Curse of Rocky Colavito
Encyclopedia
The Curse of Rocky Colavito is a phenomenon that supposedly prevents the Cleveland Indians
baseball team from winning, be it the World Series
, the American League
pennant, reaching postseason play, or even getting into a pennant race. Its origin is traced back to the unpopular trade of right fielder Rocky Colavito
for Harvey Kuenn
in 1960.
and Cleveland Indians
sent "The Rock," the home run champion of 1959 to the Tigers for Harvey Kuenn, batting champion of 1959. It was a unique trade between a home run champion, 42 home runs in '59, and a hitting champion, .359 batting average in '59. Fans in Cleveland were outraged by the betrayal of their GM Frank "Trader" Lane. In only 2 years at the Indians Lane had taken a mostly successful 40-man roster and had traded every single player he had inherited away. Fans in Detroit were mostly happy about the trade.
, who had previously covered the Indians for The Plain Dealer. In his 1994
book The Curse of Rocky Colavito: A Loving Look at a 33-Year Slump, Pluto suggested that the trade, made by Indians general manager Frank Lane
to blunt Colavito's popularity and salary demands, led to a stretch where the Indians did not even come within 11 games of first place from 1960 to . By 1994, the team had not won a pennant since or a World Series since 1948
.
In The Curse of Rocky Colavito, Pluto writes of many of the misfortunes that struck the Indians following the Colavito trade:
Since the book's publication in 1994, Pluto has written two sequels: "Burying the Curse" in 1995 and "Our Tribe" in 1999
, the latter insisting the curse was still in place.
Despite the "evidence" of a curse on the team, Colavito has denied ever placing one.
in . According to the story, Bragan walked out to the pitcher's mound at Cleveland Municipal Stadium
, and placed a curse on the Indians, saying they would never win another pennant. Bragan, however, always denied that such a thing happened.
. They were just one game behind the White Sox in the newly-created American League Central
Division when a strike put an end to the season. Despite the abrupt end, this was the first time the Indians had genuinely been in a pennant race since 1959, Colavito's last season before being traded away.
In the years since, the Indians have enjoyed tremendous success: 7 division titles (including 5 in a row) and 2 American League pennants. However, disappointing failures in the post-season have demonstrated that a curse may still loom over the ball club.
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...
baseball team from winning, be it the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
, the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
pennant, reaching postseason play, or even getting into a pennant race. Its origin is traced back to the unpopular trade of right fielder Rocky Colavito
Rocky Colavito
Rocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito, Jr. is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Cleveland Indians. He wore a #6, #7 or #21 jersey during his MLB career...
for Harvey Kuenn
Harvey Kuenn
Harvey Edward Kuenn was an American player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. As a shortstop and outfielder, he played with the Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians , San Francisco Giants , Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies . He batted and threw right-handed...
in 1960.
Origins
The 1960 trade between the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and Cleveland Indians
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...
sent "The Rock," the home run champion of 1959 to the Tigers for Harvey Kuenn, batting champion of 1959. It was a unique trade between a home run champion, 42 home runs in '59, and a hitting champion, .359 batting average in '59. Fans in Cleveland were outraged by the betrayal of their GM Frank "Trader" Lane. In only 2 years at the Indians Lane had taken a mostly successful 40-man roster and had traded every single player he had inherited away. Fans in Detroit were mostly happy about the trade.
Birth of the Curse
The idea of the curse was first presented in print by Terry PlutoTerry Pluto
Terry Pluto is an award-winning sportswriter who primarily writes columns for The Plain Dealer, and formerly for the Akron Beacon Journal about Cleveland sports and religion. He has been named Ohio Sportswriter of the Year eight times...
, who had previously covered the Indians for The Plain Dealer. In his 1994
1994 in literature
The year 1994 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-New books:*Kevin J. Anderson - Champions of the Force, Dark Apprentice and Jedi Search*Reed Arvin - The Wind in the Wheat*Greg Bear - Songs of Earth and Power...
book The Curse of Rocky Colavito: A Loving Look at a 33-Year Slump, Pluto suggested that the trade, made by Indians general manager Frank Lane
Frank Lane
Frank Lane was an American executive in professional baseball, most notably serving as a general manager in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, St...
to blunt Colavito's popularity and salary demands, led to a stretch where the Indians did not even come within 11 games of first place from 1960 to . By 1994, the team had not won a pennant since or a World Series since 1948
1948 World Series
The 1948 World Series matched the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Braves. The Braves had won the National League pennant for the first time since the "Miracle Braves" team of . The Indians spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff against the Boston...
.
In The Curse of Rocky Colavito, Pluto writes of many of the misfortunes that struck the Indians following the Colavito trade:
- Getting Colavito back in , from the Kansas City Athletics, but having to give up pitcher Tommy JohnTommy JohnThomas Edward John Jr. is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball whose 288 career victories rank as the seventh highest total among left-handers in major league history...
and outfielder Tommie AgeeTommie AgeeTommie Lee Agee was a Major League Baseball center fielder most noted for making two of the greatest catches in World Series history, both of which occurred in game three of the 1969 World Series.-Cleveland Indians:...
to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in a three-team trade. John, winner of two games in the major leagues to that point, would win another 286, mostly for the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
and New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, and play on four teams that reached the World Series. Agee, still a prospect in 1965, would win the American League's Rookie of the YearMLB Rookie of the Year AwardIn Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
award in , and would be traded to the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, where his hitting and fielding would be a major factor in their World Championship season. - Trading pitcher Jim "Mudcat" GrantMudcat GrantJames Timothy "Mudcat" Grant is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , Los Angeles Dodgers , Montreal Expos , St. Louis Cardinals , Oakland Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates...
to the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in , for Lee StangeLee StangeAlbert Lee Stange is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. The right-hander was signed by the Washington Senators as an amateur free agent before the 1957 season...
and George BanksGeorge Banks (baseball)George Edward Banks was an American professional baseball player. He was a prolific home run hitter in minor league baseball, smashing 223 homers over an 11-year career in the minors...
. Grant was 28 years old, hardly old for a pitcher, and had already won 67 games in his career. After the trade, he would win 78 more, including 21 in 1965, when he helped the Twins win their first pennant. He would later return to the Indians as a broadcaster. - The alcoholism of pitcher 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...
, who went from being one of the game's top pitchers in the 1960s to an unreliable pitcher who left the game at age 32. He would eventually stop drinking and become a counselor to athletes with drinking problems. - The mental illness of left fielder Tony Horton, a power hitter who couldn't handle the stress of playing in the major leagues, and left the game in the middle of the season at age 25. Like McDowell, he would receive treatment and recover, but he never returned to baseball.
- The rushing of pitcher Steve DunningSteve DunningSteven John Dunning is a former professional baseball player who played seven seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, California Angels, Montreal Expos, and Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball...
to the major leagues. The second overall pick in the 1970 baseball draft, he was brought straight to the major leagues from Stanford UniversityStanford UniversityThe Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
without ever pitching in the minors. Called up too soon, he quit baseball in , at the age of 28, with a career record of 23 wins and 41 losses. - The signing and injury of Wayne GarlandWayne GarlandMarcus Wayne Garland was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1973 to 1981 for the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians. Garland's best season came in 1976 when he posted a win–loss record of 20–7...
. In , Garland, a 25-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, won 20 games and lost only 7. A free agentFree agentIn professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after that season, the Indians offered him a contract worth $2.3 million over 10 years. But he hurt his shoulder in his first spring training with the Indians, chose to pitch through the pain rather than have immediate surgery, and went 13-19 in 1977. He retired in , at age 30, with a career record of 55-66. - The trade of pitcher Rick Sutcliffe 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...
, along with two other players, for outfielders Joe CarterJoe CarterJoseph Christopher Carter is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from to . Carter is most famous for hitting a walk-off home run to win the 1993 World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays....
and Mel HallMel HallMelvin Hall Jr. is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball from 1981 to 1996 with the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, and San Francisco Giants. He also played in Japan from 1993-1995...
and two others. Sutcliffe would help the Cubs win the National League Eastern Division title that year -- winning the NL's Cy Young AwardCy Young AwardThe Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
-- and again in 1989. He won 35 games in just over two seasons with the Indians, and won 114 more after they traded him. Hall was a good hitter but a disappointment, and though Carter became one of baseball's top sluggers with the Indians, they never had a pitcher as good as Sutcliffe at the same time. Carter would be traded 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...
in for catcher Sandy AlomarSandy Alomar, Jr.Santos "Sandy" Alomar, Jr., or in the Spanish-language naming system Santos Alomar Velázquez , is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the San Diego Padres , Cleveland Indians , Chicago White Sox and , Colorado Rockies , Texas Rangers , Los Angeles Dodgers , and New York Mets...
and second baseman Carlos BaergaCarlos BaergaCarlos Obed Baerga Ortiz is a former Major League Baseball player. After spending most of his career as a second baseman, he was used at various positions late in his career.-Cleveland Indians:...
, possibly the best trade in the Indians' recent history, as Alomar and Baerga would be major cogs in their 1990s success. The Padres would trade Carter 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 ....
, where he would lead them to back-to-back World Series wins, including , when his home run won the Series1993 World Series-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
. - The baseball preview issue of Sports IllustratedSports IllustratedSports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
magazine. Following a surprising 84-win season for the Indians in , the cover showed Indians sluggers Carter and Cory SnyderCory SnyderJames Cory Snyder is a former Major League Baseball player for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1986 to 1994. Snyder's best season came in 1987 with the Indians when he hit 33 home runs and had 82 runs batted in...
, and carried the words "INDIAN UPRISING" and the sub-headline, "Believe it! Cleveland is the best team in the American League!" The Indians lost 101 games that year (worst in Major League Baseball), though some believe that the curse that led to this collapse was "The Dreaded SI Cover JinxSports Illustrated Cover JinxThe Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx is an urban legend that states that individuals or teams who appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated magazine will subsequently be jinxed...
." - The spring training boating accident that killed relief pitchers Steve OlinSteve OlinSteven Robert Olin was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for four seasons in the American League with the Cleveland Indians. In 195 career games, Olin pitched 273 innings and posted a win–loss record of 16–19, with 48 saves, 118 games finished, and a 3.10 earned...
and Tim CrewsTim CrewsStanley Timothy Crews was a Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers -- to . He was granted free agency after the 1992 season and signed with the Cleveland Indians on January 22, 1993....
and nearly killed starting pitcher Bob OjedaBob OjedaRobert Michael Ojeda is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. Ojeda is best remembered as an anchor in the 1986 World Series Champion New York Mets starting rotation , and for being the lone survivor of a March 22, boating accident that killed fellow Cleveland Indians pitchers...
. Reliever Kevin WickanderKevin WickanderKevin Dean Wickander is an American former Major League Baseball player. A pitcher, Wickander played for the Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and Detroit Tigers from to .-External links:...
was so grief-stricken at the loss of Olin that he was traded in mid-season and never regained his effectiveness, so the Indians essentially lost four pitchers due to one accident.
Since the book's publication in 1994, Pluto has written two sequels: "Burying the Curse" in 1995 and "Our Tribe" in 1999
1999 in literature
The year 1999 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*June 19 - Stephen King is hit by a Dodge van while taking a walk. He spends the next three weeks hospitalized...
, the latter insisting the curse was still in place.
Despite the "evidence" of a curse on the team, Colavito has denied ever placing one.
Another Curse?
Prior to the publication of Pluto's book The Curse of Rocky Colavito, there had been another explanation for the Indians' difficulties, one that came after the 1954 World Series but preceded the 1960 Colavito trade. The Indians fired manager Bobby BraganBobby Bragan
Robert Randall Bragan was a shortstop, catcher, manager, and coach in American Major League Baseball. He also was an influential executive in minor league baseball...
in . According to the story, Bragan walked out to the pitcher's mound at Cleveland Municipal Stadium
Cleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
, and placed a curse on the Indians, saying they would never win another pennant. Bragan, however, always denied that such a thing happened.
Recent years
In , the year Pluto's book was published, the Indians moved out of aging, crumbling Municipal Stadium and into the brand-new Jacobs FieldJacobs Field
Progressive Field is a ballpark located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and is the home of the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball and the American League. Along with Quicken Loans Arena, it is part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex...
. They were just one game behind the White Sox in the newly-created American League Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
Division when a strike put an end to the season. Despite the abrupt end, this was the first time the Indians had genuinely been in a pennant race since 1959, Colavito's last season before being traded away.
In the years since, the Indians have enjoyed tremendous success: 7 division titles (including 5 in a row) and 2 American League pennants. However, disappointing failures in the post-season have demonstrated that a curse may still loom over the ball club.
- In the strike shortened season, the Indians won 100 games in a 144-game season, finishing a record 30 games ahead of the second place Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. They swept 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"...
in the Division Series and beat the Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in a six game League Championship1995 American League Championship Series-Game 1:Tuesday, October 10, 1995 at Kingdome in Seattle, WashingtonThe Indians called on the veteran Dennis Martinez for Game 1. The Mariners rode the arm of Bob Wolcott. Wolcott got off to a shaky start by walking three straight hitters to open the game. But he would get out of the bases loaded...
. They appeared in their first World Series1995 World Series-Game 1:Saturday, October 21, 1995 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta ace Greg Maddux pitched a two-hit complete game victory in his first World Series appearance ....
in 41 years, facing the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. Despite being heavily favored, the Indians lost in 6 games, including getting 1-hit in the final game. In Atlanta's five trips to the World SeriesWorld SeriesThe World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
during the decade, Cleveland would be the only American League team they would defeat.
- In 1997, the Indians again found themselves in the World Series1997 World Series-Game 1:Saturday, October 18, 1997 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, FloridaThe first World Series game in the state of Florida, Game 1 featured a youngster and a veteran facing each other on the mound...
, this time facing the Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, a team that was only established five seasons earlier. A see-saw battle ensued and the series went to a Game 7. In what has gone down as a classic in World Series history, the Indians scored first and led the Marlins 2-1 with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning. But reliever Jose MesaJosé MesaJosé Ramón Nova Mesa [MAY-sah] is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. His nickname was "Joe Table," the literal translation of his name in the English language....
was unable to get the last two outs, as the Marlins tied the game, and then won it in the bottom of the eleventh, 3-2. The Indians have not been to the World Series since then, while the Marlins won another championship in . Mesa was then involved in a personal feud with former teammate Omar VizquelOmar VizquelOmar Enrique Vizquel González , nicknamed "Little O", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. Vizquel has played for the Seattle Mariners , the Cleveland Indians , the San Francisco Giants , the Texas Rangers and the Chicago White Sox...
five years after his lackluster performance in the series.
- In , they again won the Central Division, but lost the American League Championship Series1998 American League Championship Series-Game 1:Tuesday, October 6, 1998 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkCleveland came in as heavy underdogs, but also were the defending American League Champions. In Game 1, the Yankees got off to a good start, by hitting four straight singles in the bottom of the first to score two runs...
to the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, despite being up two games to one with Games 4 and 5 at home).
- In , they again won the Central Division but lost the Division Series1999 American League Division Series-Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox:-Game 1, October 5:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkThe Yankees once again swept the Rangers and held them to one run through three games. In Game 1, Aaron Sele went against Orlando Hernández...
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"...
, dropping the last three games after winning the first two (and despite having game 5 at home, where they won the first two games). The failure to win a World Series despite 5 straight division titles led to the firing of manager Mike HargroveMike HargroveDudley Michael Hargrove is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. He is currently employed as an advisor with the Cleveland Indians....
. The Indians have not made the playoffs in consecutive years since then, nor have they had consecutive winning seasons since 1994-2001.
- In , the Indians, after falling behind in the Central Division, attempted to settle for the Wild Card. Entering the final day of the season, they were 1 game behind the Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for the AL Wild Card - a win and a Mariners loss would have forced a 1-game playoff for the Wild Card. Although the Indians won their game, the Mariners did as well and won the Wild Card. The Indians finished 90-72, 2.5 games better than that year's World Series champs the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
- and thus would have won them the AL East, whether the leagues were divided into 2 or 3 divisions.
- In , the Indians took a 92-63 record into the final week of the season with a firm grip on the wild card spot only to lose 6 of their last 7 games and lose the Wild Card to Boston (two of those losses were to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, now called the Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay RaysThe Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
).
- In and , the Indians cut Brandon PhillipsBrandon PhillipsBrandon Emil Phillips is a second baseman for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds. The Raleigh, North Carolina native was selected in the second round of the 1999 draft by the former Montreal Expos after signing a letter of intent to play both baseball and football at the University of Georgia...
in order to retain Ramón VázquezRamón VázquezRamón Luis Vázquez is a Puerto Rican professional baseball infielder. Vázquez has played with the Seattle Mariners , San Diego Padres , Boston Red Sox , Cleveland Indians , Texas Rangers , and Pittsburgh Pirates...
. Vazquez was later cut by the Indians, while Phillips became a stand-out player in Cincinnati, becoming a 30-30 member in 2007, winning a Gold Glove in 2008, and becoming an All-Star in 2010.
- In , the Indians led Boston three games to one in the American League Championship Series2007 American League Championship Series-Game 1:Friday, October 12, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsIn Game 1, the Cleveland Indians took the lead when Travis Hafner hit a home run to deep right field in the first inning against Josh Beckett. Beckett retired the next ten batters in a row, finishing by striking out seven while...
, with AL Cy Young winner CC Sabathia pitching the closeout game at home. But Boston rallied to win Games 5, 6, and 7, outscoring Cleveland 30-5 to secure the AL pennant. The Red Sox would go on the win the World Series.
- In , two former Indian pitchers CC Sabathia and Cliff LeeCliff LeeClifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
started Game 1 of the 2009 World Series2009 World SeriesThe 2009 World Series was the 105th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Philadelphia Phillies, champions of the National League and defending World Series champions, and the New York Yankees, champions of the American League...
- In , the Indians were 30-15 on May 23rd and had a 7 game lead in the AL Central but failed to capitalize. Their final record was 80-82 and were 15 games out of first place behind the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
.
See also
- Curse of the BambinoCurse of the BambinoThe Curse of the Bambino was a superstition cited as a reason for the failure of the Boston Red Sox baseball team to win the World Series in the 86-year period from 1918 to 2004...
- Curse of the Billy GoatCurse of the Billy GoatThe curse of the Billy Goat was supposedly placed on the Chicago Cubs in 1945 when Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis was asked to leave a World Series game against the Detroit Tigers at the Cubs' home ground of Wrigley Field because his pet goat's odor was bothering other fans...
- Curse of the Black SoxCurse of the Black SoxThe "Curse of the Black Sox" was a superstition or "scapegoat" cited as one reason for the failure of the Chicago White Sox to win the World Series from 1917 until 2005...
- Curse of the ColonelCurse of the Colonelrefers to an urban legend regarding a reputed curse placed on the Japanese Kansai-based Hanshin Tigers baseball team by deceased KFC founder and mascot Colonel Harland Sanders. The curse was said to be placed on the team because of the Colonel's anger over treatment of one of his store-front...
- Merkle's Boner