José Ramírez played through one of the toughest seasons of his career in 2026, and the Cleveland Guardians’ front office made sure he knew how much it meant. During the team’s end of season press conference at Progressive Field on Thursday, president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti was asked about a conversation he had with Ramírez after the Guardians were eliminated by the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series. Antonetti explained that he wanted to personally thank the star third baseman for everything he did this year.
He pointed to the way Ramírez handled himself and the example he set for the rest of the roster as a major reason Cleveland made it as far as it did.
“The way Hosey did it and the example he sets for our team was instrumental in us getting as far as we did, and I just wanted to let him know how much I and we appreciate him and all that he means to the team and the organization,” Antonetti said.
"The way Hosey did it and the example he sets for our team was instrumental in us getting as far as we did, and I just wanted to let him know how much I and we appreciate him and all that he means to the team and the organization."#Guardians Chris Antonetti on his conversation… pic.twitter.com/TbAJl8OVJ2
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) October 22, 2026
It is easy to see why Antonetti felt that way. Ramírez underwent surgery on the hamate bone in his left hand in June and missed five weeks. When he returned in late July, he struggled to find his power, finishing the regular season with twelve home runs and his lowest offensive production in more than a decade. The Guardians have said he will not be fully healthy until next season. Even so, he kept taking the field every day and never let the injury become an excuse.
His reward came in October. With Cleveland facing elimination against the White Sox in the division series, Ramírez delivered one of the best stretches of his career. He collected a double, a triple and a stolen base in Game 3 while also making a game saving play at third base. He homered in Game 4 and again in Game 5, becoming the first player in franchise history to go deep in back-to-back postseason games while facing elimination.
Ramírez kept climbing the record books in the ALCS. He collected three hits in Game 1 and passed Kenny Lofton for second place on the franchise’s all time postseason hits list, trailing only Omar Vizquel. He also tied Albert Belle for third in franchise history with six postseason home runs.
Ramírez has said many times that Cleveland is the place he loves and that the fans love him back. Antonetti’s words made it clear the organization feels the same way. With Ramírez expected to be healthy in 2027, the Guardians are hoping their leader can help carry them one step further next October.
NEXT: Tanner Bibee Earns A Major Honor For The Second Time
