messick, who agreed that he’s lucky he doesn’t have to face Ramírez, it was only right to get his input on how he’d approach a matchup vs. the future Cooperstown Hall of Famer.
“I couldn’t even tell you,” he said, laughing. “I would probably try and throw as many pitches on the edge of the strike zone as I could, that’s for sure.”
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