The Cleveland Guardians All-Century Team

We’re officially 22 seasons into the new century, so who should make the All-Century team for the Cleveland Guardians?

The Cleveland Guardians are one of the most historical franchises in baseball. The team has been around since 1901, with the Guardians being the fifth team nickname. With only two World Series championships in history, the team has had its share of success but also several years of losing.

In the 21st century alone, this team has had seasons of high highs and seasons of low lows, such as going from 68 wins in 2012 to 94 wins in 2013 and securing a playoff berth. In all, the team has made the postseason seven times throughout the century, winning five division titles. The Guardians have had nine 90+ win seasons and even a 102-win season in 2017. The franchise reached the World Series in 2016, losing to the Chicago Cubs in seven games.

With all that said, the Cleveland Guardians’ pool of talent in this century features a collection of star players and underrated gems who make up the last 22 years of baseball in Cleveland. I will go through that pool of talent and create an all-century team. The team will include a full lineup of nine position players, including DH, five starting pitchers, and three relievers.

The Cleveland Guardians All-Century Team

Catcher

Victor Martinez (2002-2009)

Stats: .297/.369/.463, .832 OPS, 120 OPS+, 19.2 bWAR, 900 H, 103 HR, 518 RBI

Victor Martinez was one of the best catchers in baseball during his time in Cleveland. While injuries are the primary reason he only spent four years as the everyday catcher, he certainly made that time count. In those four years, from 2004 to 2007, Martinez was the second-best catcher in the sport per Fangraphs WAR, with 16.3. Also during that stretch, his 125 wRC+ was second in the sport at his position, behind Jorge Posada.

Cleveland had a few really good years in the mid-2000s and Martinez’s ability to drive in runs was a big part of their offense. The 2007 season was his best in Cleveland, as he posted a .301/.374/.505 batting line, good for a .879 OPS and 129 OPS+. He accumulated 40 doubles, hit 25 home runs, and drove in 114 runs en route to an All-Star appearance and a seventh-place finish in MVP voting. He has been the best catcher for Cleveland in the century and was an easy pick for this 21st-century team.