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Cleveland Indians,
professional baseball team and one of five teams in the Central
Division of the American League (AL). Formerly called the Blues, the
Bronchos, and the Naps, the club’s current name was suggested by a
fan in 1914 to honor Louis Sockalexis. Sockalexis was a member of
the National League’s Cleveland Spiders during the late 1890s and
the first Native American to play professional baseball. The Indians
play at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio, and wear uniforms of white,
red, and black.
Many legendary figures have played for the Indians, including Stan
Coveleski, Bob Feller, Nap Lajoie, Bob Lemon, Satchel Paige, Gaylord
Perry, Frank Robinson, Tris Speaker, and Cy Young. The club won the
World Series in 1920 and 1948. With 111 wins and only 43 losses in
1954, the team put together one of the best single-season records in
history.
During the 1990s Cleveland won five consecutive division titles
(1995-1999). The Indians captured the AL pennant and advanced to the
World Series in 1995 and 1997. The club lost both World Series, the
first to the Atlanta Braves and the second to the Florida Marlins.
Named for the color of their uniforms, the Cleveland Blues joined
the newly formed American League in 1901. Local fans wanted a
tougher-sounding name, however, and the team became the Bronchos in
1902. A year later the club was renamed the Naps after second
baseman and future manager Napoleon Lajoie. It kept that name until
1915, when the team became the Indians.
Despite the contributions of batting champions Lajoie, Elmer Flick,
and Tris Speaker, and pitchers Addie Joss and Cy Young, Cleveland
began its major league history finishing no better than second place
from 1901 to 1919. Speaker became player-manager in 1919 and the
following year led the Indians to their first AL pennant and a
victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers (now Los Angeles Dodgers) in the
World Series. Right-handed pitcher Jim Bagby topped the major
leagues with 31 wins in 1920, but the year was also marked by
tragedy. Long before batting helmets were worn, shortstop Ray
Chapman became major league baseball’s first on-field fatality when
a wild pitch thrown by New York Yankees pitcher Carl Mays struck him
in the head.
Another long championship drought followed from 1921 to 1948,
despite rosters that featured future Hall of Fame members Earl
Averill and Bob Feller. Averill hit over .300 in eight of his ten
full seasons with the Indians, from 1929 to 1938. Feller, who joined
the team in 1936, led the league in strikeouts seven times, in
victories six times, and in shutouts four times.
Under the ownership of Bill Veeck, who acquired the team in 1946,
the Indians began to rebuild. In 1948, led by manager-shortstop Lou
Boudreau, the Indians won their first pennant in 28 years and their
second World Series title. In 1954 the Indians finished the season
with a 111-43 win-loss record and captured the AL pennant. The
pitching staff, one of the best in major league history, featured
Feller, Bob Lemon, Early Wynn, Mike Garcia, and Art Houtteman.
Despite their domination of the regular season, the Indians lost to
the New York Giants (now San Francisco Giants) in the World Series.
The Series featured one of the most famous plays in baseball
history: the over-the-head catch by Giants outfielder Willie Mays of
a Vic Wertz fly ball in game one.
Cleveland’s next drought lasted 40 seasons. From 1955 through 1994,
the Indians’ best showings were three second-place finishes in 1955,
1956, and 1959. Indians standouts during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s
included outfielders Brett Butler and Joe Carter, third baseman
Graig Nettles, and pitchers Bert Blyleven, Gaylord Perry, and Luis
Tiant. In 1974 Frank Robinson, in the twilight of his outstanding
playing career, was named player-manager of the Indians, becoming
the first African American to manage a major league team.
In 1995 the Indians took the Central Division championship and went
on to win the club’s first AL pennant in 41 years. Starring on that
team were pitcher Orel Hershiser, veteran slugger Eddie Murray, and
Albert Belle, the AL leader in home runs and runs batted in. The
Indians defeated the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners before
losing to the Atlanta Braves in the World Series. Cleveland repeated
as division champions in 1996 but lost in the playoffs.
In 1997 Cleveland again topped the division. The team was led by
catcher Sandy Alomar, Jr., shortstop Omar Vizquel, and outfielders
David Justice and Manny Ramirez. Cleveland bested the New York
Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles in the AL playoffs and won the AL
pennant. In the World Series, however, the Indians lost in seven
games to the Florida Marlins. Cleveland again won the Central
Division in 1998 and 1999, but failed both years to reach the World
Series.CHAMPIONSHIPS
1920 - defeated
Brooklyn in 7 games
1948 - defeated
Boston in 6 games
Won the AL Pennant in 1920, 1948, 1954, 1995,
1997
TOP MANAGER
Lou Boudreau, a player/manager from 1942-50, finished with a 728-649
record. Mike Hargrove, manager from 1991-99, compiled a 721-591
record.
MVPS
Lou Boudreau (1948), Al Rosen (1953)
CY YOUNG
Gaylord Perry (1972)
ROOKIE OF YEAR
Herb Score (1955), Chris Chambliss (1971), Joe Charboneau (1980),
Sandy Alomar Jr (1990)
RETIRED NUMBERS
3 - Earl Averill (OF)
5 - Lou Boudreau (SS)
14 - Larry Doby (OF)
18 - Mel Harder (P)
19 - Bob Feller (P)
21 - Bob Lemon (P)
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