CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Cleveland Guardians announced their two newest members of the team’s Hall of Fame Monday – Manny Ramirez and Dale Mitchell.
Ramirez and Mitchell will be inducted prior to the Guardians game against Detroit on August 19 at 7:10 p.m.
Both players played for the American League charter member franchise previously known as the Indians in Cleveland – Ramirez from 1993-2000 and Mitchell from 1946-1956.
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Ramirez was the 13th overall pick in the 1991 MLB Draft out of George Washington High School (New York, NY) and was a mainstay on the late 1990s Cleveland clubs that won five division titles and two American League pennants.
During his eight seasons for the Indians, Ramirez became one of baseball’s most feared sluggers. Ramirez was runner-up for the 1994 AL Rookie of the Year and represented the club in four All-Star games and was awarded three Silver Slugger awards while in a Cleveland uniform.
“He's one of the best pure hitters I've ever seen, ever,” Guardians manager Terry Francona, who managed Ramirez for five seasons in Boston and won two Word Series, said. “And there was such a lovable side of him. I will say when you're in charge of a team, there were times where he could be challenging, but he also had a real lovable side of him and he could really hit. There were times when he'd leave the batter's box and I'd say all bets were off, but he could really hit.”
Ramirez is the all-time franchise leader in slugging percentage.
He ranks third in home runs, fourth in on-base percentage, eighth in runs batted in and ninth in extra base hits. His 165 RBI during the 1999 season remains a franchise record.
Mitchell, a member of the 1948 World Series championship team, spent nearly his entire career with the Indians. He represented the club in two All-Star games. In 1949, Mitchell led the American League in hits and triples. His 23 triples ranks second-most in a season all-time for Cleveland. His .312 batting average ranks 14th in franchise history.
On three occasions, Mitchell finished in the top-5 in AL batting average. Mitchell anchored the outfield during his time, finishing three seasons with the best fielding percentage for an AL left fielder.
Before his career with Cleveland, Mitchell served in the Army Air Force as a quartermaster from 1942-1945.
In celebration, the first 12,500 fans through the gates will receive a commemorative Manny Ramirez bobblehead, the first made by the club of Ramirez since the team began the annual promotional giveaways in 2001.
The Guardians Hall of Fame, which was established in 1951 as the first team hall of fame in baseball, will celebrate its 18th induction class this summer with Ramirez and Mitchell.