Jose Ramirez made Cleveland history on April 11, becoming the first Guardian to hit a home run against all 30 major league teams. His milestone shot came off Atlanta’s Martin Perez in the top of the first inning, completing a circle that’s taken the better part of his 14-year career.
It’s an exclusive club. Only 25 active players have managed to take every team deep, with Trevor Story being the most recent to join when he homered against Oakland last September.
The list reads like a who’s who of modern baseball. Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Corey Seager have all done it. Now Ramirez gets his name on there too.
A Franchise Cornerstone
That’s not the only record Ramirez has been chasing lately. He set the franchise mark for games played back on April 6, suiting up for his 1,620th game in a Cleveland uniform.
Think about that for a second. The Indians/Guardians have been around since 1901, and no one’s played more games for the organization than the kid they signed as an amateur free agent in 2009.
The numbers tell the story of a remarkably consistent career. In 1,623 games, Ramirez has collected 1,676 hits, including 401 doubles, 43 triples, and 286 home runs. He’s driven in 955 runs while maintaining a .278 lifetime average.
But Ramirez isn’t just a slugger. He’s sitting on 289 stolen bases, meaning he’ll likely join the 300 club before he’s done. Add in 673 career walks, and you’re looking at a complete offensive player.
The Awards That Got Away
For all his production, some hardware has remained elusive. Ramirez has earned six Silver Slugger Awards and made seven All-Star teams, but he’s never won a Gold Glove despite being a solid defender at third base.
More telling? He’s never captured an MVP Award, even though he’s been consistently excellent. Ramirez has finished in the top three four times, top five six times, and cracked the top 10 eight different seasons.
That’s the kind of sustained excellence that doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, especially when you’re playing in a smaller market. But the home run against all 30 teams? That’s a milestone that speaks for itself, regardless of where you play.
At 33, Ramirez continues adding to a resume that’s already earned him a place in Cleveland lore. The franchise record for games played, the first to homer against every team – not bad for a guy who’s spent his entire career in one uniform.
