The Cleveland Indians are one of the most historic franchises in baseball. They have been a part of the American League since 1901, and have won two World Series titles (1920 and 1948). The Indians have also produced some of the greatest players in baseball history. Here is a look at the top 10 Cleveland Indians players of all-time.
1. Bob Feller
Bob Feller is arguably the greatest Cleveland Indian of all-time. He played for the Indians for 18 seasons (1936-1956), and was a part of two World Series winning teams (1920 and 1948). Feller was an eight-time All-Star, and he still holds the franchise records for strikeouts (2,581) and wins (266). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
2. Tris Speaker
Tris Speaker is another one of the greatest Cleveland Indians players of all-time. He played for the Indians from 1907 to 1916, and then again from 1919 to 1926. Speaker was a two-time World Series champion (1920 and 1948), and he is the franchise leader in batting average (.345). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.
3. Napoleon Lajoie
Napoleon Lajoie was one of the most popular Cleveland Indians players of all-time. He played for the Indians from 1902 to 1909, and was a part of the 1920 World Series winning team. Lajoie was a three-time batting champion, and he still holds the franchise record for hits (2,046). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.
4. Addie Joss
Addie Joss is another one of the greatest Cleveland Indians players of all-time. He played for the Indians from 1902 to 1910, and was a part of the 1920 World Series winning team. Joss still holds the franchise record for ERA (1.89), and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978.
5. Earl Averill
Earl Averill is another Cleveland Indians player who is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He played for the Indians from 1929 to 1939, and was a six-time All-Star. Averill was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.
6. Mel Harder
Mel Harder is another one of the greatest Cleveland Indians players of all-time. He played for the Indians from 1928 to 1947, and was a part of the 1920 and 1948 World Series winning teams. Harder was a four-time All-Star, and he still holds the franchise record for games pitched (491).
7. Bob Lemon
Bob Lemon is another Cleveland Indians player who is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He played for the Indians from 1941 to 1958, and was a part of the 1948 World Series winning team. Lemon was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976.
8. Lou Boudreau
Lou Boudreau is another one of the greatest Cleveland Indians players of all-time. He played for the Indians from 1938 to 1950, and was a part of the 1948 World Series winning team. Boudreau was a two-time batting champion, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970.
9. Early Wynn
Early Wynn is another Cleveland Indians player who is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He played for the Indians from 1939 to 1957, and was a part of the 1948 World Series winning team. Wynn was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
10. Albert Belle
Albert Belle is the last player on our list of the top 10 Cleveland Indians players of all-time. He played for the Indians from 1989 to 1996, and was a five-time All-Star. Belle is the franchise leader in home runs (242), and he was inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame in 2006.
Conclusion
These are the top 10 Cleveland Indians players of all-time. These players have all made significant contributions to the franchise, and have cemented their place in Cleveland Indians history.