Cleveland Indians: Corey Kluber’s potential road to Cooperstown

Win the whole thing

Kluber may well put together a solid regular season resume that spans more than a decade. He’s got the work ethic, demeanor and talent to weather the long grind of a pitching career. But he could transform from dominant ace into all-time legend if he does what no Cleveland Indian has done since 1948: Win the World Series.

His harshest critics will contend that he hasn’t done his part in October thus far. That’s a fair argument as long as those same people are willing to admit the only games they remember are his last three.

The 2017 ALDS was an absolute disaster, no doubt. Nobody saw it coming, and outside of the vague mentions of back problems and arm angles, we may honestly never know what really happened to Kluber en route to nine earned runs in two short-lived starts.

In any case, one thing is certain: That wasn’t Corey Kluber.

His last start before that came in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. Among the many things people will remember about that game is that Kluber gave up four runs before exiting in the fifth. Much like the 2017 ALDS, it was difficult to watch, but it cannot be held against him.

When Kluber took the mound, he was facing a dangerous Cubs lineup for the third time in less than 10 days. It was his second consecutive start on short rest. The Indians fell short, but his readiness and effort are not up for questioning in that instance.

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Prior to that start, he had fanned 15 Cubs hitters and given up just one run in 12 innings. In his previous three starts against the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, he gave up two runs in 18.1 innings, with both runs coming in the same game.

The point is, do we really believe that the stoic and unflappable Corey Kluber is the kind of guy who just inexplicably comes apart at the seams when it matters most? Anyone who’s watched him knows that isn’t the case, and it’s unfathomable that a couple of forgettable postseason performances will develop into a regular occurrence.

October has by no means seen the last of Kluber and the Indians. They will be back, and Kluber has all the makings of a pitcher who can go on a legendary postseason run.

And whether it’s too early to discuss it or not, he also has the makings of a future inhabitant of the Baseball Hall of Fame. If he continues on his path, he may indeed have a bronze plaque in Cooperstown one day.

But if he leads the Tribe to their first World Series championship in 70 years? Well in that case, he’ll get a bronze statue outside Progressive Field.

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And Indians fans would be just fine with that.