Larger than life: What should a José Ramírez statue at Progressive Field look like?

From a diving slide with helmet flying to a mammoth monument that towers over fans, how do you immortalize the Guardians' superstar who defied all expectations?

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:07am

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With José Ramírez now locked in as a Guardian for life, the conversation has already shifted to his eventual immortalization outside Progressive Field. Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast hosts Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga offered dramatically different visions for how the franchise should honor its cornerstone third baseman.

Why it matters

Ramírez's appeal to the Cleveland community is not just about his numbers and production, but about who he is as a player - the 'strut' and 'look' that says 'if you underestimate me, you do so at your own peril.' Capturing that essence in a statue will be crucial to properly honoring the Guardians' superstar.

The details

Hoynes envisions a dynamic action pose that embodies Ramírez's all-out playing style, such as a statue of him diving head-first into second base with his helmet flying. Noga, however, sees an opportunity to make a bigger statement with a monument that symbolizes Ramírez's outsized impact despite his smaller stature - a statue three times his actual size.

  • Ramírez recently signed a contract extension to remain with the Guardians for the rest of his career.

The players

José Ramírez

The Guardians' star third baseman who has defied expectations and become a beloved figure in Cleveland.

Paul Hoynes

Co-host of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast who envisions a statue capturing Ramírez's all-out playing style.

Joe Noga

Co-host of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast who argues for a larger-than-life monument to symbolize Ramírez's outsized impact.

Paul Dolan

The Guardians' owner, whose quote about Ramírez's 'strut' and 'look' could serve as the perfect inscription for a statue.

Pete Rose

The Cincinnati Reds player whose sliding statue outside Great American Ball Park is cited as an example of an action-oriented baseball monument.

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What they’re saying

“I'd like to see him diving head first into second base with his helmet flying up in the air and dirt flying everywhere. That captures how he plays, and I'd love to see that.”

— Paul Hoynes, Co-host, Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast (cleveland.com)

“I would like to see a statue that's sort of larger than life. See Jose three times the size of Jose in real life... Just a huge statue of Jose Ramirez, I think would be appropriate because this is a guy who took every bit of being the little guy and turned it into his advantage.”

— Joe Noga, Co-host, Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast (cleveland.com)

“Jose's appeal to this community is not just about numbers, the wins and the offensive production. It's really about who he is. It's the strut, the look that says, 'If you underestimate me, you do so at your own peril.'”

— Paul Dolan (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.