Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians are an MLB team in Cleveland, Ohio, belonging to the American League and playing at Progressive Field.
Contents21 sections
Key facts
1901Joining the AL
Cleveland was an American League charter member, initially known as the Blues, with League Park as its home.[1]
Subsequent names were Bronchos(1902), Naps(1903–1914) and Indians(1915–2021).[2]
1920A World Series title amid tragedy
Shortstop Ray Chapman was struck by a pitch on August 16 and died the next morning. Under manager Tris Speaker, Joe Sewell filled the shortstop position and pitcher Walter Mails strengthened the staff. Cleveland ultimately defeated Brooklyn 5–2 in the World Series.[3]
1932Games at Municipal Stadium
For roughly 15 years, home games were divided between Municipal Stadium and League Park.[1]
April 16, 1940Feller’s Opening Day no-hitter
Bob Feller no-hit the White Sox in the first Opening Day no-hitter in major league history.[4]
1946–1947Veeck ownership and Doby’s arrival
Bill Veeck entered the ownership group through an investment syndicate. In 1947, he signed Larry Doby as the American League’s first Black player. Veeck also promoted the club through radio, fan events and fireworks.[5]
1948Another World Series championship
With Bob Lemon leading the pitching staff, Cleveland defeated the Boston Braves 4–2 to win the World Series.[4]
1954111 wins
Cleveland won 111 regular-season games but was swept by the New York Giants in the World Series.[1]
April 8, 1975Robinson’s managerial debut
Frank Robinson opened the season as player-manager, becoming the first full-time Black manager in AL/NL history. He homered in his first at-bat as Cleveland beat the Yankees 5–3.[6]
1994A move to Jacobs Field
The club left Cleveland Stadium for the newly opened downtown Jacobs Field. The ballpark and neighboring basketball arena formed the Gateway complex. It was renamed Progressive Field in 2008.[7]
1995–1997Two World Series returns
Cleveland went 100–44 in 1995 and lost the World Series to the Braves. It returned in 1997 but lost to the Marlins.[1]
2000The Dolan family takes over
Larry Dolan bought the club from Richard Jacobs, beginning the Dolan family’s ownership.[8]
January 2013Control changes
MLB approved Paul Dolan as the club’s control person.[9]
2016A seven-game World Series
After leading 3–1, Cleveland lost to the Cubs in seven games.[1]
2021Renamed the Guardians
Following longstanding Native American criticism of the Indians name, the club announced Guardians, inspired by the Hope Memorial Bridge’s traffic guardians.[2]
The new name took effect on November 19.[10]
June 2022A new owner
David Blitzer joined the club’s ownership group.[11]
November 2023Vogt appointed
Stephen Vogt succeeded Terry Francona as manager.[12]
February 23, 2025Larry Dolan dies
Larry Dolan died at 94; the club announced his death the next day.[8]
2026Third straight division title
Cleveland won its third consecutive AL Central title.[13]
In the ALCS opener, Cleveland beat the Rays 7–3.[14]
Home and management
Progressive Field is in downtown Cleveland and is owned by Gateway, which leases it to the club.[7]
Paul Dolan is owner, chairman and CEO.[15]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Cleveland Guardians: Official website: https://www.mlb.com/guardians (opens in a new window).[16]
Cleveland Guardians: X: https://x.com/CLEGuardians (opens in a new window).[17]
Cleveland Guardians: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CLEGuardians/ (opens in a new window).[18]
Cleveland Guardians: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLEGuardians/ (opens in a new window).[19]
Cleveland Guardians: YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/@cleguardians (opens in a new window).[20]
Sources
- Cleveland Guardians History (opens in a new window)
- Cleveland baseball goes from Indians to Guardians after106 years (opens in a new window)
- Tragedy to Triumph (opens in a new window)
- Cleveland Guardians Starting Nine (opens in a new window)
- Veeck, Bill | Baseball Hall of Fame (opens in a new window)
- Frank Robinson blazed trail for managers (opens in a new window)
- Gateway Economic Development Corporation of Greater Cleveland (opens in a new window)
- Cleveland Guardians owner Lawrence J. Dolan dies at94 (opens in a new window)
- CEO Dolan approved as Indians’ control person (opens in a new window)
- History of Cleveland’s baseball team name (opens in a new window)
- Blitzer purchases25% stake in Guardians (opens in a new window)
- Former catcher Stephen Vogt named next Guardians skipper (opens in a new window)
- Guardians clinch7th Central title in last11 years, secure1st-round bye (opens in a new window)
- Guards come up big late to rally past Rays in ALCS opener (opens in a new window)
- Front Office Directory (opens in a new window)
- Official Cleveland Guardians Website | MLB.com (opens in a new window)
- Cleveland Guardians — x (opens in a new window)
- Cleveland Guardians — instagram (opens in a new window)
- Cleveland Guardians — facebook (opens in a new window)
- Cleveland Guardians — youtube (opens in a new window)