All-Time Cleveland Indians: Ghosts of Tribe's Past

Over the past 15 years of Indians baseball, many talented ball players have put on the Indians uniform. During this time span, the Indians have appeared in seven postseasons, two World Series and have not won a single ring.

With a limited salary cap per the owners’ request, General Managers John Hart, Mark Shapiro and now Chris Antonetti, have done a marvelous job keeping the Tribe in contention, while also building a quality team loaded with talent.

Besides having those players on the field, the Indians have had quality managers including Mike Hargrove and Charlie Manuel. Now, let’s take a look at the gaudy roster of former stars.

Victor Martinez, Catcher

The switch hitting catcher is now with the division rival Detroit Tigers and producing at a high level.  Since leaving in 2007 for the Boston Red Sox, Martinez has consistently been productive in the middle of the lineup for a contending ball club.

A past fan favorite, it still hurts to see him go down to injury.

Jim Thome, 1B

Thome recently hit his 600^th home run, assuring himself a spot in Cooperstown.

After leaving the Indians for more money with the Philadelphia Phillies and then the Chicago White Sox, Thome was hitting 40 home runs and driving in 100 RBIs regularly.

A sure-fire Hall of Famer is surely missed by Cleveland fans who adored him.

Brandon Phillips, 2B

Although Phillips left because of arguments with then-manager Eric Wedge, he has been hard to replace up until Jason Kipnis' arrival. Phillips has played six seasons in Cincinnati and has been productive and reliable, bringing Cincy to the playoffs.

Omar Vizquel, SS

The sure-handed shortstop was a fan favorite in Cleveland when he abruptly left in 2005. He has gone on to win two more Gold Gloves and consistently contributes for a contending ball club.

Matt Williams, 3B

A blast from the past, but man could he hit. Williams hit over 30 home runs and 100 RBIs for the Indians in 1997. Williams went on to Arizona to help them claim their first World Series title in 2001.

Manny Ramirez, LF

What isn’t there to say about Manny? This man did it all.

Through all the drama of Manny being Manny, he consistently put the bat on the ball and carried an entire ball club on his back.

He helped the Red Sox to their first World Series win since 1918. Although his career came to an abrupt and sad ending, this season, Manny will try to come back with the Oakland A's.

Eeither way Manny is a Hall of Famer. Ramirez is also considered by many to be the best hitter of the past 15 years.

Kenny Lofton, CF

Another fan-favorite in Cleveland, Lofton was known for his speed, defense and clutch hitting. After leaving the Indians, Lofton went on the help the Braves, Cubs, Yankees and Dodgers to the postseason.

David Justice, RF

Justice was acquired by the Indians a year after he helped the Braves defeat the Tribe in the World Series.  He was instrumental to the Tribe while there.

Once Justice left the Indians, he played for the New York Yankees’ pennant-winning team in 2001, followed by a playoff run with the Oakland A’s.

Eddie Murray, 1B/DH

This 3000-hit, 500-home-run member is deservedly in bronze at the Hall of Fame.

Retiring shortly after leaving the Tribe, Murray played one more season for his original team the Baltimore Orioles. Murray helped the Orioles to the postseason and ended up defeating the Cleveland Indians in the first round.

Cliff Lee, SP

Since leaving the Indians in 2009, Lee has gone on to be the starter of Game 1 of the World Series in every year except for 2011.  Little more needs to be said.

C.C. Sabathia, SP

Traded at the deadline in 2008, Sabathia went 11-2 with a 1.86 ERA for the Milwaukee Brewers and led them to the postseason. He left the following year for the Yankees, and has been their ace since.

In his first two years with the Yankees, he led the AL in wins and 19 this past year. This also includes a World Series victory in 2009.

Bartolo Colon, SP

For all the expectations given the big right hander, he has never gotten the credit he deserves. Colon has had 6 seasons with a three-point ERA, and won a CY Young award for the Los Angeles Angels in 2005.

Kevin Millwood, SP

After leaving the Indians in 2006, Millwood has gone on to start close to 30 games a season, but one. He was a staple on the Texas Rangers rotation, and in 2009, Millwood posted a 13-10 record with a 3.86 ERA and close to 200 IP.

Carl Pavano, SP

In 2010, Pavano was 17-11, with a 3.75 ERA and helped the Minnesota Twins to a division title.

Bench

All of these players have a few things in common: They played for the Indians, they have all been in an All-Star game and they have played in the postseason (many of whom have played for teams other than the Tribe).

This collection of players will likely produce 8-to-10 Hall of Famers. However, like previously mentioned, there are others who wouldn’t crack the starting lineup — players like Sandy Alomar Jr., Travis Fryman, Marquis Grissom, Brian Giles, Juan Gonzalez and Ellis Burke. Pitchers would include Kerry Wood, Orel Hershiser, Kevin Millwood and Chuck Finley.

Conclusion

The players the Indians fans have seen over the past 15 years are as good as any seen by fans anywhere, even in New York.

To say the Indians haven’t tried is silly and foolish.

The Tribe continues to add talent and stay within budget. This year’s team has many young players who could potentially follow similar paths of Thome, Ramirez and Sabathia. However, they are on the Tribe now and Cleveland fans will root for them, but only as long as they wear an Indians uniform.