Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez doesn't just walk to home plate. He sways with short, quick steps, chin lifted, in a stride teammates describe as a confident strut. Brayan Rocchio said he "walks like he's The Man," and Albert Pujols added, "He knows that he's good." Tom Hamilton, the Guardians' radio broadcaster, said that attitude spreads through the clubhouse, and teammates feed off it.
That confidence has been visible in the playoffs. Ramirez went 5-for-12 in the last three games of Cleveland's comeback against the Chicago White Sox in the division series. In Game 1 of the AL Championship Series against the top-seeded Tampa Bay Rays, he had three hits and scored two runs. Failure is part of the sport, however, and Ramirez was central to the pivotal play in Game 2. With runners at first and third and two outs, Ben Williamson hit a two-hopper at him. The ball skipped off the edge of the artificial turf, got past him, and two runs scored, with Liam Hicks adding a single that drove in two more.
Ramirez came out to meet reporters within minutes of the game ending, speaking through interpreter Agustin Rivero. "It took a little unexpected bounce, and made it difficult for me," he said. "It's frustrating. I feel bad because I wasn't able to [make the play]." He said he felt good and excited to return home, with the series tied 1-1.
Teammates and executives say the swagger has been there since his early days. Team president Chris Antonetti said Ramirez has carried it since he was 17. During his 2013 debut as a pinch runner, Ramirez took a huge lead off first, and then-manager Terry Francona asked him, "Jose, you know you're not invisible, right?" Ramirez has 297 career homers and 324 stolen bases. As center fielder Petey Halpin put it, "Everyone knows Jose's walk."
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing