The Cleveland Guardians won a third straight AL Central title, returning to the postseason. The essay credits manager Stephen Vogt’s leadership and José Ramírez’s role as a team leader; a broken hamate bone contributed to Ramírez’s worst offensive season as a full-time player.
Vogt is the first manager in the club’s professional history, dating to 1901, to open his tenure with three consecutive postseason appearances, the writer says. The retrospective traces Cleveland’s winning culture to Terry Francona’s arrival in 2013.
The 2026 team relied on rookies Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana amid limited financial additions. The essay also highlights breakout seasons from Angel Martinez and Brayan Rocchio, and credits Ramírez’s daily leadership with helping younger players develop.
