Cleveland’s Most Beloved Athlete. Any Guesses?

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Too small, no power -- at most a utility player.

José Ramirez was an unheralded 17-year-old from the Dominican Republic when he signed with the Guardians for $50,000.

Low expectations followed him when he arrived in 2013.

But José (it’s first name with him) is Cleveland’s most beloved athlete in a generation.

Check out our list of Cleveland’s most beloved athletes below in the 216 Rundown.

Not just because he powered the Guards’ dramatic three-win comeback over the White Sox in the ALDS – batting 5-12, with 5 runs scored, 7 RBI and 2 HRs.

(His game-winning homer in Game 5 was less than 9 inches off the ground and diving into the dirt. How many guys pull that off?)

José is the underdog that became a star yet never acted like one.

His grit defines Cleveland – like the classic t-shirt that came out two decades before he was born, when the city at its low point: “Cleveland You’ve Got to Be Tough.”

His career hit lows this year, thanks to a broken bone in his wrist that sapped his power.

Yet, he refused to sit down or be counted out. He kept grinding and hustling – and fans kept serenading...

“José, José, José.”

In Cleveland, championships are rare, heartbreak is common.

Even one of our own, LeBron, bailed twice.

José communicates publicly in Spanish – and yet love transcends language.  

He stayed here because Cleveland loves him and he loves it back.

Put the Champagne away. It’s on to Tampa.

The Guardians finished one of baseball’s most dramatic comebacks, as Jose Ramirez sparked the offense and the pitching staff struck out the White Sox 75 times -- the most in a 5-game series in MLB history.

But forget all of that.

At 8 tonight, Cleveland heads to Tampa for the best-of-seven ALCS series.

The Rays won the season series 5-1 and hold the edge in hitting and rest. But the Guards bullpen and ability to manufacture runs in tight games should keep things close.

What the underdog Guards must do to win:

Restaurateurs have lured suburbanites to Tremont for decades. Ross Valenti has done the opposite.

The owner of The Literary Tavern – a Tremont stalwart since 1990 – expanded his restaurant portfolio by bringing a taste of the South Side to Broadview Heights.

First came his Italian eatery D’Agnese’s, in 2009.

Then Cantine Bar and Bottle Shop, a winery-restaurant located next door – in 2013.

Today, LittleLit makes three.

“This used to be a Subway, so I was first thinking of just doing take-out and serving the Little Lit Burger,” says Valenti. “But the space was long and thin and I imagined a diner.”

Make that a “retro-futuristic diner,” a concept he hatched to compliment D’Agnese’s and Cantine.

Yes, it will serve the Literary’s popular smash-burgers and an expansive cocktail list that includes some of the Tremont spots offerings… but also signature takes on diner staples, starting with hot dogs.

“I start with a concept and do what I want to do – in this case a diner,” says Valenti. “But at the end of the day, it is about bringing the city to suburbs, even if it isn’t on purpose.”

What makes an athlete beloved?

Yes, there are stats and wins. But it’s also about loyalty, humility, grit – traits that tap into the psyche of an underdog city.

Jim Brown: Cleveland’s greatest athlete was a reminder of the Browns greatness. He stayed close to the team and community until his death in 2023.

LeBron James: The Kid from Akron made the Cavs a powerhouse, bailed twice and reestablished his legacy with the 2016 championship.

Bob Feller: His lifelong loyalty to the Indians/Guardians, wartime service, dominance on the mound and ties with the franchise until his death earned him a statue.

Jesse Owens: Cleveland born and bred. Four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Global icon. Hometown hero.

José Ramírez: He stayed because he loves Cleveland – and embodies all things Cleveland with his play.

Joe Thomas: The NFL Hall of Famer never missed a snap through years of losing – and he refused to demand a trade because he loved the city.

Bernie Kosar: Local kid who engineered his way to the Browns and has remained “one of us” even now.

Nick Chubb: Embodied the city’s hard-working attitude and retired as a Brown.

Donovan Mitchell: Stellar on the court, full of humility and a cheerleader for the city.

Others who played tough and stayed close: Otto Graham, Larry Doby, Omar Vizquel, Rocky Colavito, World B. Free, Josh Cribbs and Austin Carr.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Four bedrooms, three baths, a two-car garage and a castle worth of history could be yours for a low, low price of $675,000.

The Romanesque Revival-style castle-like hulk on East 75^th was built in 1894 by Charles Schweinfurth.

The renowned architect built the Bratenahl mansion for Samuel Mather II that is now the Shoreby Club.

He also designed the remodel of the Old Stone Church, Calvary Presbyterian and Trinity Cathedral.

If the iron and woodwork doesn’t grab you, the Tudor-Arch oak front door will.

Egads, it’s a fortress. Here’s the listing.

Samuel Mather’s 20,000-square-foot “Shoreby” mansion at 12023 Lake Shore was built in 1890 and designed by famed architect Charles Schweinfurth. It is now the Shoreby Club.

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Home vs. Ravens, 1 PM October 18 (Sunday)

Away vs. Magic, 7 PM October 13 (Tuesday)

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