José Ramírez Ranked High on Hall of Fame List
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Recently, MLB.com unveiled a list of the 40 active players most likely to make the Hall of Fame, with Guardians’ All-Star José Ramírez impressively placed at No. 11. However, reporters Joe Noga and Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com noted that Ramírez’s former teammate, Francisco Lindor, ranked slightly higher at No. 9.
Podcast Discussion on Rankings
The rankings ignited a lively debate on the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast regarding which of the former teammates merits the higher Hall of Fame position. Noga passionately argued for Ramírez, questioning MLB.com’s evaluation: “Lindor’s ranking raises my eyebrows. If I were ranking based on opinions rather than just WAR, I’d have Lindor one spot behind Ramírez. What has Lindor achieved in terms of accolades?”
Ramírez’s Achievements vs. Lindor’s
Noga emphasized Ramírez’s accomplishments in hardware and consistent performance, stating, “In my view, Ramírez deserves to be ahead of Lindor based on his number of MVP finishes and Silver Slugger awards.” While Lindor has established himself as a top shortstop with both Cleveland and now the Mets, Ramírez has maintained consistency for the Guardians, often without ample lineup support.
Different Career Paths
Paul Hoynes, a long-time Guardians reporter, acknowledged both players’ talents but pointed out the differing perceptions: “It’s fascinating, especially since they played together for several years. It seems like Lindor consistently received more attention than Ramírez, a trend that persists in these rankings.”
Loyalty Factor in the Debate
Career trajectories also play a role. Lindor entered the league as a celebrated first-round pick, whereas Ramírez was an underrated international signing who worked his way up to MVP-caliber status. Noga remarked, “The key difference is that Lindor pursued a lucrative contract while Ramírez opted for a team-friendly deal to remain in Cleveland.”
Both Players Deserve Hall of Fame Consideration
Regardless, both players are undoubtedly Hall of Fame candidates. With a 57.7 WAR according to MLB.com, Ramírez ranks above prominent stars such as Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. Hoynes summed up Ramírez’s impact: “He’s been incredibly consistent on a team that hasn’t consistently supported him, yet he continues to produce impressive numbers year after year.”
The Ongoing Debate
The discussion surrounding Ramírez versus Lindor could extend for years. However, those who witnessed their six seasons together in Cleveland may feel that Ramírez’s reliable performance and commitment to the team might give him a slight advantage in the quest for baseball immortality.
