9 Photos Highlighting The Years That The Cleveland Indians Won The World Series
By Nikki Rhoades|Published May 04, 2020
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
The Cleveland Indians are a source of local pride. They’ve had their ups and downs over the years, but their most memorable moments came when the Cleveland Indians won the World Series. This happened twice; once in 1920 and once in 1948. The 1920 game, in particular, made history. It featured the first Grand Slam in World Series history, the first World Series home run by a pitcher, and the second unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history. Both World Series, however, left Clevelanders brimming with pride. Check out these flashbacks of our favorite team:
1. Cleveland Indians fans before the 1948 World Series
What a year to be alive! President Harry S. Truman was reelected, the Big Bang theory was hypothesized, and the Olympics were taking place in London. In the world of baseball, it was an awesome time to be a fan. 1948 was the first year that the World Series was televised, although it was a strictly regional broadcast.
1920 was a big year for the world. The League of Nations was born, women got the right to vote, and the Cleveland Indians played in the 1920 World Series. This first game was played at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York.
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3. Four Cleveland Indians players put on their game face
The 1948 World Series featured the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Braves. Of the men pictured, Lou Boudreau and Joe Gordon (center left and center right, respectively) would go on to become Hall of Famers.
Wilbert Robinson, or "Uncle Robbie" as fans called him, was a coach, manager, and, eventually, a Hall of Famer. He managed the Brooklyn team from 1914 to 1931.
Following the conclusion of the 1948 World Series, Thurman Tucker, Joe Tipton, and Johnny Berardino (respectively from left to right in the photo) shed their team gear in favor of some spiffy clothes and some instruments. Of the men listed, Berardino had the highest salary that year, earning an honest $20,000.
Pictured here is Bill Wambsganss at League Park in Cleveland, just a little past third base. He completed an unassisted triple play moments before this image was snapped. An unassisted triple play, if you were unaware, has only been completed by 15 players in the history of Major League Baseball. This is rarer than a perfect game!
Leading up to the World Series is the American League Championship Series, a tradition that continues to this day. In 1948, Cleveland played the Boston Red Sox. When Cleveland defeated them, they ruined baseball fans' chances of seeing the only all-Boston World Series ever. Good thing we did, though, because we took home the bragging rights!
8. The 1920 World Series at Cleveland's League Park draws a crowd
As you may know, the Cleveland Indians formerly played at League Park. It was demolished in 1951, but many had made cherished memories there since its construction and opening day in 1891. In the 1920s, the excitement of the World Series drew huge crowds to this otherwise cozy 22,500 person stadium (Progressive Field today can fit 35,041 people).
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9. The 1948 World Series at Cleveland Stadium draws its own crowd
Clevelanders love a good show! The 1948 World Series was played at the now long-gone Cleveland Stadium. Unlike the petite League Park, this massive field could seat up to 78,000 spectators. It was the largest stadium in Major League Baseball at the time. In 1948, the Cleveland Browns played the All-America Football Conference Championship Game at Cleveland Stadium and won that year, as well.
The Cleveland Indians won the World Series only twice, but locals continue to display pride for their favorite team to this very day. Do you remember your first Cleveland Indians game? Tell us about in the comments, or tell us about your most memorable Cleveland sports game ever.
