CLEVELAND, Ohio — José Ramírez and milestone achievements seem to go hand-in-hand these days.
Ramírez drove in the tying run Thursday with an RBI single off Minnesota’s Justin Topa in the 10th inning and then swiped second base for his 250th career steal, joining an exclusive club of players with at least 250 home runs and 250 stolen bases as the Guardians went on to defeat the Twins, 4-3, on a walk-off single by Angel Martínez.
Ramírez smiled as he stood on second base and pointed at the scoreboard, which flashed a graphic depicting the achievement. But he said the most important thing on his mind after sliding in safely was that he was in position to score the game-winning run for his team.
“At that moment, the last thing you’re thinking is any milestones of personal records,” Ramírez said via Guardians interpreter Agustin Rivero. “I was smiling. It was a good moment, but especially seeing all the guys in the dugout cheering and chanting my name. That’s what made me smile.”
Ramírez became the first player in Guardians franchise history with at least 250 home runs and 250 stolen bases. His 250 steals rank fourth behind Terry Turner (254), Omar Vizquel (279) and Kenny Lofton (452). He ranks second behind Jim Thome’s 337 home runs with 260 of his own.
Ramírez is the 24th player in major league history to join the 250/250 club and is the only active player in the group. He joins Carlos Beltran (435 HR, 312 SB) as the only switch-hitters to accomplish the feat.
Ramírez is the only primary third baseman (spent 75% of his career games at 3B) to go 250/250, and one of four players to achieve the mark while playing their entire career with one franchise. Robin Yount, Craig Biggio and Derek Jeter are the others.
Manager Stephen Vogt called Ramírez a rare talent who makes the game fun. But none of his success has happened by accident. “It’s a testament to hard work for a really long time and being really, really good for a long time,” Vogt said.
“He just continues to get accolade after accolade and I really enjoy watching it.”
Vogt said the level of care that goes into making sure a player’s body is ready every day is extraordinary, and Ramírez has been at that level for a long time.
“You have to work hard and you have to continue to push yourself to get better in all areas,” Vogt said. “Hosey does that day in and day out and he models that for the rest of our players.”
Ramírez said he was happy about achieving the milestone, but the most important thing for him at this point in his career is that he has been able to stay healthy and keep playing the game.
“For me the really important part is to keep playing and trying to win,” Ramírez said. “Winning is the most important thing for me, and I feel still young. I feel like I can still continue doing this … Milestones aside, the important part for me is to win. I just want to win, and this is what it takes.”
In order to reach achievements such as this, players must continue to develop and make themselves better every day, Vogt said.
“And Hosey, does that.”
Martínez called Ramírez the best example a young player can have.
“I feel blessed and fortunate to have him on my team,” Martínez said via Rivero. “I get to see that in person every day, and I think that’s the best way to learn and to understand how you have to prepare and go out there and compete.”
Ben Lively, who delivered Cleveland’s third straight start of at least 5 2/3 innings, called Ramírez one of the greatest players he has ever been around, and that the sky is still the limit for him with no end in sight.
“That guy’s the best,” Lively said as a smile beamed across his face. “Just how much he cares every single day. There’s no telling what he’s going to finish at and it’s just so cool how much he has left in him.”
