The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Ramirez’s star is shining
When LeBron James left Cleveland at the beginning of July, a vacuum opened in the space his star previously occupied.
The ill-informed suggested James’ departure left the Browns as the city’s next best hope at a winning franchise. Promise exists for the moribund franchise but Cleveland’s baseball team is already contending for championships — with not one, but two stars.
As viable a candidate Francisco Lindor is to replace James’ visage on the Sherwin-Williams building, Jose Ramirez has a case to join him.
Batting third for the Indians, Ramirez is hitting .299 with an obscene .400 on-base percentage and .630 slugging percentage. His 1.030 on-base plus slugging percentage ranks fourth in the major leagues. He’s tied for the American League lead with 29 home runs and his 70 RBI are tied for baseball’s thirdmost.
Ramirez has continued to mash in July. He’s batting .346 and has hit five home runs in his last five games.
Manager Terry Francona has run out of ways to commend his third baseman.
“I’m looking forward to August,” Francona said. “It doesn’t matter what month it is. He’s just a great player and getting better.”
Only Mike Trout has been worth more to his team than Ramirez this season, according to FanGraphs. Trout’s 6.6 fWAR leads the majors. Ramirez’s 6.5 fWAR trails by a tenth of a win. Baseball-reference’s numbers reflect the same standing, with Trout’s 6.9 bWAR the only mark ahead of Ramirez at 6.3.
Ramirez will flank Trout in the AL’s starting lineup at the MLB All-Star Game July 17.
When Ramirez hit his 29th home run in the first inning, he moved into a tie with Boston’s J.D. Martinez for the AL lead. The 25-year-old native of the Dominican Republic added on to his franchise record first-half home run tally, which he set with his 28th July 12.
Ramirez continues to occupy elite company as he compiles a transcendent season. His 29 home runs tie last year’s career-high, when he didn’t hit his 29th home run until September.
Midway through July, the 5-foot-9 third baseman once considered a utilityman by talent evaluators stands alongside Mickey Mantle and Lance Berkman in the record books. Ramirez’s 29 firsthalf home runs tie their shared record for home runs in a half by a switchhitter. Perhaps most impressive among Ramirez’s improved power numbers is the continued hustle and attitude that endeared him to Cleveland before he became a bona fide, middleof-the-order force.
Ramirez stood at second base with two outs in the sixth inning when Brandon Guyer hit a sharp ground ball to Yankees third baseman. Miguel Andujar. Guyer hustled down the line to beat the play and allow Michael Brantley to score from third.
Ramirez, minus a helmet that flew off his head as he slid headfirst over the plate, followed. Greg Bird’s throw home sailed high and popped out of Austin Romine’s glove as Ramirez tied the game, 4-4.
Despite ranking among the leaders in baseball’s power numbers, Ramirez is still willing to churn around third to score from second on an infield hit. Then, the only move for third base coach Mike Sarbaugh was out of Ramirez’s way.
“He’s done that a couple times now,” Francona said. “The guy’s been out at first and we haven’t scored but that’s incredible. Guyer did a really good job getting down the line but Josey, that only works if you’re going right from the jump. His internal clock is amazing.”