CLEVELAND (AP) — José Ramírez never got to take a swing at history and a place in one of baseball's most exclusive clubs. In the end, 40-40 was just out of reach. Cleveland's All-Star third baseman finished one home run shy of becoming the seventh player to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in the same season, denied the chance when the Guardians' regular-season finale against the Houston Astros was canceled by rain on Sunday.
Ramírez, who had 41 steals, also ended with 39 doubles, leaving him one short of being just the second player with 40 homers, 40 doubles and 40 steals in a season — a feat only accomplished by Alfonso Soriano in 2006. While disappointed, Ramírez made a promise to Guardians first-year manager Stephen Vogt. “He was like, 'Hey, I'll do it next year,'” Vogt relayed.
“That's who he is. He wants to win. Unfortunately, he just didn’t get one last opportunity.
” The teams waited more than three hours before Major League Baseball finally allowed the game to be called. With the Astros needing to get home for a Monday workout ahead of Tuesday's wild-card series opener against Detroit, there was no reason to drag the delay out any longer. Sadly, the rainout ruined a chance for Cleveland fans to possibly see Ramírez give them yet another thrill — something he's been doing routinely throughout his career.
On Saturday, Ramírez belted home run No. 39 in the first inning off Justin Verlander and hit double No. 39 in the eighth inning, capping a.
