The third Dominican baseman could not enjoy the victory with his team of the Cleveland Indians, who lost 6-2 against the Toronto Blue Jays, but they reached an individual mark when they joined the distinguished club of 30 home runs and 30 bases you steal in the same season.
When Ramírez stole second base in the first episode of the game. The story was already on his side to become the thirty-ninth baseball player in the majors who was 30 and 30.
Ramirez joined Grady Sizemore (2008) and Joe Carter (1987) as the only Indians players to reach both brands in the same campaign.
Nobody could do it in the majors since Mike Trout with the Los Angeles Angels and Ryan Braun with the Milwaukee Brewers did it in the 2012 season.
Ramírez, in addition, is now the sixth player born in the Dominican Republic to achieve said milestone. They had done it before Sammy Sosa (twice), Raúl Mondesí (two), Vladimir Guerrero (two), Alfonso Soriano (four) and Hanley Ramírez (one).
“I feel very happy about that,” said Ramírez, assessing the new individual brand. “I feel just as proud of both (home runs and stolen bases).”
Ramírez added eight steals more than last year to join Tommy Harper, Howard Johnson and David Wright as the only defenders in the third set to get the mark.
It’s only the 61st time a player has reached 30-30 in the history of baseball.
“Not many have done that in history,” Puerto Rican shortstop Francisco Lindor said of his friend and teammate. “It’s a special number, he’s having a tremendous season and I’m very happy for him.”
After Sunday’s game, Ramirez has 37 home runs and 30 stolen bases, plus a .282 batting average, which has helped the Indians to be the leading leaders of the Central Division of the Americn League, where they have already secured the title and play the playoffs.
“It’s not just 30-30,” recalled Terry Francona, the Indians driver. “It’s all he can do, he can impact the game in many ways.”
The historic stolen base added another impressive milestone to the 25-year-old Ramirez’s candidacy for the JMV award when the regular competition finishes.
“He’s our third batter,” Francona reiterated. “Play good defense, run, he’s one of the best baseball players.”
Trout and Mookie Betts, both strong candidates for the MVP, are close to reaching 30-30.
After concluding the last day in professional baseball of the American League. Trout has 33 homers and 22 stolen bases, while Betts reached 29 home runs and 27 steals.
