The All-Aught/All-Decade Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians of the 1990's were a powerhouse.  The offense, led by Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton, Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez laid waste to the majority of American League opponents throughout the decade.  There was no doubt that the Indians were in the discussion of "Best Team of the 90's."  As the Indians moved into the new decade, things changed dramatically.  The last remnants of players from those great teams were moved in trades to rebuild, and thus began a process that barely made fruition with a run that came up a game short to get to the World Series in 2007.  Then, the rebuilding began again.  Unfortunately, the first decade of the 2000's had more similarities to the hapless Tribe of the "Curse of the Rocky Colavito" years, but hope springs eternal.

Here are the All-Aught Indians:

1. C--Victor Martinez (2002-2009)
2. 1B--Jim Thome (2000-2002)
3. 2B--Roberto Alomar (2000-2001)
4. 3B--Casey Blake (2003-2008)
5. SS--Omar Vizquel (2000-2004)
6. LF--Coco Crisp (2002-2005)
7. CF--Grady Sizemore (2004-2010)
8. RF--Manny Ramirez (2000)
9. DH--Travis Hafner (2003-2009)
10. Bench C--Kelly Shoppach (2006-2009)
11. Bench IF--Jamey Carroll (2008-2009)
12. Bench Utility--Jolbert Cabrera (2000-2002)
13. Bench OF--Franklin Gutierrez (2005-2008)
14. RP--Rafael Betancourt (2003-2009)
15. RP--David Riske (2001-2005)
16. RP--Paul Shuey (2000-2002)
17. RP--Bob Howry (2004-2005)
18. RP--Rafael Perez (2006-2009)
19. RP--Steve Karsay (2000-2001, 2006)
20. SP--CC Sabathia (2001-2008)
21. SP--Cliff Lee (2002-2009)
22. SP--Bartolo Colon (2000-2002)
23. SP--Jake Westbrook (2000-2009)
24. SP--Fausto Carmona (2006-2009)
25. CL--Bob Wickman (2000-2006)

All-Aught Indians--#1 Starter--CC Sabathia (2001-2008)

CC Sabathia had a lot on his shoulders when he was drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Indians in 1998.  The Tribe had been looking for an ace to go along with their vaunted offense for the better part of five seasons.  While Sabathia, a high school phenom, wouldn't be joining the Indians in 1998, the big lefty was certainly fast-tracked to the majors, should he match the potential that made him a first round selection.  By 2001, he was with the Indians, and by 2007, he was a Cy Young award winner.  No, Sabathia wasn't the answer to the great Indians run in the 90's and early 2000's, but he certainly was everything the Indians thought he would be, and more.  The All-Aught Indians Ace is CC Sabathia.

There likely aren't words in an article that can express what Sabathia meant to the Indians over the eight season that he put on the uniform with Cleveland across the front.  The Tribe had spent the best part of every offseason hunting for an ace in the years leading up to Sabathia's emergence.  Sure, there was Orel Hershiser, Dennis Martinez, Jaret Wright, Charles Nagy, Jack McDowell, Chuck Finley and Bartolo Colon attempting to lead the Tribe staff.  While all would at one point or another, be considered the "ace" of the Indians starting rotation, none seemed to relish or run with the title.  Some either lacked the talent, the head or simply were too far past their prime to contribute the way the Indians were looking for.  Colon was close, but he always left the impression, while with the Indians, that he was a 1b, and that his best years would be with a starter in the #1 role.

If only CC Sabathia had come seven years sooner.

Sabathia entered the fray for the Tribe in 2001, the last year of their eight year run as one of the best teams in baseball.  The hefty lefty went 17-5, and while his statistics were certainly a product of good offensive production (his ERA was never south of 4.00 that season), the signs were all there for his future with this club.  His first big league season saw him go 180 innings, while striking out 171, and walking 98.  There certainly were control issues, but Sabathia was still learning how to pitch.  He was not only the youngest player on the Tribe's roster, but the 20-year-old was also the youngest player in all the majors.  Here was the Tribe's workhorse, their stopper, the ace that would finally line up the Tribe starters.  Of course, by the middle of 2002, the team was dismantled, and Sabathia was the light at the end of a long tunnel of rebuilding.

Sabathia started off the 2002 season looking like the ace many thought he would be.  After three starts, he was 2-0 with a 2.79 ERA.  Unfortunately, Sabathia's season, like the Tribe's as a whole, went south quickly.  By the end of April, Sabathia was 2-3 with a 6.82 ERA.  He would fight and claw for everything he could in May and June, and would see his ERA drop in eight of ten starts.  At the end of June, he had lowered his ERA to a respectable 4.70, to go along with a 6-6 record.  His last June start, on the 28th, was a big one for me with regards to Sabathia, as it was the day that Colon was traded.  Sabathia was officially the ace of the staff.  How did he respond?  He went 7 2/3 innings of one run ball, getting his sixth win.  In his next six starts, he would struggle.  His ERA would rise in every game pitched, and after his August 1st start, he was back up to 5.49, with a 6-9 record.  Then, for the first time, Sabathia became the pitcher the Tribe brass thought they had drafted.  Sabathia would go 7-2 for the rest of the season, with a 2.54 ERA.  His overall ERA would drop over a point during that time period, ending the season with a 13-11 record.  For the first time in his career, he'd pitch over 200 innings, with 210.

2003 was Sabathia's tough-luck season, even with an all-star season.  He started off the year without a win in April, going 0-2.  The catch-22 of that scenario was that there really wasn't a bad start in the bunch, as he walked out of the month with a 3.79 ERA.  This would become the mantra of Sabathia's 2003 campaign, as he would receive the fifth worst offensive support in all of baseball.  Sabathia would win four of five starts that May, and lower his ERA to 2.92, far and away his best month of the season, going 4-0 with a 1.91 ERA.  He would end the season with a 13-9 record, and a 3.60 ERA.  He led the team in wins for a third straight year, and was clearly the best pitcher on the team, and getting better.  Remember, he was still only 23-years-old.

I suppose 2004 was an off-year for Sabathia.  He made only three starts in April because of an injury.  Still, he was 1-0 with a 1.71 ERA.  He would have a topsy-turvy May, but his ERA would remain below 3.00.  His best month was June, going 3-0, and maintaining his sub 3 ERA.  He would be selected to his second all-star game, but would really scuffle for the rest of the season.  He ended the year with an 11-10 record, and a 4.12 ERA.  With the emergence of Cliff Lee, there was talk that Sabathia may not be the best pitcher on the staff.  Still, there were stretches where he looked like the best in baseball.  At 24, he was still learning how to become an ace.  Take into account that his final record reflected 6-blown-wins.  He left six games with a win in hand, only to have an atrocious bullpen blow the lead.

In 2005, Sabathia appeared to have to separate seasons.  The first half of the year saw the lefty continue to scuffle, as his ERA steadily rose .92 at the end of April (with a 2-0 record), to 5.27 at the beginning of August, and a 6-9 record.  Sabathia would then explode in August and September, winning seven straight starts, and 9 of 11.  he would only have one no decision, and his ERA would again shrink over a run in less than two months.  He would end the season at 15-10, with a 4.03 ERA.  While Sabathia was still waiting to put together an entire season of quality, he was continuing to showcase months of dominance at a time.  In six September starts, Sabathia went 4-1 with a 1.45 ERA.

Sabathia would start on opening day of 2006, but after only three innings, was pulled with an injured oblique.  he'd be placed on the dl, and wouldn't make another start until May.  While Sabathia's final record for the season would end up 12-11, in many ways, this was Sabathia's best season up to this point.  In May, Sabathia was his dominant self, going 5-1 in six starts, with a ridiculous 1.20 ERA.  He was named pitcher of the month for May.  In August and September, Sabathia really showcased what has made him a special pitcher.  He made 11 starts during the stretch run, and only one game saw him pitch less than seven innings, a 5 2/3 of an inning outing.  During those games, his ERA would never rise above 3.43, or drop below 3.22.  He was locked and loaded...the stopper that he was meant to be.  When Sabathia was on the mound, you knew what you were going to get.  He now knew how to pitch, and was making every start a quality effort.  He could overpower you, outpitch you, or simply where you down.  2007 was a foregone conclusion.

Sabathia's entire 2007 season was a mirror of August and September of 2006.  His low ERA would come on April 15th, when it was 2.14.  His highest was on May 11th, when it was 4.02.  From that point on, it would never rise above 3.81, or below 3.09.  He would win 19 games that year, and lead the league in innings pitched with 241.  He would eclipse 200 strikouts for the first time, with 209 for the season.  From April 20th through July 5th, Sabathia never allowed more than one walk in a game.  The most walks he had in a game all season was three, in two separate starts.  He would end the season with a 19-7 record, and a 3.21 ERA.  His 209 K's looked good up against his paltry 37 walks.  Sabathia would win the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in baseball.  While he struggled in the playoffs, Sabathia was clearly the key to the Indians making a World Series run.  He was entering a contract year.  It would be a make or break year for the Tribe and Sabathia.

Like his rookie season, a lot was riding on Sabathia at the start of the 2008 season.  He didn't wear it well.  For the first time in his career, there was no doubt outside talk was getting to him.  Many were berating him for his weak performance for the Indians in the post-season.  There was also a bunch of discussion regard whether or not Sabathia would be dealt.  There was also the matter of nearly 250 innings pitched.  Sabathia crawled out of the gates, going 1-4 in April, with a 7.88 ERA.  It was that bad.  In May, Sabathia would right the ship considerably, dropping his ERA over three points, and another point in June.  In the two months, Sabathia would only make two starts under seven innings (6 and 6 1/3 innings), and would go 5-4 during that stretch.  His record was mostly due to the Tribe's lack of punch, more than anything.  Entering July, the writing was on the wall.  The Indians weren't producing, and Sabathia wasn't signing.  It was time to make a deal.  At the time, Sabathia was only 6-8 overall, but was leading the league in K's and K's per 9.  He already had three complete games.  His last start as an Indian came on July 2, 2008.  Sabathia would get a no decision, but typical of his starts, he'd go eight innings, striking out five, and walking only two.  On July 7th, Sabathia was traded to the Brewers.  How good was Sabathia in 2008 with the Indians, and ultimately the Brewers?  Over his last 31 starts, Sabathia would go 17-7 with a 1.88 ERA.

In eight years with the Indians, Sabathia went 106-71 with a 3.83 ERA.  He'd strike out 1,265 batters, while walking nearly 500.  He'd make three all-star appearances, and win one Cy Young award.  Sabathia was also allowed to leave the Indians without having to choose another team, as many had before him.  In a very classy move, Sabathia took out a full page ad, thanking the city of Cleveland for his eight fantastic seasons.

Sabathia has since signed a mammoth deal with the New York Yankees, now has a World Series ring (but not a victory), and has moved on to "bigger and better" things.  But, for eight seasons, Sabathia's vast talent resided on the North Coast, and the team was always the better, for it.

All-Aught Indians--#2 Starter--Cliff Lee (2002-2009)

The top two starters for this All-Aught Indians team has been a given ever since the 2007 and 2008 A.L. Cy Young awards were given to CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee respectively.  Anybody who gives thought to putting a Westbrook or a Colon in these two thoughts, think again.  While Westbrook had three consistent seasons as an Indians workhorse, he was never able to show the brilliance that Sabathia showed year-after-year, and that Lee showcased during his out-of-nowhere 2008 season.  Bartolo Colon may have been as talented as the lefty duo, but his time during this decade was all to brief.

Now I could take the controversial approach and give the #2 slot to Sabathia, but it would simply be a lie.  While Lee undoubtedly had one of the best seasons as a pitcher in 2008, his career over the past seven seasons has been some kind of rollercoaster ride since the Indians acquired him in the Bartolo Colon deal in 2002.  While Lee would win 14, 18 and 14 games in his first three full seasons with the Tribe, he would find himself in the minors after struggling in 2007.  While those numbers alone place him in the same category as Jake Westbrook, his sublime 2008 season would see him dominate the A.L. from day one.  The All-Aught Indians #2 starter is left-hander Cliff Lee.

All-Aught Indians--#3 Starter--Bartolo Colon (2000-2002)

Bartolo Colon came up with the Indians as one of their top pitching prospects, but was overshadowed by another bright young gunner, Jaret Wright.  Wright seemed to be the future ace of the staff in 2007, going 8-3, while Colon made his debut the same year, going 4-7.  Wright would hang on with the club through the 2002, struggling with injuries and mechanics problems.  Colon would also last until the 2002 season with the Tribe, becoming the ace of the staff, and also one of the best pitchers in baseball.  The All-Aught Indians #3 starter is Bartolo Colon.

Colon entered the 2000 season coming off his best season, having gone 18-5 with a 3.95 ERA.  Remember, this was the height of the steroid era, and only seven total AL pitchers that year had an ERA under 4.00.  Colon finished fourth in the A.L. Cy Young race.

Colon would come out of the gates in the new millennium struggling.  While his record would stand at 6-2 on June 3, he had given up six runs in an outing twice, and was sitting on a 4.23 ERA.  He had also struggled a bit with injury, spending the latter part of April on the DL with a pulled oblique. After a loss on July 26, Colon's record stood at 4.49 ERA.  He wouldn't lose another game that year.  He would end up at 15-8, and he would lower his ERA to 3.88.  His signature win that season came on September 18th in a start in New York.  In his only shutout of the season, Colon would throw a one-hit shut out, walking one and striking out a season high 13.  Overall that season, he would strike out 212 batters, becoming the first Indian since the 70's (Dennis Eckersley) to strike out over 200 batters.

Colon would consider his patter in 2001.  On June 30, Colon was 6-7 with a 4.89 ERA.  Colon wouldn't lose a game in July, going 4-0, dropping his ERA to 4.39 in the process.  Colon would only win one game in August, but he would continue to drop his ERA, to 4.12.  In September, Colon would go 3-1, bringing his record to 14-11, and dropping his ERA to below 4 for the first time all season.  He'd get lit up in a meaningless game in October against Kansas City, which would put his ERA over 4.  Still, a typical season tantalizingly close to great, but back-and-forth enough to make people wonder if he'd ever go from being an almost great, to a Cy Young winner.  Then came the playoffs, and we got to see just how big game Colon, in his prime, could be.

The Indians were going up against the Seattle Mariners, who had won 300 games that season, and were heavy favorites to beat the Tribe.  Colon promptly shut the Mariners down in game one.  He went eight innings, giving up six hits and two walks, while striking out ten.  He was dominant, and put the Mariners on their heals.  Colon was equally dominating in his game four start.  Then came the sixth inning.  Colon would almost get out of a bases loaded jam with a 1-0 lead, but would end up giving up three runs before leaving the game.  Still, his big game performance couldn't be overlooked.  He'd finish the series with a 1-1 record and a 1.84 ERA.

Colon would save his best for last in 2002.  It seemed as though Colon finally figured out how to bring out his best from start-to-start.  He would make sixteen for the Tribe that season, and he'd win ten of them, going 10-4, with an impressive 2.55 ERA.  He stopped trying to strike out every hitter, and began to pitch.  Colon's best starts of the season were back to back complete games at the end of May.  He'd give up one unearned run in the first game against Toronto, and shut out Chicago.  It turns out that Colon was pitching too well for an Indians team that was struggling.  He was traded to the Expos after his last start...ironically enough...in a win against the Expos for his tenth win.

Colon's 2 1/2 years with the Tribe were enough to put him in this club of Indians elite.  Colon was 39-24 with a 3.67 ERA.  He'd strike out 488 batters in 536 2/3 innings pitched, and 80 starts altogether.

Colon's final piece to this All-Decade team was his return in the trade.  The Indians would receive Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips, Grady Sizemore and Lee Stevens.  Two of those players show up on this All-Aught roster.  Another (Brandon Phillips) surely would show up on Cincinnati's.  Not a bad haul for one of the best pitchers in the game.

All-Aught Indians--#4 Starter--Jake Westbrook (2001-2010)

Jake Westbrook came to the Indians as the main piece from the Yankees when the Indians dealt David Justice the New York.  Westbrook had been a number one pick by the Colorado Rockies, then traded to the Expos in a deal for Mike Lansing, then traded to the Yankees for Hideki Irabu, before the trade to the Tribe.  While Westbrook may have lost a bit of the shiny goodness that comes with being the #1 pick, he ended up being the glue of the rotation for the better part of the decade.  The All-Aught Indians #4 starter is Jake Westbrook.

Westbrook's first three years with the tribe were fairly uneventful.  He spent most of the first two years in the pen, making the occasional spot start when needed.  His ERA with the lack of work was 5.84 over the two seasons, and it looked like the Tribe had ruined another pitcher by yanking him around.

In 2003, things would begin to change for Westbrook, in that the Indians would let him start more than relieve.  The tenacious Westbrook would stay true to form even while continued to be bounced around between Buffalo and Cleveland, and between the pen and the rotation.  Westbrook would finish the year at 7-10, with a 4.33 ERA.  He started 22 games, relieved 12, had his first complete game, and pitched 133 major league innings.

Westbrook would actually start the year in the bullpen because of Bob Wickman's injury, but it would be his last time spent in the bullpen during his career.  Westbrook not only would start in 2004, but he would essentially serve as the ace of the staff once he stepped into the role.  Westbrook led the majors with five complete games, while going 14-9 with a 3.38 ERA.  His ERA was the third lowest in the A.L., and he would pitch a career high 215 2/3 innings.

Westbrook would continue his steady hand in 2005 and 2006, winning 15 games in each year.  In 2005, who would lose 15, with a 4.49 ERA.  In 2006, he would lose only 10 games, with a 4.17 ERA.  In that three year period, Westbrook would go 44-34 with a 4.01 ERA.

Westbrook would struggle in 2007 to start the year off, going on the DL on May 2 for nearly two months.  He struggled prior to the DL-stint, but when he came back, he pitched some of the best baseball of his career.  In the second half of the season, Westbrook went 5-5 with a 3.44, but in August, had a league best 1.90 ERA, while gong 4-1.  While Westbrook was the only starting pitcher to struggle against the Yankees in the Division series, he was the most consistent starter in the ALCS, going 1-1 with a 3.55 ERA.

Westbrook would only start five games for the Tribe in 2008, and they would be his last starts of the Decade.  Westbrook had been lights out during the spring, and this carried over to the regular season.  He started the year off at 1-2, but had a 2.73 ERA.  He would go on the DL, rehab, make one start that was decent, but get pulled.  He would undergo UCL surgery in June, and wouldn't start again for the Tribe until 2010.

Overall, Westbrook went 63-62 with a 4.25 ERA, in 158 starts.  He wasn't the Tribe's best pitcher, nor did he pitch the most games, but he certainly was the clue that kept this staff together.

All-Aught Indians--#5 Starter--Fausto Carmona (2006-present)

The battle for the #5 starter on the Indians team of the decade came down to two players.  The first player had one exquisite season that was so good, many felt he would be one of the best pitchers in baseball for years to come.  The other pitcher never had a season with an E.R.A. below 4.53, but was as consistent as you could be as a bottom-end starter.  The first pitcher, Fausto Carmona, was brilliant in 2007, then dropped off the map as a starters in 2008 and 2009.  The second pitcher, Paul Byrd, was never lights out, but always managed to win double figures.  Unfortunately for Byrd, many of his wins were less about his pitching, and more about his offense.  At the end of the day, Fausto Carmona's 2007 season carry him in this battle.  The All-Aught Indians #5 starter is Fausto Carmona.

Carmona's first season with the Tribe seemed to be typical Tribe management with their pitching staff in the 2000's.  Carmona's first appearance was as a starter in 2006, replacing an injured CC Sabathia.  He would win the game, but struggle in his next two starts before getting sent down with the return of Sabathia.  Carmona would return in late May as a relief pitcher, and over 28 1/3 innings, would only give up four runs, three of them earned.  That's when the Indians made him their closer, and poof, it was all gone.  Over the next four games, he would give up 11 runs, losing all four games, and blowing three saves.  I could keep going, but it just keeps getting worse.  Carmona had gone from the 2003 minor league pitcher of the year, to limbo.

Then came 2007.  The numbers?  Carmona went 19-8, with a 3.06 ERA.  In 215 innings, Carmona would strike out 137, and walk only 61 batters.  He beat Johan Santana twice in a month and had a streak of 22 shutout innings.  After the break, Carmona went 9-4 with a league leading 2.26 ERA.  Torii Hunter commented that Carmona's pitches weren't "normal," and "He's not even human. It was so scary, I thought I was hung over.  That dude is filthy," Hunter said. "We've been struggling, but even if we had been playing good, we wouldn't have beaten him. If you've never played the game, listen to me, I'm a hitter. Right-handers have no chance unless they get lucky and get a hit on a broken bat."

Still, after that sublime season, what Carmona will best be remembered for was his performance in the ALDS against the Yankees.  The two teams were swarmed with midges, and the seemingly unbeatable Joba Chamberlain was on the mound for the Yankees.  Unfortunately for Chamberlain, he couldn't focus with the midges flying around him. The Tribe would tie the game 1-1 with Chamberlain on the mound, then win the game in extra innings.  Alls Carmona did was go nine innings, giving up three hits and a run, while striking out five, and walking only two batters.  Oh yeah, and he defeated the evil midges.

Now we could sit here and chat about Carmona's struggles against Boston, and how he went downhill in 2008 and 2009, but for one big season, Carmona wasn't just good, but he may have been the best pitcher in baseball.  Overall, Carmona went 33-37, with a 4.69 ERA during the decade, which lets you know just how good that 2007 season was.  It overcame a 1-10 season, and an 11-game losing streak, as well as a season in which is ERA was nearly 7.

It's good to know that Carmona has righted the ship somewhat, in the second decade of the century.  Let's hope that continues.

All-Aught Indians--Closer--Bob Wickman (2000-2006)

Whenever I think of former closer Bob Wickman, three things immediately pop into my head:

1.  He severed his index finger down to his first knuckle when he was two in a farming accident.
2.  He has the most saves in Cleveland Indians history.
3.  I had to purchase a defibrillator to help jump start my heart after nearly every one of his outings.

During the best of days, Bob Wickman stabilized the Tribe bullpen, providing the Indians with a surefire, ninth-inning win.  During the worst of days, Wickman was an injury-prone emergency room filler, living on the edge during every appearance.  Through it all, Bob Wickman was the only closer that provided longevity and consistency throughout his run during the first decade.  The All-Aught Indians closer is the hefty righty, Bob Wickman.

It's almost hard to believe, but Wickman was first brought up as a starter for the New York Yankees way back in 1992.  Wickman isn't a typical power pitcher, throwing a decent fastball, sinker and slider.  What made him special was that half-finger of his.  According to Wickman, and every coach he pitched for, that half finger gave him natural movement.  When he was on, too much movement for any opposing batter.

The Yankees ultimately moved Wickman to the bullpen, where he was one of the main set-up man for closer John Wetteland.  The Yanks traded to the Brewers in 1996, where in his first game with the Crew, gave the Indians a glimpse of their future, blowing a save, but getting the win in a late August game.  The Tribe would trade for Wickman, Jason Bere and Steve Woodard in the 2000 Richie Sexson trade.  While the Indians needed starters, Woodard and Bere wouldn't make it for a complete season.  Wickman became a staple.

Wickman immediately was placed in the role as closer for Steve Karsay, and saved 14 of 17 games.  He went 1-3, with a 3.38 ERA in 26 appearances and 26 2/3 innings pitched.  He only struck out 11 batters however, while walking 12.  Let the roller coaster ride begin.

Wickman had one of his best seasons as the Tribe closer in 2001, saving 32 of 35 chances, while going 5-0 with a 2.39 ERA.  He made 70 appearances, and pitched in 67 2/3 innings, and was a true workhorse.  The Indians made a strange move in June, dealing the unhappy Steve Karsay to Atlanta for crazy closer John Rocker.  Rocker was immediately made the closer, and after starting off like a house of fire, imploded.  Re-enter Wickman, who continued his spectacular season.

As good as the 2001 season was, was as bad as the 2002 season turned into.  Wickman's elbow bothered him all season until he was shut down in August.  His season ended with Tommy John surgery.  Wickman's ERA lived above 4.00 for most of the season.  He still saved 20 games for the season.  Wickman would miss the entire 2003 season rehabbing his elbow.

2004 would start off much like the previous two seasons, on the DL, with a strained elbow.  He would return in early July as a set-up man, before entering as a closer after his fifth appearance, and fourth hold.  While he wasn't lights out, he did save five games in six days in early August.  Overall, he saved 13 of 14 games, and righted the bullpen a bit.  He finished the season strong, with three saves in his final four games, and no runs allowed.

2005 was Wickman's finest year as a closer, saving 45 games in 50 chances, which was tied for the AL lead.  Wickman went 0-4 with a 2.47 ERA.  For the first time in three years, Wickman pitched in over 60 innings, and would be chosen into the all-star game.

2006 was Wickman's final year with the Tribe, and he pitched like he was disinterested for much of the first half of the season.  He went 1 and 4, with a 4.18 ERA, saving 15 games in 29 appearances.  Wickman was traded in late July to the Atlanta Braves. He was light's for the Braves, saving 18 games with a 1.04 ERA, showing that when focused, he could be one of the top closers in baseball.

Wickman had a long run as the Indians closer, and while injury-issues were a problem in the middle of his Tribe career, those problems were bookended by outstanding seasons.  Sure, I now need a pacemaker because of the round mound of closers, but there is no doubt he was the best in Tribe-land during the first decade.

All-Aught Indians--RP1--Rafael Betancourt (2003-2009)

Rafael Betancourt was clearly the best Tribe reliever during the 1990's.  Like many of the Tribe pitchers of the decade, Betancourt was a bit of a reclamation project.  He had spent the previous six seasons all over the place, learning how to pitch, and it all came together with the Indians.  Betancourt threw a low-to-mid-90's fastball, a curve and a changeup, and while none of his pitches were considered plus pitches, it was his location that made him special.  The All-Aught Indians top relief pitcher is Rafael Betancourt.

There isn't a longer, stranger trip to the All-Aught Indians roster than Betancourt.  The right-hander was signed by the Boston Red Sox out of Venezuela as a good fielding, light hitting shortstop.  Betancourt, who worshiped the ground that Omar Vizquel walked on, wanted nothing more than to play shortstop in the bigs.  Boston farm director Bob Schaefer suggested Betancourt try pitching, and after seeing him make three tosses, knew it was the right move.

Bettancourt would spend some time in Boston's minor league system, but injury issues and struggles learning to pitch led the Red Sox to release him.  He headed to Japan for a season, was sent to the minors there after a short stint in the major leagues, then returned to the States and re-signed with the Red Sox.  After a month at AA, Bettancourt would end up shut down for the season before undergoing surgery on his right elbow to transpose the ulnar nerve as well as having a metal rod placed in his right forearm to stabilize his right elbow and ulna.  The Red Sox would release him, and he sat out the entire 2002 season.

All-Aught Indians--RP2--David Riske (1999, 2001-2005)

David Riske didn't have the flair for the dramatic, and when you think of relievers, Riske's name likely won't jump out at you.  Still, for most of his five-plus years with the big league Indians, he was one of the most consistent relievers in the pen.  Riske's primary role over the years was as the eighth inning, right-handed set-up man, but he showed up in the box score where the Tribe needed him.  He even spent some a small chunk of time as their primary closer, in perhaps his best year, in 2003.  Riske gave the Indians obvious bang for their buck, but he also just happened to be their most consistent closer over a five-year stretch, including two dominant seasons.  The All-Aught Indians relief pitcher #2 is David Riske.

The Indians selected Riske in the 56th round of the 1996 draft.  Obviously, when they picked the big righty, they didn't exactly expect him to become much of a player.  It's not like 56th rounders traditionally have 10-year careers, but Riske did, recently being released by the Milwaukee Brewers.  Riske brought a low nineties fastball, but his bread and butter pitches were his plus slider, and his split-finger.

Riske's first cup of coffee with the Tribe was in his third professional season, in 1999, and to say it was successful would be a mistake.  In his first six games, he gave up 10 earned runs, and watched his ERA balloon to 13.  There was still some improvement, as Riske only gave up three earned runs in his last six outings, dropping his ERA by four earned runs.  Still, his overall numbers weren't that good.  In 14 overall innings, he gave up 20 hits and 15 earned runs, while going 1-1 with a blown save.  Still, he closed stranger than he started, and things looked up.

All-Aught Indians--RP3--Paul Shuey (2000-2002)

Paul Shuey was a flame-throwing, right-handed reliever, who never seemed to pitch as good as you thought he could. This Lima, OH native had three plus pitches, starting with a blazing fastball with movement, a splitter, and a superb, late-breaking curveball. When the Indians drafted Shuey in 1992 out of the University of North Carolina, they believed they had their closer of the future. Unfortunately, a variety of injuries and a propensity to walk batters under pressure situations kept him from becoming that closer. It didn't, however, keep Shuey from becoming a productive set-up man. The All-Aught Indians relief pitcher #3 is Paul Shuey.

Shuey was the second pick in the first round of the 2002 draft, and the Indians and everyone else figured that Shuey was going to be a monster closer in the future. Cleveland would first call Shuey up in 2004, straight from Single A Kinston, and made him their closer. He would ultimately save five games, but after imploding in back-to-back games in June, the Indians would send him down to Buffalo for the rest of the season.

Over the rest of the nineties, Shuey consistently showcased his wicked stuff, consistently was on the dl, and consistently proved that he was a set-up man, and not a steady closer.

In 2000, Shuey would continue to dazzle and frustrate at the same time. In May, June, Shuey was one of the best relievers in baseball. He would record five holds, go 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA, 10 strikeouts, walks and only two hits in 10 2/3 innings pitched. In May, his hip would begin to bother him, and his ERA would rise to a high of 3.10 before going on the DL on May 21. He would miss five weeks after hip surgery, a run through the dl and a rehab assignment. He would return in late June, and would make 40 more appearances. Overall, Shuey would lead the AL in holds, with 28, while going 4-2 with a 3.39 ERA. Opponents only averaged .219 against him. He would strikeout 69 batters and walk 30 batters. Another solid year, albeit a frustrating one.

2001 would be a similar scenario for Shuey. He would be one of the better relievers in baseball through June 12, going 5-3 with six holds and a 2.60 ERA before an elbow injury would put him on the dl once again. It was his ninth time on the dl in his career. He would come back at the end of the June better than ever. Over the next ten games, he would add two more holds with a 1.59 ERA. The Indians would put Shuey back on the dl on July 23 until September with another elbow injury. Overall, Shuey would post a 2.82 ERA in 47 games and 54 1/3 innings. He would strike out 70, with 26 walks.

Shuey would blaze in 2002. He wouldn't give up a run in his first 15 appearances, holding sixe games, and going 1-0. He would give up just six hits and five walks during the stretch, while striking out 11 over the 14 total innings. His ERA during June was 0.00. His ERA in May was 0.69. He would have one bad outing in June, but would end up on the dl for the 11th time in his career, this time for a groin pull. He would be back in late June, and would continue his torrid pitching. He would give up only three more runs through July 24th. That was the day he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, ending his tenure as an Indian.

The 2002 season was his best yet. He ended the season with the Tribe having gone 3-0 with 12 holds, 39 K's, 10 walks and a .225 average against. Shuey will forever be remembered as a vastly talented reliever who could never quite be the closer people wanted him to be. Instead, he was just a fine, fine reliever.

He would end the decade with the Tribe having gone 12-5, with 12 saves, 47 holds, 178 strikeouts, 66 walks and a 2.95 ERA. Imagine what could have happened had he been healthy. Even with the injuries, he was still nearly as good as it gets.

All-Aught Indians--RP4--Bob Howry (2004-2005)

Bob Howry was a typical signing by the Cleveland Indians. In 2003, Howry, while pitching for the Red Sox, struggled with right elbow problems. He would end up on the 60-day dl after undergoing season-ending surgery at the beginning of July to repair his flexor tendon. The Indians would swoop in and sign the damaged righty to a minor league deal after the 2003 season, hoping it would pay off. Obviously, it did. The All-Aught Indians relief pitcher #4 is Bob Howry.

Howry was a solid relief pitcher prior to his stint in Cleveland. In his first full season with the White Sox in 1999, he served as their closer and saved 28 games in 34 chances. Keith Foulke replaced Howry as closer after struggling early in the 2000. Howry rebounded in the set-up role and finished the year with a stellar 3.17 ERA in 71 innings. He would continue to be an innings hog in 2001 and the start of 2002, when the White Sox traded him to the Red Sox at the deadline. The 2003 season would become a wash because of the elbow injury, and Howry would turn to the Tribe to rehabilitate him.

Howry spent the first month of the season rehabbing the elbow in extended spring training, having started throwing off the mound for the first time just before the Indians left Winter Haven. He made his first appearance for Buffalo on May 11, and after proving his arm was once again healthy, was called up by the Tribe on June 29th. He ended the season 4-2, with eight holds and a paltry 2.74 ERA. He would pitch in 37 games and 42 2/3 innings, while striking out 39 and walking only 12. He was exactly what the bullpen-starved Indians needed.

For as good as Howry was in 2004, he was that much better in 2005. The Indians had avoided arbitration with Howry by signing him to a one-year, $900,000 deal. Howry was banking on a big year for a big payday, and that's exactly what he got. He may have been the best relief pitcher in baseball. He went 7-4 with 29 holds and a 2.47 ERA in 79 games pitched. He would hold opponents to a .191 batting average against, but Howry saved his best for last. He pitched in 37 games after the All-Star break with a 0.99 ERA. He gave up only four earned runs, which included both a 13-inning scoreless streak and a 21-game streak in which he didn't give up an earned run.

The Indians pen may have been the best in the league during that 2005 season, anchored by Howry and closer Bob Wickman. David Riske, Rafael Betancourt and Arthur Rhodes also had stellar seasons in leading the Indians to a 93-69 record, and a near playoff appearance.

Howry had more than proven his mettle with the Tribe. In the 1 1/2 years in Cleveland, he would go 11-6, with 37 holds, 87 strikeouts and a 2.61 ERA. More than that, he had closer experience, and had proven that his arm was sound. The Indians, coming off a run at the playoffs, had an opportunity to sign Howry. Howry, however, was looking for a three-year deal between $10.5 and $12 million, and the Indians decided to take a chance at signing a bigger target for slightly more money. Closer Bob Wickman was also a free agent, so Shapiro made a full-court press for closers Tom Gordon or B.J. Ryan. If they spent a big chunk of change for Howry, they wouldn't be in play for the two pitchers they had ranked higher.

Howry would be the first to sign, heading to the Cubs with a 3-year, $12 million deal. He would never regain his 2004-2005 success, but he would continue to eat up innings (four straight season with 70+ innings, including an 84 inning season), would spot save, and earn every penny of his deal. What about Ryan and Gordon? Well, Ryan would visit Cleveland with his wife and get the royal treatment from Shapiro and the Dolans. Ryan would then use the Indians to drive up the price, eventually signing a mammoth deal with the Blue Jays to the tune of five years and nearly $50 million. Gordon would sign a 3-year, $18 million dollar deal with Philly. The Indians would re-sign Bob Wickman, Danny Graves and Steve Karsay, and would acquire Guillermo Mota from the Red Sox in the Coco Crisp deal. In other words, Bob Howry's loss turned into a mammoth hole that the Indians couldn't fill.

Hindsight is 20/20, and the Indians likely should have signed Howry to some sort of deal to either close or set-up, but they didn't. Ryan and Gordon would turn out to be busts over the length of their deals. It turns out that Howry was the deal afterall. The Indians paid the ultimate price, but Bob Howry had already earned his place on the All-Aught Indians.

All-Aught Indians--RP5--Rafael Perez (2006-2009)

Today we are going to take a look at the lefty portion of our All-Aught relief crew, and the first part of 'Dos Rafael' to enter our team of the decade. The All-Aught Relief Pitcher #5 is Rafael Perez.

Now Perez doesn't enter this club without some questions, but before we look at those, we have to take at why he made this team. In 2007, Perez arguably became the best left-handed reliever during the regular season. In 2008, he was undoubtedly the best bullpen pitcher out of the entire Indians bullpen. In 2009, he fell apart, but the two previous seasons were too good to keep him off this team.

The Indians signed Perez as a starter out of the Dominican Republic in 2002. It didn't take him long to make an impact, as he was named the Appalachian League pitcher of the year in 2003 for Burlington, going 9-3 with a 1.70 ERA. He would climb up through the Indians system in 2004 and 2005, before finally breaking through with the Tribe in 2006.

At the end of 2005, the Indians' brass began converting Perez to the bullpen, thinking that his fastball and slider would fit much better there. In 2006, Perez would start his year in Akron, in their starting rotation. The Indians would call him up briefly in April for one appearance out of the pen. He was sent back down to Akron thereafter, and continued starting for the Aeros. In early June, he was recalled by the Tribe, and again moved to the bullpen. He wasn't dominating by an stretch, making 11 appearances and rolling out a 4.70 ERA. Who could blame him, with the Tribe bouncing him around from the pen to the rotation, and from Akron to Cleveland. The Indians would send Perez down to Buffalo for the first time, and would keep the lefty in the pen. He would shine, holding lefties to a .115 average in his 13 games. Perez would get the September call-up. Overall, Perez did very well at the major league level. Even though his overall ERA was 4.34, he didn't give up any runs in 14 of his 17 appearances. He would give up six runs, but two earned runs each, in three different games.

In 2007, Perez would start the year in the rotation in Buffalo, and to be quite honest, was shelled. Lefties hit a robust .325 off of him, and he gave up multiple earned runs in all of his starts. The Indians would still call him up out of necessity, where he would enter one game as a reliever, and go three innings, giving up no runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out three. The Indians would send him back down, but not for long. They would recall him for good (at least for 2007) at the end of May.

At that point, it was lights out for the American league. 34 of his 44 appearances that year were scoreless, and only two of those appearances saw more than two runs cross the plate. His 1.79 ERA was third best in the league. Overall, opponents only batted .219 against him, with lefties only going at a .145 clip. The numbers do continue from there, but you get the point. Perez was about as unhittable as you can be, and combined with Rafael Bettancourt, gave the Indians as dominating a set-up duo as their was in baseball. Without a doubt, the solidity of the bullpen started and ended with Dos Rafael.

His dominance would continue into the ALDS, where he pitched in three games, and for six innings. He would only give up one run and three hits in his outings, and really dominated the Yankees hitters. In game one, he would pitch two perfect innings, while striking out four. In game two, the infamous gnat game, Perez would come into the game after Fausto Carmona's impressive nine-inning performance and slam the door on the Yanks to get the win. Again, Perez would go two innings, while striking out one, while again going two perfect innings. The Indians would score in the bottom of the 11th to win the game. Perez would struggle a bit in his third outing after replacing starter Paul Byrd, but would go two innings again, giving up a couple of singles, a walk, and a solo shot from Alex Rodriguez. Fortunately, the Indians were ahead 6-2, and would go on to win the game and the series.

The ALCS was a different story. Perez would pitch in three games for only one inning total, while giving up eight runs, five earned. That's right folks, his ERA was 45.00, and that's not a typo. Still, Perez had a sublime 2007, and was up to the ALCS, was one of the top five relievers in the game.

In 2008, Perez continued to succeed, if not exactly impress. He was, without a doubt, the best reliever the Indians had that season, in a year in which the bullpen imploded. Perez was, more or less, the rock of a bad pen.

Perez would show up in 73 games and 76.1 innings. 53 of those 73 games were scoreless for the lefty relief specialist. His overall ERA was 3.54, but after April 25th, it was an even better 3.11. Overall, batters would hit .234 against Perez, while lefties were at .222. No, Perez wasn't the same pitcher that he was in 2007, but he certainly was still awesome at times. He was prone to more errors in judgment under pressure situations, and was prone to some big innings, but overall he still did very well.

Then came 2009. I could hash out the season step-by-step, but what would be the point. I don't know that I need to say anything more than 48 innings and 39 earned runs, for a 7.31 ERA. It was so bad, that Perez was sent down to the minors early in the season after a devastating start. He would more or less dominate in Columbus, before returning to the Indians in late May. Perez was sent back down to Buffalo on July 8th. How bad was it? His ERA was 8.88 when he was sent down. Perez would pitch better down the stretch, but still had games in which he would implode. His ERA would drop to that 7.31, but it would include games in which he gave up two, three and four earned runs.

It's easy to get down on Perez, and deservedly so, but it would be a mistake to ignore the 2007 and 2008 seasons, in which he was one of the top left-handed relievers in the league. Perez spent winter ball finding himself again in the starting roll, and was lights out.

Will we get a return to form from the lefty-reliever? It's hard to say, but for two seasons, he was as good as it got out of the pen, and puts him in our All-Aught Indians bullpen, as our fifth reliever.

All-Aught Indians--RP6--Steve Karsay (2000-2001, 2006)

Any big league bullpen is a hodge-podge of players. There are the golden arms that have been ear-marked to close because of their lightning fastball. There are the set-up men that are either young up-and coming closers, or former closers on their way out. You have your side-armers, spit-ballers, knuckleballers, LOOGY's, long-relievers, spot-relievers and nowhere-else-to-put-yous. Garnering the last spot in the All-Aught Indians bullpen is just that nowhere-else-to-put-you in Steve Karsay.

Karsay's name likely isn't one that will come up on your list of top-notch Indians' relievers, although he was exactly that. Karsay was mostly lost in the shuffle of a career marred by injuries and untapped potential. He started in 1993 as a 21-year-old gunslinger in a late season call-up by the Oakland A's. He had skipped Triple A and pitched 49 solid innings before manager Tony LaRussa would shut him down before his 50th inning to keep his rookie-eligibility. The following season, Karsay would make four electric starts before elbow pain would end his season. He wouldn't pitch again in the majors until 1997 after two elbow surguries, including Tommy John surgery in 1995.

The Indians would acquire Karsay in late-1997 as a potential starter for the 1998 season, but he would lose the job as the #5 starter to some kid named Bartolo Colon. Karsay would start in the rotation in Buffalo, but twice would end up on the DL before being activated by the Indians on the last day in July as a reliever. After another start and relief appearance, he would get sent down to Buffalo in late August. He would get recalled in late September strictly as a reliever, and was shelled to the tune of an 8.31 ERA. It wasn't looking good, but Karsay felt fantastic. He'd begun playing with a Cleveland staple, the splitter, and was slowly re-discovering his fastball, that was now being clocked in the mid-90's.

He'd break out in 1999 as a multi-purpose reliever after adding a splitter and rediscovering his mid-90's fastball. He'd, going 10-2 with a 2.97 ERA. He started the year as a middle and long-reliever, twice pitching more than three innings of relief, with stints anywhere from the first inning, to the ninth. The further back in the game he'd pitch, the better he was, until the DL bit him in July with a strained oblique muscle. He'd return at the end of the month and return to form before manager Mike Hargrove would move Karsay to the rotation because of injuries to Dwight Gooden, Jaret Wright and Mark Langston. He looked brilliant in two starts, going 2-0 with a 0.90 but his third start would end with another stint on the DL with a strained tendon in his right forearm. He'd return to the bullpen for the rest of the season.

Karsay would begin his Aughts as the closer for the Indians, and would save 19 games out of 24 attempts for the Indians prior to the trade deadline. He had impeccable stretches that year, saving seven straight chances from May 16 to June 10th, and his ERA was a respectable 3.09. The Indians wanted Karsay back in his role of set-up, and acquired Bob Wickman during the trade deadline. Karsay would struggle for the next month with the demotion, but would rebound in September during the stretch run. He would go 1-1 with a 1.42 ERA during his last thirteen innings of work.

2001 would begin as a frustrating year for Karsay, who wanted to be a closer. With the Indians, Karsay would make 31 appearances, going 0-1. He wouldn't give up a run during the month of April, which would amount to ten appearances and 14 innings. Karsay quickly became the most important reliever, going more than one inning in 11 of his first 17 games played. His final line with the Indians was an impressive one, finishing with a 1.25 ERA in 43.1 innings pitched. He would strike out 44, with only eight walks, while giving up only one homer. He would only record one save, however, and even though Karsay still brought his A-game, the frustration was building. Karsay was dealt in late June in one of the most idiotic deals in Tribe history. Karsay was sent to Atlanta with sidewinder Steve Reed for John Rocker, the enigmatic lefty closer that was more bigot than pitcher.

Karsay won't go down in the annals of baseball's great relievers, but he certainly was a good one with the Indians. His strength was his ability to pitch in any scenario, from long-relief to closer. He could even spot start on occasion if you really needed him. He had more stuff than your average reliever, with a plus fastball, splitter and curve, to go along with a nice change-up. Cleveland revitalized his career, but in the end, didn't give him what he wanted most, to start, or close.

Still, he was extremely good at all of the above. Welcome to the decade's best Indians Stevs. As our sixth reliever, you can fill all the gaps for our All-Aught Bullpen.

All-Aught Indians--Back-up Outfielder--Franklin Gutierrez (2005-2008)

Eric Wedge didn't like Milton Bradley, and Milton Bradley didn't like Eric Wedge. Bradley had made a habit of doing the wrong thing, including fights, tenures in jail and not running out ground balls. When he got into it with Eric Wedge twice in less than a year, he was sent packing to the Los Angeles Dodgers. What they received in return for the misguided centerfielder would turn into their best utility outfielder of the decade. The All-Aught Indians Center Fielder is Franklin Gutierrez.

Gutierrez would make his first long-term stints with the Indians during the 2006 season, getting called up on three different occasions. Gutierrez would bat .272, with 21 runs scored, nine doubles, one homer and eight RBI. No, it's not like Gutz stood up and proclaimed himself to be the greatest player of the decade, but he did exhibit the ability to play all three outfield positions, only made three errors, and showed up a cannon of an arm.

In 2007, Gutz would up the ante with 100 games played, and once again, at all three outfiled positions. He would hit .266, scoring 41 runs, with 13 doubles, two triples, 13 homers, 36 RBI and eight stolen bases. He would only commit one error with three assists.

Gutz would struggle with more playing time in 2008 in 134 games, although he did play his best baseball in August and September, raising his average from .220 to nearly .250. He would only make three errors that season.

Gutz couldn't manage to take the next step with the Tribe, from the back-up role to the role of starter, so the Tribe traded him to Seattle. He would have a break-out season in 2009, playing center field for the Mariners. Still, as an Indian, Gutierrez managed to play all three outfield position in his three seasons of consequence, and played them exceptionally well. He had decent power, speed, and likely the best arm in baseball.

No, Franklin Gutierrez couldn't win and sustain a regular outfield position during his tenure with the Cleveland Indians. Lucky for Gutz and the Indians, that allowed the multi-talented outfielder to claim the all-aught back-up oufield slot.

All-Aught Indians--Center Field--Grady Sizemore (2004-2009)

There really hasn't been a more stable every-day position for the Tribe than center field. The four major players this decade has been Kenny Lofton, Milton Bradley, Coco Crisp and Grady Sizemore. Bradley, although spectacular at times, was injury-prone, and already an enigma. Crisp was an able athlete, but played most of his time at other positions. Lofton had a spectactular career with the Indians, but his best days with the Tribe were behind him. The All-Aught Indians Center Fielder is Grady Sizemore.

Sizemore was acquired by the Indians in that now infamous 2002 Mark Shapiro deal that sent Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew to the Montreal Expos that also brought Lee Stevens, Cliff Lee and Brandon Phillips.

Sizemore made his major league debut as a defensive replacement on July 20th, 2004, and would spend a month with the club. He started off strong, but a major slump sent him down to the minors at the end of August, where he would regain his form in leading the Bisons to the International League title. He was recalled again by the Indians in mid-September, and closed the season with a bit of a flourish, hitting .306, with two homers and nine RBI in thirteen games. For the entire season, he made only one error.

Sizemore broke out in 2005, becoming on of the top up-and-coming players in the league. Sizemore's line read .289/.348/.484, with 22 homers and 81 RBI from the leadoff position. He would score 111 times, with 37 doubles, 11 triples and 22 stolen bases. His defense was spectacular, only making three errors all season, and didn't make an error in his last 62 games. Sizemore was also a quiet presence in the dugout, and quickly became known as the type of player that leads by example, not by mouthing off.

2006 was an even better season for Sizemore. He didn't miss a game all year, and improved nearly every stat. His line improved to .290/.375/.533 with 28 home runs, 76 RBI, 134 runs scored (led the league), 53 doubles (led the league), 11 triples and 22 SB. He also led the league in extra base hits, not bad for a lead-off hitter. He was the second major league player to ever hit 50 doubles, 10 triples, 20 homers and 20 steals in the same season. His defense would only get better, making only two errors in a major league leading 419 chances. He would make the All-Star game for the first time. The Indians would sign Sizemore to a long-term deal that would keep him with the Indians through 2011, with a club option for 2012.

In 2007, Sizemore would continue his climb to the top of the AL ranks. His line would read .277/.390/.462, with 24 homers and 78 RBI, with 118 runs scored, 34 doubles, five triples, 101 walks and 33 stolen bases. Again, Sizemore made only 2 errors, and won the Gold Glove for the first time in his career, and would make the all-star team for the second year in a row. The Indians would make the playoffs that season for the first time, and he started off strong against the Yankees in the ALDS. His ALDS line was .375/.524/.688, with three runs, six hits, one triple, one homer, one RBI and a stolen base in four games. He would struggle against the Red Sox, batting only .222 in the seven game series.

2008 would take Sizemore to new heights, as he became only the second Indians to enter the 30/30 club, hitting 33 home runs, while stealing 38 bases, and only being caught five times. His line was .268/.374/.502, with 101 runs scored, 39 doubles, 5 triples, 90 RBI and 98 walks. Sizemore would win the Silver Slugger award and the Gold Glove, with only two errors.

Sizemore would struggle in 2009 with injuries all year long. He would only play in 106 games, missing most of June and September with elbow and abdominal injuries, both of which would require surgery in the offseason. The Indians season quickly went down the tube with their star's lack of health. He batted only .248, with 18 homers and 64 RBI. He only had 13 stolen bases.

Sizemore has been compared to some of the greats, including Barry Bonds (minus the steroids) and Joe Dimaggio. While there's a long way to go before those unfair comparisons can be put to the test, it's safe to say that Sizemore has been one of the brightest that the Aughts have to offer.

Let's hope he's here long enough in the teens to make the next decade's team.

The Two Thousand, Aught Center Fielders: Kenny Lofton, Jacob Cruz, Alex Ramirez, Jolbert Cabrera, Mark Whiten, Dave Roberts, Milton Bradley, Brady Anderson, Dave Magruder, Karim Garcia, Coco Crisp, Jody Gerut, Alex Escobar, Mark Little, Grady Sizemore, Franklin Gutierrez, Joe Inglett, Ben Francisco, Michael Brantley, Trevor Crowe, Shin-Soo Choo

All-Aught Indians--Right Field--Manny Ramirez (2000)

Right Field has been a position of power and pain for the Cleveland Indians over the past ten years. Manny Ramirez started off the decade with a monster year before leaving the Tribe for the greener monsters of Boston. Juan Gonzalez appeared for a year to take Manny's place, relaunched his stuttering career with a big season of his own, then left for Detroit. That's when the mashers left, and the deteriation of right field began. What followed were middling seasons from the likes of Matt Lawton, Jody Gerut, Trot Nixon and Franklin Gutierrez. All showed promise in one form or another, but couldn't even reach the first rung of the ladder built by ManRam and JuanGone. The fact that Casey Blake had the longest tenure during the aughts in right field should let you know just how bad things got in the hunt for stability at the position. The light at the end of the tunnel closing out the decade has been Shin-Soo Choo, who surely has a head start on the All-Teens team. With that said, the All-Aught Indians Right Fielder is Manny Ramirez.

Ramirez was as sure a thing as you could be as a prospect. The hitting savant won the 1993 Minor League player of the year, and made his debut with the Tribe in a September call-up in 1993. His break-out season came in 1995, rolling out 31 homers, with a .307 average and 107 RBI. He'd help lead the Indians to their first World Series appearance in nearly fifty years, and he was only just beginning.

Fast forward five more seasons, two world series appearance, and a whole bunch of offense. Ramirez would enter the decade with 198 career home runs, a career .307 average and back to back seasons in which he hit 89 homers and had 310 RBI. The only thing stopping Ramirez from becoming the preeminent baseball player was, well, Manny being Manny.

His career in Cleveland would culminate in 2000 with one of the best seasons of his career. The only thing that could slow Ramirez down that season was a bum hamstring, which kept him out of the line-up for the entire month of June, and through the all-star break in July. Even while only playing in 118 games, Ramirez would still hit 38 home runs, with 122 RBI. His line was a Babe-Ruthian .351/.457/.697, with a 1.154 OPS. The Indians would finish second in the division, and a game out of the wild-card slot, leaving Ramirez out of the playoffs for the first time as a regular with the Indians.

Ramirez was always regarded as the 'kid brother' with the Indians, to the players and the fans. I can't recall more than two words being spoken at a time by Ramirez with reporters, since he followed in the footsteps of his mentors, Eddie Murray and Albert Belle, who both refused to talk to the media. We've all heard the stories, with my favorite being the five-figure paycheck from the Indians he'd left lying around in a pair of boots in his locker, unchashed. If it was about baseball, Ramirez was Einstein. If it was about anything else...well...Manny was, being Manny.

Ramirez left the Indians in 2001, and never felt the wrath that Albert Belle before, and Jim Thome after, had felt. The Indians chased after their slugger, offering an obscent 8-year, $136 million contract, which the Red Sox then outbid at a even more obsurd 8-year, $160 million deal. Even though Manny left for the cash, most of the anger was slanted towards agent Jeff Moorad.

Manny was, of course, just being Manny.



The Two Thousand, Aught Right Fielders: Manny Ramirez, David Justice, Russell Branyan, Jolbert Cabrera, David Segui, Bill Selby, Chan Perry, Ricky Ledee, Alex Ramirez, Juan Gonzalez, Marty Cordova, Karim Garcia, Wil Cordero, Ellis Burks, Jacob Cruz, Matt Lawton, Chris Magruder, Lee Stevens, Todd Dunwoody, Bruce Aven, Brady Anderson, Jody Gerut, Shane Spencer, Alex Escobar, Ryan Ludwick, Mark Little, Raul Gonzalez, Casey Blake, Jason Dubois, Jeff Liefer, Jose Hernandez, Shin-Soo Choo, Franklin Gutierrez, Hector Luna, Todd Hollandsworth, Jason Michaels, Eduardo Perez, Trot Nixon, Ben Francisco, Matt LaPorta, Trevor Crowe, Chris Gimenez, Jamey Carroll, Ryan Garko, Mark DeRosa

All-Aught Indians--Left Field--Coco Crisp (2002-2005)

In the 1990's, Albert Belle, Brian Giles and David Justice made left-field a position of strength for the Cleveland Indians. In stark contrast, since the start of the 2000 season, left-field has become the place where ballplayers go to die. Only three players since 2000 have played in 100+ games in left in a single season, and none more than 133. Left has seen transplanted infielders, aging outfielders and horrific platoons turn it into the laughingstock of the Tribe line-up. There was one exception. The All-Aught Indians Left Fielder is Covelli Loyce Crisp. You might know him as Coco.

Coco Crisp was acquired by the Cleveland Indians as another one of those Mark Shapiro specials in 2002, when he sent Steve Finley to the St. Louis Cardinals for Luis Garcia and a player to be named later. That player turned into Crisp, who was immediately sent to Akron for an extremely brief stay. Milton Bradley immediately went on the DL, and Crisp was called up to the big club. Crisp would make an immediate impact, with six hits in his first three games. He batted .260 with 9 doubles, 2 triples, one homer, 4 stolen bases and 9 RBI in 32 games. He would only play two games in left in his first stint, as his natural position was center.

Crisp would start the 2003 season off in Buffalo, and the Tribe would recall him in June 11 with Crisp dominating International League pitching. Crisp would continue his hot hitting with the Indians, rolling out a 13-game hitting streak in July, a month that saw him hit .351 with 6 doubles, 6 RBI and 14 runs in 26 games. He would finish the season slumping, but would end with a .266 average, three homers, 27 RBI, 55 runs, 15 doubles, 6 triples and 15 stolen bases. He would start more games in center, but started in 38 games in left field.

In 2004, Crisp would make the club out of Spring Training, and would become the starting center fielder about halfway through the season. With Grady Sizemore ready to make his presence known in the big club, it was only a matter of time until Crisp would have to move. He would still play 37 games in left. Offensively, Crisp would have a break out season, batting .297 with 15 homers and 71 RBI. He would score 78 runs and 24 doubles, while stealing 20 bases. Crisp would have a torrid August and September that saw him bat .337 and .336 respectively, and batted .345 from July 25th on.

Crisp would become the starting left-fielder in 2005, and this was the season that won him the award as the decades best left fielder. He set personal highs, batting .300 with 42 doubles, 16 homers and 86 runs in 145 games. He would add 69 RBI and 15 stolen bases. His line of .300/.346/.465 put him on the straight-line to the elite. He was named A.L. Player of the Week for the week of September 6-12 after hitting .571 with 3 homers and 7 RBI.

The Indians, in all their wisdom, moved Crisp to the Red Sox after the 2005 season because his real position was centerfield. Of course, you couldn't have two centerfielders/lead-off hitters on the same club, even if one did have his best season in left field. Instead, the Indians deal Crisp and acquired Jason Michaels.

Painful, I know.

In Crisp, the Indians had their best left-fielder in the 2000's. No, he wasn't a natural left-fielder, but he was the best they had to offer since Justice left the team. What might Crisp have done with the Indians past the 2005 season? Who knows. Either way, he left Cleveland as a rising star, and their best left fielder of the decade.

The Two Thousand, Aught Left Fielders: Richie Sexson, Wil Cordero, David Justice, Jolbert Cabrera, Russell Branyan, Dave Roberts, Bill Selby, Ricky Ledee, Alex Ramirez, Jacob Cruz, Marty Cordova, Karim Garcia, Ellis Burks, Chris Magruder, Lee Stevens, Coco Crisp, Ben Broussard, Matt Lawton, Todd Dunwoody, Chad Allen, Bruce Aven, Brady Anderson, Jody Gerut, Ryan Ludwick, Shane Spencer, Alex Escobar, Lou Merloni, Jose Hernandez, Jason Dubois, Jason Michaels, Todd Hollandsworth, Ricky Gutierrez, Joe Inglett, Shin-Soo Choo, David Dellucci, Ben Francisco, Kenny Lofton, Franklin Gutierrez, Jason Tyner, Trevor Crowe, Matt LaPorta, Ryan Garko, Mark DeRosa, Chris Gimenez, Jamey Carroll, Michael Brantley,

All-Aught Indians--Utility--Jolbert Cabrera (2000-2002)

Utility infielders and utility outfielders have become extremely valuable resources in the game of baseball. For the Indians, over the years, players such as John McDonald and Jamey Carroll have established themselves as key bench players. Players such as ex-Tiger Tony Phillips and ex-Angel and current Mariner Chone Figgins have re-invented the position. Phillips became the first player to start ten games at five different positions, while Figgins started 35+ games at third base, centerfield and second all in the same season. The Indians have utilized several players in a similar fashion over the years. Most recently, Jamey Carroll had found time at second and third base and right and left field. Prior to Carroll, Casey Blake carried the uber-utility slot for the Tribe, playing third and first base, right and left field, as well as DH during his tenure with the Tribe. He started at third base for the Tribe in 2003 and 2004, moved to the outfield for 2005 and 2006, then moved back to third base for 2007 and most of 2008. Throughout his tenure, he would periodically start at the other positions. Unfortunately for Blake, he doesn't qualify for the All-Aught slot because he started most games at one position to the other from year to year. Even though Carroll should qualify, I'm excluding him because he didn't play much outfield, and really didn't play much outfield in his tenure with the Tribe. The All-Aught Indians utility player is Jolbert Cabrera.

I know what you're thinking...WHAT!?! Cabrera was on my radar for this position, but I still believed Blake or Carroll were the better player for this slot. Once you got down to the nitty-gritty, it became clear that Cabrera was the clear standard bearer at the position for the Indians.

Remember, a good utility player plays defense, and Jolbert Cabrera did just that, and extremely well. You could say it runs in the family, since his brother, Orlando, is as good as they come at the shortstop position. You couldn't peg him for an infielder or an outfielder, although he was brought up as a shortstop like his brother. As good a defender as he was, he wasn't going to supplant Omar Vizquel at shortstop, and with Roberto Alomar and Travis Fryman at second and third, he was the odd man out. So, the Indians did the next best thing...played him at ALL the positions, including the outfield.

Cabrera would get a cup of coffee with the Indians in 1998, playing one game at shortstop. In 1999 Cabrera would start the season with the big league club, and would start at second, center and left and would pinch run before being sent back down to Buffalo. He'd return in August and continue his utility role, although he would struggle with the stick all season, batting a paltry .189 with a sad-sack .231 OBP. He would break out as a utility player in 2000.

In 2000, Jolbert would start the season in Buffalo before being recalled by the Indians at the end of April. He would stay with the big league club for the rest of the season. Cabrera would play 29 games in right, 26 games in center, 24 games in left, 19 games at second, 8 games at short and two games as the DH. Most amazing was that Cabrera would only make one error all year long. His bat improved, batting .251, which wasn't bad for a guy that only started 35 games that year. In the 35 games he started, he batted a much improved .279. His highlight that season came at the end of July, when he went 5 for 5 against Baltimore.

He would follow up in 2001 with even better numbers, starting at six different positions. He would find himself in 141 games that year, playing 36 games in left, 35 games in center, 28 games at second, 27 games at third, 18 games at right and 14 games at short. He would make eight errors that year, but when you are splitting your time up between seemingly every position, well, you get my point. He improved his batting average to .261, while stealing 10 bases in 14 attempts. He would also drive in a fairly impressive 38 runs in 287 at bats.

Cabrera's career would fizzle in Cleveland in 2002, and the Tribe would trade him to the Dodgers in July. Still, Cabrera started the Aughts becoming the "Tony Phillips-of-the-Tribe," and did it better than anybody has since.

No, Cabrera didn't blow you away with numbers, but he could play defense, and play defense well. He was never a guy that was going to start at one position, because he could plug up so many holes. That's what a good utility player does...and Cabrera did it better than anyone else. Cabrera was also much respected in the dugout, a hard-working player, and everything you could ever ask for as a blue-collar utility guy.

Cabrera spawned the uber-utility player for the Indians, and likely led the Tribe in the hunt for players such as Casey Blake and Jamey Carroll. Cabrera has managed to stay in the league for the better part of the past nine seasons, including a stint in Japan. The Mets have recently signed Cabrera to try and make the club as, you guessed it, a utility player.

Now, he'll always be remembered as the All-Aught Indians utility player.

All-Aught Indians--Back-up Infielder--Jamey Carroll (2008-2009)

Is there a more unsung job in baseball than the utility infielder? These are the guys that are signed to a contract because they can play tough defense, and do it at more than one position. Can they hit? Not likely. If you find a back-up infielder that has a stick, nine times out of ten, they end up starting. The Indians have had two clear back-up infielders over the past ten years that were in the running for this position. Some may say three, but Asdrubal Cabrera was brought up as a starter at second base, so he's excluded. Instead, the energy focuses on the guy who opened the decade at the position, and the guy who closed it out. John McDonald really put a stamp as the utility infielder from the Tribe from 2000-2004, while Jamey Carroll took over the role in 2008 and 2009. Both were fantastic infielders, but where they differed in two key areas. Carroll had far superior offense, and also had more opportunity to play. McDonald played 2nd, 3rd and short, while Carroll only played 2nd and 3b, while spending some time in the outfield. Still, Carroll's offense made takes him over the top. The All-Aught Indians back-up infielder is Jamey Carroll.

McDonald really had become the poster of what the Indians hunt for every year in a utility infielder. The issue with McDonald really turned out to be his durability. From 2000-2001, and then again in 2003, an injury would keep McDonald from performing at the top of his game, and ultimately, cost him this slot.

Carroll really was subtle excellence at the position. Carroll played both second and third for the Tribe, and could be the Indians Super-Utility player, since he played the corner outfield positions as well. Still, his excellent defense at all infield positions, plus his offense made him stand above McDonald.

Carroll immediately played dividends for the Indians when they signed him to a deal in 2008. Asdrubal Cabrera had started with the Indians in 2007, but would start the season with the Tribe for the first time in 2008. He struggled, and Carroll stepped in and started when the Indians would send Cabrera to Buffalo for much of June and July. He would make 66 starts at second for on the season. He would also make 18 starts at third base. Overall, his fielding percentage was .970+, and .990 at second base. Offensively, Carroll would smoke the ball after May, rolling out a .298 average. He would have a four-hit game, and end the season with a nine-game hit streak. He would end the season with a .277 average, and seven stolen bases. More than solid numbers for a utility guy.

Carroll had a similar story in 2009, just without as much opportunity. He would hit .276 in a few less at bats. His OBP was .355 for the second season in a row, and in a sorry season, was one of the few who consistently performed.

Carroll is never going to be THE guy in any line-up. What he is though, is the heartbeat of a team. Here's a guy who probably doesn't have many more tools as a ballplayer as you or I, but obviously works hard to be where he is. He's the epitome of what a utility player is. He's the glue that holds together a team. Unfortunately for the Tribe, there was more glue than team.

Carroll capped off his career with the Indians by winning the Frank Gibbons/Steve Olin Good Guy Award winner.

Like many Indians before him, Carroll's performance with the Tribe in the Aughts would ultimately price himself out of the Tribe's range. Carroll would ultimately sign on with the Dodgers as their utility guy, but not before we send Carroll off with his reward as the all-aught utility infielder for the Indians.

All-Aught Indians--Back-up Catcher--Kelly Shoppach (2006-2009)

When the Boston Red Sox came a-knockin' in an attempt to acquire Coco Crisp, Cleveland immediately asked for top prospect Andy Marte, who had been acquired earlier in the offseason from the Braves. The Red Sox quickly agreed, but the Indians began working the Sox for another important player. Guillermo Mota was thrown in to help bolster the Indians pen, but the player the Tribe wanted was another top prospect in the Sox organization that was buried behind Jason Varitek. Boston was hesitant to give up their top catching prospect, and they turned out to be dead right. The All-Aught Indians back-up catcher was that player, Kelly Shoppach.

It's really hard to look at Shoppach as a back-up since he was essentially the starting catcher for the Indians over the past two seasons. In 2008, he ascended to the top thanks to an injury that left Victor Martinez on the DL for much of the season. In 2009, Shoppach again filled in for VMart, after the starter was dealt to, ironically enough, Shoppach's old team, the Boston Red Sox.

Make no mistakes though, Kelly Shoppach was a back-up. This was always VMart's team right up until the trade. Once Martinez was traded, the writing was on the wall for Shoppach. Put up the numbers, or find yourself either traded, or non-tendered at the end of the season. We'll get to that in a bit.

Without a doubt, Kelly Shoppach, even with his 2009 struggles, was the top player in the Crisp deal. There's a lot to like about the former Tribe backstop. The bottom line with Shoppach, and I'm surprised that this was questioned over the past year or so, is that he is a top defensive catcher across the board. He stops everything, and still has a cannon for an arm. He's the guy that is covered in dirt, even when he plays on pavement. He also carries a big stick. By that, I mean that he swings for the fences. True, he's either a hit or miss, but when the streak-meter is on hit, he can hit rockets.

In 2006, Shoppach immediately became the Tribe's primary back-up. Unfortunately, Victor Martinez was in his way, but the Indians were planning on using VMart as a fill-in at first base to save his knees. Shoppach made that a possibility. Still, he was sent down to Buffalo in May because of inactivity, but was recalled in June, and would stay with the team for the remainder of the year. Shoppach would only commit two errors in his 41 games, and would throw out 10 of 29 baserunners to the tune of .35%.

He would continue his back-up duty in 2007, playing in 59 games. His offense would pick up slightly, hitting 7 homers (up from 3), and hitting .261, up from .245. He did stay with the big league club the entire season, and was the personal catcher for Paul Byrd, as he was behind the plate for all of his 31 starts. Shoppach would only make four errors, and would throw out 13 of 36 baserunners, to the tune of 36%. Shoppach was on fire in the playoffs, batting .500 in his two starts with Byrd on the hill.

The 2007 season was the highlight of his career thusfar, taking over for an injured Victor Martinez. He led American League catchers with 21 homers, and was third overall. Shoppach's brought back a little Boudreau of his own in July against the Tigers when he became the second player to have five extra-base hits in a single game. He went 5-6 that day, with three doubles and two home runs, becoming the only player since, you guessed it, Lou Boudreau in 1946, to complete the task. Shoppach became a commodity. With VMart slated to return in 2009 with two-years left on his contract, Shoppach became a part that a bunch of teams wanted.

Cleveland nearly spun Shoppach into a big-time deal with the Tribe. Tribe GM Mark Shapiro began talks with former Shapiro underling, and new Pirate GM Neal Huntington about potentially trading Cliff Lee, Franklin Gutierrez and Kelly Shoppach to the Pirates for Jason Bay and Ryan Doumit. The Pirates eventually said no to that deal, but it does show you what kind of ups that Shoppach had.

2009 wouldn't be a stellar year for Shoppach. In his 89 games, he would hit .214, with 12 homers and 40 RBI. That's really what you get with Shoppach, a streaky power hitter with impressive defense.

Shoppach was eventually traded after the season, a victim of the Indians cost-cutting. The dealt him at a sell-low, and acquired Mitch Talbot, a moderate prospect for the Rays. Of course, that's for the Tribe-teens in ten...hopefully.

For now, Shoppach was clearly the best back-up catcher in baseball over the past four seasons. In many ways, he's been the heart and soul of the team for long stretches of games in 2008 and 2009. That makes him the clear choice for Cleveland's back-up Catcher of the decade.