The Cleveland Guardians were down one run on Monday’s game against the Minnesota Twins when rookie first baseman Kyle Manzardo stepped up at the plate.
Thanks to his two-run home run in the eighth inning, the Guardians were able to flip the score and, thanks to Emmanuel Clase’s 46th save of the season, secure an emotional come-from-behind victory against a division foe.
With the win, the Guards are now up five games in the AL Central with just a handful of contests to play.
Making the playoffs, at this point, is a matter of when, not if.
Manager Stephen Vogt had nothing but great things to say about Manzardo and his resilient players.
It’s almost like a father talking about his son.
“I love these guys. They’re so much fun to watch. They love each other. They work hard. That was an emotional night.” Stephen Vogt fought back a few tears when talking about Kyle Manzardo and the camaraderie on this @CleGuardians team,” Bally Sports Cleveland posted.
"I love these guys. They're so much fun to watch. They love each other. They work hard. That was an emotional night." ❤️
Stephen Vogt fought back a few tears when talking about Kyle Manzardo and the camaraderie on this @CleGuardians team.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/8otZfWl4M6
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) September 17, 2024
Vogt, the leader of a fun-loving, yet extremely committed dugout, has witnessed how tight this group is.
Everybody is continually cheering for their teammates, celebrating their achievements and supporting them through bad stretches.
Win or lose, the Guardians’ players are doing it as a team and they have Vogt to thank for that.
A true players’ manager, Vogt is showing he belongs among the league’s best skippers with every win and also with how he handles losses.
When Cleveland wins, he makes sure to congratulate and praise his players, the ones giving their all on the field.
Monday was definitely no exception.
NEXT: Kyle Manzardo, Emmanuel Clase Lift Guardians Over Twins In Opener
