Jose Ramirez was supposed to be a utility infielder.
He didn't have the power. He didn't have the hitting consistency. But hey, he could field a few different positions at a solid level, so he could stick around the big leagues for a while.
That prognosis sold him just a bit short.
Ramirez is going to go down as the greatest hitter in the history of Cleveland baseball.
And along the way, he has a chance to join one of the most exclusive clubs in MLB history -- guys to play 20 or more seasons all with one franchise.
MORE: Bo Bichette comments exhibit clear hyprocrisy
If Ramirez plays out his recent current contract extension to the finish and then retires, that'd be 20 years just with Cleveland.
This is the entire list of players currently to have achieved that feat:
- Brooks Robinson, Orioles, 23
- Carl Yastrzemski, Red Sox, 23
- Al Kaline, Tigers, 22
- Stan Musial, Cardinals, 22
- Mel Ott, Giants, 22
- George Brett, Royals, 21
- Walter Johnson, Senators, 21
- Ted Lyons, White Sox, 21
- Cal Ripken Jr., Orioles, 21
- Willie Stargell, Pirates, 21
- Luke Appling, White Sox, 20
- Craig Biggio, Astros, 20
- Red Faber, White Sox, 20
- Tony Gwynn, Padres, 20
- Mel Harder, Indians, 20
- Derek Jeter, Yankees, 20
- Alan Trammell, Tigers, 20
- Robin Yount, Brewers, 20
- Ernie Banks, Brewers, 20
With a few exception those guys are pretty much all inner-circle Hall of Famers.
And if Ramirez successfully makes it to the end of this contract with even somewhat similar production to what he's already done, that's what he'll be, too.
Ramirez will likely finish his career as the Guardians' franchise record holder in:
- Doubles (Tris Speaker 486, Ramirez 398)
- Hits (Nap Lajoie 2,052, Ramirez 1,668)
- Home runs (Jim Thome 337, Ramirez 285)
- RBI (Earl Averill 1,084, Ramirez 949)
MORE: Reds' new pitcher admits that he sleepwalks
He's also the unofficial record holder already for most times his batting helmet flies off while running the bases.
And his best trait: He stayed.
Ramirez had chances to leave. He signed multiple extensions to never leave.
And so when all is said and done, Ramirez will be the hero that Cleveland baseball never even expected.
More MLB news:
- Team USA's projected WBC lineup is incredible
- Dominican Republic's projected WBC lineup is fierce
- How Trent Grisham's decision ruined the Yankees' offseason plans
- Buster Posey will change Hall of Fame voting forever
- An Air Force Captain will pitch for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic
- Andrew McCutchen is not happy with the Pirates