Drenched in Champagne and beer, manager Stephen Vogt stood proudly in the clubhouse, holding up a fake jeweled championship belt like a victorious boxer. Cleveland is now set to compete for a real championship in October.
Guided by their 39-year-old rookie manager, who has made all the right decisions this season, and a strong bullpen, the Guardians secured one of the American League’s six playoff spots on Thursday with a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins — marking Cleveland’s 42nd comeback, the most in the majors.
This surprising season will include a chance in the playoffs. As one of baseball’s youngest teams, they have the opportunity to end decades of playoff disappointment for a franchise with the longest active World Series title drought.
“This is really special,” said Vogt, a former All-Star catcher who had no managing experience when he was hired by the Guardians last November. “The goal is to get in and then from here we keep pushing. You get in, you have a chance.”
The Guardians are the second team in the AL to qualify for the 2024 postseason, following the New York Yankees, who secured their spot on Wednesday and are returning to the playoffs after a year off — a long wait for their fans.
New York was expected to compete, while Cleveland was not seen as a contender.
However, in Vogt’s first season, after he was called from his farm in Washington where he was shoveling cow manure to take the job, the Guardians have become one of the most remarkable stories in baseball.
Coming off a 76-win season that ended with the retirement of beloved manager Terry Francona, there was a sense that the road to becoming a title contender would be a long one.
The Guardians have been leading the now-competitive AL Central since mid-April, and in a season without a clear favorite, they are heading into the playoffs with a chance to win their first title since 1948, when they were called the Indians.
During spring training in Arizona, Vogt wasn’t sure what kind of team he had. However, after a strong 7-2 start to the season with wins against Oakland, Seattle, and Minnesota, he believed his young team could become something special.
“I didn’t know what guys were capable of,” he said. “And until you see them play, you really don’t know. But if you come to spring training and you’re not expecting to win the World Series, don’t come.
“Right away on that first road trip, we saw something special that this team might be able to get it done. Now we’re in it. We have an opportunity.”
Cleveland doesn’t rely on big names or powerful hitters. Instead, they succeed with an aggressive style of play, known as “Guards ball.” This strategy focuses on patient at-bats, getting the opposing starter out early, taking extra bases, and solid defense.
Every player makes a contribution, and Vogt is proud of utilizing his entire roster.
Having one of the best bullpens in baseball helps too, led by All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase, who hasn’t blown a save since May and is in the running to be the first reliever to win the Cy Young Award in 32 years.
The Guardians show resilience.
Down by two runs in the 10th inning on Wednesday night, they rallied to score three runs and surprise the Twins. After the bullpen held Minnesota hitless for 5 2/3 innings on Thursday, they won again, improving their home record to 48-28.
“That’s us,” said Andrés Giménez, who brought in José Ramírez from second base in the 10th. “That’s the Cleveland Guardians.”
A recent comeback left Vogt emotional during his postgame press conference. “I love these guys,” he said. The players feel the same way.
Backup catcher Austin Hedges, who won a World Series with Texas last year, re-signed with Cleveland before this season. He believes Vogt has helped the Guardians grow closer and get the best out of them.
“One of the most special humans I’ve ever met,” Hedges said. “Not just as a manager, as a man. That guy, he’s a leader of men. We had one of the greatest managers in the history of baseball for a long time, and I loved Terry Francona with all my heart.
“This is probably the best year of managing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
In a few weeks, Vogt will lead the Guardians into a high-pressure month where every pitch and swing counts even more.
Hedges has experienced this before. After winning with the Rangers, he was released by the Guardians following the 2022 season, which ended with them losing a 2-1 lead in the Division Series against the Yankees.
He returned to Cleveland for another chance.
“I feel like we had unfinished business in ’22,” he said. “We feel like we really had a shot to go all the way. It’s tough to lose a heartbreaker in the postseason, and being away last year, all I could think about was coming back with my guys here.
“We all want the exact same thing.”
