I am continuing my list for the greatest players at each position for every team in the last 50 years. Today’s team is the Cleveland Indians. The criteria are as follows:
- Player must have played a full 5 seasons for the team.
-1 player will be selected for each position, 1 right handed starting pitcher, 1 left handed starting pitcher, and 1 relief pitcher. I will include a DH for both leagues (considering interleague play now).
Below is my list of greatest players by position for the Indians in the last 50 years (since the 1970 season).
First Base- Jim Thome
Second Base- Carlos Baerga
Shortstop- Omar Visquel
Third Base- Jose Ramirez
Left Field- Albert Belle
Centerfield- Kenny Lofton
Right Field- Manny Ramirez
Catcher- Victor Martinez
Designated Hitter- Travis Haffner
Right Handed starting pitcher- Corey Kluber
Left Handed starting pitcher- C.C Sabatthia
Relief pitcher- Doug Jones
A couple of notes. If you watched the Indians in lose 2 World Series in the 90s, you know most of this team. HOF 2B Roberto Alomar did not play enough years with Cleveland to qualify (only 3 years with the Indians). Only questions were at shortstop and third base. At shortstop, I considered current All Star Francisco Lindor, but I went with the great Omar Visquel, who was an integral part of the 2 Indians WS teams. At third base, I considered Buddy Bell, who was a terrific fielder on some awful Indians teams in the 70s. But, I decided on the young Jose Ramirez, who has put together some terrific numbers after just 5 full seasons.
Next up is the Detroit Tigers
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