#TBT: Building the ultimate Cleveland Indians starting lineup

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Pitcher: Bob Feller (1940)

Perhaps the most recognizable Indians player of all time, Bob Feller was plucked from an Iowa farm at 17 years old to become a national celebrity and eventual Hall of Fame pitcher.

Joining the Indians in 1936, Feller was the biggest name in baseball outside of Babe Ruth, as he chucked fastballs approaching 100 miles per hour that batters could barely see. Deemed “Rapid Robert” or “Heater from Van Meter” in the sports pages, Feller enjoyed the best season of his incredible career in 1940. 

That season, Feller took the mound for 37 starts and threw 31 complete games. He threw 320.1 innings and posted a 2.61 ERA. Feller won 27 games, he struck of 261 batters and he was just downright unhittable.

There is no better option in Tribe history to take the bump than the man enshrined just outside the gates of Progressive Field.

Catcher: Sandy Alomar, Jr. (1997)

Sandy Alomar Jr. enjoyed some of the best seasons of his career as a member of the Cleveland Indians throughout the 90s but none better than 1997, the Tribe’s first season in Jacob’s Field.

In that season, Alomar set career-highs in seemingly every meaningful offensive category. He hit .324 with 21 homeruns and 83 RBIs on the season. He hit a homerun and earned the All-Star Game MVP award and continued his tear right into the playoffs. Leading the Tribe to the 1997 World Series, Alomar batted .274 and clubbed five homeruns while driving in 19 RBIs over 18 games in the postseason.

Alomar finished the season 14th in AL MVP voting but, as a consolation prize, Alomar landed on this list as the Tribe’s top catcher.

Next: Infielders