CLEVELAND -- José Ramírez stepped out of the Guardians’ dugout entering the top of the sixth inning on Monday night to a chorus of cheers from the Cleveland faithful. As he approached third base, the number “1,620” appeared on Progressive Field’s left-field videoboard.
Before taking his position, Ramírez was greeted by first-base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. From one Cleveland legend to another, Alomar lifted the third base bag out of the ground and handed it to Ramírez, who held it above his head in celebration.
When Monday’s 4-2 series-opening loss to the Royals became official after five innings, Ramírez set a new franchise record for games played by appearing in his 1,620th career contest. The 33-year-old snapped a tie with Terry Turner, who appeared in his 1,619th and final game for the franchise on Sept. 1, 1918.
“It was very special,” Ramírez said through team interpreter Agustin Rivero. “[Alomar is] one of the coaches that has been here the longest, so it was very special that he was the one who was there.”
Ramírez is now the only active player to lead a franchise in games played, a testament to his longevity and loyalty to Cleveland. He signed with the franchise as an international free agent on Nov. 26, 2009, and he made his MLB debut on Sept. 1, 2013.
Now in his 14th season, Ramírez has twice signed team-friendly contract extensions to remain with the Guardians, in 2022 and this January -- the latter of which was a seven-year contract through 2032 that figures to take him to the end of his playing career.
“How cool is it that he's got to share all of his baseball experiences with one organization?” first baseman Rhys Hoskins said. “That just doesn't happen anymore.”
Ramírez belongs to Cleveland, and Cleveland belongs to him. Since making his debut, he’s helped the club make seven postseason appearances, which included an American League pennant in 2016. By the end of his career, Ramírez will be the most decorated player in franchise history.
Ramírez ranks first in club history in extra-base hits (729), and second in home runs (286), RBIs (954), stolen bases (289) and total bases (3,018, per Elias Sports). He’s third in runs scored (1,003) and doubles (400). It’s all a testament to his skill and durability. Ramírez has played 152 or more games in eight of the past nine full seasons.
“I've been a small part of being able to watch him play during this run that he's had,” manager Stephen Vogt said before Monday’s game. “But it's a special night for Cleveland and for the franchise.”
Ramírez was initially called up from the Minors to serve as a pinch-runner on a team pushing for the postseason. He broke into the Majors as a utility man and carried a .644 OPS through the 2015 season, when he was optioned to the Minors three times.
Ramírez transformed into a star through his hard work, something to which Royals manager Matt Quatraro had a front-row seat. Quatraro was Cleveland’s assistant hitting coach from 2014-17.
“His confidence in himself, his belief he can help his team win on every given night, the consistency of the work [stands out]," Quatraro said.
Much to the joy of those at Progressive Field. If you walk around the ballpark, you’re bound to spot dozens of fans wearing Ramírez’s jersey. It’s no coincidence. Fans come out to see him. One fan, 36-year-old Ben Pleso, was originally slated to attend Tuesday's game. With the chance to witness history, he switched his tickets to be on hand Monday.
“He’s very special. It's hard to really put into words honestly,” Pleso said of Ramírez. “He’s our Derek Jeter, but I like him better than Derek Jeter, obviously. We're not going to see another person like José in my lifetime, at least, especially in Cleveland. It's a privilege to come here and watch him play, and that's why I keep coming.”
Jeter holds the Yankees’ franchise record in games played, with 3,747. Ramírez has had opportunities in his career to leave Cleveland for a larger market such as New York. At each pass, he remained committed to the Guardians.
“It just shows he’s true to Cleveland,” said 32-year-old Mitch Broughton, a fan who also attended Monday. “You don't have a lot of loyalty, unfortunately, these days. Money talks, and he's like, ‘You know what, I am Cleveland.’
“That's his thing. Hustle hard for Cleveland. He just empowers what Cleveland is as a city.”
The Cleveland baseball franchise has been around since 1901. For someone to break a record that has stood over 100 years, they have to be special. That's Ramírez.
“I think for someone -- especially in today's day and age -- to break a record that has been around for so long, that speaks to who José is and what he encapsulates," outfielder Steven Kwan said.