List of Cleveland Guardians seasons explained

The Cleveland Guardians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They were a founding member of the American League in 1901 as the Cleveland Bluebirds or Blues. They were given the unofficial name the Cleveland Bronchos in 1902 before being renamed the Cleveland Napoleons or Naps in 1903, and then being renamed the Cleveland Indians in 1915. The team remained as the Cleveland Indians for over a century, until the team was renamed the Cleveland Guardians in 2021, after decades of controversy surrounding the "Indians" name.[1] [2] [3] officially becoming the Guardians on November 19, 2021.[4] [5] The team made its first World Series appearance in 1920 and won the first of their two World Series titles. Since then, the Indians have had three periods of success. The first was from 1947 to 1956, when they had winning records in every season, including a 111–43 record in 1954, which remains the best Major League Baseball regular season record since the 1909 Pirates, and won their only other World Series in 1948. In 1954, they appeared in the World Series, and lost. Cleveland's second highly successful period was from 1994 to 2001, when they had eight consecutive winning seasons, six AL Central division titles, and two World Series appearances in 1995 and 1997, but lost both of these World Series. The third extended period of success began in 2013 under manager Terry Francona, during which they had eight consecutive winning seasons from 2013 to 2020, five playoff appearances, and one World Series appearance in 2016.

Cleveland has also experienced failure in their history. From the split of the American League into two divisions in 1969 until 1993, the Indians did not make a single postseason appearance and played only four winning seasons. They posted 100 losses four times during the era.

Key

American League Championship Series
American League Division Series
American League Wild Card Game/Series
Most Valuable Player Award
Triple Crown
Manager of the Year Award
Rookie of the Year Award
Cy Young Award
Comeback Player of the Year Award
World Series Most Valuable Player Award

Seasons

World Series champions †AL champions *Division champions (1969–present) ^Wild card berth (1995–present) ¤Division runner-up (2020) ‡
SeasonTeamLevelLeagueDivisionFinishWinsLossesWin%GBPlayoffsAwardsManager
Cleveland Bluebirds or Blues
190119017th 54 82 .397 29 Jimmy McAleer
19021902MLB AL 5th 69 67 .507 14 Bill Armour
Cleveland Napoleons or Naps
19031903MLB AL 3rd 77 63 .550 15 Bill Armour
19041904MLB AL 4th 86 65 .570 7½
19051905MLB AL 5th 76 78 .494 19 Nap Lajoie (56–57)
Bill Bradley (20–21)
19061906MLB AL 3rd 89 64 .582 5 Nap Lajoie
19071907MLB AL 4th 85 67 .559 8
19081908MLB AL 2nd 90 64 .584 ½
19091909MLB AL 6th 71 82 .464 27½ Nap Lajoie (57–57)
Deacon McGuire (14–25)
19101910MLB AL 5th 71 81 .467 32 Deacon McGuire
19111911MLB AL 3rd 80 73 .523 22 Deacon McGuire (6–11)
George Stovall (74–62)
19121912MLB AL 5th 75 78 .490 30½ Harry Davis (54–71)
Joe Birmingham (21–7)
19131913MLB AL 3rd 86 66 .566 9½ Joe Birmingham
19141914MLB AL 8th 51 102 .333 48½
Cleveland Indians
19151915MLB AL 7th 57 95 .375 44½ Joe Birmingham (12–16)
Lee Fohl (45–79)
19161916MLB AL 6th 77 77 .500 14 Lee Fohl
19171917MLB AL 3rd 88 66 .571 12
19181918MLB AL 2nd 73 54 .575 2½
19191919MLB AL 2nd 84 55 .604 3½ Lee Fohl (44–34)
Tris Speaker (40–21)
19201920MLB † AL * 1st 98 56 .636 — Won World Series (Robins) 5–2 † Tris Speaker
19211921MLB AL 2nd 94 60 .610 4½
19221922MLB AL 4th 78 76 .506 16
19231923MLB AL 3rd 82 71 .536 16½
19241924MLB AL 6th 67 86 .438 24½
19251925MLB AL 6th 70 84 .455 27½
19261926MLB AL 2nd 88 66 .571 3 George Burns (MVP)
19271927MLB AL 6th 66 87 .431 43½ Jack McCallister
19281928MLB AL 7th 62 92 .403 39 Roger Peckinpaugh
19291929MLB AL 3rd 81 71 .533 24
19301930MLB AL 4th 81 73 .526 21
19311931MLB AL 4th 78 76 .506 30
19321932MLB AL 4th 87 65 .572 19
19331933MLB AL 4th 75 76 .497 23½ Roger Peckinpaugh (26–25)
Bibb Falk (0–1)
Walter Johnson (48–51)
19341934MLB AL 3rd 85 69 .552 16 Walter Johnson
19351935MLB AL 3rd 82 71 .536 12 Walter Johnson (46–48)
Steve O'Neill (36–23)
19361936MLB AL 5th 80 74 .519 22½ Steve O'Neill
19371937MLB AL 4th 83 71 .539 19
19381938MLB AL 3rd 86 66 .566 13 Ossie Vitt
19391939MLB AL 3rd 87 67 .565 20½
19401940MLB AL 2nd 89 65 .578 1 Bob Feller (TC)
19411941MLB AL 4th[6] 75 79 .487 26 Roger Peckinpaugh
19421942MLB AL 4th 75 79 .487 28 Lou Boudreau
19431943MLB AL 3rd 82 71 .536 15½
19441944MLB AL 5th[7] 72 82 .468 17
19451945MLB AL 5th 73 72 .503 11
19461946MLB AL 6th 68 86 .442 36
19471947MLB AL 4th 80 74 .519 17
19481948MLB † AL * 1st[8] 97 58 .626 — Won World Series (Braves) 4–2 †Lou Boudreau (MVP)
19491949MLB AL 3rd 89 65 .578 8
19501950MLB AL 4th 92 62 .597 6
19511951MLB AL 2nd 93 61 .604 5 Al López
19521952MLB AL 2nd 93 61 .604 2
19531953MLB AL 2nd 92 62 .597 8½ Al Rosen (MVP)
19541954MLB AL * 1st 111 43 .721 — Lost World Series (Giants) 4–0 *
19551955MLB AL 2nd 93 61 .604 3 Herb Score (ROY)
19561956MLB AL 2nd 88 66 .571 9
19571957MLB AL 6th 76 77 .497 21½ Kerby Farrell
19581958MLB AL 4th 77 76 .503 14½ Bobby Bragan (31–36)
Joe Gordon (46–40)
19591959MLB AL 2nd 89 65 .578 5 Joe Gordon
19601960MLB AL 4th 76 78 .494 21 Joe Gordon (49–46)
Jo-Jo White (1–0)
Jimmy Dykes (26–32)
19611961MLB AL 5th 78 83 .484 30½ Jimmy Dykes (77–83)
Mel Harder (1–0)
19621962MLB AL 6th 80 82 .494 16 Mel McGaha (78–82)
Mel Harder (2–0)
19631963MLB AL 5th[9] 79 83 .488 25½ Birdie Tebbetts
19641964MLB AL 6th[10] 79 83 .488 20 George Strickland (33–39)
Birdie Tebbetts (46–44)
19651965MLB AL 5th 87 75 .537 15 Birdie Tebbetts
19661966MLB AL 5th 81 81 .500 17 Birdie Tebbetts (66–57)
George Strickland (15–24)
19671967MLB AL 8th 75 87 .463 17 Joe Adcock
19681968MLB AL 3rd 86 75 .534 16½ Alvin Dark
19691969MLB AL 6th 62 99 .385 46½
19701970MLB AL East 5th 76 86 .469 32
19711971MLB AL East 6th 60 102 .371 43 Chris Chambliss (ROY) Alvin Dark (42–61)
Johnny Lipon (18–41)
19721972MLB AL East 5th 72 84 .462 14 Gaylord Perry (CYA) Ken Aspromonte
19731973MLB AL East 6th 71 91 .438 26
19741974MLB AL East 4th 77 85 .475 14
19751975MLB AL East 4th 79 80 .497 15½ Frank Robinson
19761976MLB AL East 4th 81 78 .509 16
19771977MLB AL East 5th 71 90 .441 28½ Frank Robinson (26–31)
Jeff Torborg (45–59)
19781978MLB AL East 6th 69 90 .434 29 Jeff Torborg
19791979MLB AL East 6th 81 80 .503 22 Jeff Torborg (43–52)
Dave Garcia (38–28)
19801980MLB AL East 6th 79 81 .494 23 Joe Charboneau (ROY) Dave Garcia
19811981[11] MLB AL East 6th 26 24 .520 5
5th 26 27 .491 5
19821982MLB AL East 6th[12] 78 84 .481 17 Andre Thornton (CBPOY)
19831983MLB AL East 7th 70 92 .432 28 Mike Ferraro (40–60)
Pat Corrales (30–32)
19841984MLB AL East 6th 75 87 .463 29 Pat Corrales
19851985MLB AL East 7th 60 102 .370 39½
19861986MLB AL East 5th 84 78 .519 11½
19871987MLB AL East 7th 61 101 .377 37 Pat Corrales (31–56)
Doc Edwards (30–45)
19881988MLB AL East 6th 78 84 .481 11 Doc Edwards
19891989MLB AL East 6th 73 89 .451 16 Doc Edwards (65–78)
John Hart (8–11)
19901990MLB AL East 4th 77 85 .475 11 Sandy Alomar Jr. (ROY) John McNamara
19911991MLB AL East 7th 57 105 .352 34 John McNamara (25–52)
Mike Hargrove (32–53)
19921992MLB AL East 4th[13] 76 86 .469 20 Mike Hargrove
19931993MLB AL East 6th 76 86 .469 19
19941994MLB AL 2nd 66 47 .584 1 Postseason canceled[14]
19951995MLB AL * Central ^ 1st ^ 100 44 .694 — Won ALDS (Red Sox) 3–0
Won ALCS (Mariners) 4–2
Lost World Series (Braves) 4–2 *
19961996MLB AL Central ^ 1st ^ 99 62 .615 — Lost ALDS (Orioles) 3–1
19971997MLB AL * Central ^ 1st ^ 86 75 .534 — Won ALDS (Yankees) 3–2
Won ALCS (Orioles) 4–2
Lost World Series (Marlins) 4–3 *
19981998MLB AL Central ^ 1st ^ 89 73 .549 — Won ALDS (Red Sox) 3–1
Lost ALCS (Yankees) 4–2
19991999MLB AL Central ^ 1st ^ 97 65 .599 — Lost ALDS (Red Sox) 3–2
20002000MLB AL Central 2nd 90 72 .556 5 Charlie Manuel
20012001MLB AL Central ^ 1st ^ 91 71 .562 — Lost ALDS (Mariners) 3–2
20022002MLB AL Central 3rd 74 88 .457 20½ Charlie Manuel (39–47)
Joel Skinner (35–41)
20032003MLB AL Central 4th 68 94 .420 22 Eric Wedge
20042004MLB AL Central 3rd 80 82 .494 12
20052005MLB AL Central 2nd 93 69 .574 6
20062006MLB AL Central 4th 78 84 .481 18
20072007MLB AL Central ^ 1st ^ 96 66 .593 — Won ALDS (Yankees) 3–1
Lost ALCS (Red Sox) 4–3 		CC Sabathia (CYA)
Eric Wedge (MOY)
20082008MLB AL Central 3rd 81 81 .500 7½ Cliff Lee (CYA, CBPOY)
20092009MLB AL Central 4th[15] 65 97 .401 21½
20102010MLB AL Central 4th 69 93 .426 25 Manny Acta
20112011MLB AL Central 2nd 80 82 .494 15
20122012MLB AL Central 4th 68 94 .420 20 Manny Acta (65–91)
Sandy Alomar Jr. (3–3)
20132013MLB AL Central 2nd ¤ 92 70 1 Lost ALWC (Rays) Terry Francona (MOY) Terry Francona
20142014MLB AL Central 3rd 85 77 5 Corey Kluber (CYA)
20152015MLB AL Central 3rd 81 80 13½
20162016MLB AL * Central ^ 1st ^ 94 67 — Won ALDS (Red Sox) 3–0
Won ALCS (Blue Jays) 4–1
Lost World Series (Cubs) 4–3 * 		Terry Francona (MOY)
2017MLB AL Central ^ 1st ^ 10260.630 — Lost ALDS (Yankees) 3–2 Corey Kluber (CYA)
20182018MLB AL Central ^ 1st ^ 9171.563 — Lost ALDS (Astros) 3–0
20192019MLB AL Central 2nd 93 69 8
20202020MLB AL Central 2nd ‡[16] 35 25 1 Lost ALWC (Yankees) 2–0 Shane Bieber (TC, CYA)
Carlos Carrasco (CBPOY)
20212021MLB AL Central 2nd 80 8213
Cleveland Guardians
20222022MLB AL Central ^ 1st ^ 92 70 — Won ALWC (Rays) 2–0
Lost ALDS (Yankees) 3–2 		Terry Francona (MOY) Terry Francona
20232023MLB ALCentral 3rd 76 86 11
20242024MLB ALCentral – – – – Stephen Vogt
TotalsWinsLossesWin%
9,7609,300All-time regular season record (1901–2023)
6058All-time postseason record
9,8209,358All-time regular and postseason record

Record by decade

The following table describes the Guardians' regular season win–loss record by decades.

Records are current through the 2023 season.

Decade Wins Losses Win %
1900s 697 632 .524
1910s 742 747 .498
1920s 786 749 .512
1930s 824 708 .538
1940s 800 731 .523
1950s 904 634 .588
1960s 783 826 .487
1970s 737 866 .460
1980s 710 849 .455
1990s 823 728 .531
2000s 816 804 .504
2010s 855 763 .528
2020s 283 263
All-time 9,7609,300
These statistics are from Baseball-Reference.com's Cleveland Indians History & Encyclopedia,[17] except where noted, and are current as of October 1, 2023.

Postseason record by year

The Guardians have made the postseason 16 times in their history, with their first being in 1920 and the most recent being in 2022.

YearFinishRoundOpponentResult
World Series ChampionsWorld SeriesBrooklyn RobinsWon52
World Series ChampionsWorld SeriesBoston BravesWon42
American League ChampionsWorld SeriesNew York GiantsLost04
American League ChampionsALDSBoston Red SoxWon30
ALCSSeattle MarinersWon42
World SeriesAtlanta BravesLost24
American League Central ChampionsALDSBaltimore OriolesLost13
American League ChampionsALDSNew York YankeesWon32
ALCSBaltimore OriolesWon42
World SeriesFlorida MarlinsLost34
American League Central ChampionsALDSBoston Red SoxWon31
ALCSNew York YankeesLost24
American League Central ChampionsALDSBoston Red SoxLost23
American League Central ChampionsALDSSeattle MarinersLost23
American League Central ChampionsALDSNew York YankeesWon31
ALCSBoston Red SoxLost34
American League Wild CardWild Card GameTampa Bay RaysLost01
American League ChampionsALDSBoston Red SoxWon30
ALCSToronto Blue JaysWon41
World SeriesChicago CubsLost34
American League Central ChampionsALDSNew York YankeesLost23
American League Central ChampionsALDSHouston AstrosLost03
American League Central 2nd PlaceWild Card SeriesNew York YankeesLost02
American League Central ChampionsWild Card SeriesTampa Bay RaysWon20
ALDSNew York YankeesLost23
16Totals11–146058

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Bell. Mandy. Cleveland set for 'Guardians' name transition. MLB Advanced Media. CLEGuardians.com. November 17, 2021. November 20, 2021.
  2. Cleveland Indians announce decision to change current team name. MLB Advanced Media. CLEGuardians.com. December 14, 2020. July 25, 2021.
  3. News: Waldstein. David. Schmidt. Michael S.. Cleveland's Baseball Team Will Drop Its Indians Team Name. The New York Times. December 13, 2020. May 4, 2021 . December 14, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201214012330/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/sports/baseball/cleveland-indians-baseball-name-change.html . live .
  4. News: Bell. Mandy. New for '22: Meet the Cleveland Guardians. MLB Advanced Media. MLB.com. July 23, 2021. July 24, 2021. live. en-US. July 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210723143028/https://www.mlb.com/news/cleveland-indians-change-name-to-guardians.
  5. News: Hoynes. Paul. Cleveland Indians choose Guardians as new team name. The Plain Dealer. en. July 23, 2021. July 24, 2021. live. July 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210725123833/https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2021/07/cleveland-indians-choose-guardians-as-new-team-name.html.
  6. The Indians finished the 1941 season tied with the Detroit Tigers for 4th place. MLB does not officially break ties except those involving playoff spots.
  7. The Indians finished the 1944 season tied with the Philadelphia Athletics for 5th place. MLB does not officially break ties except those involving playoff spots.
  8. The Indians finished the 1948 season tied with the Boston Red Sox for first place in the American League. The Indians defeated the Red Sox 8–3 in a tie-breaker game to win the AL pennant
  9. The Indians finished the 1963 season tied with the Detroit Tigers for 5th place. MLB does not officially break ties except those involving playoff spots.
  10. The Indians finished the 1964 season tied with the Minnesota Twins for 6th place. MLB does not officially break ties except those involving playoff spots.
  11. The 1981 season was split into two halves as a result of the 1981 players strike. The top line represents the results of the first half and the bottom line represents the results of the second half.
  12. The Indians finished the 1982 season tied with the Toronto Blue Jays for 6th place. MLB does not officially break ties except those involving playoff spots.
  13. The Indians finished the 1992 season tied with the New York Yankees for 4th place. MLB does not officially break ties except those involving playoff spots.
  14. The 1994 season was cut short as a result of the 1994 players strike. The Indians were in the lead for the wild card spot and one game out of first place in the AL Central at the time of the strike.
  15. The Indians finished the 2009 season tied with the Kansas City Royals for 4th place. MLB does not officially break ties except those involving playoff spots.
  16. Due to the shortened season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the playoffs were expanded to include the top two teams from each division, and two wild card teams from each league.
  17. Web site: Cleveland Indians History & Encyclopedia . Baseball-Reference.com . October 3, 2021 .

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