To say that the Cleveland Guardians went through a lot during the season would be selling them and their fans short.
It was a roller coaster, and even if the AL Wild Card Round is the end of the line, this year should be encouraging for the future.
That’s because it made a big impact on this group of players, and the way they rallied together will help them build momentum for years to come.
After clinching the AL Central, Jhonkensy Noel had a strong message about their historic comeback.
“We’ve always been united. I think that’s the key for us. Remember, it’s 162 games, not only 100, so we’re playing 162,” Noel said.
"Its 162 games, not only 100"#Guardians Jhonkensy Noel on the teams historic turnaround#GuardsBall @WEWS pic.twitter.com/EJVcrgVQl1
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) September 29, 2025
The mental approach to the game is as crucial as what you do on the field.
Noel experienced firsthand what it takes to get back on track.
He entered the season with sky-high expectations after his postseason heroics from last year.
Unfortunately, he struggled to get anything going at the plate, up to the point where the organization was left with no choice but to option him back to Triple-A.
Instead of sulking, Noel worked on his craft to earn another opportunity in the second half of the season, and he wound up playing a big role in their epic comeback.
But now that the regular season is complete, they can’t afford to take their foot off the gas.
If anything, they need to speed things up a little to keep going in the postseason, starting in the first round against the Detroit Tigers.
NEXT: Bo Naylor Reveals Honest Thoughts About Clinching AL Central
