[Nick Soulis]

CLEVELAND INDIANS

Overall (8721-8384 W-L, 1901 - 2011) - 2 World Championships, 5 Pennants, and 10 Playoff Appearances

Ball Park - Cleveland Stadium

Manager: Al Lopez

C	Sandy Alomar	Ray Fosse
1B	Jim Thome	Hal Trosky
2B	Nap Lajoie	Bobby Avila
3B	Joe Sewell	Al Rosen
SS	Lou Boudreau	Omar Vizquel
OF	Albert Belle	Dale Mitchell
OF	Earl Averill	Kenny Lofton
OF	Larry Doby	Rocky Colavito
DH	Manny Ramirez
SP	Bob Feller
SP	Bob Lemon
SP	Early Wynn
SP	CC Sabathia
CL	Bob Wickman	Doug Jones

Catchers - When Ray Fosse was injured in the 1970 All star game the potential of a great career was passed. Fosse was quite a catcher before then however and now has his chance to play again. Fosse will battle with Sandy Alomar for the everyday job, Fosse has the potential and Alomar has the consistency.

First Base - There is nothing but power from this spot. Jim Thome has about 600 home runs and the perfect power uppercut swing that makes him a great midlineup slugger. Hal Trosky isnt much of a drop off as the back up and will surely be needed as Thome likely cant play everyday. The glove at this spot is good but range not great.

Second Base - When you have an entire team named after you then you must be pretty good. Nap Lajoie is a legend of the game and a superstar with the bat in his hands. Lajoie managed for a while and is the first true star of Cleveland baseball; look for a .330 average from him. Bobby Avila backs up the star and is a hardnosed perfect backup at that. Avila can hit for average and can stretch a double into a triple.

Short Stop - Maybe the best and most horored player the franchise has seen, Lou Boudreau will at the center of it all at the short stop position. Lou is a manger on the field and can handle the bat with the best of them. Boudreau is a great man to have on the roster during those especially tough games in the AL. The backup is none other then Omar Vizquel. Vizquel may be the best fielding shortstop the game has seen, and if not spactacular at the plate he does have good speed and can swipe a base.

Third Base - For a short period Al Rosen was tearing up the American League and almost had a triple crown in 1952. Rosen had prodidious power and drives the ball to all parts of the field. Rosen could be a secret key to this team. Joe Sewell is a Hall of Famer and likely will be converted to third base to compete for this job. Sewell is a doubles machine with good speed. Stil Sewell is known best for being the best contact hitter to ever play the game. Sewell averaged around eight strikeout a season!

Outfield - Larry Doby is another high charcater guy who has a history beyond his performance on the field. Still Doby was a great Hall of Fame hitter for a long time who could do it all including 215 home runs and a dependable glove and arm. Albert Belle will play in left field and when Belle is hot little can stop him. Belle mashes the ball and kills mistakes, some however question his glove and his impact as a team player. Finally Earl Averill is the most unsung star in this lineup but in many ways may be the most impressive. Averill hit over 200 homers, 400 doubles, and 100 triples with a .318 career average. Kenny Lofton will surely see some time and is a great runing backup. Rocky Colavito has great power and will be a dangerous pinch hitter on this team. Dale Mitchell will also fight to make this final 25 man roster.

Designated Hitter - Manny Ramirez is the DH who has over 500 home runs and a great history of winning. Ramirez has a good plate eye and hits line drives like rain drops. Ramirez wont field much but can play left, Lofton and Colavito will see time in this roles as well.

Starting Pitching - A deep solid rotation will have the Indians contending all year long. Bob Feller is not only a great man in all walks of life but is among the best pitchers to ever throw. Feller won 20 or more games almost everyseason and is the leader and ace here. Bob Lemon is another star arm from the era and his ability with Feller to throw hard will keep hitters on their heels. Early Wynn approaches the hitter a little diffrently but is just as hard to hit, Wynn won 300 games in his career and lead the Indians to their last title. CC Sabathia rounds off the roatation and the big left hander throws hard as well and takes the ball with fire and enthusiasm. These four arms have the fans in Cleveland thinking they are good enough for anything. Rumor also has it that Satchail Paige will make the roster and could be an open outside option for some pitching time.

Closer - A battle here between two good but not great closers, actually maybe three. Bob Wickman has the most saves of the bunch but Doug Jones likely was more dependable. Jose Mesa also will have his chance as this role is wide open heading into the spring.

Spring Training battles
Larry Doby vs Kenny Lofton (Center field)]
Bob Wickman vs Jose Mesa vs Doug Jones (closer)
Al Rosen vs Je Sewell (Third base)

Cooperstown Rating
Offense - A-
Defense - C+
Starting pitching - A-
Bullpen - C
Prediction: 93-69

Quick word with Al Lopez
"Me and Lou (Boudreau) will work together in managing this team. Lou is too smart a baseball man not to be part of decisions."