Cleveland Guardians

Team Information

Franchise History

The Cleveland Guardians franchise originated in 1894 as the Grand Rapids Rustlers of the Western League. The team moved to Cleveland in 1900 and became a charter member of the American League in 1901. The team was known as the Indians from 1915 to 2021, becoming the Guardians in 2022.

The Indians Era (1915-2021)

The team won two World Series as the Indians (1920, 1948) and had significant success in the 1990s with a powerhouse offense led by Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez, and Jim Thome.

The 2016 World Series

The Indians reached the World Series in 2016, taking a 3-1 lead over the Chicago Cubs before losing in seven games. The loss extended their championship drought to 68 years.

Name Change (2022)

Following years of controversy over the “Indians” name and Chief Wahoo logo, the team announced in 2020 they would change their name. The Guardians name was chosen in reference to the “Guardians of Traffic” statues on the Hope Memorial Bridge near the ballpark.

Current Status

The Guardians compete in the AL Central. The team has remained competitive since the name change, focusing on pitching and defense.

Ownership History

Management

• General Manager: Mike Chernoff
• Manager: Stephen Vogt
• Team President: Chris Antonetti

Historical Significance

• 2 World Series championships (1920, 1948)
• 6 AL Pennants
• 22-game winning streak in 2017 (AL record, tied for MLB record)
• Bob Feller: one of greatest pitchers in MLB history
• Larry Doby: first Black player in AL (1947)
• Name changed from Indians to Guardians in 2022

Team Identity

The Guardians name reflects the “Guardians of Traffic” statues on the Hope Memorial Bridge. The team continues Cleveland’s rich baseball tradition with a focus on pitching, defense, and fundamentals.

Cleveland Guardians History

Early Years (1894-1914)

Origins in Grand Rapids

The franchise began in 1894 as the Grand Rapids Rustlers in the Western League. In 1900, the team moved to Cleveland and became the Cleveland Lake Shores, then the Bluebirds.

Nap Lajoie and the Naps

When star second baseman Nap Lajoie joined the team in 1902, they became known as the Cleveland Naps. Lajoie was one of the greatest players of the era, winning the Triple Crown in 1901.

The Indians Era (1915-2021)

Becoming the Indians

In 1915, the team was renamed the Cleveland Indians, a name that would last for over a century.

1920 World Series Champions

The Indians won their first World Series in 1920, defeating the Brooklyn Robins. The series featured: - Elmer Smith’s grand slam (first in World Series history) - Bill Wambsganss’ unassisted triple play (only in World Series history) - Jim Bagby’s home run (first pitcher home run in World Series)

1948 World Series Champions

The 1948 Indians, led by player-manager Lou Boudreau, won the World Series against the Boston Braves.

Key Players: - Lou Boudreau (player-manager, AL MVP) - Bob Feller (pitcher) - Bob Lemon (pitcher) - Larry Doby (center field, first Black player in AL) - Satchel Paige (pitcher, rookie at age 42)

Larry Doby: On July 5, 1947, Doby became the first Black player in the American League, just months after Jackie Robinson broke the color line in the National League.

The 1950s and 1960s

The Indians had competitive teams but could not return to the World Series. The 1954 team won 111 games (AL record at the time) but was swept by the Giants in the World Series.

The 1990s Renaissance

The Indians became a powerhouse in the 1990s, moving to Jacobs Field (now Progressive Field) in 1994.

Key Players: - Albert Belle - Manny Ramirez - Jim Thome - Kenny Lofton - Omar Vizquel - Sandy Alomar Jr.

1995 AL Champions: The Indians reached the World Series but lost to the Atlanta Braves in six games.

1997 AL Champions: The Indians reached the World Series again but lost to the Florida Marlins in seven games (Tony Fernandez’s hit in Game 7).

The 2016 World Series

The Indians took a 3-1 lead over the Chicago Cubs in the World Series but lost in seven games. The loss extended their championship drought to 68 years.

22-Game Winning Streak (2017)

The Indians won 22 consecutive games from August 24 to September 14, 2017, setting the American League record and tying the MLB record (1884 Providence Grays).

Becoming the Guardians (2022-Present)

Name Change

Following years of controversy over the “Indians” name and Chief Wahoo logo, the team announced in 2020 they would change their name. The Guardians name was chosen in reference to the “Guardians of Traffic” statues on the Hope Memorial Bridge near Progressive Field.

The team became the Cleveland Guardians in 2022.

Recent Years

The Guardians have remained competitive, focusing on pitching, defense, and fundamentals under manager Terry Francona.

Franchise Timeline

Cleveland Guardians Championships

World Series Championships

1920 World Series Champions

Manager: Tris Speaker
Regular Season Record: 98-56
Finals Opponent: Brooklyn Robins
Result: Won series 5-2

The Indians won their first World Series with several historic moments: - Elmer Smith’s grand slam (first in World Series history) - Bill Wambsganss’ unassisted triple play (only in World Series history) - Jim Bagby’s home run (first pitcher home run in World Series)

Key Players: - Tris Speaker (player-manager) - Stan Coveleski (pitcher, 3 complete game wins) - Elmer Smith - Bill Wambsganss - Jim Bagby

1948 World Series Champions

Manager: Lou Boudreau
Regular Season Record: 97-58
Finals Opponent: Boston Braves
Result: Won series 4-2

The 1948 Indians were notable for their integration: - Larry Doby was the first Black player in the American League - Satchel Paige was a 42-year-old rookie

Key Players: - Lou Boudreau (player-manager, AL MVP) - Bob Feller (pitcher) - Bob Lemon (pitcher) - Larry Doby (center field) - Satchel Paige (pitcher) - Joe Gordon (second base)

World Series MVP: Not awarded until 1955, but Lou Boudreau was the star.

American League Pennants

The Guardians/Indians have won 6 American League Pennants: - 1920 (Won World Series) - 1948 (Won World Series) - 1954 (Lost World Series to Giants) - 1995 (Lost World Series to Braves) - 1997 (Lost World Series to Marlins) - 2016 (Lost World Series to Cubs)

Division Championships

The Guardians/Indians have won 12 division championships: - 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024

Wild Card Berths

The team has qualified as a Wild Card 2 times.

The 22-Game Winning Streak

From August 24 to September 14, 2017, the Indians won 22 consecutive games: - Longest winning streak in AL history - Tied longest in MLB history (1884 Providence Grays) - Combined score: 142-37 - Starting pitchers: 19-0 record

The 2016 World Series

The Indians took a 3-1 lead over the Chicago Cubs but lost in seven games: - Game 5: Lost 3-2 at Wrigley Field - Game 6: Lost 9-3 at Progressive Field - Game 7: Lost 8-7 in 10 innings at Progressive Field

The loss extended the championship drought to 68 years.

Cleveland Guardians Team Records

Single Season Records

Best Regular Season Records

22-Game Winning Streak (2017)

The 2017 Indians won 22 consecutive games, an AL record and tied for MLB record.

All-Time Career Records

Career Hits

Career Home Runs

Retired Numbers

Number 455 was retired to honor the fans and the 455 consecutive sellouts at Jacobs Field.

Cleveland Guardians Legendary Players

Baseball Hall of Famers

Bob Feller (1962)

Position: Pitcher
Years: 1936-1941, 1945-1956

“Rapid Robert” was one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history and a patriotic icon for his military service.

Career Stats: - Wins: 266 - Strikeouts: 2,581 - No-hitters: 3 - Fastball: 100+ mph

Feller enlisted in the Navy the day after Pearl Harbor and served for four years during his prime.

Nap Lajoie (1937)

Position: Second Base
Years: 1902-1914

Lajoie won the Triple Crown in 1901 and was one of the greatest hitters of the dead-ball era.

Career Stats (Indians): - Batting Average: .339 - Hits: 2,046 - The team was named the Naps after him

Tris Speaker (1937)

Position: Center Field
Years: 1916-1926

Speaker was a player-manager who led the 1920 World Series championship team.

Career Stats: - Batting Average: .354 - Hits: 1,965

Lou Boudreau (1970)

Position: Shortstop/Manager
Years: 1938-1950

Boudreau was a player-manager who led the 1948 World Series championship team and won the MVP.

Larry Doby (1998)

Position: Center Field
Years: 1947-1955, 1958

Doby was the first Black player in the American League and a Hall of Fame outfielder.

Bob Lemon (1976)

Position: Pitcher
Years: 1946-1958

Lemon was a dominant pitcher on the 1948 championship team.

Early Wynn (1972)

Position: Pitcher
Years: 1949-1957

Wynn won the 1950 Cy Young Award.

Stan Coveleski (1969)

Position: Pitcher
Years: 1916-1924

Coveleski won 3 games in the 1920 World Series.

Addie Joss (1978)

Position: Pitcher
Years: 1902-1910

Joss threw a perfect game in 1908 and had the lowest career ERA (1.89) in MLB history.

Jim Thome (2018)

Position: First Base/Third Base
Years: 1991-2002, 2011

Thome is the franchise’s all-time home run leader.

Satchel Paige (1971)

Position: Pitcher
Years: 1948-1949

Paige was a 42-year-old rookie who helped the Indians win the 1948 World Series.

Franchise Icons

Omar Vizquel

Position: Shortstop
Years: 1994-2004

Vizquel was a defensive wizard who revolutionized the shortstop position.

Kenny Lofton

Position: Center Field
Years: 1992, 1994-1996, 1998-2001, 2007

Lofton was a dynamic leadoff hitter and base stealer.

Albert Belle

Position: Left Field
Years: 1989-1996

Belle was one of the most feared hitters of the 1990s.

Manny Ramirez

Position: Outfield
Years: 1993-2000

Ramirez was a prolific hitter who became a star in Cleveland before moving to Boston.

Sandy Alomar Jr.

Position: Catcher
Years: 1990-2000

Alomar was a six-time All-Star and the 1990 Rookie of the Year.

Roberto Alomar

Position: Second Base
Years: 1999-2001

Alomar was a Hall of Famer who played for Cleveland late in his career.

Grady Sizemore

Position: Center Field
Years: 2004-2011

Sizemore was a dynamic all-around player before injuries derailed his career.

Jose Ramirez

Position: Third Base
Years: 2013-Present

Ramirez is the current star and face of the franchise.

Cleveland Guardians Rivalries

Primary Rivalries

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers are the Guardians’ primary division rival in the AL Central.

Key Moments: - Division battles throughout the 2000s and 2010s - Playoff implications - Geographic proximity

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are division rivals with competitive matchups.

New York Yankees

The Yankees and Indians/Guardians have had memorable playoff series: - 1997 ALDS: Indians defeated Yankees - 2007 ALDS: Indians defeated Yankees - 2017 ALDS: Yankees defeated Indians

Historic Rivalries

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox and Indians had memorable playoff matchups, including the 2007 ALCS which the Indians lost.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves defeated the Indians in the 1995 World Series.

Rivalry Statistics

Divisional Records

The Guardians compete with the White Sox, Tigers, Twins, and Royals in the AL Central.

Playoff History

The team has faced the Yankees, Red Sox, Braves, and Cubs in memorable postseason series.

Cleveland Guardians Stadium History

Progressive Field (1994-Present)

Overview

Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field) has been the home of the Guardians/Indians since 1994.

Address: 2401 Ontario Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Naming History

Features

• Capacity: 34,830
• Opening: April 4, 1994
• Cost: $175 million

The ballpark was a catalyst for the revitalization of downtown Cleveland.

The Streak

The Indians sold out 455 consecutive games at Jacobs Field from 1995-2001. The number 455 is retired in honor of the fans.

Cleveland Stadium (1932-1993)

Overview

Cleveland Stadium was the team’s home for over 60 years.

Capacity: 78,000 (for baseball)

Characteristics

• Located on the shores of Lake Erie
• Also home to Cleveland Browns
• Site of 1948 World Series championship
• Cold and windy conditions

Final Game

October 3, 1993: Indians defeated Texas Rangers.

League Park (1901-1946)

The Indians played at League Park before moving to Cleveland Stadium.

Stadium Comparison

Cleveland Guardians Fanbase and Culture

Fanbase Demographics

Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

The Guardians draw from Cleveland and the surrounding region, including Akron, Canton, and Youngstown.

The Sellout Streak

The 455 consecutive sellouts from 1995-2001 created a generation of passionate fans.

Traditions

The Drum

A drummer plays in the stadium to energize the crowd.

The 22-Game Streak

The 2017 winning streak created lasting memories for fans.

The Name Change

From Indians to Guardians

The 2022 name change from Indians to Guardians was controversial among some fans but embraced by others. The “Guardians of Traffic” statues on the Hope Memorial Bridge inspired the new name.

Media

Television

• Bally Sports Great Lakes: Regional broadcasts

Radio

• WTAM 1100: Flagship station
• Tom Hamilton: Legendary play-by-play announcer

Community

Guardians Community Fund

• Youth baseball programs
• Community outreach
• Charitable initiatives

Rivalry Culture

Detroit Rivalry

The Tigers are the primary division rival.

New York Rivalry

Playoff matchups with the Yankees created animosity.

The 1990s Revival

Jacobs Field and the competitive teams of the 1990s transformed baseball in Cleveland, creating a passionate fanbase that remains despite the lack of a championship since 1948.