Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are a Major League Baseball team based in Cleveland , Ohio . In recent times, the club belongs to the Central Division of the American League. The Cleveland Indians are one of the Charter franchises of the American League, now playing in the American League Central Division against such rivals as the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, and Kansas City Royals. Indians were quite disappointed, when they missed playoff in 2005. So during this season, the only satisfactory finish will be in the playoffs. The Indians, who concluded 2005 season with a 93-69 record, have intensions to show something different this year with a solid lineup, rotation and bullpen. Though the opening day lineup was similar to the one that ended the last season home game but there are new inclusions to the roster too. Newly signed Grady Sizemore is teamed up with many other star players including Jason Michaels, shortstop Jhonny Peralta, DH Travis Hafner, catcher Victor Martinez and first baseman Eduardo Perez. Second baseman Ronnie Belliard, third baseman Aaron Boone and right fielder Casey Blake complete the lineup. Indians are hoping to be the winner of the World Series this year and will put an end to the longest current championship drought for an American League team. This way they will join the standings of the relevant Sox's.

Trembling this overshadow would be a bit difficult for the Cleveland Indians. At times during this past winter, their heads thumped and a nauseous feeling returned to their stomachs. The Indians are no more an anthology of unconfirmed projections with slightly more than minor league testimonials and potential. Sabathia, center fielder Grady Sizemore, shortstop Jhonny Peralta, left-hander Cliff Lee and catcher Victor Martinez, the team has a young core as good as any in baseball. With third baseman Aaron Boone, versatile outfielder Casey Blake and closer Bob Wickman Indians can see themselves in the winning streak. The team was balanced to make their first playoff appearance since 2001, when they overcame from the slow start, and became major league-best 39-18 after July 30. Last year Cleveland 's potency was its pitching staff. The club's collective 3.61 ERA was the best in the AL , and the bullpen's 2.80 ERA was baseball's skimpiest. And for the first time in 105 years, the Indians had five starters make at least 30 starts. The Indians have grown up into championship nominees, motivated by their near miss of last season. Though they cannot amend their past but the most they can do is they won't repeat the mistakes in future. The team is expected to show exciting season ahead with star players on the roster.

In 2000, the Indians amazed the league as their 5-year reign as Division Champs come to an end. They fall out of 1st Place early in the season. Despite a 90-72 record and failing to make the playoffs the Indians Infield defense continued to set a spark. 2B Roberto Alomar, SS Oscar Vizquel, and 3B Travis Fryman each win Gold Gloves, and set Gold Glovers R. Alomar, Vizquel, and Fryman, lead the 2000 Indians to set AL season fielding records in fielding percentage (.988)& fewest errors (72). In 2001, the Indians won their sixth American League Central Division crown in seven years. The Indians bested the Seattle Mariners in ALDS who tied a Major League Record with 116 wins during the regular season.