CLEVELAND -- José Ramírez was a central catalyst behind the Guardians’ AL Central division title this past season, during which he also continued his march up the franchise’s all-time leaderboards. For his latest stellar campaign, the 33-year-old has earned more special recognition.
On Sunday, the Cleveland chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced the 2025 winners of its annual honors for excellence both on and off the field. Ramírez won the Bob Feller Man of the Year Award, while pitching coach Carl Willis earned the Frank Gibbons/Steve Olin Good Guy Award.
Steven Kwan, Cade Smith and Gavin Williams also were nominated for the Man of the Year Award, which originated in 1946 and recognizes a player for their on-field contributions in a season. This marks the fourth time Ramírez has been selected, along with 2016, ’21 and ’22.
Ramírez, of course, is a fitting winner as the Guardians’ top player in 2025. He was the engine of a lineup that struggled for extended stretches, and his presence was central to Cleveland making the postseason. In 158 games, Ramírez slashed .283/.360/.503, with 34 doubles, 30 homers, 85 RBIs and 44 stolen bases -- leading the team in each of those categories.
Ramírez earned his seventh All-Star nod in July, and this month finished third in AL MVP Award voting, was named to the All-MLB First-Team for the second straight season and won his seventh Silver Slugger Award.
Among his other personal achievements, Ramírez also became Cleveland’s all-time leader in extra-base hits and multihomer games, and he passed Jim Thome for second in franchise history in RBIs.
Willis, meanwhile, is the first Cleveland coach to win the Good Guy Award since DeMarlo Hale in 2021. The honor dates to 1968 and recognizes a person for their respect and accommodation with the media.
Willis was approachable and considerate to reporters all season long. He consistently offered his time to provide great insight about the Guardians’ pitching staff, including a starting rotation whose year-over-year progress was one of the team’s most significant developments in 2025. And when Cleveland pivoted to a six-man rotation in September, Willis continuously made himself available to frequent media inquiries, to discuss the staff’s dominant run during the Guardians’ push for the postseason.
Kwan, catcher Austin Hedges, assistant director of communications Austin Controulis and manager Stephen Vogt also were nominated for the Good Guy Award.