Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are a Major League Baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of the American League.

Founded: 1901 (charter American League member)

Formerly known as: the Cleveland Blues (1901), Broncos or possibly Bronchos (1902) and Naps (1903-1914). They were called the Blues because they wore blue uniforms. When reporters referred to them as the "Bluebirds", which the players hated, the players chose the name Broncos or Bronchos. The name was changed to the Naps when Napoleon Lajoie was the team's star player.

Home ballpark: Jacobs Field, Cleveland

Uniform colors: Navy blue and red with silver trim

Logo design: "Chief Wahoo," a smiling Indian caricature.

Wild Card titles won (0): none

Division titles won (6): 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001

League pennants won (5): 1920, 1948, 1954, 1995, 1997

World Series championships won (2): 1920, 1948

Franchise history

• to be written

Contrary to popular belief, the team was not named for Louis Sockalexis when it assumed its current name in 1915. Rather, when the Naps needed a new name after Napoleon Lajoie was given to the Philadelphia Athletics after the end of the 1914 season Charles Somers, the team owner, asked the local newspapers to come up with a new name for the team. They chose "Indians" as a play on the name of the 1914 Boston Braves, who were known as the "Miracle Boston Braves" after going from last place on July 4 to a sweep in the World Series. This was also a reversion to a name of an earlier National League club. The name was meant to be temporary. (Pluto, 1999)

On June 4, 1974 the Indians hosted "Ten Cent Beer Night", but had to forfeit the game to the Texas Rangers due to drunken and unruly fans.

Players of note

Baseball Hall of Famers

• Earl Averill
• Lou Boudreau
• Steve Carlton
• Stan Coveleski
• Larry Doby
• Dennis Eckersley
• Bob Feller
• Elmer Flick
• Addie Joss
• Ralph Kiner
• Nap Lajoie
• Bob Lemon
• Al Lopez
• Eddie Murray
• Hal Newhouser
• Phil Niekro
• Satchel Paige
• Gaylord Perry
• Sam Rice
• Frank Robinson
• Joe Sewell
• Tris Speaker
• Hoyt Wilhelm
• Dave Winfield
• Early Wynn
• Cy Young

Current stars

• Rafael Betancourt (P)
• Aaron Boone (3B)
• Ronnie Belliard (2B)
• Casey Blake (3B)
• Ben Broussard (1B)
• Coco Crisp (OF)
• Jason Davis (P)
• Scott Elarton (P)
• Jody Gerut (RF)
• Travis Hafner (DH)
• Matt Lawton (LF)
• Víctor Martínez (C)
• Cliff Lee (P)
• C.C. Sabathia (P)
• Grady Sizemore (CF)
• Jake Westbrook (P)
• Bob Wickman (P)

Not to be forgotten

• Roberto Alomar 11 Gold Glove (1991-2001)
• Sandy Alomar, Jr. AL Rookie of the year (1990), Gold Glove (1990)
• Max Alvis
• Bobby Avila
• Albert Belle
• Gene Bearden
• Bert Blyleven
• Ray Boone
• Dick Bosman
• Ellis Burks
• Joe Carter
• Ray Chapman
• Joe Charboneau AL Rookie of the year (1980)
• Rocky Colavito
• Bartolo Colon
• Vic Davalillo
• Travis Fryman Gold Glove (2000)
• Mike Garcia
• Mel Harder
• Mike Hargrove
• Orel Hershiser
• Shoeless Joe Jackson
• David Justice NL Rookie of the Year (1990)
• Kenny Lofton 4 Gold Glove (1993-96)
• Dennis Martinez
• Minnie Miñoso
• Manny Ramirez
• Al Rosen AL Most Valuable Player (1953)
• Herb Score AL Rookie of the year (1955)
• Jim Thome
• Luis Tiant
• Hal Trosky
• Omar Vizquel 9 Gold Glove (1993-2001)
• Gene Woodling
• Jaret Wright

Retired numbers

• 3 Earl Averill
• 5 Lou Boudreau
• 14 Larry Doby
• 18 Mel Harder
• 19 Bob Feller
• 21 Bob Lemon
• 42 Jackie Robinson (retired throughout baseball)
• 455 The Fans (represents the record number of consecutive sellouts at Jacobs Field from 1995 to 2001)

Other Contributors

• Bill Veeck

Minor league affiliates

• Buffalo Bisons (AAA, International League)
• Akron Aeros (AA, Eastern League)
• Kinston Indians (High-A, Carolina League)
• Lake County Captains (A, South Atlantic League)
• Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Short-Season A, New York-Penn League)
• Burlington Indians (Rookie, Appalachian League)

References

• Pluto, Terry (1999). Our Tribe: A Baseball Memoir. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-684-84505-9
• Cleveland Indians. Indians History Overview: The early years. http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/cle/history/cle_history_overview.jsp. Retrieved Sep 2, 2004.

External links

• Cleveland Indians official web site (http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/cle/homepage/cle_homepage.jsp)
• The Top 100 Greatest Indians Roster (http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/submit/Cleveland_Indians1.stm)
• 1954 Cleveland Indians (http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/features/topteams/1954indians.stm)

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