November 14, 2025 • 39 mins
Rosey goes one on one with Gold Glover Steven Kwan who won the award this week for a remarkable fourth consecutive year. Plus, a look back to an incredible end to the regular season for the Guards in our Game of the Week. That's all on this edition of Guardians Weekly with Jim Rosenhaus on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds of car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Ivery one and Welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House
along with you as we join you from Progressive Field
in downtown Cleveland. Good show lined up for you today
as we continue our hot stove shows. A lot of
news and notes to get to today and also some
award winners. We'll hear from Goldglove winner Stephen Kwan a
one on one interview with the Guardians four time now
(01:22):
Gold Glove left fielder. We'll hear from him shortly. We'll
also take a look back at one of the other
great games of the twenty twenty five season, the last
regular season game for the Guardians and what a Sunday
that was at Progressive Field as they completed the historic
comeback to clinch the American League's Central Division crown. That's
(01:44):
coming up in the second half of our show today,
but first I'll look at some of the award winners
in Major League Baseball this week. As you may well
know by now, Steven Vote once again named American League
Manager of the year, second consecutive season for him, and
how about that he will be honored this January in
(02:05):
New York along with the man who won it in
the National League a year ago, also a rookie manager
a year ago, the Milwaukee Brewers, Pat Murphy. So both
of those men doing the uncommon and that's winning Manager
of the Year awards in their first two seasons as
a major league manager. There have been other back to
back winners before, but never before in Cleveland baseball history.
(02:28):
So Voter joined some great names as a Manager of
the Year award winner, including the man he succeeded in
Terry Francona, now with the Reds. So some good stuff
there on the Manager of the Year award front American League,
Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, the slugger from the
Oakland Athletics in the National League, the Rookie of the
Year award going to Drake Baldwin, a fine young catcher
(02:51):
for the Atlanta Braves. And so a lot of awards
being listed this week, including Steven Kwan and we will
hear from the Cleveland Guardians Gold Glove Award winner one
wee come back after this on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians
Radio Network.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Join us on Tuesday, December second, as we celebrate the
very best in Cleveland Sports the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall
of Fame Class of twenty twenty five Induction Ceremonies presented
by Echohealth and Events Source, featuring Steve amojch Tianna Madison,
Wanda Ford, Jack Turbin, and Chris Fielman, who will join
(03:35):
the more than five hundred and fifty.
Speaker 4 (03:37):
Sports grades already enshrine.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Tickets and information available at Clevelandsports Hall dot com.
Speaker 5 (03:46):
Switching to Progressive is a game winning call, and that
reminds us of other game winning calls in the history
of sports. So it was the fourth quarter and went
down by five, sweat pouring down my face.
Speaker 6 (03:57):
Suddenly it hit me, if only I could rep part of.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
The towel around my forehead, and that's how I became
the first basketball player.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
It's to wear ahead band.
Speaker 5 (04:05):
Okay, not really a game winning call, but it was
a good call. You can make one two switch to
Progressive and you could save hundreds. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company
and affiliates not available in all states.
Speaker 7 (04:34):
Aaron Judge Lane's off the eighth six to two Cleveland
Rockets won the left center.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Stephen Quan dives. He made a ba candic catch.
Speaker 7 (04:43):
How the Gold Club at it again, robbing Aaron.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Judge of a aase hit.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Here's the two two swung on and that's Luke de
Shallow left charging in quad diving attempt.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Had he made the catch?
Speaker 2 (04:59):
A great humbling grabbed by Kwan, and the stellar Guardian's
defense continues to shine in this series.
Speaker 7 (05:08):
To one pitch, get high and beat to left, Kwan
is going back track wall, jumps and made that catch,
crashes into the wall, falls to the track and hangs on.
And that's why for three straight years Stephen Kwan has
been a Gold Glover in left field.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Kim Rosanal's back with you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland.
Thanks so much, as always for tuning in to Guardians Weekly.
We were joined earlier this week by Stephen Kwan, the
Guardians Gold Glove left fielder for a fourth consecutive season,
and he is the fourth player in Cleveland history now
to earn Gold Glove honors in four or more consecutive seasons.
(05:54):
Vic Power, Kenny Lofton and the great Omarvis skel did
it and in terms of starting a career with four
gold gloves in a row, Echiro Suzuki has done it
and most recently Nolan Arenato. So some great company and
those two went on to win it multiple multiple times
past four so some great company for Stephen Kwan And
(06:17):
again we had a chance to visit with him earlier
this week and he talked about what made this time
around his fourth so special to him and maybe different
than the others.
Speaker 6 (06:28):
Yeah, I feel like every one of the four years
it was kind of like a different theme that kind
of overtakes the defensive profile.
Speaker 8 (06:37):
I would say this one was definitely assisted with my arm, and.
Speaker 6 (06:42):
I got to admit I think a lot of it,
So I don't know. I had a lot of assists
this year, and a lot of them came from just
hitting my cutoff.
Speaker 8 (06:48):
Man and throwing it to Rokyo or Gabe.
Speaker 6 (06:52):
You know, they having their arm strengthen the infield and
having those plays at the play those really rack up.
So obviously there was a lot of balls off the
wall that able to keep, like some doubles of singles.
But I think the other one it was just like
getting the ball in quickly, getting into the relay man
relay man gets the throw in the home and then
Bo makes crazy catches at home. So this one definitely
(07:14):
felt like a team goal glove as opposed a lot
of other years.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
And you mentioned that, and is that the most important thing,
recognizing sometimes what your teammates are really good at in
terms of making you a better player decision wise especially, I.
Speaker 6 (07:30):
Think so, like I think another example of that was
my first year. We obviously had Miles in center goal
glove center fielder that year as well, and as I
was kind of learning left field again, he was you know,
I don't know if cheating to the left center, but
you know his range out there is second to none.
So that allowed me to kind of play close to
(07:51):
the line in left field, and that allowed me to
catch the balls that I wouldn't normally catch if I
was playing straight up. So again it changes you to
year with the personnel. But knowing that Miles was to
my left and all I had to do was basically
get something in or right. I think that covered my
bases with a lot of the tough catches.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Sometimes when you win these awards, that the fun part
is being mentioned in the same vein as some of
the great defenders in this case in major league history
and recent vintage. You're winning four straight in your first
four years in the major leagues, first time since Nolan
Aronado and each you row in terms of outfielders. So
when you see that and hear that, what goes through
(08:34):
your mind when you talk to defense.
Speaker 8 (08:36):
Yeah, I mean they're huge honors. Of course.
Speaker 6 (08:39):
I mean Nolan Aaranado, I mean one of the premier
defenders of third I mean, I don't even know how
many platinum gloves he has, but he had that for
a long time. And then obviously being in the same
sentence as each Row is always a real treat. I
think this is really cool, Like obviously we're starting this
little streak and left field, and he did his damage
in right field, so just being in the outfield talks
(08:59):
with him is really cool. But I think it's also
one of those things where I knikicking a place they
obviously have done it since such a high level of
high degree that you know, if I want to continue
this streak, I got a lot more work to do.
So I think that keeps me grounded, keeps me humble,
and keeps me hungry for the next one.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
A big key I think for you and all the
outfielders for the Guardians. Is JT. Maguire the outfield and
based running coach? What is he meant to not only
this season, but I know you guys go back a
little bit even before the major league time. For you,
what is he meant to your career, especially defensively.
Speaker 8 (09:33):
Yeah, he's been huge.
Speaker 6 (09:35):
I'm pretty hopefully don't get this wrong, but I'm pretty
sure when I got drafted that was his first year
in the organization as well. So twenty eighteen was both
our first years getting a feel for each other.
Speaker 8 (09:45):
Of course, the first year and then I mean right
off the bat.
Speaker 6 (09:48):
What I really admire about him is he has no
problem saying what he needs to say, being honest. And
he was also the first time that I had in
an outfield coach. I had a pseudo one in Oregon State,
but you know, they obviously had a lot more hats.
Speaker 8 (10:02):
They wore a lot more hats in other areas.
Speaker 6 (10:04):
But he had such an approach to outfield that I
had never seen before, and he backed his claims up
with examples.
Speaker 8 (10:12):
He had them ready.
Speaker 6 (10:14):
If we didn't like that, he would have another one ready.
Like he was just so prepared, and it was no
surprise to me that he eventually got the major league role.
And he hasn't changed that once he's come to the
big leagues. You know, it's can't get complacent. Even if
we had a tough day. It's like, Okay, maybe we
don't do the whole gauntlet, but maybe we do an
abbreviated version, but we got to go outside do something.
We got to you know, fields balls, hits balls off
(10:36):
the wall. It's not just show up and play. So
I really do admire that about JT. And like I said,
a lot of these it couldn't have been done without him.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
And you mentioned that pregame work, and I think a
lot of fans are aware of that by now that
that's a big key for you and others. How important
is that from that balance standpoint the long baseball season,
you don't want to do too much, but how do
you balance that where you you'll get the good work
in that helps you get into this position now where
we're talking about gold gloves.
Speaker 6 (11:05):
Yeah, I think the biggest difference is if you're doing
something just to do it, or you're doing something to
actually get something out of it. So I mean there's
been plenty of times in my career where it's been like, okay,
we have ground balls at three point thirty, like be there,
and then you're just going through the motions. Nobody wants
to do that. It's hot outside, you just lost, you
went over five. Those are the times where I don't
think it's productive. But JT his approach to that, it's like, hey,
(11:29):
like we've been we haven't been fielding balls very well
to our glove side, like our spins have been kind
of erratic, or you know, your throws when you feel
the ball to the right.
Speaker 8 (11:39):
Have been a little off. So let's work on that.
Speaker 6 (11:41):
Let's do this for five to seven minutes, and then
we go inside and then you know, go outside. The
VP like it very rarely feels like busy work. It
rarely feels like we're just doing it to check a box.
He keeps he keeps us on our toes, and he
never lets us be satisfied because truly, there's no perfect outfielders,
so we always have get better in those areas.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Stephen Kwan joining us a fourth consecutive Gold Glove this
past season, and you were part of a postseason team again,
that's that's three of the four years in the major
leagues for you. But I'm going to guess this making
the postseason this year was a little bit different. Explain
your thoughts when it was all said and done about
what this team did just to get to October baseball.
Speaker 8 (12:24):
Yeah, I mean it was special.
Speaker 6 (12:25):
I mean even even a month or moved from it,
it still is.
Speaker 8 (12:29):
It feels crazy what we did.
Speaker 6 (12:32):
Again, I think obviously with Voter getting manned the year
that that's basically where it all starts.
Speaker 8 (12:37):
You know, he never let us get two down. It
was always one day at a time, one day at
a time.
Speaker 6 (12:42):
Ketn't let him going. And you know, we're not pressing,
we're not trying to do too much. I think those
things over a season, you're going to get really good
results no matter what the personnel is. And it just
felt like there was those times where it's the baseball.
We know, it was always somebody different helping us win
the game, be the hero, even at the end of
(13:03):
the year with Acho John Rodriguez like helping us basically
seal that title. It has to be contributions from everybody.
I think that's the most fun baseball that we play.
And again, I think that's just that's the formula if
we're going to ever do anything special.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
You look back at July and that was the low
point in terms of games behind there was the administrative
leave for two of the better pitchers on the ball club,
and then the trade deadline was coming, all kinds of
stuff going on. Were there any points in time where
you thought, man, this is a lot and even though
you're you still have that belief from the manager's office.
(13:43):
Was it some real soul searching on your part two
and some others on that team to make sure you
kept that good mindset and outlook.
Speaker 8 (13:50):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 6 (13:51):
I think I'd be lying if I said it wasn't
like that. But I think that's the beauty of Cleveland
Baseball is that we have one we have a lot
of young guys who this is their first time and
you know, I think if maybe, if we had a
locker room full of salty veterans, then like, yeah, maybe
if we can get down. But like, you know, you
got the young guys who are playing their hearts out,
like even if it's a down part of the season,
(14:11):
like this is one of their first times being in
the big league, So their energy and their.
Speaker 8 (14:16):
Their passion towards the game.
Speaker 6 (14:17):
I think was a component of helping me stay up
and energetic. But on the flip side, I mean having
a locker next to Jose, I think you can't get
complacent or you can't get to down when you see
him busting his butt every day.
Speaker 8 (14:32):
We always look to him as a leader.
Speaker 6 (14:33):
And yeah, like during those bad times, I think everybody
kind of peaks their eyes towards Jose to see if
he's also down, and to him, it's just another day
and maybe internally he was feeling something, but he's getting
up to do his defense. He's pissed off when he
gets out. He when we win, he's celebrating like those
I mean, that's what keeps us pointing north. And without
(14:57):
those two components, I think that would really allow the
year to just crumble and be unsalvageable.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
Stephen kwant joining us and Steven you mentioned you still
looking back on last season a lot of fun. When
do you start to transition from from looking back getting
some rest to recharging and then starting to work and
prepare for the next season.
Speaker 6 (15:18):
Yeah, I feel like, I mean truly throughout the years,
it's been different. My first year, I think I took
too much time off my second year, I didn't take
enough time off, and then last year it felt like
kind of that sweet spot, but still could could do
some tweaking. I feel like a good point is kind
of after that World Series time is when you're not
seeing baseball on your social media feed, you're not seeing
(15:39):
it on TV. It's really just like, Okay, now it's
truly off season and things are quieting down. That feels
like to me, a little time after that.
Speaker 8 (15:47):
Is when I want to get going.
Speaker 6 (15:49):
Like I told you before this, you know, I was
working out like a week and a half once we
finished season, just to keep my body in shape. But
in terms of like baseball strategic prep, I would say
it's kind of around this time of the year where
it's like, Okay, let's figure out what we need to
work on, what we're playing towards, what sweaks we can make.
Speaker 8 (16:10):
Yeah, right around that November time, I think it's a
good time.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
And you always hear about players in the batting cages.
Position players, you can pretty much do what you want
wherever you are. But you mentioned too getting together with
with JT. Maguire, how much can you do to keep
that defensive game sharp, and then be ready to go
once you get to good Year for spring training.
Speaker 6 (16:29):
Yeah, like I said, JT, that's his best quality is
So I'll always tell you there's always something to work on.
And again I'm very thankful for that, because again, every year,
it'd be really easy to just be like, okay, like
just do what you did last year and you'll be fine.
And having that approach my first year into my second
year I think was really dangerous for me. So he'll
always have something like I already know he's are going
(16:50):
to say, like, yeah, our throws and like our arm
value was great, but you know there was there was
a lot of erratic throws that probably need to get
tied up, some first step breaks I'm sure will be
needed to be addressed. I didn't catch as many balls
I would aliked and converted those that I probably needed to.
And I'm sure there'll be a third thing that I
(17:11):
don't even have on the radar that he wants to
bring up or somebody one of the other coaches has.
So there's always something with every year, and it's something
to look forward to.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Well, I know fans look forward to seeing you in
left field and really raising the level of defensive play there.
Congratulations on a fourth Gold Club Stephen Kwan, thanks for
coming by.
Speaker 8 (17:31):
Yeah, thanks, Rosie, appreciate you having me.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Always great to visit with. Stephen Kwan. Guardians left fielder
thirteen outfield assists this season, leading all Major league outfielders
in that category, and as he mentioned, the teamwork was
there too in the outfield for the Guardians thirty five
outfield assists and that was also best in Major League Baseball.
So some good stuff there. Stay tuned when we come back.
(17:55):
We'll take a look back at one of the great
games of twenty twenty five, the last rak of a season,
game of the year with so much importance on it,
and we'll fill you in on what happened that day
at Progressive Field, both during the game and after the game.
Next on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network, Welcome back
(18:41):
to the Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse along with you from
Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, and once again we take
a look back at one of the great games of
twenty twenty five and this week's edition, it's the last
game of the regular season and it turned out to
be a huge game from a Division crown standpoint for
(19:01):
the Guardians and the Detroit Tigers. It may remember Detroit
had built up a fifteen and a half game advantage
over Cleveland after defeating the Guardians at Progressive Field in
an x R inning game on Sunday, July sixth, but
the Guardians ended the losing streak the next day in Houston,
played great baseball down the stretch, and the teams entered
(19:22):
play on that last Sunday of the season in a
virtual first place tie, but the Guardians they held the
tiebreaker because they won the season series over the Tigers.
The Tigers could still clinch the Central with a win
at Fenway Park in Boston and a Guardian's loss against
the Texas Rangers. Guardians clinched the division with a win
(19:43):
over Texas or a Tigers loss in Boston, And wouldn't
you know it, that's exactly what happened. The games all
began that day in Major League Baseball at three o'clock,
so no one would exactly know what was going on,
but the Guardians would get good news from Fenway Park
in the day, but that didn't stop the game from
being about as dramatic as it could be. The Guardians
(20:06):
jumped in front early, two men on in the first inning,
and Jonathan Rodriguez, the batter the.
Speaker 4 (20:10):
Payoff, swung a drill to right.
Speaker 7 (20:13):
There's that base hit that'll score Klawn Martinez rate behind him.
How about Jonathan Rodriguez second game in a row.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
He knocks in a pair in the first inning? Hello?
Speaker 7 (20:25):
What in it?
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Path?
Speaker 7 (20:27):
Took the pitch the other way and smoked the two
runs single to right in Cleveland.
Speaker 4 (20:34):
Now with a two.
Speaker 7 (20:35):
Nothing lead here an inning number one.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
But Texas answered, scoring two runs in the second inning
to tie the game, then two more in the third
to give them a four to two lead. Bo Naylor
drove in a run with a sack fly in the
bottom of the third inning that pulled the Guardians to
within one, but the Rangers pushed home a run in
the sixth, making it a five to three lead. So,
with the playoff spot locked up already, would the Guardians
(21:00):
go down quietly to end the regular season? No chance.
John Kenzie Noel certainly wasn't giving up. As he came
to the plate in the seventh, Noel.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
Sendsor drive deep bright center. Forget about it, go.
Speaker 7 (21:17):
John Kensey no Well, the Lesters won to deep Bright Center,
and Cleveland has him still a little bit closer, now
trailing at five to four. John Kenzie no Well got
a sinker, and boy did he stay on it and
drove it the other way to Write Center for his
(21:39):
sixth home run.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Meanwhile, in Boston, the Tigers, trying to keep their division
title hopes live, needing a win over the Red Sox
and the Guardians lost. That game moved along a little
quicker than the one in Cleveland, and during the seventh inning,
Tom Hamilton had the announcement as that game went final
in Boston.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
This place, everybody's standing roaring. It's over. Buston has beaten Detroit.
Cleveland's won the division title. What a response from this
crowd of over thirty one thousand. You people are incredible.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
So the division crown was now secured, nothing at all
left to play for, But don't tell that to this team.
Leading off the eighth it was bow Naylor.
Speaker 4 (22:33):
The pitch swung on blasted deep field. This ball is
off the middle.
Speaker 7 (22:39):
Of the nineteenth football Nailor in with a double number
twenty one for bow Nailor.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Next up Cole man Zardo.
Speaker 7 (22:52):
Now the two to two delivery swing on ripped deep
bike field.
Speaker 4 (22:58):
It is off the base. Naylor on his way to
third and the.
Speaker 7 (23:04):
Second with the double is Manzardo. Naylor had to hold up.
That's why didn't score. Back to back doubles, and the
Guardians have runners at second and third.
Speaker 4 (23:19):
Nobody out.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
And then Brian Rochio got the job done.
Speaker 7 (23:24):
Now the payoff pitch swinging and ripped to right on
the run as McKinney makes the catch, tagging coming home,
Naylor pet first slide. Peace scores the tie run. Holding
at second was helping. Brian Rochio blistered that sacrifice fly
(23:46):
a line drive to the right fielder Billy McKinney.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Texas got out of the inn and giving up just
the one run and keeping the game tied at five.
Neither team was able to score in the ninth, so
he was onto extra innings on the season's final day.
Top of the tenth, the Rangers quickly had two men
reach base into the plate. Came there big Man, Rowdy
te Lees.
Speaker 7 (24:08):
Now the two to two swung on hid high in
the air to deep right field. Beck Is Valeria at
the wall. It is gone and tu Les has done
it again against Cleveland.
Speaker 4 (24:20):
He is unbelievable.
Speaker 7 (24:22):
When facing Cleveland, Rowdy tu les with a pinch hit,
three run home run, and Texas now has the lead
eight to five in the tenth.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
So again, every reason for the Guardians to call it
a day, get inside, celebrate winning the division, and get
ready for the postseason. But that's just not who this
Guardians team was in twenty twenty five, and Bo Naylor
got things started in the bottom of the tenth.
Speaker 7 (24:53):
The runner at second takes off first ball, swinging bow,
Naylor rips one up the lle and right center. That'll
score Vlaire Naylor on his way to second, sliding in
with an RBI double bone Nailer. He doubled in the eighth,
scored the tying run, jumped on the very first pitch
from Corneel here in the tenth, first second double in
(25:17):
this game. Two more rbies today, forty seven on the year,
and Cleveland now trails eight to six with nobody out.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Pete Halpin followed with a walk to put runners at
first and second, Nobody out, and with one swing, Brian
Rochio put a dramatic end to the regular season.
Speaker 7 (25:37):
Champagne awaits another celebration, and yet they're trying to finish
it with a win.
Speaker 4 (25:44):
The won two pitch swinging and plash it.
Speaker 6 (25:48):
Deep to right down the line off the pot.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Can you believe that.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
A free run, walk off home run off the foul
poland right Brian rokill circling the basis now getting mob
Think of any words you.
Speaker 7 (26:21):
Won, Improbable, implausible, impossible.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
They all work. A four run.
Speaker 7 (26:33):
Tenth inning highlighted by a walk off, game winning three
run home run off the foul poland right by Brian Rochio,
and the Cleveland Guardians ended in style, scoring four in
(26:54):
the bottom of the ninth to absolutely shut the Texas
Rangers nine eight, and Cleveland wins the division title. On
the field they finish a game I had a Detroit
to win their thirteenth American League Central Division title. And folks,
(27:22):
just when you think you say you know, I think
I've seen it all in the game of baseball, No,
you haven't. The most incredible month of September that this city,
or for that matter, Major League Baseball has ever witnessed.
And it's camped off with a four run tenth inning
(27:46):
on an Arbi double by Powe Naylor and a three
run home run off the foul poll and right by
Brian Rochio, and Cleveland.
Speaker 4 (27:59):
Is a winner.
Speaker 7 (28:01):
By a final score of nine to eight, and the
celebration continues outside the third base dugout. They did it
less than twenty four hours ago. But manager Stephen Votes said,
you know what, with what this club has overcome, the injuries,
(28:21):
the suspensions, fifteen and a half games out of first
in July, eleven games out of first on September fourth,
they deserve to celebrate every milestone.
Speaker 4 (28:37):
And this crowd.
Speaker 7 (28:40):
Has not left the ballpark on their feet, relishing every moment.
As Jose Ramirez has the flag saying American League Central
Division Champs, he walks it to the mouth, waving it
(29:08):
and now planting it halfway between home and third. Jose
Ramirez has proven he's a sixth tool player. Is there
anything this guy isn't up for? And the Guardians here
(29:28):
today finish it off with a nine to eight, ten
inning win. And again, this tenth inning pretty much encompasses
everything that we have witnessed here in the month of September,
(29:48):
as well as the entire twenty twenty five campaign.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
Wow, what a moment, what a day, what.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
A month, Just an incredible day at Progressive Field and
the emotions were high and the Guardian's clubhouse as they
celebrated an unlikely Central Division crown.
Speaker 7 (30:10):
Again, you get punched in the faith, and every time
we punch right back, we get up.
Speaker 2 (30:15):
And we fight division freaking chance voice plus and there
you have it. It is underway. These champagne corks are
(30:38):
flying all over the place. I'm not sure how, but
there's more people here today than there were last night,
and it is on as the champagne is flying and
the fun has begun. I think we're gonna lead off
with Tanner Biby Guardian's pitcher will be a big key
in the postseason, for sure. Tanner, you've been through a
(30:59):
couple of these now, this one, though, is historic. And
how aware is the team of the historical significance of
this division title based on how many games behind you
were at one point?
Speaker 9 (31:11):
I mean, it's one of a kind of this point,
I feel like that's the only way you can describe it.
I mean, it's been unbelievable this entire month of September
and we've just been playing some good baseball.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
Were you at all surprised what happened today?
Speaker 4 (31:22):
No?
Speaker 2 (31:22):
No, not.
Speaker 9 (31:23):
In the slides, get it through at Humber and it
was like, well, let's.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
Go fourth the ninth, It'll be okay. You've had a
couple of these. It's probably fun to compare because you
can having been through this before, what is this one
like that's different from the others.
Speaker 9 (31:37):
I feel like at this point last year, the odds were.
Speaker 4 (31:40):
In our favor.
Speaker 9 (31:41):
Obviously we kind of coasted to clinching this This necessarily
wasn't in our favor and we were kind of the
underdogs the entire time.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Was a really fun feeling, and the fact that we now.
Speaker 9 (31:52):
We get to play in front of our own crowd
in the wild Card series is extremely fun.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
Tanner, enjoy the games next week and we will see
you against the Tigers. Thank you appreciate it. That is
Tanner Biby, Guardians starting pitcher who really was coming on
down the stretch, and look for him to have some
big games against Detroit. We are joined now by Guardian's
general manager Mike Churnoff and turn you had you had
(32:16):
this predicted back in July, right, Yeah, I.
Speaker 10 (32:18):
Don't know who wouldn't absolutely, I mean yes, yes, you
know what.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
This group has been so resilient. It's been amazing.
Speaker 10 (32:24):
To watch him go through a lot of ups and
downs that We've had a lot of adversity that we fought,
and it's pretty amazing to watch that. They never they
never let go of the faith.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
Pretty impressive. You never really you do your your due diligence,
but you never really know for sure until he's in
the heat of battle. You hired a manager two years
ago and Steven Vote who was an unknown quantity. What
did he show you this year that kept this thing going?
Speaker 10 (32:48):
Yeah, I mean, look, we saw it last year, but
last year was very different. We got off to a
huge lead early on in the season. This year was
completely different and we had to fight through a lot more.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
This year. We had a tough first half.
Speaker 10 (32:58):
We had a tough you knowly with some of the
issues that we had, tough trade deadline obviously, and Steven
kept his focus on the right things.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
He kept this group motivated. Whatever happened.
Speaker 10 (33:09):
He was able to help the group shut that out
and focus what was on the field.
Speaker 2 (33:12):
Pretty impressive. Oh, thank you, Chris. That is quite cold
right now. The champage's never warm night.
Speaker 4 (33:18):
You know what, I'll take it. I love it.
Speaker 2 (33:19):
It feels so good. Hey, we talked about it recently.
September's for this team. I mean, this was ridiculous this
September winning seventeen of nineteen at one point. What makes
this organization lead to good September?
Speaker 10 (33:31):
Well, I think part of what we've seen over the
years is that this team never stops preparing. No matter
what the situation is, this team never stops preparing. That
is a huge credit to voter in the entire coaching staff.
It's a consistency every single day. You see it every
day for early work. Our guys are out there, They're
preparing for the game regardless of what the situation is,
and I think that helps propel us into September where
(33:52):
we're prepared.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
For a lot of things.
Speaker 10 (33:53):
So it was amazing to watch it this year. A
pretty unbelievable, remarkable job by these guys to.
Speaker 2 (33:59):
Pull this off. Mike, congratulations, thank you, Thanks Rosie. It's
Mike churn Off, freshly anointed with a serious champagne shower
and next online Guardians owner Paul Dolan and Paul, what
an incredible run for this team that they've had a
tremendous run of consistency reaching the postseason. But what about
(34:22):
this year from your seed. Did you see this happening
in July? I'm not sure how to answer that question.
In July, I'm not sure.
Speaker 11 (34:31):
I thought they would be covered in Champagne in September
here like that.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
I know we had a lot in us, whether.
Speaker 4 (34:36):
We had this much.
Speaker 2 (34:37):
I mean, this is the story.
Speaker 11 (34:38):
It has never been done in Major League Baseball history,
what this team has done. So we're extraordinarily proud of
them and looking forward to finding out what more than
got in them.
Speaker 2 (34:47):
You own the team, but you're a fan too. How
enjoyable has this team been to watch this whole stretch.
Speaker 11 (34:51):
It's been unbelievably enjoyable at that But I mean they
never ceased to amaze and surprise us. But but you
know it's in the me and you know they can
do it, and they just proved.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
It again today. And your baseball operations team. The consistency,
there's no windows here where there's a rebuild or anything
like that. How do they do it?
Speaker 11 (35:10):
I mean, I wish I knew what the secret sauce is.
Speaker 2 (35:14):
But yes, you're absolutely right.
Speaker 11 (35:16):
It's all about player development and how they work with people,
the culture, the culture that they've created here, the leadership skills,
that they show, they never give up, the constantly focus
on improvement. All those things lead to days.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
Like this really important question. Why are you the wettest
person in the room right off the bat? How did
that happen? No, no, the others you're on the wettest.
I don't know how you would be wetter than I
am right now. Well, you enjoy yourself, Paul Dolan, thanks
for coming by.
Speaker 7 (35:43):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (35:46):
Once again. History no team in baseball history had ever
wiped out a fifteen and a half game deficit to
win either a division crown or a pennant. And that
goes back a long long way. So great work by
the Guardians, a dramatic ending to the regular season. We'll
have one more look back at a great game of
twenty twenty five, their lone win in the postseason in
(36:09):
that tight, tense series with the Tigers that will come
your way next week. We'll have some final thoughts after
this on the Cleveland Clinic. Guardians Radio Networks.
Speaker 12 (36:26):
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Speaker 2 (37:08):
Welcome back. It's Guardian's Week, Lee Jim Rosenhaus back with
you for our final segment on this week's show, and
one note on the coaching staff for the Guardians this week.
In recent weeks, they have lost two coaches from the staff,
including associate manager and bench coach Craig Albertez off to
Baltimore to be the manager of the Orioles, and Kay Carrea,
(37:29):
the former field coordinator. He is now with the New
York Mets and taking his place is a man by
the name of Andy McKay. He'll be the Major League
field coordinator, spending the last ten seasons in the Seattle
Mariners organization. First serving as a director of player development
before transitioning into an assistant general manager's role back in
(37:50):
November of twenty twenty two. Very familiar with Steven Vote
from Voter's time with the Mariners as a coach, and
he should be a nice addition to that major league
coach coaching staff for twenty twenty six. That's going to
do it for this week's edition of Guardian's Weekly. Thanks
as always to Brian Mottsee for helping to put together
our show each and every week until next week. This
(38:11):
is Jim rosen House reminding you that you've been listening
to Guardians Weekly at Cleveland, Glennic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:22):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds of car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Ivery one and Welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House
along with you as we join you from Progressive Field
in downtown Cleveland. Good show lined up for you today
as we continue our hot stove shows. A lot of
news and notes to get to today and also some
award winners. We'll hear from Goldglove winner Stephen Kwan a
one on one interview with the Guardians four time now
(01:22):
Gold Glove left fielder. We'll hear from him shortly. We'll
also take a look back at one of the other
great games of the twenty twenty five season, the last
regular season game for the Guardians and what a Sunday
that was at Progressive Field as they completed the historic
comeback to clinch the American League's Central Division crown. That's
(01:44):
coming up in the second half of our show today,
but first I'll look at some of the award winners
in Major League Baseball this week. As you may well
know by now, Steven Vote once again named American League
Manager of the year, second consecutive season for him, and
how about that he will be honored this January in
(02:05):
New York along with the man who won it in
the National League a year ago, also a rookie manager
a year ago, the Milwaukee Brewers, Pat Murphy. So both
of those men doing the uncommon and that's winning Manager
of the Year awards in their first two seasons as
a major league manager. There have been other back to
back winners before, but never before in Cleveland baseball history.
(02:28):
So Voter joined some great names as a Manager of
the Year award winner, including the man he succeeded in
Terry Francona, now with the Reds. So some good stuff
there on the Manager of the Year award front American League,
Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, the slugger from the
Oakland Athletics in the National League, the Rookie of the
Year award going to Drake Baldwin, a fine young catcher
(02:51):
for the Atlanta Braves. And so a lot of awards
being listed this week, including Steven Kwan and we will
hear from the Cleveland Guardians Gold Glove Award winner one
wee come back after this on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians
Radio Network.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Join us on Tuesday, December second, as we celebrate the
very best in Cleveland Sports the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall
of Fame Class of twenty twenty five Induction Ceremonies presented
by Echohealth and Events Source, featuring Steve amojch Tianna Madison,
Wanda Ford, Jack Turbin, and Chris Fielman, who will join
(03:35):
the more than five hundred and fifty.
Speaker 4 (03:37):
Sports grades already enshrine.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Tickets and information available at Clevelandsports Hall dot com.
Speaker 5 (03:46):
Switching to Progressive is a game winning call, and that
reminds us of other game winning calls in the history
of sports. So it was the fourth quarter and went
down by five, sweat pouring down my face.
Speaker 6 (03:57):
Suddenly it hit me, if only I could rep part of.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
The towel around my forehead, and that's how I became
the first basketball player.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
It's to wear ahead band.
Speaker 5 (04:05):
Okay, not really a game winning call, but it was
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Speaker 7 (04:34):
Aaron Judge Lane's off the eighth six to two Cleveland
Rockets won the left center.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Stephen Quan dives. He made a ba candic catch.
Speaker 7 (04:43):
How the Gold Club at it again, robbing Aaron.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Judge of a aase hit.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Here's the two two swung on and that's Luke de
Shallow left charging in quad diving attempt.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Had he made the catch?
Speaker 2 (04:59):
A great humbling grabbed by Kwan, and the stellar Guardian's
defense continues to shine in this series.
Speaker 7 (05:08):
To one pitch, get high and beat to left, Kwan
is going back track wall, jumps and made that catch,
crashes into the wall, falls to the track and hangs on.
And that's why for three straight years Stephen Kwan has
been a Gold Glover in left field.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Kim Rosanal's back with you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland.
Thanks so much, as always for tuning in to Guardians Weekly.
We were joined earlier this week by Stephen Kwan, the
Guardians Gold Glove left fielder for a fourth consecutive season,
and he is the fourth player in Cleveland history now
to earn Gold Glove honors in four or more consecutive seasons.
(05:54):
Vic Power, Kenny Lofton and the great Omarvis skel did
it and in terms of starting a career with four
gold gloves in a row, Echiro Suzuki has done it
and most recently Nolan Arenato. So some great company and
those two went on to win it multiple multiple times
past four so some great company for Stephen Kwan And
(06:17):
again we had a chance to visit with him earlier
this week and he talked about what made this time
around his fourth so special to him and maybe different
than the others.
Speaker 6 (06:28):
Yeah, I feel like every one of the four years
it was kind of like a different theme that kind
of overtakes the defensive profile.
Speaker 8 (06:37):
I would say this one was definitely assisted with my arm, and.
Speaker 6 (06:42):
I got to admit I think a lot of it,
So I don't know. I had a lot of assists
this year, and a lot of them came from just
hitting my cutoff.
Speaker 8 (06:48):
Man and throwing it to Rokyo or Gabe.
Speaker 6 (06:52):
You know, they having their arm strengthen the infield and
having those plays at the play those really rack up.
So obviously there was a lot of balls off the
wall that able to keep, like some doubles of singles.
But I think the other one it was just like
getting the ball in quickly, getting into the relay man
relay man gets the throw in the home and then
Bo makes crazy catches at home. So this one definitely
(07:14):
felt like a team goal glove as opposed a lot
of other years.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
And you mentioned that, and is that the most important thing,
recognizing sometimes what your teammates are really good at in
terms of making you a better player decision wise especially, I.
Speaker 6 (07:30):
Think so, like I think another example of that was
my first year. We obviously had Miles in center goal
glove center fielder that year as well, and as I
was kind of learning left field again, he was you know,
I don't know if cheating to the left center, but
you know his range out there is second to none.
So that allowed me to kind of play close to
(07:51):
the line in left field, and that allowed me to
catch the balls that I wouldn't normally catch if I
was playing straight up. So again it changes you to
year with the personnel. But knowing that Miles was to
my left and all I had to do was basically
get something in or right. I think that covered my
bases with a lot of the tough catches.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Sometimes when you win these awards, that the fun part
is being mentioned in the same vein as some of
the great defenders in this case in major league history
and recent vintage. You're winning four straight in your first
four years in the major leagues, first time since Nolan
Aronado and each you row in terms of outfielders. So
when you see that and hear that, what goes through
(08:34):
your mind when you talk to defense.
Speaker 8 (08:36):
Yeah, I mean they're huge honors. Of course.
Speaker 6 (08:39):
I mean Nolan Aaranado, I mean one of the premier
defenders of third I mean, I don't even know how
many platinum gloves he has, but he had that for
a long time. And then obviously being in the same
sentence as each Row is always a real treat. I
think this is really cool, Like obviously we're starting this
little streak and left field, and he did his damage
in right field, so just being in the outfield talks
(08:59):
with him is really cool. But I think it's also
one of those things where I knikicking a place they
obviously have done it since such a high level of
high degree that you know, if I want to continue
this streak, I got a lot more work to do.
So I think that keeps me grounded, keeps me humble,
and keeps me hungry for the next one.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
A big key I think for you and all the
outfielders for the Guardians. Is JT. Maguire the outfield and
based running coach? What is he meant to not only
this season, but I know you guys go back a
little bit even before the major league time. For you,
what is he meant to your career, especially defensively.
Speaker 8 (09:33):
Yeah, he's been huge.
Speaker 6 (09:35):
I'm pretty hopefully don't get this wrong, but I'm pretty
sure when I got drafted that was his first year
in the organization as well. So twenty eighteen was both
our first years getting a feel for each other.
Speaker 8 (09:45):
Of course, the first year and then I mean right
off the bat.
Speaker 6 (09:48):
What I really admire about him is he has no
problem saying what he needs to say, being honest. And
he was also the first time that I had in
an outfield coach. I had a pseudo one in Oregon State,
but you know, they obviously had a lot more hats.
Speaker 8 (10:02):
They wore a lot more hats in other areas.
Speaker 6 (10:04):
But he had such an approach to outfield that I
had never seen before, and he backed his claims up
with examples.
Speaker 8 (10:12):
He had them ready.
Speaker 6 (10:14):
If we didn't like that, he would have another one ready.
Like he was just so prepared, and it was no
surprise to me that he eventually got the major league role.
And he hasn't changed that once he's come to the
big leagues. You know, it's can't get complacent. Even if
we had a tough day. It's like, Okay, maybe we
don't do the whole gauntlet, but maybe we do an
abbreviated version, but we got to go outside do something.
We got to you know, fields balls, hits balls off
(10:36):
the wall. It's not just show up and play. So
I really do admire that about JT. And like I said,
a lot of these it couldn't have been done without him.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
And you mentioned that pregame work, and I think a
lot of fans are aware of that by now that
that's a big key for you and others. How important
is that from that balance standpoint the long baseball season,
you don't want to do too much, but how do
you balance that where you you'll get the good work
in that helps you get into this position now where
we're talking about gold gloves.
Speaker 6 (11:05):
Yeah, I think the biggest difference is if you're doing
something just to do it, or you're doing something to
actually get something out of it. So I mean there's
been plenty of times in my career where it's been like, okay,
we have ground balls at three point thirty, like be there,
and then you're just going through the motions. Nobody wants
to do that. It's hot outside, you just lost, you
went over five. Those are the times where I don't
think it's productive. But JT his approach to that, it's like, hey,
(11:29):
like we've been we haven't been fielding balls very well
to our glove side, like our spins have been kind
of erratic, or you know, your throws when you feel
the ball to the right.
Speaker 8 (11:39):
Have been a little off. So let's work on that.
Speaker 6 (11:41):
Let's do this for five to seven minutes, and then
we go inside and then you know, go outside. The
VP like it very rarely feels like busy work. It
rarely feels like we're just doing it to check a box.
He keeps he keeps us on our toes, and he
never lets us be satisfied because truly, there's no perfect outfielders,
so we always have get better in those areas.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Stephen Kwan joining us a fourth consecutive Gold Glove this
past season, and you were part of a postseason team again,
that's that's three of the four years in the major
leagues for you. But I'm going to guess this making
the postseason this year was a little bit different. Explain
your thoughts when it was all said and done about
what this team did just to get to October baseball.
Speaker 8 (12:24):
Yeah, I mean it was special.
Speaker 6 (12:25):
I mean even even a month or moved from it,
it still is.
Speaker 8 (12:29):
It feels crazy what we did.
Speaker 6 (12:32):
Again, I think obviously with Voter getting manned the year
that that's basically where it all starts.
Speaker 8 (12:37):
You know, he never let us get two down. It
was always one day at a time, one day at
a time.
Speaker 6 (12:42):
Ketn't let him going. And you know, we're not pressing,
we're not trying to do too much. I think those
things over a season, you're going to get really good
results no matter what the personnel is. And it just
felt like there was those times where it's the baseball.
We know, it was always somebody different helping us win
the game, be the hero, even at the end of
(13:03):
the year with Acho John Rodriguez like helping us basically
seal that title. It has to be contributions from everybody.
I think that's the most fun baseball that we play.
And again, I think that's just that's the formula if
we're going to ever do anything special.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
You look back at July and that was the low
point in terms of games behind there was the administrative
leave for two of the better pitchers on the ball club,
and then the trade deadline was coming, all kinds of
stuff going on. Were there any points in time where
you thought, man, this is a lot and even though
you're you still have that belief from the manager's office.
(13:43):
Was it some real soul searching on your part two
and some others on that team to make sure you
kept that good mindset and outlook.
Speaker 8 (13:50):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 6 (13:51):
I think I'd be lying if I said it wasn't
like that. But I think that's the beauty of Cleveland
Baseball is that we have one we have a lot
of young guys who this is their first time and
you know, I think if maybe, if we had a
locker room full of salty veterans, then like, yeah, maybe
if we can get down. But like, you know, you
got the young guys who are playing their hearts out,
like even if it's a down part of the season,
(14:11):
like this is one of their first times being in
the big league, So their energy and their.
Speaker 8 (14:16):
Their passion towards the game.
Speaker 6 (14:17):
I think was a component of helping me stay up
and energetic. But on the flip side, I mean having
a locker next to Jose, I think you can't get
complacent or you can't get to down when you see
him busting his butt every day.
Speaker 8 (14:32):
We always look to him as a leader.
Speaker 6 (14:33):
And yeah, like during those bad times, I think everybody
kind of peaks their eyes towards Jose to see if
he's also down, and to him, it's just another day
and maybe internally he was feeling something, but he's getting
up to do his defense. He's pissed off when he
gets out. He when we win, he's celebrating like those
I mean, that's what keeps us pointing north. And without
(14:57):
those two components, I think that would really allow the
year to just crumble and be unsalvageable.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
Stephen kwant joining us and Steven you mentioned you still
looking back on last season a lot of fun. When
do you start to transition from from looking back getting
some rest to recharging and then starting to work and
prepare for the next season.
Speaker 6 (15:18):
Yeah, I feel like, I mean truly throughout the years,
it's been different. My first year, I think I took
too much time off my second year, I didn't take
enough time off, and then last year it felt like
kind of that sweet spot, but still could could do
some tweaking. I feel like a good point is kind
of after that World Series time is when you're not
seeing baseball on your social media feed, you're not seeing
(15:39):
it on TV. It's really just like, Okay, now it's
truly off season and things are quieting down. That feels
like to me, a little time after that.
Speaker 8 (15:47):
Is when I want to get going.
Speaker 6 (15:49):
Like I told you before this, you know, I was
working out like a week and a half once we
finished season, just to keep my body in shape. But
in terms of like baseball strategic prep, I would say
it's kind of around this time of the year where
it's like, Okay, let's figure out what we need to
work on, what we're playing towards, what sweaks we can make.
Speaker 8 (16:10):
Yeah, right around that November time, I think it's a
good time.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
And you always hear about players in the batting cages.
Position players, you can pretty much do what you want
wherever you are. But you mentioned too getting together with
with JT. Maguire, how much can you do to keep
that defensive game sharp, and then be ready to go
once you get to good Year for spring training.
Speaker 6 (16:29):
Yeah, like I said, JT, that's his best quality is
So I'll always tell you there's always something to work on.
And again I'm very thankful for that, because again, every year,
it'd be really easy to just be like, okay, like
just do what you did last year and you'll be fine.
And having that approach my first year into my second
year I think was really dangerous for me. So he'll
always have something like I already know he's are going
(16:50):
to say, like, yeah, our throws and like our arm
value was great, but you know there was there was
a lot of erratic throws that probably need to get
tied up, some first step breaks I'm sure will be
needed to be addressed. I didn't catch as many balls
I would aliked and converted those that I probably needed to.
And I'm sure there'll be a third thing that I
(17:11):
don't even have on the radar that he wants to
bring up or somebody one of the other coaches has.
So there's always something with every year, and it's something
to look forward to.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Well, I know fans look forward to seeing you in
left field and really raising the level of defensive play there.
Congratulations on a fourth Gold Club Stephen Kwan, thanks for
coming by.
Speaker 8 (17:31):
Yeah, thanks, Rosie, appreciate you having me.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Always great to visit with. Stephen Kwan. Guardians left fielder
thirteen outfield assists this season, leading all Major league outfielders
in that category, and as he mentioned, the teamwork was
there too in the outfield for the Guardians thirty five
outfield assists and that was also best in Major League Baseball.
So some good stuff there. Stay tuned when we come back.
(17:55):
We'll take a look back at one of the great
games of twenty twenty five, the last rak of a season,
game of the year with so much importance on it,
and we'll fill you in on what happened that day
at Progressive Field, both during the game and after the game.
Next on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network, Welcome back
(18:41):
to the Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse along with you from
Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, and once again we take
a look back at one of the great games of
twenty twenty five and this week's edition, it's the last
game of the regular season and it turned out to
be a huge game from a Division crown standpoint for
(19:01):
the Guardians and the Detroit Tigers. It may remember Detroit
had built up a fifteen and a half game advantage
over Cleveland after defeating the Guardians at Progressive Field in
an x R inning game on Sunday, July sixth, but
the Guardians ended the losing streak the next day in Houston,
played great baseball down the stretch, and the teams entered
(19:22):
play on that last Sunday of the season in a
virtual first place tie, but the Guardians they held the
tiebreaker because they won the season series over the Tigers.
The Tigers could still clinch the Central with a win
at Fenway Park in Boston and a Guardian's loss against
the Texas Rangers. Guardians clinched the division with a win
(19:43):
over Texas or a Tigers loss in Boston, And wouldn't
you know it, that's exactly what happened. The games all
began that day in Major League Baseball at three o'clock,
so no one would exactly know what was going on,
but the Guardians would get good news from Fenway Park
in the day, but that didn't stop the game from
being about as dramatic as it could be. The Guardians
(20:06):
jumped in front early, two men on in the first inning,
and Jonathan Rodriguez, the batter the.
Speaker 4 (20:10):
Payoff, swung a drill to right.
Speaker 7 (20:13):
There's that base hit that'll score Klawn Martinez rate behind him.
How about Jonathan Rodriguez second game in a row.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
He knocks in a pair in the first inning? Hello?
Speaker 7 (20:25):
What in it?
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Path?
Speaker 7 (20:27):
Took the pitch the other way and smoked the two
runs single to right in Cleveland.
Speaker 4 (20:34):
Now with a two.
Speaker 7 (20:35):
Nothing lead here an inning number one.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
But Texas answered, scoring two runs in the second inning
to tie the game, then two more in the third
to give them a four to two lead. Bo Naylor
drove in a run with a sack fly in the
bottom of the third inning that pulled the Guardians to
within one, but the Rangers pushed home a run in
the sixth, making it a five to three lead. So,
with the playoff spot locked up already, would the Guardians
(21:00):
go down quietly to end the regular season? No chance.
John Kenzie Noel certainly wasn't giving up. As he came
to the plate in the seventh, Noel.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
Sendsor drive deep bright center. Forget about it, go.
Speaker 7 (21:17):
John Kensey no Well, the Lesters won to deep Bright Center,
and Cleveland has him still a little bit closer, now
trailing at five to four. John Kenzie no Well got
a sinker, and boy did he stay on it and
drove it the other way to Write Center for his
(21:39):
sixth home run.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Meanwhile, in Boston, the Tigers, trying to keep their division
title hopes live, needing a win over the Red Sox
and the Guardians lost. That game moved along a little
quicker than the one in Cleveland, and during the seventh inning,
Tom Hamilton had the announcement as that game went final
in Boston.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
This place, everybody's standing roaring. It's over. Buston has beaten Detroit.
Cleveland's won the division title. What a response from this
crowd of over thirty one thousand. You people are incredible.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
So the division crown was now secured, nothing at all
left to play for, But don't tell that to this team.
Leading off the eighth it was bow Naylor.
Speaker 4 (22:33):
The pitch swung on blasted deep field. This ball is
off the middle.
Speaker 7 (22:39):
Of the nineteenth football Nailor in with a double number
twenty one for bow Nailor.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Next up Cole man Zardo.
Speaker 7 (22:52):
Now the two to two delivery swing on ripped deep
bike field.
Speaker 4 (22:58):
It is off the base. Naylor on his way to
third and the.
Speaker 7 (23:04):
Second with the double is Manzardo. Naylor had to hold up.
That's why didn't score. Back to back doubles, and the
Guardians have runners at second and third.
Speaker 4 (23:19):
Nobody out.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
And then Brian Rochio got the job done.
Speaker 7 (23:24):
Now the payoff pitch swinging and ripped to right on
the run as McKinney makes the catch, tagging coming home,
Naylor pet first slide. Peace scores the tie run. Holding
at second was helping. Brian Rochio blistered that sacrifice fly
(23:46):
a line drive to the right fielder Billy McKinney.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Texas got out of the inn and giving up just
the one run and keeping the game tied at five.
Neither team was able to score in the ninth, so
he was onto extra innings on the season's final day.
Top of the tenth, the Rangers quickly had two men
reach base into the plate. Came there big Man, Rowdy
te Lees.
Speaker 7 (24:08):
Now the two to two swung on hid high in
the air to deep right field. Beck Is Valeria at
the wall. It is gone and tu Les has done
it again against Cleveland.
Speaker 4 (24:20):
He is unbelievable.
Speaker 7 (24:22):
When facing Cleveland, Rowdy tu les with a pinch hit,
three run home run, and Texas now has the lead
eight to five in the tenth.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
So again, every reason for the Guardians to call it
a day, get inside, celebrate winning the division, and get
ready for the postseason. But that's just not who this
Guardians team was in twenty twenty five, and Bo Naylor
got things started in the bottom of the tenth.
Speaker 7 (24:53):
The runner at second takes off first ball, swinging bow,
Naylor rips one up the lle and right center. That'll
score Vlaire Naylor on his way to second, sliding in
with an RBI double bone Nailer. He doubled in the eighth,
scored the tying run, jumped on the very first pitch
from Corneel here in the tenth, first second double in
(25:17):
this game. Two more rbies today, forty seven on the year,
and Cleveland now trails eight to six with nobody out.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Pete Halpin followed with a walk to put runners at
first and second, Nobody out, and with one swing, Brian
Rochio put a dramatic end to the regular season.
Speaker 7 (25:37):
Champagne awaits another celebration, and yet they're trying to finish
it with a win.
Speaker 4 (25:44):
The won two pitch swinging and plash it.
Speaker 6 (25:48):
Deep to right down the line off the pot.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Can you believe that.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
A free run, walk off home run off the foul
poland right Brian rokill circling the basis now getting mob
Think of any words you.
Speaker 7 (26:21):
Won, Improbable, implausible, impossible.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
They all work. A four run.
Speaker 7 (26:33):
Tenth inning highlighted by a walk off, game winning three
run home run off the foul poland right by Brian Rochio,
and the Cleveland Guardians ended in style, scoring four in
(26:54):
the bottom of the ninth to absolutely shut the Texas
Rangers nine eight, and Cleveland wins the division title. On
the field they finish a game I had a Detroit
to win their thirteenth American League Central Division title. And folks,
(27:22):
just when you think you say you know, I think
I've seen it all in the game of baseball, No,
you haven't. The most incredible month of September that this city,
or for that matter, Major League Baseball has ever witnessed.
And it's camped off with a four run tenth inning
(27:46):
on an Arbi double by Powe Naylor and a three
run home run off the foul poll and right by
Brian Rochio, and Cleveland.
Speaker 4 (27:59):
Is a winner.
Speaker 7 (28:01):
By a final score of nine to eight, and the
celebration continues outside the third base dugout. They did it
less than twenty four hours ago. But manager Stephen Votes said,
you know what, with what this club has overcome, the injuries,
(28:21):
the suspensions, fifteen and a half games out of first
in July, eleven games out of first on September fourth,
they deserve to celebrate every milestone.
Speaker 4 (28:37):
And this crowd.
Speaker 7 (28:40):
Has not left the ballpark on their feet, relishing every moment.
As Jose Ramirez has the flag saying American League Central
Division Champs, he walks it to the mouth, waving it
(29:08):
and now planting it halfway between home and third. Jose
Ramirez has proven he's a sixth tool player. Is there
anything this guy isn't up for? And the Guardians here
(29:28):
today finish it off with a nine to eight, ten
inning win. And again, this tenth inning pretty much encompasses
everything that we have witnessed here in the month of September,
(29:48):
as well as the entire twenty twenty five campaign.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
Wow, what a moment, what a day, what.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
A month, Just an incredible day at Progressive Field and
the emotions were high and the Guardian's clubhouse as they
celebrated an unlikely Central Division crown.
Speaker 7 (30:10):
Again, you get punched in the faith, and every time
we punch right back, we get up.
Speaker 2 (30:15):
And we fight division freaking chance voice plus and there
you have it. It is underway. These champagne corks are
(30:38):
flying all over the place. I'm not sure how, but
there's more people here today than there were last night,
and it is on as the champagne is flying and
the fun has begun. I think we're gonna lead off
with Tanner Biby Guardian's pitcher will be a big key
in the postseason, for sure. Tanner, you've been through a
(30:59):
couple of these now, this one, though, is historic. And
how aware is the team of the historical significance of
this division title based on how many games behind you
were at one point?
Speaker 9 (31:11):
I mean, it's one of a kind of this point,
I feel like that's the only way you can describe it.
I mean, it's been unbelievable this entire month of September
and we've just been playing some good baseball.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
Were you at all surprised what happened today?
Speaker 4 (31:22):
No?
Speaker 2 (31:22):
No, not.
Speaker 9 (31:23):
In the slides, get it through at Humber and it
was like, well, let's.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
Go fourth the ninth, It'll be okay. You've had a
couple of these. It's probably fun to compare because you
can having been through this before, what is this one
like that's different from the others.
Speaker 9 (31:37):
I feel like at this point last year, the odds were.
Speaker 4 (31:40):
In our favor.
Speaker 9 (31:41):
Obviously we kind of coasted to clinching this This necessarily
wasn't in our favor and we were kind of the
underdogs the entire time.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Was a really fun feeling, and the fact that we now.
Speaker 9 (31:52):
We get to play in front of our own crowd
in the wild Card series is extremely fun.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
Tanner, enjoy the games next week and we will see
you against the Tigers. Thank you appreciate it. That is
Tanner Biby, Guardians starting pitcher who really was coming on
down the stretch, and look for him to have some
big games against Detroit. We are joined now by Guardian's
general manager Mike Churnoff and turn you had you had
(32:16):
this predicted back in July, right, Yeah, I.
Speaker 10 (32:18):
Don't know who wouldn't absolutely, I mean yes, yes, you
know what.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
This group has been so resilient. It's been amazing.
Speaker 10 (32:24):
To watch him go through a lot of ups and
downs that We've had a lot of adversity that we fought,
and it's pretty amazing to watch that. They never they
never let go of the faith.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
Pretty impressive. You never really you do your your due diligence,
but you never really know for sure until he's in
the heat of battle. You hired a manager two years
ago and Steven Vote who was an unknown quantity. What
did he show you this year that kept this thing going?
Speaker 10 (32:48):
Yeah, I mean, look, we saw it last year, but
last year was very different. We got off to a
huge lead early on in the season. This year was
completely different and we had to fight through a lot more.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
This year. We had a tough first half.
Speaker 10 (32:58):
We had a tough you knowly with some of the
issues that we had, tough trade deadline obviously, and Steven
kept his focus on the right things.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
He kept this group motivated. Whatever happened.
Speaker 10 (33:09):
He was able to help the group shut that out
and focus what was on the field.
Speaker 2 (33:12):
Pretty impressive. Oh, thank you, Chris. That is quite cold
right now. The champage's never warm night.
Speaker 4 (33:18):
You know what, I'll take it. I love it.
Speaker 2 (33:19):
It feels so good. Hey, we talked about it recently.
September's for this team. I mean, this was ridiculous this
September winning seventeen of nineteen at one point. What makes
this organization lead to good September?
Speaker 10 (33:31):
Well, I think part of what we've seen over the
years is that this team never stops preparing. No matter
what the situation is, this team never stops preparing. That
is a huge credit to voter in the entire coaching staff.
It's a consistency every single day. You see it every
day for early work. Our guys are out there, They're
preparing for the game regardless of what the situation is,
and I think that helps propel us into September where
(33:52):
we're prepared.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
For a lot of things.
Speaker 10 (33:53):
So it was amazing to watch it this year. A
pretty unbelievable, remarkable job by these guys to.
Speaker 2 (33:59):
Pull this off. Mike, congratulations, thank you, Thanks Rosie. It's
Mike churn Off, freshly anointed with a serious champagne shower
and next online Guardians owner Paul Dolan and Paul, what
an incredible run for this team that they've had a
tremendous run of consistency reaching the postseason. But what about
(34:22):
this year from your seed. Did you see this happening
in July? I'm not sure how to answer that question.
In July, I'm not sure.
Speaker 11 (34:31):
I thought they would be covered in Champagne in September
here like that.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
I know we had a lot in us, whether.
Speaker 4 (34:36):
We had this much.
Speaker 2 (34:37):
I mean, this is the story.
Speaker 11 (34:38):
It has never been done in Major League Baseball history,
what this team has done. So we're extraordinarily proud of
them and looking forward to finding out what more than
got in them.
Speaker 2 (34:47):
You own the team, but you're a fan too. How
enjoyable has this team been to watch this whole stretch.
Speaker 11 (34:51):
It's been unbelievably enjoyable at that But I mean they
never ceased to amaze and surprise us. But but you
know it's in the me and you know they can
do it, and they just proved.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
It again today. And your baseball operations team. The consistency,
there's no windows here where there's a rebuild or anything
like that. How do they do it?
Speaker 11 (35:10):
I mean, I wish I knew what the secret sauce is.
Speaker 2 (35:14):
But yes, you're absolutely right.
Speaker 11 (35:16):
It's all about player development and how they work with people,
the culture, the culture that they've created here, the leadership skills,
that they show, they never give up, the constantly focus
on improvement. All those things lead to days.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
Like this really important question. Why are you the wettest
person in the room right off the bat? How did
that happen? No, no, the others you're on the wettest.
I don't know how you would be wetter than I
am right now. Well, you enjoy yourself, Paul Dolan, thanks
for coming by.
Speaker 7 (35:43):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (35:46):
Once again. History no team in baseball history had ever
wiped out a fifteen and a half game deficit to
win either a division crown or a pennant. And that
goes back a long long way. So great work by
the Guardians, a dramatic ending to the regular season. We'll
have one more look back at a great game of
twenty twenty five, their lone win in the postseason in
(36:09):
that tight, tense series with the Tigers that will come
your way next week. We'll have some final thoughts after
this on the Cleveland Clinic. Guardians Radio Networks.
Speaker 12 (36:26):
Progressive No Sports brings people together, like You've got to
feel bad for people who don't even get it. Some
people will never know what it's like to see their
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Speaker 6 (36:37):
Or not.
Speaker 12 (36:39):
I mean, sure, it's silly for your happiness to hinge
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Speaker 2 (37:08):
Welcome back. It's Guardian's Week, Lee Jim Rosenhaus back with
you for our final segment on this week's show, and
one note on the coaching staff for the Guardians this week.
In recent weeks, they have lost two coaches from the staff,
including associate manager and bench coach Craig Albertez off to
Baltimore to be the manager of the Orioles, and Kay Carrea,
(37:29):
the former field coordinator. He is now with the New
York Mets and taking his place is a man by
the name of Andy McKay. He'll be the Major League
field coordinator, spending the last ten seasons in the Seattle
Mariners organization. First serving as a director of player development
before transitioning into an assistant general manager's role back in
(37:50):
November of twenty twenty two. Very familiar with Steven Vote
from Voter's time with the Mariners as a coach, and
he should be a nice addition to that major league
coach coaching staff for twenty twenty six. That's going to
do it for this week's edition of Guardian's Weekly. Thanks
as always to Brian Mottsee for helping to put together
our show each and every week until next week. This
(38:11):
is Jim rosen House reminding you that you've been listening
to Guardians Weekly at Cleveland, Glennic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:22):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
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