CLEVELAND, Ohio — José Ramírez was denied entry into baseball’s 40/40 club Sunday when the Guardians’ regular season finale against the Astros was rained out. On Monday, Ramírez’s earned a measure of consolation when he was named American League Player of the Week.
In a frenzied pursuit of history, Ramírez batted .500 with a pair of home runs, six RBI, three doubles, a triple, a walk, five runs scored, a stolen base, a 1.286 slugging percentage and a .500 on-base percentage while seeking to become the first Cleveland player with 40 home runs and 40 steals in a season.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said when Ramírez found out Sunday’s game was canceled, leaving him on the doorstep with 39 home runs, he handled the news like with ultimate professionalism.
“He’s like ‘Hey, I’ll do it next year,’” Vogt said. “That’s just that what he said. That’s who he is. He wants to win. Unfortunately he just didn’t get one last opportunity out of it.”
It marks the seventh time Ramírez has claimed the award in his career dating back to June 19, 2017. He also won the honor Sept. 4 that year, July 16 in 2018, Sept. 20 of 2021 and twice in 2022 (April 18 and May 31).
Josh Naylor is the only other Cleveland player to win the weekly award this season, claiming the honor on June 24.
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani earned the award in the National League, marking the 11th time the Japanese slugger has claimed the honor.
A six-time All-Star, Ramírez was a base hit short of the cycle in a win Wednesday against Cincinnati. It was the first time in his career that Ramírez collected a double, triple and home run in the same contest. He homered and doubled on Saturday against Houston signaling the 14th time this season he finished with multiple extra-base hits in a game.
Ramírez collected multiple hits in five of his final seven games and had at least one hit in 20 of his last 25.
Other contenders for the AL award included Texas first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge, White Sox infielder Lenyn Sosa, Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh and pitcher Logan Gilbert, Orioles first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and closer Lucas Erceg of the Kansas City Royals.
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