Stephen Vogt remained in the Cleveland dugout after the final out of the season, grappling with a mix of pain and determination. As the New York Yankees celebrated their Game 5 victory, which secured their first AL pennant since 2009, Vogt reflected on his inaugural season as a major league manager. He had led the Guardians further in the playoffs than many had anticipated.
Vogt made himself a promise: “I want it next year, and it’s never going to stop driving me.” Three days after the heartbreaking ALCS loss, he and Cleveland’s top executives addressed the media, looking back on the team’s impressive 2024 season and discussing their plans for future success.
Initially viewed as a rebuilding year, the season exceeded expectations. Anticipated to hover around .500 with one of the youngest rosters in baseball, the Guardians seized first place in April and maintained their momentum, finishing with 92 wins to clinch the AL Central—one of MLB’s toughest divisions.
The Guardians rallied from a 2-1 deficit in the Division Series against Detroit and pushed the Yankees to the brink, claiming a thrilling Game 3 at home with a walk-off homer before ultimately falling just three wins shy of the World Series.
While the disappointment of the loss was palpable, the growth of the Guardians was evident. “We know we have areas to improve, and we learned a lot about our players,” Vogt stated. He acknowledged the lessons learned about himself and his staff throughout the season. “We checked almost every box except winning the last game of the year, and that’s the goal.”
This time last year, the team faced uncertainty after Terry Francona, the club’s legendary manager, stepped down. Vogt, an experienced catcher with no prior managerial experience, was hired to fill the void. Known for his hard work, study habits, and ability to connect with teammates, he excelled in his new role.
Chris Antonetti, the club’s president of baseball operations, praised Vogt’s performance, noting that he exceeded the organization’s high expectations. “What he has contributed as someone new to the job is remarkable,” Antonetti remarked.
Vogt quickly built strong relationships with his players, offering them support and guidance, which helped them achieve more than they thought possible. After the tough Game 5 loss, many players waited outside Vogt’s office to express their gratitude with hugs.
Despite his success, Vogt acknowledged that he made mistakes, including a crucial decision in the final game when he opted to have Tanner Bibee pitch to Giancarlo Stanton, who hit a game-tying two-run homer. However, Vogt expressed no regrets about his choices: “When it works, it works. And when it doesn’t, you’re wrong. I learned that this year, so I wouldn’t change anything—maybe just the way it ended.”