Why Guardians All-Star Jose Ramirez's loyalty to Cleveland should be celebrated

“I have the same sense of pride for Cleveland as I do for the Dominican Republic,” Ramirez said, per Ashly Holder of Cleveland 19 News. “I can call myself 50/50 — 50% Dominican and 50% Clevelander. My sons were born here, so I take pride in the city and what it represents to me.”

Ramirez grew up as a Guardian, signing as an amateur free agent at 17 in 2009. Quickly rising through the ranks of the minor leagues, Ramirez debuted with the franchise three years later in 2013 at the age of 20. 

Struggling in his first couple of seasons, 2016 proved to be the year when Ramirez established himself as one of the best players in baseball, batting .312 with an OPS of .825, and finished 17th in the MVP voting. Over the next decade, Ramirez would become a seven-time All-Star and a six-time Silver Slugger and finish in the top 10 for MVP eight times.

Jose Ramirez has shown a unique loyalty to Cleveland

Ramirez has shown a loyalty to Cleveland that is unique among other stars who have played there.

James, who was born in Akron, was drafted by the Cavaliers first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. James spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career with the Cavaliers and helped lead them to three Eastern Conference Finals, losing all three, after one NBA Finals appearance (2006-07), which they lost. 

After the 2009-10 season, James took his talents to Miami to pair up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, where they won two straight finals (2011-13) in his four seasons with the Heat (2010-14). The Cavaliers, meanwhile, missed the postseason while James was away. 

James would return for a second stint with the Cavaliers (2014-18), where they went to four straight Finals but only came away with one championship (2015-16) due to facing a juggernaut in the Golden State Warriors. James would ultimately leave Cleveland hanging out to dry again, signing with the Lakers for the 2018-19 season, where he has played since. 

Close to retirement, the thought is that James could return for one last season to have his storybook ending. Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said that signing with the Cavaliers was his “only scenario.” 

“I think it’s his only scenario,” Barkley said on “The Dan Patrick Show”. “I think obviously the Lakers are done with him after this year. They're going to move into the Luka [Doncic]-Austin Reeves situation, which rightfully so. I think his only logical play is going to be going back to Cleveland. Listen, I'm not opposed to him getting traded to Cleveland the next week during the trade deadline, because the East is up for grabs. The East is 100% up for grabs. And you can't tell me if LeBron went back to Cleveland right now, they wouldn't be the favorite of the East.”

But given that he’s left twice, does the fan base want that? 

Meanwhile, Ramirez has stayed through the ups and downs and has proven loyal to Cleveland. That's unique, and it should be celebrated.