José Ramírez has carried the Cleveland Guardians through one of the most memorable postseason runs in franchise history, and he made it clear on Monday night that he is doing it for more than just himself. After collecting three hits in Cleveland’s 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, Ramírez joined the TBS postgame set at Tropicana Field. With his interpreter by his side, the seven time All Star was asked about his connection to Cleveland. His answer was a reminder of why he has become one of the most beloved athletes the city has ever seen. Ramírez explained what the franchise and its fans mean to him.
“Cleveland’s everything to me. When nobody wanted to give me a chance, they gave me a chance. I’ve said this countless of times, this is the place that I love, and they love me back,” Ramírez said.
"This is the place that I love, and they love me back."
José Ramírez with some heartfelt words for Guardians fans 🥹
📹: @TBSNetwork pic.twitter.com/sG5mfvRVIz
— MLB (@MLB) October 13, 2026
Ramírez said Cleveland means everything to him. He pointed out that when nobody else wanted to give him a chance, the organization did, and he said he has repeated that message countless times over the years because he means it every time.
That loyalty runs deep. Cleveland signed Ramírez out of the Dominican Republic as a teenager, and he was never considered a can’t miss prospect. He worked his way through the minor leagues, made his big league debut in 2013 and slowly turned himself into one of the best players in baseball. When he had the chance to test free agency, he instead signed a long term extension in 2022 to remain with the only organization he has ever known. Stephen Vogt summed it up recently by saying Ramírez is Cleveland baseball.
The feeling has certainly been mutual this October. Ramírez struggled through the regular season after undergoing surgery on the hamate bone in his left hand in June, finishing with just twelve home runs and his worst offensive numbers in more than a decade. Once the Guardians were facing elimination against the White Sox, though, he took over. He homered in back to back elimination games, becoming the first player in franchise history to do so, and his two run blast in Game 5 sent Cleveland to the ALCS.
He kept it going in Game 1 against the Rays. Ramírez finished 3-5 with two runs scored and an RBI, and he started the eighth inning rally that gave Cleveland the lead with his second infield hit of the night. In the ninth, he blooped a single into left field to give the Guardians a two run cushion, then dove back into first base to avoid being picked off before scoring on Jo Adell’s double. Over his last four postseason games, Ramírez is 8-17 with two homers, six runs scored and eight RBIs.
Those numbers are even more impressive considering the Guardians do not expect him to be fully healthy until next season. Ramírez has had to manage his hand for months, and yet he has looked like the star Cleveland fans have watched for over a decade at exactly the right time.
The win also extended Cleveland’s postseason winning streak to four games, its longest since the 2016 team won six straight on the way to the World Series. The Guardians now lead the best of seven series one game to none, with Game 2 set for Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Parker Messick will start for Cleveland against Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta.
NEXT: Guardians Strike First And Take Game 1 Of AL Championship Series
