José Ramírez Makes History as Cleveland Guardians’ Franchise Games Played Leader
CLEVELAND — José Ramírez etched his name deeper into Cleveland Guardians lore Monday night, surpassing a 108-year-old franchise record by playing in his 1,620th game—more than any player in team history.
The milestone came in a 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals, but the night belonged to Ramírez. The 31-year-old third baseman overtook Terry Turner, who held the record since 1916 with 1,619 games played.
A Standing Ovation and a Legacy Cemented
Before the sixth inning, Progressive Field erupted as Ramírez was honored with a standing ovation. Longtime first-base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. presented him with the third-base bag—a symbolic nod to the position he’s anchored for over a decade.
“It’s something fun to accomplish, but that’s not my ultimate goal with the team,” Ramírez said through interpreter Agustin Rivero. “I want to win a World Series and keep building my legacy.”
Among Baseball’s Elite
Ramírez now stands in rare company. Of the 31 franchise leaders in games played across MLB, 21 are Hall of Famers—including legends like Roberto Clemente and Honus Wagner, who are tied at 2,433 games each.
“Those names mean a lot,” Ramírez said. “Getting to the Hall of Fame and winning a World Series are my biggest focuses.”
From Raw Talent to Franchise Icon
Royals manager Matt Quatraro, who worked with Ramírez as Cleveland’s assistant hitting coach from 2014-17, recalled his evolution.
“In 2015, he was swinging at everything,” Quatraro said. “But when he came back up, he was patient, taking walks—and then the power came.”
Since his MLB debut on September 1, 2013, Ramírez has been a cornerstone of Cleveland’s success, contributing to six AL Central titles and the 2016 World Series run.
By the Numbers
- Only player in franchise history with 250+ HRs and 250+ stolen bases (286 HRs, 289 SBs).
- Franchise leader in extra-base hits (729).
- Second in home runs, stolen bases, total bases (3,018), and RBIs (954).
- Third in doubles (400).
- Seventh in hits (1,674).
Turner, who set the previous record, played 15 of his 17 seasons with Cleveland from 1904-18.
Ramírez’s journey—from a young, undisciplined hitter to a franchise icon—reflects his relentless work ethic. And with no signs of slowing down, his place in Guardians history is only growing stronger.
— Reported by Nexio News
