"I'm better than Barry Bonds" - Guardians star Jose Ramirez jokes about Giants legend comparison after bases-loaded walk
Cleveland Guardians superstar Jose Ramirez might be one of the most underrated players in the MLB, given his level of production compared to the national attention he receives. The five-time All-Star has been excellent yet again for the Guardians, posting a .263 batting average with 15 home runs, 52 RBIs and eight stolen bases.
While Jose Ramirez's elite skills on the field have made him a superstar, his confidence has certainly helped him on the mental side of the game as well. This side of his personality came to light this past weekend after the Guardians star drew a bases-loaded walk against the Los Angeles Angels, drawing comparisons with the great Barry Bonds.
"Jose Ramirez wasn't shy when Barry Bonds name came up in conversation" - @TalkinBaseball_
When asked about the base-loaded walk by MLB insider Paul Hoynes, Ramirez responded to the comparison:
"I'm better than Barry Bonds."
Hoynes shared the quote from Ramirez on the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, sharing his appreciation for Jose's confidence and baseball knowledge:
"What you got to love about him is that he knew it and the confidence there."
There's no denying the similar outcome between this weekend's bases-loaded walk of Ramirez against the Los Angeles Angels and Barry Bond's 1998 intentional bases-loaded walk against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The major difference was the fact that the Angels' walk was not as blatantly intentional as Bonds'.
"Barry Bonds is completely in awe that Buck Showalter decided to walk him intentionally with the bases loaded." - @nut_history
Jose Ramirez found himself at the forefront of one of the MLB's most viral moments last season
Although Ramirez has been getting attention for his comparison to Barry Bonds following the bases-loaded walk, his most viral moment came last season. During a matchup between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox, there was a questionable play at second base that led to fists being thrown.
On the said play, Jose Ramirez slid head-first into second base, and White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson stood over top of him well after the play ended. That led to a physical altercation between the two All-Stars, with Ramirez getting the last laugh, dropping Anderson with a punch.
"TIM ANDERSON VS JOSE RAMIREZ FIGHT NIGHT @StoolBaseball @barstoolchicago" - @barstoolsports
Although both players may want to put the fight behind them (particularly Anderson) it's a moment that with live on in MLB history. Thanks to the internet, this clip is one that will follow Ramirez into retirement.