Jose Ramirez has already broken one significant franchise record for the Cleveland Guardians this season and is in line to make MLB history with two potential accomplishments as well. However, records and accolades aren’t more important to Ramirez than how the team is doing overall.
On April 6, the third baseman played in his 1,620th game for Cleveland to break the franchise record that was held by Terry Turner for more than 100 years. Despite an early-season slump, Ramirez also has a good chance to become just the ninth player in MLB history to reach 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases in his career, and just the second to have three straight 30-30 seasons.
Yet, Ramirez recently revealed what matters most during his historic season, which is that the team plays the right way and is therefore winning games.
“It’s very important because, for us, to win games, you have to do it all. Not only just the offense, you have to play good defense and run the bases well. For me, it’s important that we’re doing those little things,” Ramirez said.
José Ramírez is adding to his legacy, but his priority remains the same—how the Guardians perform as a team.
Hear more from him on our YouTube channel.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/H10kbRhWrD
— GuardsTV (@GuardsTV) April 12, 2026
Those little things have played a big role in Cleveland’s season to date. With many hitters, Ramirez included, falling well short of expectations at the plate, the Guardians have still managed to win all but one series they have played, and after 16 games, they are tied for first place in the AL Central with the Minnesota Twins.
Though that has mostly to do with a strong effort from their pitching staff, particularly their starters, the Guardians have played very well behind them with just five errors, which has resulted in just four unearned runs allowed. They also have 12 stolen bases, where every little bit helps to overcome a .222 team batting average and .311 on-base percentage.
Individually, Ramirez has raised his batting average almost 50 points with five hits in 16 at-bats over his past four games, though it is still below .200 at .180. He hit a historic home run, his second of the year, in Cleveland’s only victory during their just-completed three-game series against the Atlanta Braves, and he has five stolen bases.
If Ramirez continues his recent hot stretch, and other slumping hitters such as Kyle Manzardo and Bo Naylor can turn it around, those little things could combine with big things to lead to yet another playoff appearance.
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