Cleveland Indians Baseball Merchandise - Hats, Jerseys and Watches

• The city of Cleveland has one of the oldest baseball traditions in the country. Professional baseball started in Cleveland in 1869 when the Red Stockings played Forest City. The city was part of the first professional league called the National Association in 1971, although that league only lasted one year.
• The city was also represented in the National League in 1879. The franchise now known as the Indians began as the Cleveland Blues in 1901 as a member of the American League.
• They soon became known as the Naps from 1903-1914 due to their star player Napoleon Lajoie, before he went to Philadelphia. They were also briefly known as the Spiders and the Broncos before settling on the Indians in 1915.
• In 1947 the Indians were the first American League team to break the color barrier when they hired Larry Doby, the first black man to play in the junior circuit. Over the years the Indians have enjoyed a variety of great players such as Stan Coveleski, Bob Feller, Nap Lajoie, Bob Lemon, Satchel Paige, Gaylord Perry, Frank Robinson, Tris Speaker, and CY Young. The Indians have had an roller coast existence. They won the World Series in 1920 and 1948, but have also gone 40 years without winning the American League Pennant from 1954 to 1995. Recently they have won the American League Central Division title from 1995 to 2001.