With more than a century's worth of history, the Guardians have had a long list of stars. From the dead-ball era all the way to modern times, Cleveland's annals are filled with hard throwers, prolific sluggers and barrier breakers.
An exclusive list of players and managers have earned the right to have their jersey number retired by the Guardians and put on display at the team's ballpark. Cleveland does not have any specific criteria for retiring a number, but instead examines careers on a case-by-case basis, with entry into the National Baseball Hall of Fame serving as a key component for consideration.
CAREER WITH INDIANS: 1929-1941
CAREER: Earl Averill played 13 seasons in the majors, 11 with the Indians. The six-time All-Star posted a .318 lifetime average, and he ended his career as the all-time Indian leader in several categories. Those include runs scored (1,154), triples (121), home runs (226), extra-base hits (724), total bases (3,201) and bases on balls (726).
CAREER WITH INDIANS: 1938-1952
CAREER: Lou Boudreau, a Hall-of-Fame shortstop, played in the majors for 15 seasons, 13 of those with the Indians. He was the team's player-manager from 1942-1950, leading the Indians to their last World Championship in 1948. Boudreau remains the winningest manager in Cleveland history, and he went to 7 All-Star Games as a player.
CAREER WITH INDIANS: 1947-1959
CAREER: A six-time All-Star, Larry Doby was the first black player in the history of the American League. He was a baseball pioneer, and he did so in spectacular fashion. Doby played 13 years in the big leagues, 10 of those with Cleveland. He finished his career with 253 home runs and 970 RBIs.
CAREER WITH INDIANS: 1928-1947
CAREER: Mel Harder's career spanned 20 seasons, the most by any Indian. He broke into the majors in 1928 and he concluded his career after the 1947 season, finishing with a 223-186 record and a 3.80 ERA. Harder was a four-time All-Star and he reached double-figures in victories 14 times.
CAREER WITH INDIANS: 1936-1956
CAREER: Bob Feller joined the Indians in 1936 and played 18 seasons. He is Cleveland's all-time leader in shutouts (46), innings pitched (3,827), wins (266) and strikeouts (2,581). "Rapid Robert" appeared in 8 All-Star games and won 20 games six times. He also led the league in strikeouts seven times and tossed three no-hitters.
CAREER WITH INDIANS: 1974-1977
CAREER: Inducted in 2016. Hall of Fame player for five organizations over 21 seasons (Cin, Balt, LAD, Cali, Cle). Became the first African American manager in Major League History. In his first game as player manager, hit a first inning home run on opening day. Managed the Tribe from 1975-1977. Managed 16 total seasons. Compiled a 186-189 record while with the Indians. Elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.
CAREER WITH INDIANS: 1936-1956
CAREER: Lemon spent his entire 13-year playing career in a Cleveland Indians uniform, compiling a career record of 207-128 with a 3.23 ERA. Lemon, a seven-time All-Star, won 20 or more games seven separate times in his career, one of only four American Leaguers to do so. He led the A.L. in wins three times.
*CAREER WITH INDIANS: *1991-2002, 2011
CAREER: Jim Thome powered his way through a 22-year Major League career. When he retired, Thome had totaled 1,583 runs scored, 612 home runs and 1,699 RBI. Only seven other players in big league history - Bonds, Ruth, Williams, Manny Ramirez, Mickey Mantle, Frank Thomas and Jimmie Foxx - have at least 500 home runs, a .400 on-base percentage and a .550 slugging average. He was named to five All-Star Games and finished in the Top 10 of his league's Most Valuable Player balloting four times.
In 1947, Jackie Robinson integrated American sports by breaking baseball's color barrier. He overcame numerous obstacles off the field, and he helped lead the Brooklyn Dodgers to six pennants and one World Series Championship. In recognition of his legacy, his number has been retired "in perpetuity", never to be worn again in the Major Leagues.
