#TBT: Building the ultimate Cleveland Indians starting lineup

Jul 5, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; A general view of Progressive Field at sunset during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Indians. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

It is Throwback Thursday and, as the Tribe cuts down their roster this week, we are making cuts of our own and building the most potent Cleveland Indians roster of all time.

Cleveland has seen some exciting teams over the years and, with that, the Tribe has fielded some of the greatest players the game has ever seen. The late-1990s was one of the most exciting times in Indians’ history, but the wealth of talent goes far beyond that decade. It begins with Nap Lajoie in the early part of the century and continues with Indians’ legends Bob Feller and Larry Doby in the middle half of the 1900s.

Choosing the greatest lineup in Indians history isn’t just about putting together the best hitters ever. It is more about building the dream lineup, carefully constructed with the right mix of speed and power. This list does not take into account the players’ entire body of work but, instead, focuses solely on single-season performances.

What is your ultimate starting nine? Check out the slideshow and use the comments section below to build your lineup.

Next: Battery

Battery

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

Infield

Aug 2, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Surrounded by his family, Cleveland Indians former player

signs a one-day contract with Cleveland Indians president Mark Shapiro before the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Texas Rangers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

First Base: Jim Thome (2002)

The second player on this list who has been enshrined at Progressive Field, Jim Thome enjoyed the most successful season of his career in 2002 – right before he joined the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency that offseason.

That season, Thome hit a single-season team record 52 homeruns and drove in 118 RBIs on the season. He posted a ridiculous slash line of .304 / .445 / .677. Thome tortured opposing pitching in Jacob’s Field to the tune of a .350 average and an absurd .772 slugging percentage.

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The Peoria, Ill. native is one of the most beloved Indians figures. He still gets the loudest ovations anytime he shows up in Cleveland – no matter if it is during his comeback stint of 2011, wearing the uniform of an opposing team, or unveiling a statue that enshrines him as one of the best to ever wear the Cleveland uniform.

Thome took home the Roberto Clemente Award in 2002, an award that goes to the player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.” He also captured the Cleveland BBWA Man of the Year Award for his performance and contributions to the community.

He certainly had a lot of great seasons in a Tribe uniform, so take your pick on the year. What is not debatable, though, is that Thome is likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer and will someday have a plaque with his name in Heritage Park.

Until the time comes, his legacy can live on through this list as the Indians top first baseman of all-time. 

Second Base: Nap Lajoie (1904)

Nap Lajoie has been described as the first superstar in American League history.

Lajoie was the face of the Cleveland franchise when, quite literally, he became the face of the franchise. He was so popular that the club, which was known as the Bronchos, renamed itself the “Naps.”

A career .338 hitter, Lajoie put together the best season of his Cleveland career in 1904, hitting an eye-popping .376 over 140 games. He clubbed 70 extra-base hits, including 49 doubles, and stole 29 bases without being caught.

Lajoie tops the likes of Roberto Alomar, Carlos Baerga and Johnny Hodapp as Cleveland’s greatest second baseman.

Third Base: Al Rosen (1953)

Al Rosen missed the Triple Crown in 1953 by one batting average percentage point.

The last Indians player to win the AL MVP award, Rosen enjoyed what Bill James called the greatest ever by a third baseman in ’53. He hit for both power (43 home runs) and average (.336) while knocking home 145 RBIs. Rosen posted a mind-blowing .422 on-base percentage that season, slugging .613 on his way to collecting 367 total bases on the season.

Rosen recently passed away‘, but his memory certainly lives on as one of the greatest players in Cleveland baseball history.

Shortstop: Omar Vizquel (1999) 

Omar Vizquel was another fan favorite during his time in Cleveland.

He was a perennial Gold Glove shortstop, winning every season between 1993-2001, whose fancy footwork and bare-handed plays never got old during his 11 seasons with the Tribe.

Vizquel enjoyed the best season of his career in 1999, finishing 16th in the balloting for American League MVP. He batted .333 with a .397 on-base percentage with 88 RBIs and 42 stolen bases in 51 attempts. He tallied 45 extra-base hits out of the two-spot behind Kenny Lofton and was even more dynamic defensively.

Known for his bare-handed plays, Vizquel made impossible plays look routine with his back turned to the action.

As an 11-time Gold Glove Award winner with 2,877 career hits (40th all-time), Vizquel deserves a nod to the Baseball Hall of Fame but that’s an argument for a different day.

Until then, Vizquel is the most exciting shortstop in Cleveland Indians’ history and he posted the single-greatest season by a shortstop in Tribe history with his performance in 1999.

Next: Outfielders

Designated Hitter

Travis Hafner (2006)

The Indians have talked about bringing Travis Hafner back as a part-time hitting coach, and for good reason. Pronk, or half project and half donkey, posted MVP-caliber numbers in 2006 while solidifying the middle of one of the best offenses in baseball.

Unfortunately, Hafner’s season was cut short after being hit in the hand by Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson on September 1. At the time of the injury, though, the North Dakota native led the league in slugging percentage (.659) and walks (100); he was second in homeruns (42), RBIs (117), total bases (299), on-base percentage (.439) and extra-base hits (74).

He was the first player in baseball to hit five grand slams before the All-Star break and eventually tied Don Mattingly‘s single-season record when he hit is sixth grand slam of the season in August.

Hafner hit for both power and average, posting a .308 average in the injury-shortened season. He was far and away the greatest designated hitter the Tribe has ever seen and, further, ranks atop the league as one of the most productive designated hitters in baseball history.

There is no doubt that he belongs in the middle of the batting order on any Indians’ all-time list.

Now use the comments section below to build your own ultimate Tribe lineup.

Next: #TBT: Dazzling Indians Spring Training Performances