To be an elite player in MLB, you need a very specific set of skills to separate yourself from the rest.
Bat-to-ball skills, natural power, plate discipline, good hands, instincts, footwork, arm, speed, and work ethic are just some of them.
You can add hustle to the list because it represents a voracious appetite to win.
In the specific case of Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez, he has all those traits and more.
Of course, hustle is near the top of the list in his case.
MLB Network analyst and former player Harold Reynolds prepared a segment showing plays in which J-Ram outhustled the opposition.
“Hustle is a habit.” Harold Reynolds highlights plays where José Ramírez could not be out-hustled!” MLB Network tweeted.
“Hustle is a habit.”
Harold Reynolds highlights plays where José Ramírez could not be out-hustled! 💪@CleGuardians | #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/4qKHYHsMaG
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 18, 2024
Hustle can give you an extra hit, an additional stolen base, or help you get to that well-placed fly ball.
It’s valuable not only because of those situations, but also because it’s the true spirit of the game: compete until the 27th out.
That has been Ramirez’s mantra ever since he became a major leaguer, or much sooner.
It has helped him accumulate a career.851 OPS, 219 home runs and 203 stolen bases, not to mention multiple All-Star Games and other individual accomplishments.
One of these years, his love for the game and the energy with which he plays it could potentially reward him with a meaningful collective achievement.
The 2024 Guardians are very good and actually have the best record in the league as of Friday, so who knows? This might be his year.
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