The 12-9 Cleveland Guardians have had a decent start to the 2025 season and are sitting roughly in the middle of the pack when it comes to most major statistical categories.
Even though it has been an up-and-down start for the reigning AL Central champions, the fans continue to do their best to pull for their Guardians, which is why one former pitcher recently raved about them.
During a recent appearance on the Carlos Baerga Show, former Guardians pitcher Dennis Martinez discussed how much he loved the city and the fans during his time there.
“I enjoy those moments. I still go back to Cleveland and still enjoy it because they’re special fans,” Martinez said. “Cleveland people and fans, they’re the only ones I ever knew how [much] they love this game. They give everything for the tribe. I’m really glad I was able to participate in that because it was exciting. I enjoyed it—every single minute.”
Dennis Martínez talks about how much he loved the fans during his time in Cleveland.
"Cleveland people and fans, they're the only ones I ever knew how much they loved the game."
– Dennis Martínez
Presented by @INFINITIofBW https://t.co/seMyRAIPCi pic.twitter.com/dKG6AlCFBD
— Carlos Baerga Show (@BaergaShow) April 20, 2025
This is a strong compliment from a guy who played a whopping 23 years in the big leagues for five different franchises, including three strong years with the Guardians from 1994 through 1996.
Martinez was great for the Guardians and even made the All-Star team in 1995 at the age of 41 while helping lead the team all the way to the World Series, where they unfortunately lost to the Atlanta Braves in six games.
That 1995 team was special and won 100 games despite the season being shortened to just 144 games due to the strike, and it’s hard to believe that was 30 years ago.
Hearing Martinez speak so fondly of the fans is a strong reminder of how good this fanbase is when it has a winner to root for, which it has been lucky enough to experience over the past few years.
Cleveland might not be 100-44 good this season, but this is still a team that can make it to a World Series after falling just short last year.
NEXT: Guardians Insider Gives Update On Injured Top Prospect
