The Cleveland Guardians have a legitimate AL MVP candidate.
Though Jose Ramirez hasn’t posted the same numbers as New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, he has been on an absolute tear this season, one of the best years of his long career.
That’s why, now that he’s about to face former manager Terry Francona, the Cincinnati Reds skipper had nothing but praise for the infielder.
“I’ve always appreciated Jose, and I had a good view (to the start of his career),” Francona said. “This kid made himself into one of the best players in the game. When I came to Cincinnati, he was the first guy everyone asked about … Sometimes you see guys, as they accrue veteran status, maybe they slow down a little bit. [Jose] understands that, as the game slows down for you, you don’t have to slow down. When you take the talent on top of that, it makes him who he is.”
Ramirez recently recorded the longest hitting streak of his career, 21 consecutive games.
The Guardians haven’t found much success on offense, but they can always trust him to lead the way.
He is posting the kind of season that would make a team wonder whether it should consider trading some of its top prospects to land some established players who could help them make a deep postseason run.
He’s earned that kind of distinction in MLB and within the organization.
The Guardians rarely take that kind of approach, knowing that a small-market team usually has to rely on its farm system to compete at the highest level.
So, while he’s not showing any signs of fatigue, age or slowing down, Ramirez will turn 33 years old, so this might be the best version they’ll ever see of him.
As such, it would be a shame to watch this incredible season go to waste.
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