Guardians' Ramirez Breaks Franchise Games Played Record

Cleveland's star third baseman reaches milestone in loss to Royals

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:22am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game or match, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the Guardians' team colors of navy blue, red, and white, conveying the energy and intensity of the sport.Ramirez's milestone game highlights his enduring legacy as the heart of the Guardians franchise.Kansas City Today

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez played in his 1,620th career game on Monday, breaking the franchise record previously held by Terry Turner since 1918. Ramirez, a seven-time All-Star, has spent his entire 14-year MLB career with the Guardians and is focused on making the Hall of Fame and winning a World Series title with the team.

Why it matters

Ramirez has been the face of the Guardians franchise for nearly a decade, and his longevity and consistent production have made him one of the most respected players in the game. Breaking the franchise games played record is a significant milestone that cements his legacy in Cleveland.

The details

Despite the Guardians' 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Monday, Ramirez went 0-for-2 with two walks in the game. The 33-year-old Dominican was presented with the dirt-stained third base he played on as a memento of the occasion. Ramirez said he wants to keep the base in a special spot in his house, as he has two main goals left in his career: making the Hall of Fame and winning a World Series with the Guardians.

  • Ramirez played in his 1,620th career game on Monday, April 7, 2026.
  • Ramirez made his MLB debut on September 1, 2013, but didn't become a regular until late in the 2015 season.

The players

Jose Ramirez

A seven-time All-Star third baseman who has spent his entire 14-year MLB career with the Cleveland Guardians. He now holds the franchise record for most games played.

Terry Turner

The previous holder of the Guardians franchise record for most games played, with 1,619 games from 1910 to 1918.

Gavin Williams

The Guardians' right-handed starting pitcher, who will take the mound on Tuesday against the Royals.

Noah Cameron

The Royals' left-handed starting pitcher, who will face the Guardians on Tuesday.

Stephen Vogt

The Guardians' manager, who praised Ramirez's loyalty and consistency with the franchise.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very proud of that accomplishment, so I want to keep it in a special spot in my house. It was very exciting to be recognized for it.”

— Jose Ramirez

“What makes Josey special is he has confidence in himself and believes he can help his team win every night. A lot of guys work hard, but Josey is very consistent with his approach and his routine.”

— Matt Quatraro, Royals Manager

“You always dream of playing your whole career for the team that drafts you, and Jose is living that out because he's that good and he wants to be here.”

— Stephen Vogt, Guardians Manager

What’s next

Ramirez will look to provide some offense on Tuesday to support Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams, who is coming off a strong outing against the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

The takeaway

Ramirez's record-breaking achievement and commitment to the Guardians franchise underscores his status as one of the game's elite players and a true icon in Cleveland sports history.