Professional baseball in Cleveland dates back to the 1890s and the modern-day Indians franchise was born in 1915. In the years previous, dating back to the club’s entrance into the American League in 1901, the team held such colorful nicknames as the Bluebirds, Broncos and Naps.
Ballpark / Stadium – Progressive Field
The Indians play the home games on their schedule at Progressive Field, which is often regarded as one of the best parks in baseball. The park, which opened in 1994 and originally held the name Jacobs Field, made news headlines for hosting 455 straight sold-out games between the 1995 and 2001 seasons, a record that stood until trumped by the Boston Red Sox in 2008. Located in downtown Cleveland adjacent to Quicken Loans Arena, home of the NBA’s Cavaliers, Progressive Field is known for its uniquely shaped light towers, Heritage Park honoring the team’s all-time greats and 19-foot fence in left field. Read more about Progressive Field.
World Series Championships
The Indians have a pair of World Series titles to their name, being crowned baseball’s best in 1920 and 1948. The club has also won five American League Pennants, including a pair of titles in 1995 and 1997, as well as seven division titles. The Tribe electrified in the city in 2013, putting up a winning season and earning a Wild Card berth.
Cleveland Indians Roster
Several members of the Indians all-time roster are enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. These names include Earl Averill, Lou Boudreau, Stan Coveleski, Larry Doby, Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Al Lopez, Joe Sewell and Early Wynn, as well as a number of other former Indians who entered Cooperstown wearing the caps of other teams. Elmer Flick, Addie Joss, Nap Lajoie and Cy Young entered Cooperstown as members of the Cleveland Naps. In recent years, Indians fan favorites have included Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle and Justin Masterson.
Spring Training
The Indians Spring Training facility is Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, AZ. The Indians share the 10,311-facility ballpark with the Cincinnati Reds. The Indians moved into the facility when it opened in 2009 and the Reds joined them a year later. The Indians Minor League Baseball affiliates are the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, Double-A Akron RubberDucks, Advanced-A Carolina Mudcats, Class-A Lake County Captains, Short-Season A Mahoning Valley Scrappers and rookie league Arizona League Indians and Dominican Summer League Indians.
Cleveland Indians
Progressive Field
2401 Ontario St., Cleveland, Ohio, 44115
216-420-HITS
Official team site
Closest teams/stadiums
MLB:
Pittsburgh Pirates, PNC Park (132 miles)
Detroit Tigers, Comerica Park (168 miles)
AAA:
Toledo Mud Hens, Fifth Third Field (113 miles)
Columbus Clippers, Huntington Park (143 miles)
Buffalo Bisons, Coca-Cola Field (193 miles)
AA:
Akron RubberDucks, Canal Park (39 miles)
Erie SeaWolves, Jerry Uht Park (103 miles)
A:
Lake County Captains, Classic Park (19 miles)
Jamestown Jammers, Russell Diethrick Park (156 miles)
Cleveland Guardians FAQ
When did the Cleveland Indians become the Guardians?
The franchise announced the Guardians name in July of 2021, and began officially using it in November of 2021.
Why did the Cleveland Indians change their name to the Guardians?
Cleveland switched from the Indians to the Guardians to distance itself from a term that was criticized for being racially insensitive to the Native American community.
What does the Cleveland Guardians name mean?
The Guardians name refers to the Guardians of Traffic, which is a series of art deco statues on the Hope Memorial Bridge in Cleveland. The bridge is just a short walk from Progressive Field.
Which Cleveland Indians are in the Baseball Hall of Fame?
Many former Indians players have been enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame, including Earl Averill, Lou Boudreau, Stan Covelski, Larry Doby, Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Tris Speaker and Jim Thome.