The Cinderella Story of the Cleveland Indians: From Cellar Dwellers to Playoff Contenders in the 90s

The Cleveland Indians of the 1990s were one of the most improbable success stories in baseball history. After decades of futility, the Indians went from cellar dwellers to playoff contenders in just a few short years. This is the story of how they did it.

The Early Years

The Indians had been a doormat for most of their existence. They had only won one World Series title, in 1948, and had not had a winning season since 1954. In the 1980s, the Indians were particularly bad, finishing with a losing record in every season. But all of that changed in 1990.

A Tribe Reborn: How the Cleveland Indians of the ?90s Went from Cellar Dwellers to Playoff Contenders

by George Christian Pappas

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3904 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	258 pages

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The Turnaround

The Indians' turnaround began with the hiring of John Hart as general manager in 1989. Hart immediately began to overhaul the team's roster, trading away some of the team's veteran players for younger, more promising prospects. He also made some key free agent signings, including outfielder Kenny Lofton and pitcher Dennis Martinez.

Hart's moves paid off almost immediately. The Indians went 95-67 in 1990, their first winning season in over 30 years. They followed that up with another winning season in 1991, and in 1992, they won their first American League East division title since 1954.

The Playoff Years

The Indians made their first playoff appearance in 1992, and they quickly became a force to be reckoned with. They won the American League Championship Series in 1995 and 1997, and they reached the World Series in both years. Although they lost both World Series, the Indians had finally returned to prominence.

The Key Players

The Indians' success in the 1990s was due in large part to the efforts of a number of key players, including:

• Kenny Lofton: Lofton was one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball during the 1990s. He was a five-time All-Star and a four-time Gold Glove winner.
• Jim Thome: Thome was a powerful hitter who emerged as one of the best in baseball during the 1990s. He was a five-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger.
• Albert Belle: Belle was a feared hitter who was one of the most dangerous players in baseball in the early 1990s. He was a two-time All-Star and a one-time Silver Slugger.
• Orel Hershiser: Hershiser was a veteran pitcher who joined the Indians in 1995. He was a key member of the Indians' pitching staff, and he won the 1995 American League Cy Young Award.
• Charles Nagy: Nagy was a reliable pitcher who was a key member of the Indians' rotation throughout the 1990s.

The Legacy

The Indians' success in the 1990s was a Cinderella story. They went from cellar dwellers to playoff contenders in just a few short years. They brought excitement back to Cleveland, and they gave their fans something to cheer about. The Indians' success in the 1990s is a reminder that anything is possible in baseball.

A Tribe Reborn: How the Cleveland Indians of the ?90s Went from Cellar Dwellers to Playoff Contenders

by George Christian Pappas

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3904 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Print length	:	258 pages

FREE