1972 Cleveland Indians season
Encyclopedia
The Cleveland Indians
season was the 72nd in franchise history. The team finished fifth in the American League East
with a record of 72-86, 14 games behind the Detroit Tigers
.
led a group of investors (including Ted Bonda
, Ed Jeffrey, Howard Metzenbaum
, Steve O'Neill
, Gabe Paul
and Al Rosen
) that negotiated with Jim Stouffer, the son of Indians owner Vernon Stouffer
about the potential purchase of the franchise. The group offered $8.6 million dollars and agreed to absorb $300,000 in debt (Stouffer borrowed against the Indians television contract for 1972). Although Steinbrenner and Jim Stouffer agreed to a sale, Vernon Stouffer
disapproved of the deal. He felt that he was able of getting $10 million dollars for the franchise.
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
season was the 72nd in franchise history. The team finished fifth in the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
with a record of 72-86, 14 games behind the Detroit Tigers
1972 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the American League East division championship with a record of 86-70 , finishing one-half game ahead of the Boston Red Sox. They played one more game than the Red Sox due to a scheduling quirk caused by the 1972 Major League Baseball strike -- a game which turned out to...
.
George Steinbrenner offer
On December 6, 1971, George SteinbrennerGeorge Steinbrenner
George Michael Steinbrenner III was an American businessman who was the principal owner and managing partner of Major League Baseball's New York Yankees. During Steinbrenner's 37-year ownership from 1973 to his death in July 2010, the longest in club history, the Yankees earned seven World Series...
led a group of investors (including Ted Bonda
Ted Bonda
Alva T. "Ted" Bonda was the president of the Cleveland Indians from 1973 to 1978. He was a partner in Nick Mileti's ownership group who assumed control of the team in 1973, though Mileti wasn't completely bought out until 1975...
, Ed Jeffrey, Howard Metzenbaum
Howard Metzenbaum
Howard Morton Metzenbaum was an American politician who served for almost 20 years as a Democratic member of the U.S. Senate from Ohio . He also served in the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate from 1943 to 1951.-Early life:Metzenbaum was born in Cleveland, to a poor Jewish family, the son...
, Steve O'Neill
Steve O'Neill (owner)
Francis J. "Steve" O'Neill was the principal owner of the Cleveland Indians of the American League from through . In 1978, O'Neill purchased the Indians from the ownership group headed by Ted Bonda. After his death, O'Neill's estate owned the team until Richard Jacobs purchased the Indians in...
, Gabe Paul
Gabe Paul
Gabriel Howard Paul was an American executive in Major League Baseball who served as general manager of three teams and, perhaps most famously, as president of the New York Yankees under George Steinbrenner during the 1970s....
and Al Rosen
Al Rosen
Albert Leonard Rosen , nicknamed "Al", "Flip", and the "Hebrew Hammer", is a former American professional baseball player who was a third baseman and right-handed slugger in the Major Leagues for ten seasons in tthe 1940s and 1950s.He played his entire 10-year career with the Cleveland Indians in...
) that negotiated with Jim Stouffer, the son of Indians owner Vernon Stouffer
Vernon Stouffer
Vernon B. Stouffer, owned a national chain of restaurants, motor inns, and food-service operations and the Cleveland Indians from 1966-72. He played a key part in developing frozen foods and microwavable foods. His company Stouffer's was valued at $21.5 million when it was merged with Litton...
about the potential purchase of the franchise. The group offered $8.6 million dollars and agreed to absorb $300,000 in debt (Stouffer borrowed against the Indians television contract for 1972). Although Steinbrenner and Jim Stouffer agreed to a sale, Vernon Stouffer
Vernon Stouffer
Vernon B. Stouffer, owned a national chain of restaurants, motor inns, and food-service operations and the Cleveland Indians from 1966-72. He played a key part in developing frozen foods and microwavable foods. His company Stouffer's was valued at $21.5 million when it was merged with Litton...
disapproved of the deal. He felt that he was able of getting $10 million dollars for the franchise.
Notable transactions
- November 29, 1971: Sam McDowellSam McDowellSamuel Edward Thomas McDowell , is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball, with the first 11 coming for the Cleveland Indians before a 1971 trade to the San Francisco Giants, followed by stints with the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates...
was traded by the Indians to the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for Gaylord PerryGaylord PerryGaylord Jackson Perry is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1962-1983 for eight different teams in his career. During a 22-year baseball career, Perry compiled 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 earned run average...
and Frank Duffy. - December 2, 1971: Roy Foster, Ken SuarezKen SuarezKenneth Raymond Suarez is a former right-handed Major League Baseball catcher who played from 1966 to 1973 for the Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers. He was 5'9" tall and he weighed 175 pounds....
, Mike PaulMike PaulMichael George Paul is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1968 to 1974 for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs....
, and Rich HandRich HandRichard Allen Hand . He graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle and attended University of Puget Sound. He is a retired professional baseball player who played four seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and California Angels of Major League Baseball...
were traded by the Indians to the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for Del UnserDel UnserDelbert Bernard Unser is a retired Major League Baseball center fielder and utility player who had a 15-year career from 1968 to 1982. Unser played for the Washington Senators from 1968 to 1971 and the Cleveland Indians in 1972...
, Gary JonesGary Jones (baseball)Gareth Howell "Gary" Jones is a former left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played in 1970 and 1971 for the New York Yankees. The brother of fellow MLB player Steve Jones, Gary was 6'0" and 191 pounds.Prior to playing professional baseball, Jones attended Whittier College...
, Terry LeyTerry LeyTerrence Richard Ley is a retired baseball pitcher who began his career in the season for the New York Yankees. He was a student of University of Oregon before he was drafted in the 3rd round of the January 1967 draft and was 24 when he made his major league debut on August 20, 1971 for the...
, and Denny RiddlebergerDenny RiddlebergerDennis Michael Riddleberger is a retired American professional baseball player. A pitcher, he was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1967, but never saw playing time in the major leagues until he was traded to the Washington Senators with money for George Brunet...
. - December 6, 1971: Adolfo PhillipsAdolfo PhillipsAdolfo Emilio Phillips López , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from 1964-1972. He would play for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, and Cleveland Indians. On June 11, 1967, he hit three home runs in one game.-External links:...
was purchased by the Indians from the Montreal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
.
Notable transactions
- June 6, 1972: 1972 Major League Baseball Draft1972 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1972 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Montreal Expos had perhaps their best draft in franchise history. The Expos grabbed outfielder Ellis Valentine in round two of the June regular phase and then...
- Rick ManningRick ManningRichard Eugene Manning is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers...
was drafted by the Indians in the 1st round (2nd pick). - Dennis EckersleyDennis EckersleyDennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He...
was drafted by the Indians in the 3rd round. Player signed June 12, 1972. - Rick LangfordRick LangfordJames Rick Langford , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1976-1986...
was drafted by the Indians in the 36th round, but did not sign.
- Rick Manning
- September 18, 1972: Lowell PalmerLowell PalmerLowell Raymond Palmer is a retired American Major League Baseball pitcher. The right-hander was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1st round of the 1966 amateur draft . He played for the Phillies , St. Louis Cardinals , Cleveland Indians , and San Diego Padres...
was selected off waivers by the Indians from the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
.
Roster
| 1972 Cleveland Indians | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS | 130 | 385 | 92 | .239 | 3 | 27 | |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 342.2 | 24 | 16 | 1.92 | 234 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 11.2 | 0 | 0 | 1.54 | 6 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards and honors
All-Star Game1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the 43rd such game, was played on July 25, 1972. The all-stars from the American League and the National League faced each other at Atlanta Stadium, home of the Atlanta Braves...
- Gaylord PerryGaylord PerryGaylord Jackson Perry is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1962-1983 for eight different teams in his career. During a 22-year baseball career, Perry compiled 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 earned run average...
, Pitcher, Reserve