BRONX, NY — The 2025 American League LatinoMVP Award winner José Ramírez had the opportunity to potentially leave Cleveland previously but instead opted to sign a five-year/$124 million contract extension in April of 2022. There was another extension this past January on terms of a seven-year/$175 million deal, included with a no-trade clause.
The 33-year old veteran, of Baní, Dominican Republic—showing no signs of declining bat speed or defensive ability at third base—is content and part of a lineup that has the Guardians holding first place in the AL Central division at 35-27.
The business of baseball and love for the franchise and city of Cleveland perhaps since it’s an absolute lovefest for Ramírez and Guardians fans.
José Ramírez, a future Cooperstown Hall of Famer, was named the 2025 American League LatinoMVP Award winner by the Latino Sports Writers and Broadcasters Association – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
He had a slow start to the season, however, that did not deter him from making adjustments to his swing and approach. Major League Baseball’s leader in stolen bases since 2019 also had a career high last season with 44 and is on pace for 53 this year as the calendar just flipped to June.
Slow start, sure, yet that wasn’t going to be eternal. Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said this past week Ramírez was managing the strike zone and his hard hit balls were going for outs.
“I think we’ll look up at the end of the year, and it’ll be a typical José year for him,” he said of Ramírez, compiling 293 home runs and 980 RBI with 307 stolen bases dating back to 2013, the start of his MLB career.
Ramírez’s typical year was on display Tuesday evening in the Bronx as the Guardians defeated the Yankees 9-4. The switch-hitting slugger went 3-for-5 with three doubles, tying a career-high, paired with two RBI.
There wasn’t any donut. Each baseball was hit hard, recording three consecutive doubles off Cam Schlitter to right twice in the fourth and fifth innings along with a sinker from Tim Hill off a sinker to left that provided the Guardians with a 6-4 lead in the seventh inning.
Ramírez had been in a 8-for-45 skid prior, so it was more reason to believe his time had come. The Guardians need that production in their lineup to continue their hold on first place in the division.
“He has been hitting the ball hard,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “He had really good at-bats tonight against Schlitter. Really nice to see José have a good night.”
José Ramírez has stuck with Cleveland through thick and thin, becoming one of the best players in the franchise’s history and the leader in games played for a player in a Cleveland uniform – Image Credit: Latino Sports
Eight of Ramírez’s last nine hits have gone for extra bases. His three doubles in Tuesday’s win marked the fifth time doing so in his career and over the last 14 games, he’s become the clutch Ramírez we all know of with runners in scoring position—posting a .444 clip with 11 doubles, and six RBI.
“I feel good,” Ramírez said through an interpreter. “I was trying to get a good pitch to hit, and luckily, the luck was on my side tonight. I am seeing the ball well and nice to get the first win of the series here with the Yankees. We are a good team and I am glad I am able to contribute. To win (each) series is important.”
In 68 career games at Yankee Stadium against the team in pinstripes, Ramírez has hit .337, with 46 runs, 15 doubles, and 13 home runs with 41 RBI. The Yankees have been rumored to pull the blockbuster trade over the past few years trying to lure the Dominican superstar to wear the iconic pinstripes, though baseball economics may have interfered.
Or was it that Ramírez no-trade clause and love for the Guardians and Cleveland?
“Cleveland is my home,” he said with a rapid smile.
The numbers will get stronger, three consecutive doubles was just the start. At the same time, those at-bats are leading to the reputed and proficient hitter the organization relies on in their lineup.
Ramírez is also the only player in club history to homer against all 29 MLB teams. Even though his doubles led to runs Tuesday and a Guardians win, the ball did not fly out of the yard at Yankee Stadium.
Regardless of the long ball, Ramírez has said many times the ballpark in the Bronx goes with his swing. Two more games in the series that continue Wednesday evening and what is important is his approach at the plate.
José Ramírez has proven his worth for the Cleveland Guardians and all of Major League Baseball time in and time out – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
“We know what he’s gonna do,” said Guardians starter Joey Cantillo who lasted four innings, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks.
“We know what he’s capable of. A day like today where he’s just all over the place doing what he does is huge. It sets the tone especially going up against a solid team and a guy that’s been throwing the ball well.”
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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