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Cleveland Guardians Team History

Cleveland Guardians
Guardians Primary Logo
Guardians Alternate Logo
Guardians Wordmark Logo
Guardians Team Merch

Established
1901

City
Cleveland

League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1901 – 1999 / American League

Team History
2022 - Present / Cleveland Guardians
1915 – 2021 / Cleveland Indians
1903 – 1914 / Cleveland Naps
1901 – 1902 / Cleveland Blues

Nickname
Guardians – The Cleveland Guardians have become a beloved baseball team in Cleveland and across the country. Fans are often curious about where their nickname comes from, so we’re here to give you an inside look at what inspired this unique moniker.

The name “Guardians” has its roots in a local legend that dates back to 1845 when two brave men defended their hometown against an invading army. The story goes that these guardians fought valiantly for days without rest or food until they could drive away the enemy forces and save their city from destruction. This heroic tale has been passed down through generations, inspiring citizens of all ages with its message of courage and loyalty – values that remain closely associated with today's Guardian players and fans alike!

In addition to paying homage to these legendary protectors, this name was chosen because it reflects the team's commitment to protecting our environment by using renewable energy sources, such as solar panels at Progressive Field (the home stadium). By taking steps towards sustainability, they are truly living up to their namesake as modern-day guardians who care for our planet - something every sports fan can appreciate!

Overall, it is clear why so many people have come together under one banner: The Cleveland Guardians represent strength in unity while upholding important values like bravery and environmental responsibility - making them not only a great baseball team but also true community heroes worth cheering on!

Championship
World Series 0
1948, 1920

Stadium
2008 – Present / Progressive Field
1994 – 2007 / Jacobs Field
1934 – 1993 / Cleveland Stadium
1900 – 1946 / League Park
1912 – 1934 / Dunn Field

Owner
1999 – Present / Larry Dolan
1986 – 1999 / Richard Jacobs
1978 – 1983 / Steve O’Neill
1972 – 1978 / Ted Bonda
1972 – 1975 / Nick Mileti
1966 – 1972 / Vernon Stouffer
1962 – 1966 / Gabe Paul
1956 – 1962 / William R. Daley
1952 – 1956 / Myron H. Wilson
1949 – 1952 / Ellis Ryan
1946 – 1949 / Bill Veeck
1927 – 1946 / Alva Bradley
1916 – 1922 / Jim Dunn
1901 – 1916 / Charles Somers

  • 2022
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2023
  • Cleveland Guardians Bridge and Stadium

    The Indians become the Guardians

    Following Lajoie’s departure after the 1914 season, club owner Charles Somers requested that baseball writers choose a new name. They chose the name Cleveland Indians, a revival of the nickname that fans gave to the Cleveland Spiders while Louis Sockalexis, a Native American, was playing for the team. That name stuck and remained in use for more than a century. ...
    Read More
    See Full Story
  • José Ramírez

    Guardians traded their All-Star third baseman José Ramírez

    In 2022, Cleveland Guardians traded their All-Star third baseman José Ramírez to the Los Angeles Dodgers in August for a trio of young players, including infielder Gavin Lux and pitcher Josiah Gray
    See Full Story
  • Terry Francona

    Team Manager – Terrence Jon Francona

    Terrence Jon Francona, nicknamed “Tito”, is an American baseball manager and former player who is the manager of the Cleveland Guardians in Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, he was the manager of the Boston Red Sox for eight seasons,
    See Full Story
  • Cleveland Guardians 2023 Season

    Cleveland Guardians 2023 Season

    2023: The Guardians are having a surprising season, leading the AL Central with an 86-56 record as of September 11. They have won 14 of their last 15 games, including a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins at home. They have a balanced offense led by O’Hoppe, who is hitting .297 with 18 home runs and 72 RBIs, and Brennan, ...
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Who is the greatest Cleveland Guardian?
  • Add your greatest player

To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.

History of the Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians, formerly known as the Cleveland Indians, are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio, playing Major League Baseball (MLB). The team has played since 1901, and its name changed to the Guardians after much deliberation by MLB owners, who felt it was time to move away from Native American-themed team names.
The history of the Cleveland Indians is one full of success and failure. They have won two World Series titles (1920 & 1948), five American League pennants, and numerous division championships over recent years. In addition, they have produced some of baseball’s greatest players, such as Hall-of-Famers Bob Feller and Larry Doby, among others.
Despite all this success on the field, however, off-field issues involving racism within their fanbase have caused many fans to become disenchanted with the Cleveland Indians. This led MLB commissioner Rob Manfred to make a decision that would benefit all involved: changing their name to the Guardians.
This new identity provides an opportunity for healing. It serves as recognition towards those Indigenous people who were mistreated throughout history due to colonization practices enacted by European settlers centuries ago. We hope that this change will help create positive conversations between different cultures while providing respect towards those whose ancestors suffered greatly during these times.
With its newfound identity as the Cleveland Guardians, the team embraces its history and the responsibility that comes with it. They will continue to honor their past accomplishments while embracing present opportunities moving forward into 2021 and beyond.




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Revealing the Uncovered History of the Cleveland Guardians Team History

Explore the fascinating journey of the Cleveland Guardians in this comprehensive video! Uncover the rich history and captivating stories behind one of baseball's most iconic teams. From their humble beginnings to their remarkable achievements, delve deep into the legacy of the Cleveland Guardians. Whether you're a die-hard fan or simply curious about sports history, this video is a must-watch!

Retired Number
3 / Earl Averill
5 / Lou Boudreau
14 / Larry Doby
18 / Mel Harder
19 / Bob Feller
20 / Frank Robinson
21 / Bob Lemon
25 / Jim Thome
42 / Jackie Robinson
455 / Indians Fans

*Blue is this team’s history

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