January 29, 2026 • 38 mins
Jose Ramirez and the Guardians agree on a contract extension to keep the superstar in Cleveland through 2032. We'll hear from Jose Ramirez, Guardians Owner Paul Dolan, and President Chris Antonetti. Plus, a look around the A.L. Central starting the Minnesota Twins. 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 on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House along
with you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, where it
is has been a beehive of activity this week, notably
on Thursday, it was announced officially after a week of
speculation and certainly concrete reports that Jose Ramirez has reached
(01:13):
an historic contract extension with the ball club, a new
seven year contract that will take him through the twenty
thirty two season, effectively putting him in a Cleveland uniform
for his career. And we will have coverage of the
press conference on Thursday. We'll also visit with general manager
Mike churn Off and get his thoughts on the challenges
(01:37):
of reaching a record breaking contract for the franchise. Also
later on in the show, part of that activity here
at the ballpark on Thursday, it was Truck Day, the
annual event where two eighteen wheel trucks end up packed
with baseball gear and leave the ballpark headed for spring
training in Goodyear, Arizona. So we'll talk to a couple
(01:58):
of a good young clubhouse at ten. It's about their
challenges on truck Day, and will also begin our look
around the American League's Central Division with a preview of
the Minnesota Twins coming up shortly in the second half
of our show. But when we come back, we'll check
in and listen to some of the highlights of the
press conference. And here from general manager Mike Chernoff. That's
next on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
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Speaker 2 (02:46):
Yeah, but how often does that happen?
Speaker 3 (02:48):
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Speaker 2 (03:02):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back with you
at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. Where on Thursday it
became official. The Guardians announced a new seven year contract
extension for Jose Ramirez, their all star third baseman and
sure to be Hall of Famer when his career is done.
That contract will take him through the twenty thirty two season.
(03:27):
Just a quick rundown of his accomplishments since joining this
ball club and making his debut back in twenty thirteen.
During his time at the major league level, the Guardians
have won six American League Central Division titles. They've been
to the World Series back in twenty sixteen against the Cubs.
There's been another American League Championship Series appearance in twenty
(03:48):
twenty four. He's earned a club record six Silver Slugger Awards.
He's been an All Star seven times, just one behind
Bob Feller for the most enfranchised history. And then there
are a slew of leader board rankings that surely by
the time this contract is done, he will be at
the top of the list, and a Hall of Fame
(04:10):
induction and a statue here at the ballpark you would
think would follow in short order, as well as his
number retired. So many big things ahead for Ramirez, who
has already had an outstanding career, and by the time
that twenty thirty two season is complete, he would be
thirty nine years of age, and you would certainly think
that would take him to the end of what has
(04:33):
been a wonderful, wonderful career. He was on hand on
Thursday along with translator and Major League coach Augustine Rivero,
also President of Baseball Operations Chris Antinetti, and owner of
the Guardians, Paul Dolan. They were at the Dais for
the press conference, and here's the order it will go. Chris,
then Paul, and then Jose and AUGI talking about the
(04:56):
historic contract extension.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
Everybody, It's an exciting day for Jose, for our team,
for the organization, for our city, and for our fans.
We are thrilled to announce a contract extension for Jose
Ramirez through the two thousand and thirty two season. It's
almost hard to say with how that feels since a
twenty thirty two, but we are thrilled that we have
(05:22):
secured Jose's place in Cleveland.
Speaker 5 (05:25):
For the foreseeable future.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
It's funny when you reflect back. We sat at a
very similar event four years ago and Jose was really
clear about his priorities. He said he wanted to spend
his entire career in Cleveland. He wanted his jersey retired here,
he wanted to go to the Hall of Fame as
a Cleveland Guardian, and he wanted to win a World
Series here. Four years later, we've all had the benefit
(05:49):
of seeing Josey make incredible progress towards each of those goals,
and I have no doubt by the end of this
contract he will have achieved them. And he will. When
this tract is done and Jose's time here is complete,
he will have established himself not only as one of
the best baseball players of our generation, but an icon
(06:10):
in Cleveland's sport history. And so we are incredibly grateful
that today is here and we were able to make
this happen. And again, before turning it over, I do
want to thank a few people. As you've all seen,
this is a very, very complicated contract. It took lots
of different shapes and forms to get to this point,
and without the work of Rafa Nievis, Jose's agent and representative,
(06:34):
Mike Chernoff Matt Foreman, we would not have been able
to work through all of the different considerations to make
that happen. Also would like to thank our ownership, Paul
Dolan David Blitzer, who were very involved in these discussions.
Without their support and resources, this wouldn't happen. This is
the largest contract in our organization's history and it took
(06:54):
an incredible effort to make that happen. And then to Jose.
Jose made this a priority. He made it very clear
that he wanted to be a Cleveland Guardian for life,
and he pushed to make this happen. And without that desire,
we would not be sitting here today. And then lastly,
I do want to thank our fans and our community.
(07:16):
You'll probably hear Jose touch on this, but this is
home for him and this was a really big part
of the consideration for him. From the time Hosey stepped
into the major leagues, our fans, our community has embraced
him with open arms, and that was a really big
part of Hosey's decision. So again, thank you to all
(07:37):
of those groups. And with that, I'll turn it over
to Paul.
Speaker 6 (07:41):
Thank you, christ and good morning everyone. I'm really privileged
to be here today both as Cleveland Guardian's owner and
as a lifelong Cleveland sports fan. But you ever had,
I'm wearing this is a great day for the team,
for the franchise, and for the community. During Jose's time
(08:01):
with us, We've enjoyed one of the most productive periods
in our franchise history, winning at an extraordinary rate for us,
and certainly much of that is due to Jose's presence
on the team. He's been the heart and soul of
this franchise for over a decade, and with that, he
(08:23):
has garnered the love of this community in a unique
way as a Cleveland athlete, not just the winning, but
the production that he's provided. His name is sprinkled across
our franchise's career record lists, and I'm sure by the time,
whenever his time, when Cleveland has done.
Speaker 7 (08:45):
His name will be at the top of all those lists.
Speaker 6 (08:48):
But Jose's appeal to this community is not just about
the numbers, the wins.
Speaker 7 (08:53):
And the offensive production. It's really about who he is.
Speaker 6 (08:56):
The way he plays the game, that strut that book
that says, you know, if you underestimate me, you do
so at your own peril.
Speaker 7 (09:05):
The gritty hustle, the.
Speaker 6 (09:07):
Passion are traits that I think we all like to
see in ourselves and project onto him as that is
who we are and that has sort of been the
roots of the love affair between the community and Jose.
And it goes beyond what he's done in the field too.
In the clubhouse, he's been a leader. I mean, we
(09:28):
are franchised that is heavily dependent upon young players and
their development at the major league level, and there is
no better way to do that than have a star
like Jose Ramirez show them how to play the game,
how to do it right. And our fans see that,
and they also see what he meant in the community itself.
(09:50):
All you have to do is go down to Tremont
and observe Jose Ramirez Field realize that a player in
the middle of his career made that kind of commitment
to our community. And that's what Jose has meant to
this community.
Speaker 7 (10:02):
For a long long time.
Speaker 6 (10:04):
And as Chris alluded, it's it's it's not a one
way thing either, you know, And the discussions I've had
with Jose the over this process, he made it very
clear that in a very important consideration for him, with
how the fans have treated him throughout his career, that
you know, while he has been largely a good player.
(10:25):
There have been times when he's been off, but he's
recognized that his fans have supported him good or bad
throughout his career, and he's been around long enough that
he's observed that that's not the case in every community.
So today we celebrate with both pride and gratefulness that
(10:45):
this young man from the Dominican Republic, this immensely talented
young man has made Cleveland his home and with today's
news were joyful that he is going to be staying
home for very long time.
Speaker 7 (11:01):
So thank you.
Speaker 8 (11:13):
Ra is super Content.
Speaker 7 (11:18):
Now that.
Speaker 8 (11:21):
Okay link, that's all the policy.
Speaker 9 (11:27):
Just first of all, you want to thank God and
the organization from office for for this effort that they made,
and especially for the community for what come in here
and and for me remaining REMAINI here. The ultimate goal
remains is saying, which is the War series. So for
me it's important to stay here. The commitment to continue
to compete and win a ward series, and that's everything.
I want to thank you guys today.
Speaker 10 (11:53):
One of.
Speaker 8 (11:58):
The will the join my familiar as super content.
Speaker 7 (12:04):
If a lad tam has young you'll say okay.
Speaker 8 (12:12):
Yo coohiroki anaki yes and talk.
Speaker 9 (12:22):
I think it was important for me to to highlight
that this is the going to sential that gave me
theportunity in professional baseball and always there's a lot of
discussions about, uh, the nature of this contry and why
this contra happened, But for me, it's important to be here.
This is where my family is, what I wanted to
be the most importantly, what I look forward to complete
my career. So in the same way all the team
has given that opportunity, I want to make sure that
I'm able to retribute that confidence that the team has
(12:44):
given me. And that's the reason why I decided to
complete my career here in Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
What the day it was in downtown Cleveland on Thursday,
and after the press conference, we had a chance to
catch up with general manager Mike Chernoff, who, along with
assistant general manager Matt Foreman and their group, they were
the ones who really did the heavy lifting on the
details of what would make the contract work. A situation
(13:09):
that you don't normally see coming, but Mike said, as usual,
it was driven by Jose Ramirez and his desire to
stay in Cleveland.
Speaker 5 (13:17):
Yeah, it's a unique situation because he still has three
years left on he would have had three years left
on his old deal, So usually you don't engage in
these types of conversations, but Jose's agent had approached us
and sort of started conversations maybe tease the conversation in
season last year, and then really approached us in full
this offseason early in the off season about Jose's interest
(13:40):
in doing this, and the interest was in both directions. Ownership,
both David Blitzer and Paul Dolan made it clear that
this is something that they wanted.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
To try to do if it was possible. But these
things take time.
Speaker 5 (13:52):
It's hard to figure out, you know, exactly what the
right contract is. And we spent a lot of time
with Rafa, Jose's agent, to figure out is there thing
that is mutually beneficial that we both feel good about.
And I'm so thankful and thrilled that we were able
to land on something that works for both groups.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
There are some unique aspects to it, but bottom line,
is it just the fact of how he feels about
the team and the city that helps it get done.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
Yeah, I mean, it's a it's a it's a shared commitments.
It was his desire to want to be here combined
with ownership's investment in him right, and and like you said,
there are unique aspects of the contract with Deferral, something
we haven't done a lot of, but that you're seeing
more and more in the industry, especially on these longer
term type deals. But in the end, it comes down
to what is Jose willing to do and what is
(14:39):
ownership willing to do? And how do we, you know, Chris,
Matt and I and Rafa his agent, figure out how
to make it work in that in that area in
between so that everyone feels great about it.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
I feel like sometimes in the game today, maybe sports
in general, a player may feel how Jose feels about
the team and the city, but they can't get to
that finished life because of outside noise. And we've heard
criticism from outside people say, oh, you know, what's he doing?
How do you guys battle through that and just stay
focused on what you need to do.
Speaker 5 (15:10):
I mean, it's a huge credit to Jose that from
day one of signing any contract with us, he has
made it clear he wants to retire as a guardian,
And when he had such a strong desire and gives
so much both on and off the field to us,
to our fans. It makes it easier to want to
figure out how we make it happen, and that's the challenge,
of course, in any contract negotiation. But Jose is the
(15:34):
unique and special type of player that you hope and
you know you work extra hard to figure out a
way to make it happen.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Mike, you look at what he's become. What's your first
memory of him? When did you first notice him? And
maybe him getting on your radar as someone who could
help this team at the major league level.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
Yeah, well, at the minor league level, there's a lot
of talk about Jose and he was such a great
hitter at the time. He really didn't show the same power,
but he was such a great hitter with such great
play to Discupplin, and my first memory of him up
here is when Tito joked that he thought he was
invisible on the bases.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
But when Jose.
Speaker 5 (16:07):
Came up, and you know, many players are so anxious
and the last thing they want to do is making
out on the bases, and so they take their first
lead off of first base at about a quarter of
an inch or something like that, and they're so stiff
and scared. Jose was off the base by I don't know,
thirty feet or something like that, and he truly ran
like he was invisible and you could just see the energy, enthusiasm,
(16:28):
confidence that he played with, which, as he talked about,
he faced adversity. It's not like it was all easy
and just success immediately, but he fought through that and
he's always shown that sort of passion for the game,
and it's not really reckless anymore, it's just confidence. But
it was really fun to watch at the time and
it's pretty cool to see what it's turned into.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
So fast forward to this summer, teams fifteen and a
half games out, How big a factor was he and
could they ever have gotten there without his presence in
that clubhouse?
Speaker 5 (17:00):
No chance we could have. I mean, Jose embodies that
sort of characteristic of never giving up right, and that
was one of the hardest things. We fought a lot
of adversity, whether it was the class and Ortiz thing,
whether it was the losing streak that we had. There
were a lot of things that we battled this year,
and most teams would have given up right when you're
(17:21):
fifteen and a half out, approaching the All Star deadline
or I'm sorry, the All Star break. It's hard to
rally behind that, but Jose doesn't ever lose faith, and
he was a huge part of the reason that our
team just put their heads down and kept chipping away
and somehow ended up, you know, with the best record
in baseball in September and a division win for us.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
I know, it's a great day for the organization. Congrats Mike,
thanks thanks so much.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
We're thrilled for jose ownership and of course the fans in.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
The city, hence general manager Mike Chernoff, and we appreciate
his time. After the press conference announcing the seven year
contract extension for third basement Jose Ramirez, we'll take a
time out and on the other side of the break,
we begin our look around the American League Central Division,
the rivals that Cleveland needs to finish ahead of to
(18:08):
win a third consecutive division crown. And we'll start with
the Minnesota Twins, and they're fine. Broadcaster Chris Addenbury, that
comes your way next on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
A white Nutler in Minneapolis, the pit swung on, socked
high in the air to right, but not deep. Noel
coming in man. How about Kate Smith, A nine Pitchenning
seven in the books, Kile man Zarno is lined out
to the warning trank in deep right center, single to
right walk Carland into the motion. Here it comes and
(19:07):
it swung on hit a ton.
Speaker 11 (19:09):
Deep right field Bowl Game, a walk off solo blast
to right Berkyle man Soto and the Guardians walk off
the Minnesota Twins two to one.
Speaker 12 (19:26):
The one to one pinch swung on a chapter the
first grand Bike Caphus runs to the bag bawlgame and
the sweep is complete. Back to back shutouts and the
Cleveland Guardians have now ripped off ten straight wins, their
first ten game winning streak in eight years. The last
(19:50):
time was when they won twenty two in a row
to set an American League record in twenty seventeen.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Welcome back, It's Guardian's Weekly and we begin our look
around the American League's Central Division as we get closer
to spring training. And why not with the weather frigid
cold here in Cleveland, we looked long and hard to
find a place that's colder, and we didn't have to
go far. Minneapolis and the Twin Cities, home of the
(20:23):
Minnesota Twins, and they're fine. Broadcaster Chris Attabury has joined
us for our annual visit this time of year, and Chris, welcome.
In the weekend gone by with that major storm going
through the northeast, how bad has it been in the
Twin Cities this winter in terms of below normal temperatures?
Speaker 13 (20:43):
You know, we got off a nice warm start and
then I was out in the Dakotas for Twins caravan
with Luke keyshawl and Alan Roadin with Glenn Perkins the
last couple of days and we went to a coffee
shop in Fargo and it was called twenty below Coffee
and I said, if the temperature matches, is it free?
And she said yes, looked at her phone and said,
(21:04):
but it's only negative eighteen, so you guys pay full price.
The city's really connected and united in so many ways,
and hopefully the Twins can unite them as well. We
had Twins Fest. We had fans standing out in the
cold lined up to get in, and a lot of
that is because Derek Shelton's a new manager and you
guys know him well in Cleveland. His wife is from Cleveland,
and we're really thrilled to have shelter and kick off
(21:27):
a kind of a new era here in Twins Baseball
and see if we can compete and with people are
telling me is the NFC south of baseball.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
Hey, you mentioned Derek Shelton and were you surprised there
was a change in the manager's office after last season.
Speaker 13 (21:43):
I was a little surprised because Derek and Rocco have
been so united. I think we all get how the
business works. There has to be a change, and that
wasn't the only one. I mean we changed which remember
the Pole that family was running our team. You know,
big brother Tom came over and took over for Joe.
So there were ample changes. But sometimes it's not Rocko's fault.
(22:05):
It just kind of things. You need a new voice,
you need to refresh, and you know, I came to
really have a great relationship with Rocky and Shelty are
really good friends. It's kind of a weird deal because
with the Twins, and this isn't the way it is
that other organizations, and in fact, Derek probably talked about this.
You fire guys and they stay around. You know the
last managers that got fired, Ron garden Hier and Paul Malider,
(22:28):
they're always at opening days, sitting in mine on plate.
So it's like, well, people stay around, He's stay in
the organization, and so I was a little surprised, I guess,
but not shocked something had to change. I think the
biggest thing is just stylistically, we have a young group
of guys we couldn't unlock. They stagnated. That's not Roco's fault,
(22:50):
but he's the manager and it's his staff, and sometimes
the message, even if it's the same message, needs to
come in a different way, and I think Chelte does that,
and in addition to Derek, I think the staff he
put together is maybe what I'm most excited about. I mean,
you know that in years past, like the Twins have
been one of those teams where if you played and
(23:11):
played well in the big leagues, they did not want
to hear your opinion. And now you know, with la
Troy Hawkins, great size more, we're gonna Ryan Presley in
camp with us, Mike lay Taylor. I think maybe we've
realized we need to level some of that out and
that while information is great, you know, a guy like
Mark Holberg never played, but he's a super interesting, brilliantly
(23:32):
smart guy, and he's gonna be our bench coach, But
you also sometimes players it's beyond just what you can
learn about data. They need the data set of experience
and they need to be able to say I'm feeling
this way, I'm going through this, I know what I'm
supposed to do, but this is happening, and a guy
like Grady or Hawk can can help with that. So
(23:53):
I think we are seeing a little return to the
middle a little bit on that organization. I think it's overdue.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Chris Adam, are you joining us radio voice for the
Minnesota Twins? Our Twins preview? And it's not that long
ago that when we did these, the Twins were expected
to contend and obviously a difficult season a year ago.
Talent wise, how far removed are they from days where
they were in contention later? And is there still enough
(24:20):
around behind Byron Buxton to get things done.
Speaker 13 (24:24):
I think our talent is there. It is can we
unlock it and take the next step because it's young talent.
The biggest addition is the subtraction of Carlos career, not
just the money, but just that he was a dominant
force in telling everybody else what to do all the time,
and sometimes his production he was spending more time to
giving speeches than driving in runs. And I think that
(24:47):
that's a culture change. I think young talented kids came
into the clubhouse and honestly were like they couldn't be themselves.
And I think we saw that. You saw us after
the trade. He saw us right after the trade. Good line.
Our guys played hard and fast and fun and honestly,
we didn't win a lot of those games because we
no longer had a bullpen that you hold those leads.
But we were a more competitive team in many ways
(25:10):
after the trade deadline. On the offensive side, we were
harder to play against. We were much less predictable. We've
been the most predictable team to pitch to in baseball
in the last five years. And that changed started running.
We started to hit and run it moving runners around. Guys.
We're picking each other up, playing for the next guy,
and not just worried about their next contract. And I
(25:30):
think that that's a big thing. So we've got Buck. Obviously,
everybody else is an unfinished product, and I think that
that's kind of what's exciting. Who Keyshell is just scratching
the surface. Matt Wallner needs to take a step. Ryan
Jeffers has another step. Royce is critical in this. We've
seen what he can be. He regressed in that environment
and he needs to be unlocked. Brooks Lee needs to
(25:52):
be unlocked to the next level. And you throw on
a veteran like Josh Bell to kind of keep things steady.
And I think we have some offense of talent that
we'll be able to win games in different ways. We're
not gonna slug our way like the Yankees. We're not
the Dodgers. We're not gonna be a team that is
you know, I'm gonna gonna have five guys hitting thirty
(26:12):
home runs, no chance. But I do think we have
a chance to play and for lack of a better word,
an annoying style of baseball to play against. I think
we'll be hard to play against. And I think that's
an asset for a team in many ways, and that's
aping kind of what Cleveland has done for years. Offensively,
I guess would say Buck is our Jose Ramirez, and
we're gonna fill in the pieces around him, and then
(26:33):
we're gonna lean really, really heavily on our pitching death.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
And of course what makes it go here in Cleveland
is is pitching, death and quality pitching. That has really
been the bell weather for this franchise. Not about start that.
Speaker 13 (26:46):
You guys do that we haven't done. You catch the
ball right, Like, defensively, Cleveland. If there's a plaything made,
Cleveland makes it. And I was hoping that would change
when him and Is left, but it didn't. And so
you say, you, guys, we were terrible defensively last year.
I mean we had great individual defensive players, fuck obviously,
but like we were not good defensively. That has to
(27:08):
tighten out.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
And you look at the start of your rotation and
with Joe, Ryan and Pablo Lopez, that's a real nice
place to start out. How about the rest of it?
And then what do you see from the rotation as
a whole.
Speaker 13 (27:19):
Well, Bailey was nicked up last year. He says he's
healthy and he looks good, and he's a big part
of that. You know, the Pablo and Joe are legit
front end guys, and Bailey's always been our stabilizer, you know,
the guy that every five days is six innings, three
runs and even everything out. And so I think having
him back healthy is going to be awesome. The bloodbath
(27:41):
at the trade deadline, and there's some misconception with our
fan base. They thought we were bad because we traded
ten guys, But really we traded ten guys because we
were bad, and six of those guys were free agency anyway.
But we lost undeniably big time controllable town in the
bullpen because you no longer get to the seventh inning
and look up and it's Barlin Jackson Duran. Those guys
were really, really, really really good. The gamble that Derek
(28:03):
family made was that it's easier to find new bullpen
guys if you think about it. Varlin Jacks were failed
starters and Duran was a minor league lottery ticket and
the trader at water Escobar. Then it is to find
quality starting death and so we got Tadj Bradley, we
got nick Abel. These are real dudes, I mean, and
they're real dudes that we add to our depth. That
(28:25):
include Simon was Richardson and he's got twenty kinds of
muscle on him this song as we can barely recognized him.
He's a guy who never had the great projections as
Vilo wasn't great, but he could throw some big games
for us. Zeby Matthews, dated Festa. So we've got those
guys and you need one about eight or ten of them,
as you guys learned last year in your rotation. So
(28:47):
I do think we have death. I think as I
gradually enabled our legit helping winning starters in our rotation
moving forward, and I think that's the gamble we major
bullpen guys for those guys those starting arms.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Is Addlebury joining us and Chris uh in closing just
the human side of Chris Adderbury. You mentioned being out
on on the Twins caravan, Uh going to places like Fargo.
Wead give us some other places and and and what's
going on out there some fun stuff.
Speaker 7 (29:17):
Uh.
Speaker 13 (29:18):
Well, for me, the most fun I had on the
human side was I went to Nashville to watch Montana
State win the FCS National Championship. And those are my
beloved Bobcats. I grew up in Montana and I worked
for the team leaders, and so that was fun. That
was almost like a family reunion. But we do cover
widespread here in Twin's territories, So we do a lot
(29:39):
of these events, and we're in towns that are big
and small, not just super balls and farger. We were
in Iowa and the Probes had to go to Iowa
this year, and we try to cast a wide net
because it really is the Minnesota Twins and more accurately,
the Minnesota South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin Iowa Twins. And
because of that, if we want to get those people
(30:01):
to commit their time and their money and their energy
to come see us, we need to and I always
believe this is the biggest and most important thing we do.
We need to commit our time and energy and money
to go see them. And I went out there with
Luke Keishall and Allen the Road and it turned out
to be a hilarious dude. Last year was brooks Lee
was out there and I was out there with Louis Bartland,
Toty Thunderberg. I've been on caravan so many times. It
(30:23):
was like Mike Redmond and Michael Kadia were the first
guys I went with, and they're long retired, and it's
always fun because the players and I've talked to them
after they are done playing, that's the stuff they remember.
They remember being on a bus for four days in
the outstate and the people they met and the fun
we had and the meals we had, and it's a
chance for the players to kick back, relax. They're not
(30:46):
thinking about tomorrow's starting pitcher, so they can tap into
guys that we had Glenn Perkins with us on this trip.
Luke Keishall didn't even realize he was wearing the same
jersey number the Perk Warren three All Star games. You know, like,
if I've been out with I wanted to. We counted
up five Hall of Famers mallitter Bli eleven. I've been
down with a Lava Mour. I think cod like that's
(31:08):
a great chance for your young players to connect with
your organization's history and just tap into the brilliance of
these other players. So it's my favorite thing to do
besides actually call games. And it was really really awkward.
We've werote it down. It's only two days now instead
of four or five. But I love it. I think
it's great and it was wonderful, And to me, it's
(31:30):
a start a baseball season really, when you're on caravan
freezing and then twins Fest. Next thing you know, you're
dropping your suitcase off for the truck. The next thing
you know, you're in.
Speaker 2 (31:38):
Florida and it won't be minus eighteen at the coffee
shop in Florida.
Speaker 7 (31:43):
I hope so.
Speaker 13 (31:44):
I hope they call it's ninety I hope it's ninety
degree coffee. Hey, Chris, we don't have the bludget your
cool Arizona spring training where you can all go to
Tom Hamilton's house for coffee every morning.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
Well, hey, there's some things that are benefits out there,
hidden benefits. Hey, Chris, thanks for stopping by. Always great
to talk to you, and we'll look forward to seeing
you when the when the season begins.
Speaker 13 (32:09):
Yeah, it's always my favorite series when we get to
see you guys. Every game is decided by one or
two runs, so we think we know that. And just
my message to two Guardians fans and they're great fans,
is I hope you understand how lucky you are to
have Handy and Rosie. They are delightful, and the love
that everyone around the league has for you guys, and
how you welcome us every time we're in Cleveland. I
(32:31):
hope everyone knows that how real it is, how authentic
it is, and how much.
Speaker 7 (32:36):
We like coming.
Speaker 2 (32:37):
I appreciate that checks in the mail.
Speaker 13 (32:39):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 2 (32:42):
I'll pass those good words along the Hammy who is
probably looking in on his ring doorbell, and he'll call
me right away to ask me to bring out the
proper SPF suntan lotion because he's had to use so much.
While we are shoveling snow here in northeast Ohio.
Speaker 13 (32:59):
Jeff to be a hall of fame, it sure is.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
I'll catch up with you soon. Thank you. That's Chris Addabury,
radio voice for the Minnesota Twins. Stay tuned more to
come after.
Speaker 3 (33:10):
This the post Crip Assembly press conference brought to you
by Progressive.
Speaker 12 (33:19):
Michael, you had some trouble putting the crip together today?
Speaker 13 (33:22):
What went wrong?
Speaker 5 (33:23):
You know those instructions can be tough, and well you
saw the outcome here.
Speaker 13 (33:27):
You sad when your wife pulled you and called in
the backup.
Speaker 5 (33:29):
No, I mean the baby needs a cred to sleep,
and so whatever it takes.
Speaker 13 (33:32):
You've got a changing table to put together. Next, it's
got a lot of drawers.
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What's your coming.
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We're done here, like it or not.
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Sometimes you need a backup. That's why there's Progressive to
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Speaker 2 (33:55):
Welcome back to Guardian's Weekly Jim Rosen House back with
you for our fire segment from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland,
which was a great spot on Thursday. Not only the
big announcement the contract extension through the twenty thirty two
season for All Star third Basement Jose Ramirez, effectively keeping
(34:16):
him in Cleveland for the remainder of what is sure
to be a Hall of Fame career, but it was
also the annual truck Day, which this year may have
more significance than in recent winters because it's been such
a harsh winter and that always means that spring is
right around the corner. Is the two big eighteen wheel
equipment trucks are packed and they will leave the ballpark
(34:38):
today and head west for Goodyear Arizona to help the
team get ready for spring training. We had a chance
to be on hand in the morning when things were
hot and heavy downstairs, and we caught up with Jack
Kelly and Sam Hines, two guys who have been working
in the home clubhouse for quite some time now, and
they filled us in on everything Truck Day twenty six
(35:01):
and normally we would would check in with head clubhouse
guy Tony A motto maybe Brandon Biller, who I think
is sort of a head clubhouse guy, but we elected
to go with the grinders, the meat and potatoes. Guys,
the guys getting it done on truck day, Sam Hines,
Jack Kelly, guys, how's it going so far today? At
a little bit after eight o'clock?
Speaker 10 (35:22):
A little chili we filled with some Dunkin Donuts, so
we're good. But the meat potato grinders, that's a stretch.
I love that compliment. It's early in the season for compliments.
But yeah, it's going good. We're a little luggage now.
We got golf clubs, we got bikes going so far,
so good, a lot of space.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
And Sam, first time with the new clubhouse set up.
How is it different from past years?
Speaker 14 (35:43):
Absolutely beautiful, I mean setup is it's been a lot smooth.
Last year we were working out of a construction zone,
so this year it's been smooth sailing and this is
our new year, so ready to go.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
Both of you have been at this for a while.
You see some goofy stuff, anything stand out this year
that just you kind of scratch your head wondering why
this is going a good year?
Speaker 10 (36:03):
Uh not? This year I feel like to be honest
with you, it's changed a lot. We've seen Tito's bikes
in the past, a lot of bubbleguing, a lot of seeds,
and obviously Tito's not here anymore, so we have to
worry about the scooter. But uh, I mean even like
medical wise, like we don't have to take the X
ray machine out because of this gratest lee we have
here in Cleveland. So honestly, it's been a lot less
crazy stuff this year, which is good and kind of bad.
Speaker 2 (36:25):
And Sam, you've been around long enough where there were
some weird years with COVID and there was a lockout
here and all that kind of stuff, and then the renovations.
Howd you get through it? And is it kind of
nice to be back to normal.
Speaker 14 (36:37):
It's amazing to be back to normal. I mean, this
last couple of years have been very, very different, but
to be back in the way things normally have been going,
it's been a lot smooth, a lot, a lot better
for sure.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Two big eighteen wheel trucks going from here to Arizona. Yes,
what could possibly be on these trucks? What's the the
general stuff that causes there to be so much of
a need for for two trucks, a.
Speaker 14 (37:00):
Lot of baseball equipment, all new Nike year that comes
in every year. I'm trying to think that's a lot
that makes.
Speaker 3 (37:06):
The train go.
Speaker 14 (37:06):
Truly, it's a moving circus, I call that. But it's
a lot of baseball equipment, a lot of water, a
lot of baseball, a lot of seeds, a lot of gum,
normal things that you don't think about behind the scenes
going down Arizona.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
Perfectly done. Thanks fellas, thank you, Rosie, appreciate it.
Speaker 10 (37:20):
See you and easy.
Speaker 2 (37:22):
Two good guys, Jack Kelly and Sam Hines working hard
on Thursday. And the truck did leave. The trucks, I
should say, did leave on schedule, and that means spring
training not too far away now. We'll be down there
for the first game on February to twenty first, so
not too long away. Three weeks from toedday. If you're
(37:42):
listening to this on the radio, on Saturday, we will
have a game broadcast Guardians and Reds from Goodyear, the
Cactus League opener with a three to zero five first
pitch Cleveland time and Hammy, we'll have that first pitch
call for you on the radio on the Cleveland Clinic.
Guardians radio Network. That's gonna do it for our show
this week. Thanks so much for tuning in. Thanks as
always to Brian Motse for his help in putting together
(38:05):
our shows each and every week. We'll catch up with
the next week for another edition of Guardians Weekly as
I'm Jim Rosenhouse on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
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 on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House along
with you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, where it
is has been a beehive of activity this week, notably
on Thursday, it was announced officially after a week of
speculation and certainly concrete reports that Jose Ramirez has reached
(01:13):
an historic contract extension with the ball club, a new
seven year contract that will take him through the twenty
thirty two season, effectively putting him in a Cleveland uniform
for his career. And we will have coverage of the
press conference on Thursday. We'll also visit with general manager
Mike churn Off and get his thoughts on the challenges
(01:37):
of reaching a record breaking contract for the franchise. Also
later on in the show, part of that activity here
at the ballpark on Thursday, it was Truck Day, the
annual event where two eighteen wheel trucks end up packed
with baseball gear and leave the ballpark headed for spring
training in Goodyear, Arizona. So we'll talk to a couple
(01:58):
of a good young clubhouse at ten. It's about their
challenges on truck Day, and will also begin our look
around the American League's Central Division with a preview of
the Minnesota Twins coming up shortly in the second half
of our show. But when we come back, we'll check
in and listen to some of the highlights of the
press conference. And here from general manager Mike Chernoff. That's
next on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
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is that trick place that actually works, prevent defense when
your team is winning by a lot, and even more
preventive prevent defense as they're hanging on by a thread.
And of course saving money when you bundle your home
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Yeah, but how often does that happen?
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Speaker 2 (03:02):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back with you
at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. Where on Thursday it
became official. The Guardians announced a new seven year contract
extension for Jose Ramirez, their all star third baseman and
sure to be Hall of Famer when his career is done.
That contract will take him through the twenty thirty two season.
(03:27):
Just a quick rundown of his accomplishments since joining this
ball club and making his debut back in twenty thirteen.
During his time at the major league level, the Guardians
have won six American League Central Division titles. They've been
to the World Series back in twenty sixteen against the Cubs.
There's been another American League Championship Series appearance in twenty
(03:48):
twenty four. He's earned a club record six Silver Slugger Awards.
He's been an All Star seven times, just one behind
Bob Feller for the most enfranchised history. And then there
are a slew of leader board rankings that surely by
the time this contract is done, he will be at
the top of the list, and a Hall of Fame
(04:10):
induction and a statue here at the ballpark you would
think would follow in short order, as well as his
number retired. So many big things ahead for Ramirez, who
has already had an outstanding career, and by the time
that twenty thirty two season is complete, he would be
thirty nine years of age, and you would certainly think
that would take him to the end of what has
(04:33):
been a wonderful, wonderful career. He was on hand on
Thursday along with translator and Major League coach Augustine Rivero,
also President of Baseball Operations Chris Antinetti, and owner of
the Guardians, Paul Dolan. They were at the Dais for
the press conference, and here's the order it will go. Chris,
then Paul, and then Jose and AUGI talking about the
(04:56):
historic contract extension.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
Everybody, It's an exciting day for Jose, for our team,
for the organization, for our city, and for our fans.
We are thrilled to announce a contract extension for Jose
Ramirez through the two thousand and thirty two season. It's
almost hard to say with how that feels since a
twenty thirty two, but we are thrilled that we have
(05:22):
secured Jose's place in Cleveland.
Speaker 5 (05:25):
For the foreseeable future.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
It's funny when you reflect back. We sat at a
very similar event four years ago and Jose was really
clear about his priorities. He said he wanted to spend
his entire career in Cleveland. He wanted his jersey retired here,
he wanted to go to the Hall of Fame as
a Cleveland Guardian, and he wanted to win a World
Series here. Four years later, we've all had the benefit
(05:49):
of seeing Josey make incredible progress towards each of those goals,
and I have no doubt by the end of this
contract he will have achieved them. And he will. When
this tract is done and Jose's time here is complete,
he will have established himself not only as one of
the best baseball players of our generation, but an icon
(06:10):
in Cleveland's sport history. And so we are incredibly grateful
that today is here and we were able to make
this happen. And again, before turning it over, I do
want to thank a few people. As you've all seen,
this is a very, very complicated contract. It took lots
of different shapes and forms to get to this point,
and without the work of Rafa Nievis, Jose's agent and representative,
(06:34):
Mike Chernoff Matt Foreman, we would not have been able
to work through all of the different considerations to make
that happen. Also would like to thank our ownership, Paul
Dolan David Blitzer, who were very involved in these discussions.
Without their support and resources, this wouldn't happen. This is
the largest contract in our organization's history and it took
(06:54):
an incredible effort to make that happen. And then to Jose.
Jose made this a priority. He made it very clear
that he wanted to be a Cleveland Guardian for life,
and he pushed to make this happen. And without that desire,
we would not be sitting here today. And then lastly,
I do want to thank our fans and our community.
(07:16):
You'll probably hear Jose touch on this, but this is
home for him and this was a really big part
of the consideration for him. From the time Hosey stepped
into the major leagues, our fans, our community has embraced
him with open arms, and that was a really big
part of Hosey's decision. So again, thank you to all
(07:37):
of those groups. And with that, I'll turn it over
to Paul.
Speaker 6 (07:41):
Thank you, christ and good morning everyone. I'm really privileged
to be here today both as Cleveland Guardian's owner and
as a lifelong Cleveland sports fan. But you ever had,
I'm wearing this is a great day for the team,
for the franchise, and for the community. During Jose's time
(08:01):
with us, We've enjoyed one of the most productive periods
in our franchise history, winning at an extraordinary rate for us,
and certainly much of that is due to Jose's presence
on the team. He's been the heart and soul of
this franchise for over a decade, and with that, he
(08:23):
has garnered the love of this community in a unique
way as a Cleveland athlete, not just the winning, but
the production that he's provided. His name is sprinkled across
our franchise's career record lists, and I'm sure by the time,
whenever his time, when Cleveland has done.
Speaker 7 (08:45):
His name will be at the top of all those lists.
Speaker 6 (08:48):
But Jose's appeal to this community is not just about
the numbers, the wins.
Speaker 7 (08:53):
And the offensive production. It's really about who he is.
Speaker 6 (08:56):
The way he plays the game, that strut that book
that says, you know, if you underestimate me, you do
so at your own peril.
Speaker 7 (09:05):
The gritty hustle, the.
Speaker 6 (09:07):
Passion are traits that I think we all like to
see in ourselves and project onto him as that is
who we are and that has sort of been the
roots of the love affair between the community and Jose.
And it goes beyond what he's done in the field too.
In the clubhouse, he's been a leader. I mean, we
(09:28):
are franchised that is heavily dependent upon young players and
their development at the major league level, and there is
no better way to do that than have a star
like Jose Ramirez show them how to play the game,
how to do it right. And our fans see that,
and they also see what he meant in the community itself.
(09:50):
All you have to do is go down to Tremont
and observe Jose Ramirez Field realize that a player in
the middle of his career made that kind of commitment
to our community. And that's what Jose has meant to
this community.
Speaker 7 (10:02):
For a long long time.
Speaker 6 (10:04):
And as Chris alluded, it's it's it's not a one
way thing either, you know, And the discussions I've had
with Jose the over this process, he made it very
clear that in a very important consideration for him, with
how the fans have treated him throughout his career, that
you know, while he has been largely a good player.
(10:25):
There have been times when he's been off, but he's
recognized that his fans have supported him good or bad
throughout his career, and he's been around long enough that
he's observed that that's not the case in every community.
So today we celebrate with both pride and gratefulness that
(10:45):
this young man from the Dominican Republic, this immensely talented
young man has made Cleveland his home and with today's
news were joyful that he is going to be staying
home for very long time.
Speaker 7 (11:01):
So thank you.
Speaker 8 (11:13):
Ra is super Content.
Speaker 7 (11:18):
Now that.
Speaker 8 (11:21):
Okay link, that's all the policy.
Speaker 9 (11:27):
Just first of all, you want to thank God and
the organization from office for for this effort that they made,
and especially for the community for what come in here
and and for me remaining REMAINI here. The ultimate goal
remains is saying, which is the War series. So for
me it's important to stay here. The commitment to continue
to compete and win a ward series, and that's everything.
I want to thank you guys today.
Speaker 10 (11:53):
One of.
Speaker 8 (11:58):
The will the join my familiar as super content.
Speaker 7 (12:04):
If a lad tam has young you'll say okay.
Speaker 8 (12:12):
Yo coohiroki anaki yes and talk.
Speaker 9 (12:22):
I think it was important for me to to highlight
that this is the going to sential that gave me
theportunity in professional baseball and always there's a lot of
discussions about, uh, the nature of this contry and why
this contra happened, But for me, it's important to be here.
This is where my family is, what I wanted to
be the most importantly, what I look forward to complete
my career. So in the same way all the team
has given that opportunity, I want to make sure that
I'm able to retribute that confidence that the team has
(12:44):
given me. And that's the reason why I decided to
complete my career here in Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
What the day it was in downtown Cleveland on Thursday,
and after the press conference, we had a chance to
catch up with general manager Mike Chernoff, who, along with
assistant general manager Matt Foreman and their group, they were
the ones who really did the heavy lifting on the
details of what would make the contract work. A situation
(13:09):
that you don't normally see coming, but Mike said, as usual,
it was driven by Jose Ramirez and his desire to
stay in Cleveland.
Speaker 5 (13:17):
Yeah, it's a unique situation because he still has three
years left on he would have had three years left
on his old deal, So usually you don't engage in
these types of conversations, but Jose's agent had approached us
and sort of started conversations maybe tease the conversation in
season last year, and then really approached us in full
this offseason early in the off season about Jose's interest
(13:40):
in doing this, and the interest was in both directions. Ownership,
both David Blitzer and Paul Dolan made it clear that
this is something that they wanted.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
To try to do if it was possible. But these
things take time.
Speaker 5 (13:52):
It's hard to figure out, you know, exactly what the
right contract is. And we spent a lot of time
with Rafa, Jose's agent, to figure out is there thing
that is mutually beneficial that we both feel good about.
And I'm so thankful and thrilled that we were able
to land on something that works for both groups.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
There are some unique aspects to it, but bottom line,
is it just the fact of how he feels about
the team and the city that helps it get done.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
Yeah, I mean, it's a it's a it's a shared commitments.
It was his desire to want to be here combined
with ownership's investment in him right, and and like you said,
there are unique aspects of the contract with Deferral, something
we haven't done a lot of, but that you're seeing
more and more in the industry, especially on these longer
term type deals. But in the end, it comes down
to what is Jose willing to do and what is
(14:39):
ownership willing to do? And how do we, you know, Chris,
Matt and I and Rafa his agent, figure out how
to make it work in that in that area in
between so that everyone feels great about it.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
I feel like sometimes in the game today, maybe sports
in general, a player may feel how Jose feels about
the team and the city, but they can't get to
that finished life because of outside noise. And we've heard
criticism from outside people say, oh, you know, what's he doing?
How do you guys battle through that and just stay
focused on what you need to do.
Speaker 5 (15:10):
I mean, it's a huge credit to Jose that from
day one of signing any contract with us, he has
made it clear he wants to retire as a guardian,
And when he had such a strong desire and gives
so much both on and off the field to us,
to our fans. It makes it easier to want to
figure out how we make it happen, and that's the challenge,
of course, in any contract negotiation. But Jose is the
(15:34):
unique and special type of player that you hope and
you know you work extra hard to figure out a
way to make it happen.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Mike, you look at what he's become. What's your first
memory of him? When did you first notice him? And
maybe him getting on your radar as someone who could
help this team at the major league level.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
Yeah, well, at the minor league level, there's a lot
of talk about Jose and he was such a great
hitter at the time. He really didn't show the same power,
but he was such a great hitter with such great
play to Discupplin, and my first memory of him up
here is when Tito joked that he thought he was
invisible on the bases.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
But when Jose.
Speaker 5 (16:07):
Came up, and you know, many players are so anxious
and the last thing they want to do is making
out on the bases, and so they take their first
lead off of first base at about a quarter of
an inch or something like that, and they're so stiff
and scared. Jose was off the base by I don't know,
thirty feet or something like that, and he truly ran
like he was invisible and you could just see the energy, enthusiasm,
(16:28):
confidence that he played with, which, as he talked about,
he faced adversity. It's not like it was all easy
and just success immediately, but he fought through that and
he's always shown that sort of passion for the game,
and it's not really reckless anymore, it's just confidence. But
it was really fun to watch at the time and
it's pretty cool to see what it's turned into.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
So fast forward to this summer, teams fifteen and a
half games out, How big a factor was he and
could they ever have gotten there without his presence in
that clubhouse?
Speaker 5 (17:00):
No chance we could have. I mean, Jose embodies that
sort of characteristic of never giving up right, and that
was one of the hardest things. We fought a lot
of adversity, whether it was the class and Ortiz thing,
whether it was the losing streak that we had. There
were a lot of things that we battled this year,
and most teams would have given up right when you're
(17:21):
fifteen and a half out, approaching the All Star deadline
or I'm sorry, the All Star break. It's hard to
rally behind that, but Jose doesn't ever lose faith, and
he was a huge part of the reason that our
team just put their heads down and kept chipping away
and somehow ended up, you know, with the best record
in baseball in September and a division win for us.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
I know, it's a great day for the organization. Congrats Mike,
thanks thanks so much.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
We're thrilled for jose ownership and of course the fans in.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
The city, hence general manager Mike Chernoff, and we appreciate
his time. After the press conference announcing the seven year
contract extension for third basement Jose Ramirez, we'll take a
time out and on the other side of the break,
we begin our look around the American League Central Division,
the rivals that Cleveland needs to finish ahead of to
(18:08):
win a third consecutive division crown. And we'll start with
the Minnesota Twins, and they're fine. Broadcaster Chris Addenbury, that
comes your way next on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
A white Nutler in Minneapolis, the pit swung on, socked
high in the air to right, but not deep. Noel
coming in man. How about Kate Smith, A nine Pitchenning
seven in the books, Kile man Zarno is lined out
to the warning trank in deep right center, single to
right walk Carland into the motion. Here it comes and
(19:07):
it swung on hit a ton.
Speaker 11 (19:09):
Deep right field Bowl Game, a walk off solo blast
to right Berkyle man Soto and the Guardians walk off
the Minnesota Twins two to one.
Speaker 12 (19:26):
The one to one pinch swung on a chapter the
first grand Bike Caphus runs to the bag bawlgame and
the sweep is complete. Back to back shutouts and the
Cleveland Guardians have now ripped off ten straight wins, their
first ten game winning streak in eight years. The last
(19:50):
time was when they won twenty two in a row
to set an American League record in twenty seventeen.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Welcome back, It's Guardian's Weekly and we begin our look
around the American League's Central Division as we get closer
to spring training. And why not with the weather frigid
cold here in Cleveland, we looked long and hard to
find a place that's colder, and we didn't have to
go far. Minneapolis and the Twin Cities, home of the
(20:23):
Minnesota Twins, and they're fine. Broadcaster Chris Attabury has joined
us for our annual visit this time of year, and Chris, welcome.
In the weekend gone by with that major storm going
through the northeast, how bad has it been in the
Twin Cities this winter in terms of below normal temperatures?
Speaker 13 (20:43):
You know, we got off a nice warm start and
then I was out in the Dakotas for Twins caravan
with Luke keyshawl and Alan Roadin with Glenn Perkins the
last couple of days and we went to a coffee
shop in Fargo and it was called twenty below Coffee
and I said, if the temperature matches, is it free?
And she said yes, looked at her phone and said,
(21:04):
but it's only negative eighteen, so you guys pay full price.
The city's really connected and united in so many ways,
and hopefully the Twins can unite them as well. We
had Twins Fest. We had fans standing out in the
cold lined up to get in, and a lot of
that is because Derek Shelton's a new manager and you
guys know him well in Cleveland. His wife is from Cleveland,
and we're really thrilled to have shelter and kick off
(21:27):
a kind of a new era here in Twins Baseball
and see if we can compete and with people are
telling me is the NFC south of baseball.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
Hey, you mentioned Derek Shelton and were you surprised there
was a change in the manager's office after last season.
Speaker 13 (21:43):
I was a little surprised because Derek and Rocco have
been so united. I think we all get how the
business works. There has to be a change, and that
wasn't the only one. I mean we changed which remember
the Pole that family was running our team. You know,
big brother Tom came over and took over for Joe.
So there were ample changes. But sometimes it's not Rocko's fault.
(22:05):
It just kind of things. You need a new voice,
you need to refresh, and you know, I came to
really have a great relationship with Rocky and Shelty are
really good friends. It's kind of a weird deal because
with the Twins, and this isn't the way it is
that other organizations, and in fact, Derek probably talked about this.
You fire guys and they stay around. You know the
last managers that got fired, Ron garden Hier and Paul Malider,
(22:28):
they're always at opening days, sitting in mine on plate.
So it's like, well, people stay around, He's stay in
the organization, and so I was a little surprised, I guess,
but not shocked something had to change. I think the
biggest thing is just stylistically, we have a young group
of guys we couldn't unlock. They stagnated. That's not Roco's fault,
(22:50):
but he's the manager and it's his staff, and sometimes
the message, even if it's the same message, needs to
come in a different way, and I think Chelte does that,
and in addition to Derek, I think the staff he
put together is maybe what I'm most excited about. I mean,
you know that in years past, like the Twins have
been one of those teams where if you played and
(23:11):
played well in the big leagues, they did not want
to hear your opinion. And now you know, with la
Troy Hawkins, great size more, we're gonna Ryan Presley in
camp with us, Mike lay Taylor. I think maybe we've
realized we need to level some of that out and
that while information is great, you know, a guy like
Mark Holberg never played, but he's a super interesting, brilliantly
(23:32):
smart guy, and he's gonna be our bench coach, But
you also sometimes players it's beyond just what you can
learn about data. They need the data set of experience
and they need to be able to say I'm feeling
this way, I'm going through this, I know what I'm
supposed to do, but this is happening, and a guy
like Grady or Hawk can can help with that. So
(23:53):
I think we are seeing a little return to the
middle a little bit on that organization. I think it's overdue.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Chris Adam, are you joining us radio voice for the
Minnesota Twins? Our Twins preview? And it's not that long
ago that when we did these, the Twins were expected
to contend and obviously a difficult season a year ago.
Talent wise, how far removed are they from days where
they were in contention later? And is there still enough
(24:20):
around behind Byron Buxton to get things done.
Speaker 13 (24:24):
I think our talent is there. It is can we
unlock it and take the next step because it's young talent.
The biggest addition is the subtraction of Carlos career, not
just the money, but just that he was a dominant
force in telling everybody else what to do all the time,
and sometimes his production he was spending more time to
giving speeches than driving in runs. And I think that
(24:47):
that's a culture change. I think young talented kids came
into the clubhouse and honestly were like they couldn't be themselves.
And I think we saw that. You saw us after
the trade. He saw us right after the trade. Good line.
Our guys played hard and fast and fun and honestly,
we didn't win a lot of those games because we
no longer had a bullpen that you hold those leads.
But we were a more competitive team in many ways
(25:10):
after the trade deadline. On the offensive side, we were
harder to play against. We were much less predictable. We've
been the most predictable team to pitch to in baseball
in the last five years. And that changed started running.
We started to hit and run it moving runners around. Guys.
We're picking each other up, playing for the next guy,
and not just worried about their next contract. And I
(25:30):
think that that's a big thing. So we've got Buck. Obviously,
everybody else is an unfinished product, and I think that
that's kind of what's exciting. Who Keyshell is just scratching
the surface. Matt Wallner needs to take a step. Ryan
Jeffers has another step. Royce is critical in this. We've
seen what he can be. He regressed in that environment
and he needs to be unlocked. Brooks Lee needs to
(25:52):
be unlocked to the next level. And you throw on
a veteran like Josh Bell to kind of keep things steady.
And I think we have some offense of talent that
we'll be able to win games in different ways. We're
not gonna slug our way like the Yankees. We're not
the Dodgers. We're not gonna be a team that is
you know, I'm gonna gonna have five guys hitting thirty
(26:12):
home runs, no chance. But I do think we have
a chance to play and for lack of a better word,
an annoying style of baseball to play against. I think
we'll be hard to play against. And I think that's
an asset for a team in many ways, and that's
aping kind of what Cleveland has done for years. Offensively,
I guess would say Buck is our Jose Ramirez, and
we're gonna fill in the pieces around him, and then
(26:33):
we're gonna lean really, really heavily on our pitching death.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
And of course what makes it go here in Cleveland
is is pitching, death and quality pitching. That has really
been the bell weather for this franchise. Not about start that.
Speaker 13 (26:46):
You guys do that we haven't done. You catch the
ball right, Like, defensively, Cleveland. If there's a plaything made,
Cleveland makes it. And I was hoping that would change
when him and Is left, but it didn't. And so
you say, you, guys, we were terrible defensively last year.
I mean we had great individual defensive players, fuck obviously,
but like we were not good defensively. That has to
(27:08):
tighten out.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
And you look at the start of your rotation and
with Joe, Ryan and Pablo Lopez, that's a real nice
place to start out. How about the rest of it?
And then what do you see from the rotation as
a whole.
Speaker 13 (27:19):
Well, Bailey was nicked up last year. He says he's
healthy and he looks good, and he's a big part
of that. You know, the Pablo and Joe are legit
front end guys, and Bailey's always been our stabilizer, you know,
the guy that every five days is six innings, three
runs and even everything out. And so I think having
him back healthy is going to be awesome. The bloodbath
(27:41):
at the trade deadline, and there's some misconception with our
fan base. They thought we were bad because we traded
ten guys, But really we traded ten guys because we
were bad, and six of those guys were free agency anyway.
But we lost undeniably big time controllable town in the
bullpen because you no longer get to the seventh inning
and look up and it's Barlin Jackson Duran. Those guys
were really, really, really really good. The gamble that Derek
(28:03):
family made was that it's easier to find new bullpen
guys if you think about it. Varlin Jacks were failed
starters and Duran was a minor league lottery ticket and
the trader at water Escobar. Then it is to find
quality starting death and so we got Tadj Bradley, we
got nick Abel. These are real dudes, I mean, and
they're real dudes that we add to our depth. That
(28:25):
include Simon was Richardson and he's got twenty kinds of
muscle on him this song as we can barely recognized him.
He's a guy who never had the great projections as
Vilo wasn't great, but he could throw some big games
for us. Zeby Matthews, dated Festa. So we've got those
guys and you need one about eight or ten of them,
as you guys learned last year in your rotation. So
(28:47):
I do think we have death. I think as I
gradually enabled our legit helping winning starters in our rotation
moving forward, and I think that's the gamble we major
bullpen guys for those guys those starting arms.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Is Addlebury joining us and Chris uh in closing just
the human side of Chris Adderbury. You mentioned being out
on on the Twins caravan, Uh going to places like Fargo.
Wead give us some other places and and and what's
going on out there some fun stuff.
Speaker 7 (29:17):
Uh.
Speaker 13 (29:18):
Well, for me, the most fun I had on the
human side was I went to Nashville to watch Montana
State win the FCS National Championship. And those are my
beloved Bobcats. I grew up in Montana and I worked
for the team leaders, and so that was fun. That
was almost like a family reunion. But we do cover
widespread here in Twin's territories, So we do a lot
(29:39):
of these events, and we're in towns that are big
and small, not just super balls and farger. We were
in Iowa and the Probes had to go to Iowa
this year, and we try to cast a wide net
because it really is the Minnesota Twins and more accurately,
the Minnesota South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin Iowa Twins. And
because of that, if we want to get those people
(30:01):
to commit their time and their money and their energy
to come see us, we need to and I always
believe this is the biggest and most important thing we do.
We need to commit our time and energy and money
to go see them. And I went out there with
Luke Keishall and Allen the Road and it turned out
to be a hilarious dude. Last year was brooks Lee
was out there and I was out there with Louis Bartland,
Toty Thunderberg. I've been on caravan so many times. It
(30:23):
was like Mike Redmond and Michael Kadia were the first
guys I went with, and they're long retired, and it's
always fun because the players and I've talked to them
after they are done playing, that's the stuff they remember.
They remember being on a bus for four days in
the outstate and the people they met and the fun
we had and the meals we had, and it's a
chance for the players to kick back, relax. They're not
(30:46):
thinking about tomorrow's starting pitcher, so they can tap into
guys that we had Glenn Perkins with us on this trip.
Luke Keishall didn't even realize he was wearing the same
jersey number the Perk Warren three All Star games. You know, like,
if I've been out with I wanted to. We counted
up five Hall of Famers mallitter Bli eleven. I've been
down with a Lava Mour. I think cod like that's
(31:08):
a great chance for your young players to connect with
your organization's history and just tap into the brilliance of
these other players. So it's my favorite thing to do
besides actually call games. And it was really really awkward.
We've werote it down. It's only two days now instead
of four or five. But I love it. I think
it's great and it was wonderful, And to me, it's
(31:30):
a start a baseball season really, when you're on caravan
freezing and then twins Fest. Next thing you know, you're
dropping your suitcase off for the truck. The next thing
you know, you're in.
Speaker 2 (31:38):
Florida and it won't be minus eighteen at the coffee
shop in Florida.
Speaker 7 (31:43):
I hope so.
Speaker 13 (31:44):
I hope they call it's ninety I hope it's ninety
degree coffee. Hey, Chris, we don't have the bludget your
cool Arizona spring training where you can all go to
Tom Hamilton's house for coffee every morning.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
Well, hey, there's some things that are benefits out there,
hidden benefits. Hey, Chris, thanks for stopping by. Always great
to talk to you, and we'll look forward to seeing
you when the when the season begins.
Speaker 13 (32:09):
Yeah, it's always my favorite series when we get to
see you guys. Every game is decided by one or
two runs, so we think we know that. And just
my message to two Guardians fans and they're great fans,
is I hope you understand how lucky you are to
have Handy and Rosie. They are delightful, and the love
that everyone around the league has for you guys, and
how you welcome us every time we're in Cleveland. I
(32:31):
hope everyone knows that how real it is, how authentic
it is, and how much.
Speaker 7 (32:36):
We like coming.
Speaker 2 (32:37):
I appreciate that checks in the mail.
Speaker 13 (32:39):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 2 (32:42):
I'll pass those good words along the Hammy who is
probably looking in on his ring doorbell, and he'll call
me right away to ask me to bring out the
proper SPF suntan lotion because he's had to use so much.
While we are shoveling snow here in northeast Ohio.
Speaker 13 (32:59):
Jeff to be a hall of fame, it sure is.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
I'll catch up with you soon. Thank you. That's Chris Addabury,
radio voice for the Minnesota Twins. Stay tuned more to
come after.
Speaker 3 (33:10):
This the post Crip Assembly press conference brought to you
by Progressive.
Speaker 12 (33:19):
Michael, you had some trouble putting the crip together today?
Speaker 13 (33:22):
What went wrong?
Speaker 5 (33:23):
You know those instructions can be tough, and well you
saw the outcome here.
Speaker 13 (33:27):
You sad when your wife pulled you and called in
the backup.
Speaker 5 (33:29):
No, I mean the baby needs a cred to sleep,
and so whatever it takes.
Speaker 13 (33:32):
You've got a changing table to put together. Next, it's
got a lot of drawers.
Speaker 1 (33:36):
What's your coming.
Speaker 7 (33:37):
We're done here, like it or not.
Speaker 3 (33:39):
Sometimes you need a backup. That's why there's Progressive to
protect your home in auto Progressive cash team terms, comping affiliates,
and other injuries not available in a tho States situations.
Speaker 2 (33:55):
Welcome back to Guardian's Weekly Jim Rosen House back with
you for our fire segment from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland,
which was a great spot on Thursday. Not only the
big announcement the contract extension through the twenty thirty two
season for All Star third Basement Jose Ramirez, effectively keeping
(34:16):
him in Cleveland for the remainder of what is sure
to be a Hall of Fame career, but it was
also the annual truck Day, which this year may have
more significance than in recent winters because it's been such
a harsh winter and that always means that spring is
right around the corner. Is the two big eighteen wheel
equipment trucks are packed and they will leave the ballpark
(34:38):
today and head west for Goodyear Arizona to help the
team get ready for spring training. We had a chance
to be on hand in the morning when things were
hot and heavy downstairs, and we caught up with Jack
Kelly and Sam Hines, two guys who have been working
in the home clubhouse for quite some time now, and
they filled us in on everything Truck Day twenty six
(35:01):
and normally we would would check in with head clubhouse
guy Tony A motto maybe Brandon Biller, who I think
is sort of a head clubhouse guy, but we elected
to go with the grinders, the meat and potatoes. Guys,
the guys getting it done on truck day, Sam Hines,
Jack Kelly, guys, how's it going so far today? At
a little bit after eight o'clock?
Speaker 10 (35:22):
A little chili we filled with some Dunkin Donuts, so
we're good. But the meat potato grinders, that's a stretch.
I love that compliment. It's early in the season for compliments.
But yeah, it's going good. We're a little luggage now.
We got golf clubs, we got bikes going so far,
so good, a lot of space.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
And Sam, first time with the new clubhouse set up.
How is it different from past years?
Speaker 14 (35:43):
Absolutely beautiful, I mean setup is it's been a lot smooth.
Last year we were working out of a construction zone,
so this year it's been smooth sailing and this is
our new year, so ready to go.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
Both of you have been at this for a while.
You see some goofy stuff, anything stand out this year
that just you kind of scratch your head wondering why
this is going a good year?
Speaker 10 (36:03):
Uh not? This year I feel like to be honest
with you, it's changed a lot. We've seen Tito's bikes
in the past, a lot of bubbleguing, a lot of seeds,
and obviously Tito's not here anymore, so we have to
worry about the scooter. But uh, I mean even like
medical wise, like we don't have to take the X
ray machine out because of this gratest lee we have
here in Cleveland. So honestly, it's been a lot less
crazy stuff this year, which is good and kind of bad.
Speaker 2 (36:25):
And Sam, you've been around long enough where there were
some weird years with COVID and there was a lockout
here and all that kind of stuff, and then the renovations.
Howd you get through it? And is it kind of
nice to be back to normal.
Speaker 14 (36:37):
It's amazing to be back to normal. I mean, this
last couple of years have been very, very different, but
to be back in the way things normally have been going,
it's been a lot smooth, a lot, a lot better
for sure.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Two big eighteen wheel trucks going from here to Arizona. Yes,
what could possibly be on these trucks? What's the the
general stuff that causes there to be so much of
a need for for two trucks, a.
Speaker 14 (37:00):
Lot of baseball equipment, all new Nike year that comes
in every year. I'm trying to think that's a lot
that makes.
Speaker 3 (37:06):
The train go.
Speaker 14 (37:06):
Truly, it's a moving circus, I call that. But it's
a lot of baseball equipment, a lot of water, a
lot of baseball, a lot of seeds, a lot of gum,
normal things that you don't think about behind the scenes
going down Arizona.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
Perfectly done. Thanks fellas, thank you, Rosie, appreciate it.
Speaker 10 (37:20):
See you and easy.
Speaker 2 (37:22):
Two good guys, Jack Kelly and Sam Hines working hard
on Thursday. And the truck did leave. The trucks, I
should say, did leave on schedule, and that means spring
training not too far away now. We'll be down there
for the first game on February to twenty first, so
not too long away. Three weeks from toedday. If you're
(37:42):
listening to this on the radio, on Saturday, we will
have a game broadcast Guardians and Reds from Goodyear, the
Cactus League opener with a three to zero five first
pitch Cleveland time and Hammy, we'll have that first pitch
call for you on the radio on the Cleveland Clinic.
Guardians radio Network. That's gonna do it for our show
this week. Thanks so much for tuning in. Thanks as
always to Brian Motse for his help in putting together
(38:05):
our shows each and every week. We'll catch up with
the next week for another edition of Guardians Weekly as
I'm Jim Rosenhouse on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
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