1978 Cleveland Indians season
Encyclopedia
Offseason
- December 5, 1977: Bruce Compton (minors) and Norm Churchill (minors) were traded by the Indians to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Dave Rosello. - February 28, 1978: Tom BuskeyTom BuskeyThomas William Buskey was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for eight seasons. He played for the New York Yankees from 1973 to 1974, the Cleveland Indians from 1974 to 1977, and the Toronto Blue Jays from 1978 to 1980. He died in Harrisburg, PA from injuries involving an auto accident on...
and John LowensteinJohn LowensteinJohn Lee Lowenstein , is a former professional baseball player who played Major League Baseball primarily as an outfielder from to...
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 Willie Horton and David ClydeDavid ClydeDavid Eugene Clyde is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played all or part of five seasons for the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians...
. - March 15, 1978: Rico CartyRico CartyRicardo Adolfo Jacobo Carty is a former professional baseball player. Nicknamed Beeg Boy, he played mostly as an outfielder in Major League Baseball from to...
was traded by the Indians to the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
for Dennis DeBarrDennis DeBarrDennis Lee DeBarr is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball.Originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1971 amateur draft, DeBarr was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1976 MLB expansion draft. DeBarr appeared in fourteen games as a relief pitcher for the Blue Jays in , the team's...
. - March 30, 1978: 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...
and Fred KendallFred KendallFred Kendall was a catcher for parts of 12 seasons in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Red Sox....
were traded by the Indians to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for Rick WiseRick WiseRichard Charles Wise is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons...
, Mike PaxtonMike PaxtonMichael De Wayne Paxton is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He batted and threw right-handed....
, Ted CoxTed Cox (baseball)William Ted Cox is a former shortstop who played in Major League Baseball from through for the Boston Red Sox , Cleveland Indians , Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays . He batted and threw right-handed.Cox was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the first-round of the 1973 draft ahead of Fred...
, and Bo DíazBo DiazBaudilio José Díaz Seijas was a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds between and...
.
Regular season
On May 12, pitcherPitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
of the California Angels
1978 California Angels season
The 1978 California Angels season involved the Angels finishing second in the American League West with a record of 87 wins and 75 losses.- Offseason :* November 21, 1977: Lyman Bostock was signed as a free agent by the Angels....
struck out Buddy Bell
Buddy Bell
David Gus "Buddy" Bell is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. After an 18-year career with four teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, he managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals for three seasons each...
for the 2500th strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
of his career.
Notable transactions
- June 14, 1978: Dennis KinneyDennis KinneyDennis Paul Kinney is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of five seasons in the majors, from until ....
was traded by the Indians to the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for Dan SpillnerDan SpillnerDaniel Ray Spillner , is a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1974-1985. He played for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox....
. - June 15, 1978: Mike VailMike VailMichael Lewis Vail is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played from 1975-1984....
was traded by the Indians to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Joe WallisJoe WallisHarold Joseph Wallis is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of five seasons in the majors from until .On September 24, 1975, while playing for the Chicago Cubs, Wallis broke up Tom Seaver's bid for a no-hitter with two outs in the 9th inning of a game against the New...
. - June 15, 1978: Joe Wallis was traded by the Indians to the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Gary AlexanderGary Alexander (baseball)Gary Wayne Alexander is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants , Oakland Athletics , Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates...
. - June 22, 1978: Bill LaxtonBill LaxtonWilliam Harry Laxton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Laxton pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between and .- Early career :...
was traded by the Indians to the San Diego Padres for Dave FreislebenDave FreislebenDavid James Freisleben is a retired professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1974–79, for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, and Toronto Blue Jays.-External links:*...
. - June 26, 1978: Dennis DeBarrDennis DeBarrDennis Lee DeBarr is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball.Originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1971 amateur draft, DeBarr was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1976 MLB expansion draft. DeBarr appeared in fourteen games as a relief pitcher for the Blue Jays in , the team's...
was traded by the Indians to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Paul ReuschelPaul ReuschelPaul Richard Reuschel is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball from 1975-79....
. - July 3, 1978: Willie Horton was released by the Indians.
Roster
| 1978 Cleveland Indians | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 90 | 324 | 76 | .235 | 17 | 62 | |
| 1B | 145 | 508 | 133 | .262 | 33 | 105 | |
| 2B | 149 | 547 | 155 | .283 | 0 | 43 | |
| 3B | 142 | 556 | 157 | .282 | 6 | 62 | |
| SS | 130 | 421 | 114 | .271 | 1 | 32 | |
| LF | 113 | 378 | 100 | .265 | 14 | 61 | |
| CF | 148 | 566 | 149 | .263 | 3 | 50 | |
| RF | 93 | 307 | 78 | .254 | 3 | 20 | |
| DH | 60 | 174 | 50 | .287 | 4 | 16 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 113 | 315 | 89 | .283 | 2 | 27 | |
| 82 | 227 | 53 | .233 | 1 | 19 | |
| 50 | 169 | 42 | .249 | 5 | 22 | |
| 44 | 127 | 30 | .236 | 2 | 11 | |
| 70 | 106 | 24 | .226 | 0 | 4 | |
| 15 | 49 | 8 | .163 | 1 | 1 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 0 | 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 211.2 | 9 | 19 | 4.34 | 106 | |
| 33 | 191 | 12 | 11 | 3.86 | 96 | |
| 28 | 153.1 | 8 | 11 | 4.28 | 83 | |
| 12 | 44.1 | 1 | 4 | 7.11 | 19 | |
| 6 | 29 | 2 | 3 | 7.89 | 13 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 154.2 | 5 | 6 | 4.48 | 73 | |
| 18 | 89.2 | 2 | 4 | 3.11 | 24 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 3.08 | 95 | |
| 36 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3.67 | 48 | |
| 18 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4.42 | 19 | |
| 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6.28 | 5 | |