A Basic History of the Cleveland Indians Baseball Team

The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team that plays in Major League Baseball. The Indians play in the Central Division of the American League.

The franchise was founded in 1901 as the Cleveland Blue. From 1902-1904, the team was known as the Cleveland Bronchos. From 1905-1914, the team was the Cleveland Naps.

Prior to the 1915 season, the team officially changed its name to the Cleveland Indians, which it has remained since.

The franchise has played in three different locations. From 1901-1946, the team played at League Park, which was known as Dunn Field from 1916-1927.

From 1932-1993, the Indians played at Cleveland Stadium, which was known as Cleveland Municipal Stadium from 1932-1974. This stadium was only used for night and weekend games from 1932-1946, while the team still played at League Park.

The Indians began playing in their current location, Jacobs Field, in the 1994 season.

In the franchise history of the Cleveland Indians, they have won six division titles. They won the Central Division five times in a row from 1995-1999 and also won it in 2001.

The Cleveland Indians have never won the Wild Card.

The Cleveland Indians have won the American League five times in 1920, 1948, 1954, 1995, and 1997.

The Indians have won the World Series twice. They won it in 1920 and 1948.

Fourteen members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame are enshrined based mainly on their performance with the Cleveland Indians. Those players are Earl Averill, Lou Boudreau, Stan Coveleski, Larry Doby, Bob Feller, Elmer Flick, Addie Joss, Nap Lajoie, Bob Lemon, Al Lopez, Joe Sewell, Tris Speaker, Early Wynn, and Cy Young.

Twelve other members of the Hall of Fame were associated with the Indians at some point in their career but were elected based on their work with other teams. They are Steve Carlton, Dennis Eckersley, Ralph Kiner, Eddie Murray, Hal Newhouser, Phil Niekro, Satchel Paige, Gaylord Perry, Sam Rice, Frank Robinson, Hoyt Wilhelm, and Dave Winfield.

Seven players have had their numbers retired by the Cleveland Indians. Those players are Bob Feller - 19, Earl Averill - 3, Larry Doby - 14, Bob Lemon - 21, Lou Boudreau - 5, Mel Harder - 18, and Jackie Robinson - 42. Robinson's number is retired throughout baseball.

The number 455 is also retired in honor of the fans. It was retired after Cleveland sold out 455 home games in a row between the 1995 and 2001 seasons, setting the record.

The Cleveland Indians are currently owned by Larry Dolan. Eric Wedge is the manager, and Mark Shapiro is the general manager.