Best Guardians Moments of 2024

Let’s look back real quick, shall we?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot? Not when it comes to the 2024 Cleveland Guardians season if I have anything to say about it.

January 25, 2024

Guardians Shortstop Brayan Rocchio, after a solid season in the Venezuelan Winter League sends out an epic tweet for the ages:

“Faith, Balls and Patience,” folks. That’s what you need to enjoy a baseball season like the one ahead of us.

February 18, 2024 - Stephen Vogt Manages His First Game

A huge part of what is to come in 2024 is the incredible job assembling a managerial staff by the Cleveland Front Office in Stephen Vogt and Carl Willis, Chris Valaika, Sandy Alomar, Kai Correa, Craig Albernaz and others. I look forward to Vogt, who was remarkable in handling lineups and bullpens and clubhouse ups and downs all season, getting even better in the years ahead, but there is no mistake: we got another great one in Vogter:

March 28, 2024 - Opening Day Shutout

The World Series is on, folks. Shane Bieber is back and he looks better than ever, allowing four hits, one walk and striking out 11 against the Athletics to open up the 2024 season in Oakland. Bieber’s stuff looked truly electric. Nothing can stop us now!

April 6th, 2024 - Guardians Learn Shane Bieber is Headed for Tommy John, beat Twins 6-4 to start season 7-2

In hindsight, this feels like a big win. The Guardians heard the morning of this game that their ace Bieber would not throw another pitch in 2024 and responded by winning their second game in a row against their rivals the Twins. David Fry hit a three-run home run during his insane 160 wRC+ April off of the Twins’ Joe Ryan and the Guardians’ pen held strong after getting only three innings from Carlos Carrasco. Although Carrasco’s performance in 2024 wasn’t great, it was still great to have him back on the team for one more run. This was the beginning of the Guardians starting the year 5-0 against Minnesota which felt big given that winning seven games now wins a season series vs. a division foe:

April 17th, 2024: Ben Lively Activated from the 15-Day Injured List

One of the best piece of analysis Covering the Corner produced in 2024 was Matt Dallas’s rundown of his mechanics and prescient discussion of how he could excel for the Guardians. Not many folks knew exactly what to expect from Lively, but it has become somewhat a cardinal rule for me to implicitly trust the Guardians when they acquire a pitcher. I recently had to apply this rule when I looked at Slade Cecconi’s pitching numbers. But, let Lively be a reminder to us to trust Carl Willis and company because Lively proceeded to put up a 3.03 ERA in his first 13 starts of 2024, anchoring a rotation reeling from the loss of Shane Bieber, injury troubles for Gavin Williams, and Triston McKenzie getting his powers stolen by the aliens from Space Jam. He displayed a tenacity and competitiveness that endeared him to Guardians fans from day one:

THE ENTIRE MONTH OF MAY, 2024 - Guardians go 19-9

David Fry had a 253 wRC+, Steven Kwan had a 250 wRC+, Jose Ramirez had a 193 wRC+, Triston McKenzie and Carlos Carrasco had ERA’s for the month around 3, and Emmanuel Clase, Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and Tim Herrin gave up only three runs in 38 innings. I’m honestly kinda surprised the Guardians lost nine games given these stats. But, wow, what a month for a team that had 38 wins entering June, and a four-game lead on the surprisingly hot Kansas City Royals and a six-game lead on the Twins. A particular highlight for me in May was Will Brennan’s game-winning home run off of Twins’ closer, Jhoan Duran on May 19th (my sister and my son’s birthday!):

June 26, 2024 - Jhonkensy Noel Makes His Major League Debut with a Home Run

The Guardians actually dropped this game after taking the first two games of a three-game series on the road against the Baltimore Orioles (who were 20 games over .500 entering the series). But, the team’s aggressive promotion of Noel followed their call-up of Daniel Schneemann, both of whom helped the team survive a down stretch in June with some slugging. But, Noel’s hitting would turn out to be key for the team, as he put up a 162 wRC+ from his debut through August 31st. Also, apparently, according to reports from the Athletic’s Zack Meisel, Matthew Boyd happened to be watching this game and so appreciated Cleveland’s reaction to the rookie’s home run that he decided he wanted to be a part of that kind of clubhouse in his return:

June 29, 2024 - Matthew Boyd Signs with the Guardians

I certainly had no idea how important this signing would be, but, again, I need to learn to just trust the Guardians when it comes to acquiring pitching. Boyd had some encouraging numbers as a starter for Detroit before he injured his elbow and got Tommy John in 2023, but who knew what he might provide for a team in 2024? It turns out he must be an incredibly hard worker because he returned to the big leagues in early August and put up a 2.72 ERA in eight starts for the Guardians, and then proceeded to throw 11 and 2/3rds innings in the playoffs for them, giving up only one earned run. Great signing by the Guardians front office and, Mr. Boyd - now a Cub -, hope you attend one of our now tri-annual GuardsFests in years to come and do some alumni signings because I’d love to meet you and say thank you for this magical run.

July 16, 2024 - The Guardians Have Five All-Stars, Watch best closer in baseball, Emmanuel Clase, close out the game for the American League

Josh Naylor, David Fry, Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez all had incredible first halves for Cleveland, Emmanuel Clase was practically untouchable, so it was well-deserved for all five players to proudly represent the Guardians in the midsummer classic. Clase was predictably awesome in closing out the game:

July 29, 2024 - Guardians Acquire Lane Thomas from the Washington Nationals for IF Jose Tena and LHP Alex Clemmey

Thomas was often rumored as a potential trade target for the rebuilding Nationals, but given his heavy splits (better against LHP) and the fact the Guardians were hitting lefties well in 2024, I didn’t have him high on my list of potential Cleveland acquisitions. But, again, props for the Cleveland front office identifying an available, professional hitter who could play outfield. I also think JT Maguire, Guardians’ outfield coach, deserves credit for helping Thomas be in a good spot to play centerfield in Cleveland. Thomas had a very rough start in Cleveland, putting up a 30 wRC+ through August 31st. However, he then put up a 137 wRC+ in September and a 99 wRC+ in the postseason while performing his centerfield duties admirably. Because of a highlight later in this list, the Thomas trade was a rousing success, even if the Guardians eventually flip him this offseason. Personally, I’d prefer to see them slot him in as their centerfielder and even pursue a short-term extension. I’m on the Lane Train.

July 30, 2024 - Jose Ramirez Moves into Second Place on Cleveland’s All-Time Home Run Leaderboard

Cleveland beat the Tigers 5-0 to win the season series, and Jose Ramirez somehow hit three homers in this two-game series. It’s pretty incredible that among all the sluggers who have come through Cleveland, Jose is now top two with an outside chance to catch Thome if he can keep pulling fly balls for a bit. He’s truly a miracle of a player and we are so blessed to watch him on a daily basis.

August 30, 2024 - Emmanuel Clase Becomes the Franchise’s All-Time Saves Leader (He is 26 years old).

On this date, Clase overtook Cody Allen as Cleveland’s all-time saves leader. Just a reminder about Clase’s season: 0.61 ERA, 47 of 50 on save chances, and an ERA- of 15 (100 is average and the lower numbers are better). He had some unfortunate hiccups in the playoffs, but he was as close to automatic as it comes in the regular season and played a huge role in the team’s 2024 success.

August was the roughest month for the Guardians in 2024 as they went only 12-17. Thank goodness for Jhonkensy Noel’s 175 wRC+, Jose Ramirez’s 134 wRC+, and Josh Naylor managing a 113 wRC+. The Guardians were only 2.5 games up on the Royals and 3.5 up on the Twins entering September, and there was some weeping and gnashing of teeth among Guardians fans, including a memorable comment here that the Guardians “should just collapse and get it over with.” Ah, ye of little faith, b**ls and patience.

September 18, 2024 - Cade Smith Reaches 100 Strikeouts on the Year in 5-4 Win over Minnesota

Smith had a rookie season for the ages with a 1.91 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 74 innings. He followed that up with a 1.87 FIP in 10 innings of work in the playoffs. He was automatic as it could be after being the last player to make the roster out of Spring Training. Here’s hoping his arm bounces back well this offseason and we get to see him as the reliable fireman/high leverage guy in 2025 again.

September 19, 2024 - Guardians Clinch a Playoff Spot with a 3-2 Walkoff Win over the Twins off the Bat of Andres Gimenez

There are two things I will desperately miss about Andres Gimenez. One, watching his absolute defensive demigodness at second base. He is truly a magician. Two, how much he enjoyed trolling the Twins. His walkoff hit in this game was truly a delight to him and to the fans and he even was calling out Twins manager Rocco Baldelli afterwards. The Guardians did it, folks, against the odds and projections, they made the playoffs and clinching the Central was a formality at this point. In a year where three Central teams made the playoffs and four finished over .500, the Guardians proved that for the time being the path to winning this much maligned division runs through their neighborhood:

September 28, 2024 - Jose Ramirez Reaches 39 Homers, 40 Doubles and 41 Season

Only Alfonso Soriano had better numbers in those three categories in a season (twice) in MLB history. What a remarkable year for our hero and franchise player. He’ll be a sure-fire hall of famer with one more year even remotely similar to 2024!

October 10, 2024 - Game Four of the ALDS: Guardians Beat Tigers

After getting a game one win off a great Tanner Bibee start, the Guardians got shut out from the sixth inning of game two through game three and endured an Emmanuel Clase meltdown in the process. So, it was big for Lane Thomas to drive in the first run of the game in the first inning, as the scorching hot Steven Kwan scored. Jose Ramirez smacked a go-ahead solo shot off of Tyler Holton (one of the best relievers in baseball during 2024 in his own right) in the fifth inning, but the Tigers tied it in the bottom of the fifth and then blooped their way to a lead in the sixth. But, then, in the top of the 7th, David Fry hit a go-ahead, two-run home run (again scoring Kwan) off of a tough right-handed reliever.

Fry’s home run was the first time in MLB history that a pinch-hitter had hit a go-ahead home run in the 7th inning or late while in an elimination game. Fry was such a huge part of the Guardians’ season and I hope we don’t lose sight of that.

Fry also added another RBI with a SQUEEZE BUNT in the top of the 9th, which was important as Clase gave up one run in a five-out save. But, the Guardians staved off elimination and ended a long streak of losing win-or-go-home playoff games which we now, thankfully, no longer need to talk about. Shoutout to Cade Smith who was absolutely lights out in the postseason for Cleveland until he was finally run into the ground a bit in the ALCS.

October 12, 2024 - Game Five of the ALDS: Guardians Beat Tigers 7-3, Win ALDS Winner-Take-All

Facing eventual 2024 Cy Young Winner Tarik Skubal, who dominated the Guardians in game two of the ALDS, seemed like a bad matchup for Cleveland. Luckily, the Guardians could turn to Matthew Boyd who was again tremendous, so the game was only 1-0 Tigers entering the fifth inning, when the Guardians finally managed to get to Skubal who hit Jose Ramirez with the bases-loaded and one out. Now, it was, up to Lane Thomas to see if he could get something going. National broadcast Joe Davis in a perfectly timed moment noted that Thomas loves first pitches and wouldn’t you know he takes a first pitch sinker out of the park for a grand slam and Progressive Field is rocking. The rest is just details... the Guardians close this one out and are headed to the ALCS against the hated Yankees, all Central Division foes disposed of.

October 17, 2024 - Guardians Win a Magical Game Three from the Yankees on a Noel Game-Tier and a Fry Game-Winner, Interrupting a Disappointing ALCS Series Loss that Ends a Delightful Season

It is tough for me to remember the ALCS, overall, with fondness because the Guardians did not play particularly well, Stephen Vogt did not manage particularly well, and the Yankees didn’t play well enough for me to think they were particularly superior as a baseball team. But, I will always remember game three with immense pleasure and affection.

After this moment, and the coolest bat flip/trot I have ever seen, it seemed inevitable that the Guardians would find a way to win, and they did, off a David Fry walk-off home run.

The rest of the series didn’t go our way but, wow, what a year, what a season, Guardians fans. We can only hope that 2025 can somehow surpass the magic and wonder of 2024.

November 2nd, 2024 - MLB Releases Steven Kwan Highlight Video

Ok, guys, I don’t know exactly how to highlight how incredible Kwan was this season but he was sensational. So, on November 2nd, MLB released this amazing video that sums it up. I hope his back/hammy remain healthier in 2025 so that he can soar to even greater heights. Oh, also, extend him, you cowards:

December 6, 2024 - Shane Bieber Re-Signs with the Guardians

This offseason has seen some tough goodbyes - Eli Morgan, Andres Gimenez and Josh Naylor - but what a delight to get the opportunity to hopefully see Shane Bieber pitch in Cleveland again this summer. Sounds like he turned down a little extra money to return and it should give us a warm feeling to end the year to know he loves it here just like we love having him here.

Hope you enjoyed these highlights for each month of 2024. The Guardians have work to do to make 2025 even better for us fans, but I think they are up to the challenge. Happy New Year, Cleveland!