Cleveland Indians All-Time Top 20 Hitters in Franchise History

#2: Nap Lajoie

Infielder Nap Lajoie made his debut before the Indians even existed, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies beginning in 1896. In 1901, he made his way to the Philadelphia Athletics, where he had one of the most impressive seasons of all time: .426/.463/.643, with 125 RBIs, 14 home runs, 232 hits, and 48 doubles. Lajoie must have forgot that he was playing in the deadball era. That season, he won the Triple Crown, leading the league in average, home runs and RBIs.

The following season, Lajoie was dealt to the Indians after legal issues following his jump from the National League to the newly-minted American League forced him to stop playing in the state of Pennsylvania. The team, which was then called the Cleveland Bronchos, had been on the verge of a move thanks to low attendance and unprofitability in Cleveland, but Lajoie saved the franchise. He continued to put up such impressive numbers that by the end of the season, the team changed its name to the Cleveland Napoleons, or “Naps”.

During his lengthy career, Lajoie led the league in batting average five times, including each season from 1901-1904. He also led the league in RBIs three times, as well as three times in OPS. Lajoie only led the league in WAR one year – 1906 – but he was in the top ten in eight of his 21 seasons, and his 107.4 career WAR is ranked 23rd all-time amongst major leaguers.

By the end of his career, Lajoie had logged 657 doubles, 163 triples, and 82 home runs – as well as 380 stolen bases, and 3242 hits. His election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937 was well-deserved, and his place in Indians history will never be forgotten.

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