It’s rare to see a star player stay with one organization for their entire career with one organization in modern sports, but Guardians star third baseman Jose Ramírez is ready to make that happen in Cleveland.
On Friday in front of reporters, Ramírez, Guardians CEO Paul Dolan, and team president Chris Antonetti all signed the team’s record-breaking seven-year, $141 million contract extension into place.
“José has been such an integral member of our organization and will continue to be a cornerstone of our club moving forward,” Guardians president Chris Antonetti said of Ramírez and his extension. “José has established himself as one of the best players in the game, and beyond that, he’s an incredible competitor and teammate."
"He exemplifies the attributes and qualities we seek to develop in our players, and he sets an admirable standard for others to strive toward," Antonetti continued. "We deeply appreciate the commitment that José has made to our team, franchise, and city, and we look forward to building our future clubs around him.”
For Ramirez, it’s all about ending it where it all began…
“Once [I] became a professional major league player, I realized this is the place where I want to [end] my career, but also how the fans make me feel here, how I play here,” Ramirez said on his decision to stay with Cleveland. “It’s the best feeling to play for them.”
Assuming Ramírez plays out the entirety of the contract, his 16-year tenure with the organization will be the longest-ever by a position player and third-longest in the franchise’s 122-year history behind only pitchers Mel Harder (18 seasons) and Bob Feller (16).
"Loyalty and the opportunity to fulfill my career here is more important than anything else," Ramírez said about the opportunity to play his entire career with the Guardians.
Ramírez, 29, is one hit away from 1,000 in his career and has been the heart and soul of the club since arriving in Cleveland in 2013. He has batted .280 (999-for-3,570) with 248 doubles, 29 triples, 166 home runs, 554 RBI, and 154 stolen bases in 986 games with Cleveland.
He’s off to a great start for the Guardians in 2022, hitting .480 (12-for-25) with 3 home runs, 14 RBI, and 5 runs scored.
He’ll look to continue that hot start as he not only leads the Guardians into 2022 but also into the next chapter of the history of baseball in Cleveland for many years to come.
Ramírez, 29, is batting .480 (12-for 25) with 3 home runs, 14 RBI and 5 runs scored in 2022.
