by Sam Brean

Created on: March 22, 2009   Last Updated: March 25, 2009

Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians are one of the most storied franchises in all sports. Cleveland is one of four cities holding original charter status with the American League who have remained in one city since the league's inception in 1901: The Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers are the others.

Baseball's seeds were planted in Cleveland long before the Indians evolved, and its roots have grown long and strong, branching into a baseball forest of enormous, albeit latent stature. The Red Sox, New York's Yankees and Mets and the Chicago Cubs may usurp the Indians national adulation, but none surpass Cleveland's baseball tradition.

Pre-Indian Cleveland

The first professional baseball game played in Cleveland was on June 2, 1869, and from that game through the city's 1901 connection with the then modern version of the American League, instability was a keyword of the franchise's history. Ownership, leagues and names transitioned with the altered landscape of pro ball organization.

When Cleveland joined the American League in 1901 the team was named the Blues, followed by the Broncos in 1902 and Naps in 1903; a name that survived for twelve years. Following a disastrous 1914 season on the playing field and box office, ownership made several changes, attempting rejuvenation of sagging attendance, and changing the team's name to Indians was one.

Ownership

Baseball franchises frequently have been stabilized by long-term ownership. Cleveland does not fall into this category. There have been sixteen different principal owners since Charles Somers bought the team in 1900, including the namesake of Jacobs Field, Richard E. Jacobs, who was the 1986-2000 owner. The team currently is owned by attorney Larry Dolan.

Ballparks

Cleveland fans have gathered to watch their teams in three generations of ballparks: League Park, Cleveland Stadium and Jacobs Field; renamed Progressive field in 2007. The Blues, Broncos, Naps and Indians began playing in League Park; Cleveland Stadium-located beautifully on the shore of Lake Erie- opened in 1932; downtown Cleveland's Jacobs Field hosted its first game in 1994. Jacobs Field, renamed Progressive Field in 2007, is part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex.

Hall of Famers

Twenty-five Cleveland franchise players are members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Many of the twenty-five merely passed through Cleveland, primarily molding their Cooperstown busts elsewhere. Stalwart members of the cherished Cleveland

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