Collecting Cleveland Indians Topps team sets from 1952-present, as well as post-war minor and major league autographs.
In 1983 the Indians traded Len Barker to the Braves for Brett Butler and Brook Jacoby. It was a good trade for the Indians. Butler would spend the next four seasons as the Indians starting centerfielder and would hit .288/.373/.396 (110 OPS+), averaging 5 HR and 41 stolen bases a[…]
Joe Borowski signed as a free agent with the Indians in 2006, and over the next roughly two seasons he would save 51 games–including a league-leading 45 in 2007. His peripherals during this run were rough: over 82.1 innings with the Tribe, he pitched to a tune of 5.57 ERA/1.530[…]
Paul Byrd is absolutely one of my favorite pitchers. I have tried writing to him a million times over the years and never have been able to get a response. Finally got this card from a fellow collector. I will take it. Byrd was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in[…]
Ken Keltner is one of the greatest Cleveland Indians in team history. From 1937-1950 (13-seasons), Keltner hit .276/.338/.441 with 163 HR He was selected to seven All-Star teams and finished in the top 15 of MVP voting four times. While his bat was very good, he was known for his[…]
I did not find the 2020 Gypsy Queen checklist to be all that thrilling, but I was happy to see Gio Urshela in there. Last season Gio hit .314/.355/.534 with 21 HR–good for a 133 OPS+ and 3.9 WAR. That, coupled with his plus defense…he has the potential to be[…]
Oliver Perez has been in the league for 17 seasons–that is a long time for a pitcher. He has had a very nice late-career resurgence with the Indians. In the last couple of seasons, he has been one of the more dependable arms in the Tribe pen. Over the last two seasons, he has pitched 73 innings in relief, allowing only 55 hits while striking out 91. Good for a 2.84 ERA/161 ERA+/1.014 WHIP.
Nick Wittgren was drafted by the Marlins in the 9th round of the 2012 draft out of Perdue University. He twice ranked as one of the Marlins Top 30 prospects (#18 in 2013, #26 in 2015) Wittgren made the majors 2016 with Florida and over the next three seasons proved[…]
Aaron Civale had an impressive rookie season in 2019 for the Cleveland Indians, going 3-4 with a 2.34 ERA/1.040 WHIP–good for an OPS+ of 202. He did not strike out a ton of guys, only 46 in 57.2 innings, but he also only gave up 44 hits. His success should[…]
Tony Wolters was a very well thought of prospect moving up through the Indians system. From 2010-2014 he ranked as one of the Indian’s top prospects–as high as #8 in 2010. He as kind of a cool prospect since he could handle playing catcher or any middle infield position, which[…]
The Indians are not unique in having a deep stable of failed pitching prospects. Here is a list of the guys that I can think of off the top of my head: #1. Chuck Lofgren (2004 4th round, #2 prospect in 2006 and 2007) #2. Jeremy Sowers (2004 1st round,[…]