CLEVELAND, Ohio — Different moments from the 2024 Guardians season stand out for different reasons.
There were new beginnings, like the debuts of manager Stephen Vogt, bullpen sensation Cade Smith and slugger Jhonkensy Noel. There were clutch performances, such as All-Star David Fry delivering time and again at the plate, or newcomer Lane Thomas’ sensational run through the American League Division Series.
Fans watched Steven Kwan chase a .400 batting average for nearly half the season, and held their breaths as José Ramírez pursued the first 40/40 season in franchise history. All while Emmanuel Clase turned in one of the most dominant seasons for a closer in recent memory.
Cleveland’s home schedule started with the city shrouded by a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse in April and ended under rain clouds that washed away the finale at Progressive Field, and with it any chance for Ramírez to achieve immortality.
We asked Guardians Subtext subscribers to share their favorite moments from 2024, and they came up with some tremendous responses. Sharing time at the ballpark with family, rooting for their favorite players, and reveling in the surprising nature of another championship season at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.
Here’s what fans shared as their top 2024 memories:
Definitely has to be the home opener. My wife and our 16-year-old daughter got there early, and watched the eclipse from right out front of Progressive Field. It was a surreal experience as the crowd cheered during total darkness. Then, the game itself ended up being a blueprint for the season. José (Ramírez) hit a two-run homer, and Triston didn’t get out of the sixth, but how did the Guards finish it off? Herrin, Gaddis, Smith and Clase the rest of the way in a shutout win. That set the tone for the rest of an amazing summer and fall. — Mark, Norwalk, OH
August 28 was the biggest day of the year in my book. Facing a four-game sweep by Kansas City and falling out of first place, down 5-2 in the seventh, you saw the greatest example of the Guardians grit and fight. They won that ballgame, won 5 of the next 7, KC dropped seven and we were back up by five games a week later. I genuinely felt if we had lost that game we might have been the team that faded away. — Terry, Peoria, AZ
Jhonkensy Noel’s last home run was one for the books, but his first home run was also pretty unforgettable. I can only imagine the nerves: It’s your first major league at bat, your family and friends are all watching. You swing… and not only do you whiff, but the bat goes flying out of your hands, landing halfway down the third base line. He must have thought the only way I can look cool right now is if I go yard on the next pitch. Which he did. Amazing! — Carter, New York, NY
Jhonkensy Noel #78 of the Cleveland Guardians loses his bat on a swing during his first major league at-bat in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 26, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. Jhonkensy Noel makes his major league debut. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)Getty Images
Noel’s home run in his first major league at-bat was a special moment, since it is so rare for that to happen. In fact, the video of his former Triple-A teammates reacting in celebration in Columbus was pretty special too. — Jorge, Virginia Beach, VA
Steven Kwan’s pursuit of a .400 batting average. That has become a rarity to have any player pursuing .400 anymore. That stands out in a big way. — Karl, Green Bay, WI
I took my 7-year-old son, Matthew, and his grandparents to Game 3 of the ALCS. After the New York home runs in eighth, a Yankees heckler came to life and made life tense for us Guardians fans. My son kept looking back at the heckler in distress. Until Noel stunned him in the ninth, and Fry silenced him in the tenth. Walking out of the stadium, I thought that was the best game I’d ever seen and many in the crowd agreed. — Matt, Bay Village, OH
My favorite 2024 Guardians memory is the home opener. A doubleheader of a total solar eclipse and Guardians baseball was fantastic. But what took it to the next level was being able to share it with my 10-year-old son. I got him tickets for Christmas when it was freezing cold, and the temperature was near 60 for the home opener. I have been to many home openers and I can’t imagine one will ever top 2024! — Chris, Powell, OH
The eclipse at Progressive Field. I watched it from an upper deck stairwell (and I am pretty sure I saw Paul Hoynes nearby). That was amazing! Also, the seven-game losing streak in early August where it just seemed like the Guardians were disintegrating and not really doing anything about it. Ultimately Stephen Vogt was right — what mattered was how they did at the end of the season, not at that exact moment in time, and I think the adversity ultimately made them a better team overall. Finally, Jose’s 39th home run during what ended up being the last regular season game, and kind of the disappointment of the three-hour rain delay that Sunday. — Sue, Lyndhurst, OH
Cleveland Guardians opened Progressive Field early for fans to watch the total solar eclipse on their home opener, April 8, 2024.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
My favorite “moment” of the season was the debut of Stephen Vogt, the rookie manager who shocked the world by stepping into a Hall of Famer’s shoes and guiding his team to the top of the baseball world. For a while, it seemed like he could do no wrong! His empathy (tearing up during a press conference!), his obvious motivational skills, his calming presence during serious ups and downs (including the Royals nearly catching up to the Guards), and his trust of his players and coaches were all on display and offer Cleveland fanatics everywhere enormous hope for success next year and beyond! — Bob, Lake Worth, FL
David Fry’s homer and Big Christmas in the postseason! — Ally, Sagamore Hills, OH
One of my favorite moments was Tanner Bibee on May 19, up 2-1 vs the Twins. He had gone deep into the game, 6 2/3 innings, had two out but walked (Alex) Kiriloff. Vogt goes out to mound, everyone thinks he’s yanking Bibee, but he looks eye to eye with Tanner and exhorts, “You’re gonna get this guy.” Bibee stays in, and strikes out Carlos Santana to finish the seventh. Guards win. Bibee’s confidence grows, and Vogt shows his managerial mettle early in the season. — Gary, Columbus, OH
Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas celebrates his grand slam as he circles the bases in the fifth inning of ALDS Game 5.Josh Gunter, Cleveland.com
Hard to beat Game 1 vs Detroit as I got to attend in person. Thomas’ home run flew right by me. I drove six hours from eastern Pennsylvania for that game. Visited the Rocky Colavito statue afterwards. Great experience. — Darren, Fleetwood, PA
(Lane) Thomas’ grand slam home run vs Detroit that sealed Game 5 was so unexpected, it took your breath away. — Tom Columbiana, OH
How about the moment where Kyle Manzardo hit a home run with Josh Naylor on second? The greeting at home plate and Vogt tearing up at the press conference spoke so loudly about what made this team special. — Cindy, Strongsville, OH
For me it had to be when Lane Thomas started hitting. He had gone 4 for 55. Then a couple of hits. A couple more, and off to the races!! — Jim, Bay Village, OH
Cade Smith’s debut in Oakland! Just the fact that his parents and wife and baby were there to witness the game live. Also, the Debut of 34-year-old Matt Boyd after Tommy John Surgery. His family was there also! — Judy, Columbus, OH
Cade Smith has struck out eight of 12 batters faced across two big league outings. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)Getty Images
Opening the season with an eclipse. I felt like it was a good omen for the year. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event and seemed to set the magical season off to the right start. I experienced it with lifelong friends. It’s a day I will never forget in a year that was memorable for so many reasons. There are seasons, and then there are seasons you’ll always remember, even if they didn’t end the way you wanted to. 2024 was one of the latter. — Mark, Chicago, IL
It has been a challenging year: wars, hostages, racism, antisemitism, shootings and more. This team, which played with so much energy, sportsmanship, teamwork and joy sure helped boost our spirits. And, being at that Reds game, (Tyler) Freeman’s plays were a thrill. — Art, Albuquerque, NM
This was the most exciting season for me since my introduction to the team in 1954. Watching the pitching staff crumble after being teased by Bieber’s two starts and then watching a ex-Korean league pitcher and a wily veteran, plus a bullpen carry the load until reinforcements could be signed was amazing. Then watching (Steven) Kwan turn into a hitting machine for the first half of the season and watch (David) Fry go from a unknown to an All-Star. Plus adding Big Christmas to the mix made every game must watch TV. Then watching Thomas go from a “why did we trade for this guy” to a playoff hero made my day. Unfortunately on the flip side the playoff series with the Yankees was the most painful baseball experience of my life. I compared it to the movie “Cool Hand Luke” where Luke was fighting George Kennedy and it got to the point where I said stay down Luke! That’s how I felt during Game 5 of the series. What a season. Thank you for the rollercoaster baseball ride of my life. — Bud, Scottsdale, AZ