- 1915
- 1920
- 1948
- 1994
- 1999
- 2020
-
Indians Nickname
With Lajoie gone, the Molly McGuires now needed a new nickname. Somers asked the local newspapers to come up with a new name and based on their input, the team was renamed the Cleveland Indians. Legend has it that the team honored Louis Sockalexis when it assumed its current name in 1915. Sockalexis, a Native American, had played in Cleveland ... -
World Series Winner 1920
In the 1920 World Series, the Cleveland Indians beat the Brooklyn Dodgers, then known interchangeably as the Robins in reference to their manager Wilbert Robinson, in seven games, five games to two. This series was a best-of-nine series, like the first World Series in 1903 and the World Series of 1919 and 1921. The only World Series triple play, the ... -
World Series Winner 1948
The 1948 World Series matched the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Braves. The Braves had won the National League pennant for the first time since the “Miracle Braves” team of 1914, while the Indians had spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff against the Boston Red Sox for the American League flag. Though ... -
Jacobs Field Opens
Throughout the 1980s, the Indians’ owners had pushed for a new stadium. Cleveland Stadium had been a symbol of the Indians’ glory years in the 1940s and 1950s. However, during the lean years, even crowds of 40,000 were swallowed up by the cavernous environment. The old stadium was not aging gracefully; chunks of concrete were falling off in sections and ... -
Larry Dolan New Owner
In 2000, Larry Dolan through a family trust bought the Cleveland Indians of the MLB for $323 million from Richard Jacobs, who, along with his late brother David Jacobs, had paid $35 million for the club in 1986. Jacobs had taken the Indians public in 1997. As part of the deal, Dolan bought all of the stock at just over ... -
New Name for Indians’ or Not?
On July 3, 2020, on the heels of the Washington Redskins announcing that they would “undergo a thorough review” of that team’s name, the Indians announced that they would “determine the best path forward” regarding the team’s name and emphasized the need to “keep improving as an organization on issues of social justice.” On December 13, 2020, it was reported ...
History of the Indians
The Cleveland Indians are one of the oldest and most storied teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). Founded in 1901, the team has gone through many ups and downs over its long history. The Indians have won two World Series titles, six American League pennants, and numerous division championships. They also boast some of baseball’s greatest players, such as Bob Feller, Lou Boudreau, Earl Averill Jr., Larry Doby, Satchel Paige, Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel, Sandy Alomar Jr., Manny Ramirez, and more recently, Francisco Lindor.
In their first season in 1901, they finished with a record of 66-87, which was good enough for seventh place out of eight teams. Over the next few years, they had mixed success, but by 1920 they were ready to make their mark on MLB history. That year saw them win their first AL Pennant under manager Tris Speaker who would go on to be inducted into Cooperstown’s Hall Of Fame. The following year saw them take home their first-ever World Series title after defeating Brooklyn Robins 5-2, led by ace pitcher Stan Coveleski who went 3-0 during that series, including a shutout victory in game five, clinching it all for Cleveland!
From there, things only got better as between 1948 - 1954, under managers Lou Boudreau & Al Lopez, they made four consecutive appearances at the Fall Classic, winning another championship against Boston Braves 4 games to 2 while boasting an impressive lineup featuring stars like Bob Feller & Larry Doby becoming just second team ever do so at the time!
In recent years although not having the same level of success compared to past glory days, it still managed to stay competitive, making playoffs a handful of times since 1995, even advancing far in 2016, where unfortunately fell short, losing to Chicago Cubs 7 games heartbreaker ending a historic run! Despite this, though it remains a strong franchise in the future, it is looking to add yet another chapter and unique story here soon!
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
Indians – Legend has it that the team honored Louis Sockalexis when it assumed its current name in 1915. With the artificial connection to Native Americans, the Cleveland Indians are also often called “The Tribe.”
Championship
World Series 2
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
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.
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
