Jose Ramirez Blasts 3 Home Runs, Ignites MVP Buzz—Watch the Must-See Highlights & Reactions

Lead-off hero to franchise icon: José Ramírez’s historic October keeps Guardians’ title push alive CLEVELAND — The calendar has only just flipped to October, but José Ramírez is already collecting milestones the way most players stack base hits. On the same night he overtook Hall-of-Famer Tris Speaker to become Cleveland’s all-time leader in extra-base hits, the switch-hitting third baseman was announced as a finalist for Professional Athlete of the Year at the 26th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards. A season for the ages Ramírez’s 2025 résumé reads like something out of a video game: 41 home runs, 42 steals and a league-best 91 extra-base hits with three games still on the slate. Rain washed out the regular-season finale in Detroit, likely costing him the third 40-40-45 season in MLB history, but the Guardians’ captain waved off any disappointment. “The real prize is still ahead of us,” he said through interpreter Agustín Rivero, eyes fixed on a deep postseason run. Catalyst of a division crown Cleveland clinched its third straight American League Central title on September 24, and Ramírez’s fingerprints were all over the champagne bottles. In games decided by two runs or fewer, he slashed .346/.418/.694, pacing a young roster that lost All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor for six weeks mid-summer. Manager Stephen Vogt credited Ramírez’s clubhouse presence as much as the production. “When José believes, everybody believes,” Vogt said after the clincher. Historic impact in Cleveland lore The eighth-inning double that nudged Ramírez past Speaker for the franchise’s extra-base-hit record (now 727) added another chapter to a career already sparkling with five All-Star selections and four Silver Sluggers. With 63.2 career WAR before turning 33, analytics sites have begun tracking his Hall of Fame probability; a World Series ring would all but punch the ticket. Awards season buzz League observers expect Ramírez to finish no worse than second in the AL MVP vote. The Cleveland Sports Commission’s nomination only underscores his growing influence beyond the lines: off-season clinics in his native Baní, Dominican Republic, have funded turf fields for more than 1,000 local kids, and his “Enriquito Scholars” program quietly covers college application fees for Cleveland high-school seniors. Contract clock is ticking Ramírez remains signed through 2028 on what has become baseball’s best bargain: a seven-year, $141 million extension he penned in 2024. Asked whether a new deal could be in play this winter, president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti deflected, saying, “We plan on José finishing his career in a Guardians uniform.” For now, all parties agree the priority is October glory. What’s next Cleveland opens the AL Division Series at Progressive Field on October 4, likely against a streaking Seattle club. With home-field advantage secured and Ramírez swinging the hottest bat of his life, tickets vanished within 45 minutes of release. Expect the park to tilt when the franchise’s new extra-base-hit king steps into the box. Key SEO takeaways • José Ramírez sets Cleveland Guardians extra-base-hit record • Guardians star nominated for Professional Athlete of the Year • 40-40 campaign fuels AL MVP race and pushes team to 2025 AL Central title • Contract outlook: Ramírez extension rumors ahead of 2025 postseason run Searchers looking for José Ramírez news, Guardians playoff schedule, or AL MVP odds will find all the latest updates right here as the postseason drama unfolds.