Even among the most elite talents in Major League Baseball, few careers shine as brightly — and arguably as bittersweet — as José Ramírez’s. Over more than a decade with the Cleveland Guardians, he has established himself as one of the game’s most consistently dominant players, yet one elusive accolade always seems to slip through his grasp: the MVP Award.
Ramírez isn’t just good — he’s exceptional. He’s a seven‑time All‑Star and six‑time Silver Slugger, an elite offensive weapon whose combination of power and speed few third basemen have matched.
In 2025 alone, Ramirez slashed .283/.360/.503, belted 30 home runs, drove in 85 runs, and stole a career‑best 44 bases.
He also kept up elite consistency: since 2017, he’s logged six seasons with at least 5.5 wins above replacement (WAR) — second only to Aaron Judge in that span.
Even more impressive: Ramirez is the only primary third baseman in MLB history to accumulate at least 275 home runs and 275 steals.
MVP Snubs — Over and Over Again
Despite these staggering numbers, the MVP has always eluded him. In 2025, he finished third in the AL MVP voting — trailing Judge and Cal Raleigh.
That marked his sixth top‑five finish, and fourth top‑three finish — more top‑3 finishes than any player in history to never win the award.
His career “MVP share” (the percentage of total MVP votes he’s collected over his career) stands at 3.61 — the highest of any player to never win MVP.
Put plainly: Ramirez is the most‑voted‑for player in MVP history to still never collect the trophy.
For much of his career, Ramirez has competed in an American League loaded with once‑in‑a‑generation talents — names like Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and other superstars whose historic feats elevated them above even elite peers.
In years like 2018 (when Mookie Betts claimed the award) or 2022 (when Judge posted a 10.8 WAR season), even Ramirez’s excellence wasn’t enough to overcome such monstrous competition.
Additionally, award voting often favors narrative — a “breakout season,” a record‑setting performance, or a dramatic story — qualities that can eclipse steady brilliance over time.
Still, Ramirez’s body of work speaks volumes. Over his top‑five MVP seasons combined: 431 extra‑base hits, 1,733 total bases, 563 RBIs, 166 steals, a .906 OPS — numbers that rival or surpass many MVP winners.
For loyal Guardians fans — and for any baseball purist — Ramirez represents a rare blend: durability, consistency, elite production, and a team‑first mindset. He’s the kind of player who lifts a franchise over years, not just in flashes.
Perhaps someday the voters will catch up. If José Ramirez ever wins an MVP, it would rewrite the record books: most top‑five and top‑three finishes before a first win.Until then, he remains perhaps the greatest player to never win an MVP — a testament to greatness almost always overshadowed by greatness slightly bigger.
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