CLEVELAND — José Ramírez, well-known for his ability to impact games with his bat, displayed his versatility on Monday night by contributing significantly with his defensive skills and speed on the bases. The Cleveland Guardians All-Star third baseman made a crucial defensive play against the Milwaukee Brewers, getting Andruw Monasterio out at second base with the bases loaded, and later showcased his base-stealing prowess.
In the very next inning, Ramírez singled, then proceeded to steal two bases, eventually scoring on Gabriel Arias’ double, pushing the lead to 3-0 in favor of the Guardians. By the end of the night, Ramírez notched three stolen bases, moving him up to third place on Cleveland’s all-time list as the team secured a 5-0 win over the Brewers.
“I always look for ways to create an impact, and today it came from stolen bases,” Ramírez explained through an interpreter. “I maintain the same focus against every team, trying to make a difference in multiple ways.”
Ramírez became the fifth player in Major League Baseball this season to steal three bases in a single game. This marked the third occasion in his 13-year career that he accomplished this feat, the most recent being in 2021 against Texas. His proactive approach at the plate and on base energized a Cleveland offense that had been struggling, managing just one run over the past 21 innings.
Cleveland’s manager, Stephen Vogt, commented on Ramírez’s strategic know-how, “José has a remarkable sense of timing. We were struggling against Freddy Peralta, and he sensed the opportunity to make things happen on the base paths. His intellect and intuition are impressive—he knows exactly when to accelerate our momentum, and it’s a thrill to watch.”
With 255 stolen bases now under his belt, Ramírez overtook Terry Turner’s tally of 254, achieved between 1904 and 1918. Kenny Lofton leads Cleveland’s history with 452 steals, followed by Omar Vizquel with 279. Ramírez, currently on an 11-game on-base streak, boasts a .375 batting average (15 hits in 40 at-bats), including one home run and four RBIs during this span. He ranks sixth in the majors with 12 stolen bases this season.
Later in the game, Ramírez received an intentional walk in the seventh inning but opted not to attempt a fourth stolen base. “You have to consider the scoreboard and your health,” Ramírez noted. “Stealing bases carries risks, and the game situation didn’t necessitate taking that chance.”