The Cleveland Guardians knew they needed a veteran leader to take the reins of the team this season.
They had lost some key contributors, and bringing back a perennial fan favorite and respected ball player like Carlos Santana made perfect sense.
So far, it has worked like a charm.
While not an MVP candidate by any means, Santana might be the Guardians’ MVP.
That’s why, after watching him record his 1,100th career RBI, Gabriel Arias had nothing but praise for his veteran teammate:
“It’s really important having that veteran presence in the middle of the lineup,” Arias said via Guardians interpreter Agustin Rivero. “Not only his results, but the approach [Carlos Santana] takes. I think it sets the tone, not only for him but everybody in the lineup.”
Santana just became the sixth active player to drive in at least 1,100 runs.
He joined the likes of Giancarlo Stanton, Andrew McCutchen, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, and Freddie Freeman in that very exclusive club.
Also, with his walk on Sunday night’s loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, he has now reached base safely in 14 consecutive games.
Santana is just five walks away from reaching 1,300 for his career.
That would make him the seventh switch-hitter in MLB history to reach that figure.
He’s also just two walks shy of becoming the second player in franchise history to be walked at least 900 times, trailing only the legendary Jim Thome (1,008) in that regard.
The Guardians are just 2.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the race for the top of the division.
They will now look to bounce back after a disappointing three-game series vs. the Phillies when they host the Milwaukee Brewers for another three-game stretch.
Needless to say, Santana will play a major role in what they do going forward.
NEXT: Carlos Santana Had Notable Career Feat During Weekend
