The Cleveland Indians were founded in 1901, but in 2021 they changed their nickname to the Cleveland Guardians. The franchise Also played as Cleveland Indians Cleveland Naps Cleveland Bronchos and Cleveland Blues. The Cleveland Guardians have played for 6 Pennants, participated in 16 playoff series, and in 2 World Series. So far there are 35 players that have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Sports History
Cleveland IndiansGaylord Perry
He was a high school pitcher and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the second round of the 1962 MLB Draft.
Perry made his major league debut in 1962 and quickly became one of the best pitchers in baseball. He won 21 games in his rookie season and was named the American League Rookie of the Year. Perry was known for his ability to change speeds and his mastery of the knuckleball. He was also known for his sense of humor and his willingness to talk about his craft.
Perry retired from baseball in 1983. He finished his career with 219 wins, 208 losses, and a 3.20 ERA. He is also the all-time leader in knuckleball wins with 194.
This legendary hurler was a five-time MLB All Star and a Cy Young winner 1972 and 1978. Perry tossed a no-hitter 1968 and he played on the rosters of the San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres.
Ralph Kiner
Jim Thome
Bill McKechnie
Bob Feller
Earl Averill
Stan Coveleski
Lou Boudreau
Marquis Grissom
Official Cleveland Guardians Website | MLB.com
The Cleveland Guardians, formerly known as the Indians, boast a rich history stretching back to 1894, but they haven't always existed under the same name or even in the same league. Before becoming the Guardians, they morphed through several iterations, each leaving its mark on the team's legacy. Here's a brief overview of these earlier incarnations:
The Minor League Beginnings (1894-1900):
-1894-1895: The team started as the Columbus Buckeyes in the Western League, a minor league.
-1896-1899: They relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, briefly becoming the Grand Rapids Furniture Makers.
1900: Finally settling in Cleveland, they adopted the name Cleveland Lake Shores.
Entering the Major Leagues (1901-Present):
-1901: Joining the newly formed American League, the team became the Cleveland Blues.
1902: A swift name change to the Cleveland Bronchos.
-1903-1914: Named after famed player-manager Napoleon Lajoie, they donned the moniker Cleveland Naps.
-1915-2021: After Lajoie's departure, the team adopted the now-controversial name Cleveland Indians, referencing Native American imagery.
-2022-Present: Responding to concerns about cultural appropriation, the team formally transitioned to the Cleveland Guardians.
Each transition reflected changing times, trends, and ownership decisions. The early minor league teams laid the foundation, while the major league iterations saw the development of fan bases, iconic players, and championship wins (1920 and 1948 World Series titles). While the name change in 2022 sparked conversation and debate, it signifies a new chapter in the team's journey, carrying the legacy of its predecessors while evolving towards a more inclusive identity.
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into each era, exploring the unique stories, personalities, and achievements that shaped the Cleveland Guardians we know today!
May 20 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 6 - 5 - 32 May 20, 1941 - Chicago White Sox, Taft Wright, Number 6 set an AL record of RBIs in 13 consecutive games...
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May 19 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 8 - 6 - 30 May 19, 1942 - Boston Braves outfielder Paul Waner, Number 8 became the third player in NL history at the tim...
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May 18 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 3 - 7 - 16 May 18, 1897 - Early MLB star of the New York Giants, Bill Joyce established a record of 4 triples in 1 ...
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May 17 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 44 - 36 May 17, 1925 - Cleveland Indians centerfielder Tris Speaker reached his 3,000th hit in his MLB career. In 1...
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May 16 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 5 - 9 - 22 May 16, 1927 - New York Yankee outfielder, Bob Meusel, wearing Number 5 stole 2nd base, 3rd base and&nbs...
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May 15 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. May 15, 1912 - Detroit Tigers star slugger Ty Cobb, let's an obnoxious fan get to him and the player leaped the rail...
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