Jose Ramirez’s return to Cleveland’s lineup on Wednesday impressed more than just his own teammates, drawing praise from an unlikely source on the opposing side. The seven-time All-Star came back after missing 38 games while recovering from surgery to remove a fractured hamate bone, and he did so without needing a rehab assignment, going straight from surgery back into the Guardians lineup and immediately contributing two hits, a run scored, and two RBI. That kind of rapid recovery and instant production caught the attention of Twins manager Derek Shelton, who offered high praise for Ramirez following Minnesota’s 10-6 win over Cleveland. Beat writer Tom Withers relayed Shelton’s comments.
Withers detailed just how far Shelton’s admiration for Ramirez went, tying his return to a much larger legacy within the Cleveland organization.
“Twins manager Derek Shelton impressed Ramirez returned so quickly from surgery and no rehab assignment. Notes it’s another reason Guardians will build a statue of him “next to Doby and Feller,” Withers wrote.
Twins manager Derek Shelton impressed Ramirez returned so quickly from surgery and no rehab assignment. Notes it's another reason Guardians will build a statue of him "next to Doby and Feller."
— Tom Withers (@twithersCLE) July 23, 2026
The comparison to Larry Doby and Bob Feller places Ramirez among the most decorated figures in franchise history, both of whom have statues outside Progressive Field honoring their contributions to the organization and, in Doby’s case, to breaking barriers in the sport. Ramirez has spent his entire career in Cleveland without ever chasing a bigger market, a fact that has only strengthened his standing with the fan base as he continues piling up numbers that place him among the greatest third basemen of his era. His performance Wednesday extended a personal milestone as well, marking his 441st career game with at least one run scored and one RBI, the second most in franchise history behind only Earl Averill.
For a player who has often been overlooked nationally despite consistent MVP caliber production, having an opposing manager publicly float the idea of a statue adds another layer of recognition to a career that has been defined more by steady excellence than by hardware. Ramirez’s return comes at a pivotal time for Cleveland, which is fighting for position in a tight AL Central race and had gone 15-15 without him in the lineup. If his return continues on this kind of trajectory, the conversation Shelton sparked about his legacy in Cleveland is unlikely to go away anytime soon.
NEXT: Twins Beat Guardians And Spoil Jose Ramirez's Return
