Team games leader Jose Ramirez, Guardians try to rebound vs. Royals

Third baseman Jose Ramirez has been the undisputed face of the franchise for the Cleveland Guardians since 2016. The seven-time All-Star now owns one of the club's most important records, as well as an actual third base.

Ramirez played in his 1,620th career game Monday -- breaking the franchise mark that had been held by Terry Turner since 1918 -- as Cleveland was defeated 4-2 by the visiting Kansas City Royals.

The 33-year-old Dominican will be in the lineup again Tuesday, when Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams (1-1, 2.25 ERA) takes on Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (1-0, 1.80) in the middle contest of a three-game series.

"I'm very proud of that accomplishment, so I want to keep it in a special spot in my house," Ramirez said, pointing to the dirt-stained base by his locker that he was presented with on the field. "It was very exciting to be recognized for it.

"There are two things I really want to accomplish with this team: making the Hall of Fame and winning the World Series."

Ramirez, who has spent all 14 of his major league seasons in Cleveland, went 0-for-2 with two walks on his milestone night. Michael Wacha and two Kansas City relievers only allowed four hits.

"You always dream of playing your whole career for the team that drafts you, and Jose is living that out because he's that good and he wants to be here," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro has had a front-row seat for parts of Ramirez's career, spending the 2014-17 seasons on the coaching staff of then-Cleveland manager Terry Francona.

"What makes Josey special is he has confidence in himself and believes he can help his team win every night," said Quatraro, who was hired by Kansas City before the 2023 season. "A lot of guys work hard, but Josey is very consistent with his approach and his routine."

Ramirez made his debut on Sept. 1, 2013, but didn't stick permanently until late in the 2015 season. As difficult as it is to believe, he showed few signs of being a regular during his first three trips to the big leagues.

"Josey physically matured, that's the one thing," Quatraro said. "In '15 when he got sent down, he was swinging at everything. When he came back up, he was taking pitches and taking walks. And the next year, he started hitting for power."

Ramirez will look to provide some offense on Tuesday for Williams, who struck out 10 over seven shutout innings in his latest start, a road win over the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. He has 17 strikeouts in 12 innings in two outings this year, only allowing four hits and three runs, though he has walked nine.

In his four seasons, Williams has faced Kansas City more than any other foe, going 2-1 with a 2.36 ERA in eight appearances, all starts.

Cameron, who finished fourth in the 2025 American League Rookie of the Year voting, gave up one run in five innings while beating the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday in his season debut. He fanned five and walked one.

Cameron is 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts against the Guardians, striking out 14 over 12 innings.

The Royals will attempt to build on their victory in the series opener that featured homers from Carter Jensen and Jonathan India. Those two players as well as Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. collected two hits apiece.

The first pitch of the Tuesday game was moved up five hours to a 1:10 p.m. start because of expected below-freezing temperatures in the evening. Longtime catcher Vogt sympathizes with the task ahead of Cameron and Williams.

"Everything is cold, your fingertips get cold and it's hard to grip the ball," he said. "Pitchers staying warm and staying loose and getting a grip on the ball is very difficult, but both teams have all the cold gear in the world. But it's still going to be very difficult."

--Field Level Media