Cleveland Indians: All-Millennium lineup 20 years into the 2000s

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As we wrap up the 20th year of the millennium, here’s a look at our Cleveland Indians All-Millennium team so far.

With the year 2020 finally coming to an end, we are officially through one-fifth of a millennium that’s provided many highs and lows for the Cleveland Indians.

Since 2000, the Indians have reached the postseason seven times, won an American League Pennant and have had four different Cy Young Award winners.

They have also had their struggles with six sub .500 seasons, trades of several star players and heartbreaking losses to seasons that finally looked as if they’d deliver Cleveland’s first World Series since 1948.

Despite all the highs and lows, several players will not be forgotten by any Indians fan that have played for the club within the last 20 years. Thus, it is an appropriate time to see what an all-millennium Cleveland Indians lineup looks like right now.

Keep in mind stats and contributions between 2000-2020 only were factored in when making this decision, meaning players such as Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome that played for the Indians at the beginning of the millennium but mostly during the 1990s were only judged based on their stats from 2000 on.

Without further ado, here’s lineup:

Next: Infield

CLEVELAND, OHIO – MAY 17: Francisco Lindor #12 jokes with Jason Kipnis #22 of the Cleveland Indians during a pitching change in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on May 17, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Catcher: Victor Martinez (2002-09)

There are few better hitting catchers in the history of baseball than Victor Martinez. The Venezuela spent the first seven and a half years of his nearly two-decade-long career behind the plate for the Indians and emerging as one of baseball’s top catchers.

He was named an All-Star three times during his time with the Indians (2004, 2007, 2009), won the Silver Slugger Award at catcher in 2004 and guided two Cy Young Award winners behind the plate in C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee. At the plate, he hit above .300 in three of his seven full seasons with the Indians while driving in over 100 runs twice.

Martinez has easily been the Indians’ top catcher of the millennium thus far and will be tough for anyone to beat the next 80 years.

1B: Carlos Santana (2010-17, 2019-20)

Few Indians in the club’s history are better at getting on base than long-time first basemen Carlos Santana. Santana spent 10 of his first 11 seasons of his career with the Indians as he left the club for the Phillies in 2018, only to be traded back to Cleveland the following offseason.

In his time with the Tribe, Santana has put together six seasons of hitting at least 20 home runs and two seasons hitting over 30. He never posted an on-base percentage below .349 as he drew over 100 walks four-times, earning a reputation for having the best plate discipline in baseball.

Santana was named an All-Star and the Silver Slugger Award winner at first base in 2019 as he finished the year hitting .281 with a career-high 34 home runs and 108 RBI’s. He signed on with the Kansas City Royals for the 2021 season but as of now has earned the reputation as the Indians’ best first basemen of the millennium so far.

2B: Jason Kipnis (2011-19)

Not only was Jason Kipnis a fan favorite, he has been the best second basemen the Indians have had since 2000.

After a brief MLB stint and 2011 and playing 152 games as a rookie in 2012, Kipnis broke out in 2013, slashing .284/.366/.452 with 17 home runs, 84 RBI’s and 30 stolen bases. He would be named an All-Star and helped Cleveland clinch a surprise playoff berth.

In 2015, Kipnis again was named an All-Star as he slashed a career-best .303/.372/.451. Kipnis would help lead the Indians to the World Series in 2016, AL Central titles in 2017 and 2018, but after slumping in 2019 saw his time with the team come to an end as he instead joined his hometown Cubs for the 2020 season.

Still, the two-time All-Star and fan favorite easily gets the start at second base for the All-Millennium Indians.

SS: Francisco Lindor (2015-Present)

In his time with the Indians, Francisco Lindor has emerged as baseball’s best shortstop and one of the few true superstars in the game.

He has been named an All-Star four times (2016-19), won four Gold Glove Awards, a Platinum Glove and two Silver Sluggers while also helping lead the Indians to the 2016 World Series and to the postseason four times.

There’s no question Lindor is the Indians top shortstop since 2000 and has a chance to emerge as the best in franchise history if the team shocks the baseball world by offering him a long-term extension.

3B: Jose Ramirez (2013-Present)

Along with Lindor, Jose Ramirez has helped form one of the best infield right-side duos in Indians history.

While he has played some second base, Ramirez has found a home at the hot corner where he is a two-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger and three-time MVP finalist.

Ramirez played a vital role in both the Indians 2016 AL Championship season and 102-win 2017 campaign hitting above .310 and playing 15 games in both years. He is another player that, if Cleveland decides to hold onto, has the potential to finish his career as an all-time franchise great.

Next: Outfield and DH

CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 6: Lonnie Chisenhall #8 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates with Michael Brantley #23 of the Cleveland Indians after Brantley scores on a hit by David Murphy #7 during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field on May 6, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

LF: Michael Brantley (2009-18)

Despite a handful of injury-riddled seasons, Micheal Brantley‘s 10-years as an Indian will be fondly remembered and easily make him the top left fielder of the decade for the Tribe.

Brantley was named an All-Star three times during his time in Cleveland while also winning a Silver Slugger Award in 2014.

2014 was easily Brantley’s best year as an Indian as in addition to winning the Silver Slugger Award for AL Left Fielders finished third in AL MVP voting after slashing .327/.385/.506 with 20 home runs and 97 RBI’s.

Brantley would leave Cleveland for Houston as a free agent after the 2018 season, but he did more than enough during his time as an Indian to make the teams’ current All-Millennium lineup.

CF: Grady Sizemore (2004-11)

Before injuries ultimately derailed his career, Grady Sizemore was on his way to a decorated career. However, his production for the Indians still earns him the start in center field for the Indians’ current All-Millennium lineup.

Sizemore was named an All-Star three-times while in Cleveland, won two Gold Glove Awards and took home a Silver Slugger in 2008. He also helped lead the Indians to an AL Central title in 2007, where the team defeated the New York Yankees in the ALDS and came within one game of the World Series after losing a seven-game heartbreaking ALCS to the Red Sox.

While after being an iron man early in his career, playing 162 games in both 2006 and 2007, the wear and tear would put an abrupt end to his rise to stardom as he played just 33 games in 2010 and 71 in 2011 and would never wear an Indians uniform again afterward.

RF: Lonnie Chisenhall (2011-18)

The right field position has been somewhat of a revolving door for the Indians, which is why Lonnie Chisenhall, who also played some third base during his time in Cleveland, gets the nod.

In parts of eight seasons with the Tribe, Chisenhall slashed .268/.320/.427. and 64 home runs and 296 RBI’s. He hit above .280 three times, including in 2016, where he played 126 games, slashing .286/.328/.439 with eight home runs and 57 RBI’s. In the postseason, he hit .300 with a home run and four RBI’s in the Indians ALDS sweep of the Red Sox en route to the World Series.

Chisenhall’s versatility, steady bat and great personality makes him loved in Cleveland, giving him the right field spot.

DH: Travis Hafner (2003-12)

For much of his time in Cleveland, Travis Hafner emerged as one of the most feared designated hitters in all of baseball.

From 2004-07, Hafner smashed at least 24 home runs, including a monster 2006 season that saw him hit 42 home runs with 117 RBI’s and a slash line of .308/.439/.659.

While injuries ultimately derailed his career earlier than the Indians would’ve hoped, Hafner easily gets the starting nod as the All-Millennium DH right now.

Next: Starting Pitcher

CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 02: Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians pitches in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs in Game Seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 2, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

SP: Corey Kluber (2011-19)

Perhaps the hardest decision of forming an All-Millennium team through 20 years is who to give the ball on the mound.

Four different Indians have won Cy Young Awards since 2000, but only one has done it twice and with that, Corey Kluber gets the nod.

Kluber came out of seemingly nowhere to win his first Cy Young Award in 2014, where he posted an 18-9 record, 2.44 ERA and struck out 269 batters in 235.2 innings.

He was named an All-Star in 2016, where he helped lead the Indians to the World Series and in 2017 again was named an All-Star and won his second Cy Young Award by posting an 18-4 record with a career-best 2.25 ERA with 265 strikeouts in 203.2 innings of work.

Kluber would again be named an All-Star in 2018, but after injuries derailed his 2019 season was traded to the Texas Rangers.

Still, Kluber will go down as one of the best starting pitchers in team history and is the best to take the mound so far this millennium.