Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are a Major League Baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They currently are in the Central Division of the American League.

1901-1959: Early to Middle History of the Franchise

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Contrary to popular belief, the team was not named for Louis Sockalexis when it assumed its current name in 1915. Rather, when the Naps needed a new name after Napoleon Lajoie was given to the Philadelphia Athletics after the end of the 1914 season Charles Somers, the team owner, asked the local newspapers to come up with a new name for the team. The name, "Indians," was reversion to a name of an earlier National League club of the same name; the change was meant to be temporary. They chose "Indians" as a play on the name of the 1914 Boston Braves, who were known as the "Miracle Boston Braves" after going from last place on July 4 to a sweep in the World Series. 34 years later, the Indians went on to defeat these same Braves, 4 games to 2, in the 1948 World Series -- after winning a one game playoff against Boston's other team, the Red Sox. The victory over the Braves was the franchises second of two world titles; the Tribe had also won the 1920 World Series, defeating the Brooklyn Robins 5 games to 2.(Pluto, 1999)

Related Topics:
Louis Sockalexis - 1915 - Napoleon Lajoie - Philadelphia Athletics - 1914 - Charles Somers - National League - Boston Braves - 1948 World Series - Red Sox - 1920 World Series - Brooklyn Robins

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The Tribe, as the Indians are affectionately referred to by Clevelanders, fielded a competitive team through the late 1940s and early 1950s, featuring pitching stars Bob Feller, Early Wynn, Bob Lemon, and Mike Garcia (also known as the Big Four). They broke the color barrier in the American League by signing Larry Doby in 1947, eleven weeks after Jackie Robinson signed with the Dodgers. They appeared in the World Series in 1948 and 1954 (when they won 111 games in a 154-game season), and were in regular contention for the pennant with the dominant New York Yankees.

Related Topics:
1940s - 1950s - Bob Feller - Early Wynn - Bob Lemon - Mike Garcia - Color barrier - American League - Larry Doby - 1947 - Jackie Robinson - 1948 - 1954 - New York Yankees

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