CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – At least two Cleveland Guardians are headed to Arlington, Texas for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.
Third baseman Jose Ramirez and left fielder Steven Kwan were named starters for the American League Wednesday night.
“It's so cool,” Guardians manager Stephen Voght said. “Teammates going to the All-Star game together, let alone starting together. And for Kwani, his first one, [Jose’s] sixth, it's a really cool honor for both of them and to get to go out there and jog out from the dugout with each other, it is really special.”
This is the sixth All-Star selection, and third time Ramirez was voted a starter, as he celebrated 10 years of Major League service on Wednesday. Ramirez entered play Wednesday night hitting .276 with 23 home runs and 76 RBI.
“He's an elite talent, like I say all the time,” Vogt said. “He's a top 10, top five player in this league and doesn't get talked about enough and it's going to be awesome for the world to see him on display at the All-Star game because he's one of the special players in our game. [He] plays the right way, leads by example, leads in the clubhouse, leads out on the field. He helps his teammates get better. He elevates his teammates and that's something that elite players do.”
Kwan, who entered the day hitting .362 with seven home runs and 24 RBI, was named to his first All-Star game. He is the first Guardians outfielder to win a fan election to the midsummer classic since Juan Gonzalez in 2001.
“A little bittersweet, obviously after a tough one like that,” Kwan said following an 8-2 loss to the White Sox. “But cool to find out with all the guys. Very reaffirming, especially with the start of the year – good start, then getting injured. A lot of uncertainty there. I think it just shows all the training staff, everybody has played a part in it.”
This marks the sixth time in club history and the first time since having two players win elections in 2000 (Roberto Alomar and Manny Ramirez) the Guardians had multiple players voted as starters by fans. Cleveland also had multiple winners in 1995 (2), 1996 (2), 1998 (2) and 1999 (4).
“It's going to be really cool,” Kwan said of getting to start with Ramirez. “I mean, my whole career I've kind of watched him how he goes about his business on and off the field and I think it's really cool. I'm going to lean on him again. I'm going to have to for this experience, just kind of seeing the respect that he commands from other people. It's definitely something I strive for and I'm really excited to be there with him.”
The Guardians have held on to first place in the AL Central for much of the season and they lead the division by 6.0 games.
