Cleveland Guardians' third baseman José Ramírez is anything but your typical superstar. Quietly shunning the spotlight and prioritizing loyalty over fame and fortune, Ramírez has become an integral part of the Guardians' fabric since his MLB debut in 2013. By 2016, he had firmly established himself as a key player, evolving into one of the league's elite talents.
His dedication and passion for the game have elevated him to legendary status within the organization. Ramírez already holds numerous records and is on the brink of breaking more. According to team insider Mason Horodyski, he's about to surpass one of the most significant milestones: games played.
“José Ramírez ties Nap Lajoie for the 2nd most games played in Guardians history. He is 6 games away from becoming Cleveland’s all-time leader, which could happen as soon as Monday, April 6th, vs. the Royals,” Horodyski shared on social media.
Monday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers saw Ramírez tie with Lajoie, another iconic figure in the franchise, for second place in games played. If he stays healthy and continues his streak, Ramírez is set to claim the top spot next week against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Playing this many games at such a high level is no small feat. Ramírez's consistency and excellence have firmly placed him among the franchise's all-time greats. He's just five games away from tying Terry Turner’s record of 1,619 games and six from becoming the Guardians’ all-time leader.
Beyond games played, Ramírez ranks in the franchise's top five for home runs, stolen bases, total bases, fWAR, and RBI. Last year, he set a new benchmark for multi-homer games with 27 and is on the verge of being the first Guardian to reach 500 doubles.
While this season hasn't started off as strongly for Ramírez, with a .143 average and a 19 wRC+ through five games, his track record suggests he'll find his groove soon. Despite his extensive career, Ramírez remains youthful and productive, as evidenced by his impressive 6.3 fWAR season in 2025.