As the 2016 Cleveland team reunited in the outfield ahead of the Guardians’ matchup against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday evening, just about everyone was in street clothes.
The only one still wearing a jersey and actually playing in the game was Jose Ramirez. Even though the start of the 2026 season may not be going the way he would’ve liked, Ramirez remains one of baseball’s top players and has been an MVP candidate for the last decade.
Looking back on that memorable season, it’s amazing to think that Ramirez was just a 23-year-old still trying to figure out exactly where he fit into the league. Still, he played a key role in Cleveland’s successful season and came up with multiple big plays during the 2016 World Series.
As Ramirez recently reflected on that World Series, he said he remembers everything about it: the experience, the plays, and everything in between.
“I feel like I remember everything. There was not only one thing per se, it was just a bunch of special things for the team,” said Ramirez through his interpreter, Auggie Rivero.
That said, Ramirez was able to come up with a few of his big moments from that series that really stood out to him, such as “my first AB, a little like chopper to third base with the bases loaded, an RBI. And then that game I [had] three base hits and then the homer in the other game. So kind of remember every little thing that happened during the World Series.”
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) scores a run against the Chicago Cubs in the 8th inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The then Indians would not have been in the position they were in without Ramirez’s at-bats and defense, and, 10 years later, that reality stays the same. The Guardians still rely on J-Ram to be the superstar player they need to reach their ceiling.
It’s hard to believe that the only World Series Ramirez has ever played in was already 10 years ago. At the very least, the 33-year-old deserves to be back in the Fall Classic and a chance at hoisting the commissioner's trophy.
Hopefully, the World Series memories Ramirez currently holds aren’t the only ones that he has once his career is over, and Cleveland can get back to being in a position to potentially win a championship.
However, the Guardians definitely still have some work to do to get to that point.
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