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Statue Talk Sparks After ALDS Comeback
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt has publicly affirmed that third baseman José Ramírez is synonymous with the franchise, stating, "He is Cleveland. He’s Cleveland baseball," following the team's American League Division Series (ALDS) victory over the Chicago White Sox.
The comments came after Cleveland erased a 0-2 series deficit to clinch the ALDS. The turnaround was highlighted by Ramírez’s performance in Game 5, where he hit a 348-foot home run off a knuckle-curve pitch. According to MLB Statcast tracking data, which began in 2008, that specific swing registered as the lowest pitch ever hit for a postseason home run.
The historic at-bat has prompted discussions among analysts and team personnel regarding Ramírez's legacy in Cleveland. YardBarker reported that Ramírez has been dubbed to have a statue in the city following his legendary rise with the organization.
MLB analyst Coach Trev, speaking on the Talkin’ Baseball podcast, expressed confidence that Ramírez will eventually be honored with a monument at Progressive Field. "I’ve watched this guy for so long now just be who he is... Yeah, José Ramírez is going to have a statue next to a literal superhuman in Jim Thome," Coach Trev said. He added that he was "crazy and happy for him" regarding the prospect.
Historic Performance and Contract Loyalty
Ramírez’s contribution to the ALDS victory was statistically unprecedented in franchise history. He became the first player in Cleveland history to hit home runs in consecutive postseason games while facing elimination in both contests, specifically Games 4 and 5.
White Sox manager Will Venable acknowledged the difficulty of Ramírez's achievement during the series. "That was a good pitch, and obviously a better swing by Ramírez there... He does special things, especially in high-leverage spots in these big moments," Venable said.
Vogt also highlighted Ramírez’s leadership during the critical moments of the series. "It was like, we got our backs against the wall, and he said, ‘All right, I got you,’" Vogt told YardBarker regarding the Game 5 home run.
Ramírez’s status with the Guardians appears secure for the foreseeable future. He extended his contract with the franchise in 2026, prioritizing loyalty to the organization over other options. Reports indicate that Ramírez has stated his priority is to retire as a Guardian.
