The Cleveland Guardians are in an absolute battle with the Twins atop the American League Central standings, and the division title could very well come down to a single game. That’s the exact kind of scenario where you need gutsy plays to pay off.
For a moment, it seemed like Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez came through with just that against the Kansas City Royals.
Before the eventual 4-3 loss to the Royals in 10 innings, Ramirez gave the Guardians the lead with a straight steal of home with lefty Aroldis Chapman seemingly ignoring him at third base. Home plate umpire Jeremy Riggs initially called Ramirez out on the play, but replays would show that Ramirez got in there with easily the coolest slide of the MLB season. That body control was something else.
Jose Ramirez steals home in the 10th with one of the coolest slides you'll ever see pic.twitter.com/s046qvzuNs
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 29, 2023
WHAT A SLIDE BY JOSE RAMÍREZ TO STEAL HOME!! pic.twitter.com/aavn6C3Mj6
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) June 29, 2023
Just wow. Also, credit to the camera operator for a perfect shot of the slide. Ramirez was ruled safe after the review, which could have propelled the Guardians to a huge win. But Emmanuel Clase would allow two runs in the bottom half of the 10th, and the Royals won, 4-3.
Freddy's that guy.#HEYHEYHEYHEY // #WelcomeToTheCity pic.twitter.com/1vtLBJpNWt
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) June 29, 2023
Still, that slide was poetry in motion. It deservedly received all of the praise from MLB fans.