The franchise was established in Cleveland in 1901 as a charter member of the American League; early nicknames included the Blues, Broncos, and Naps (in honor of Nap Lajoie), before adopting “Indians” in 1915 and eventually becoming the Guardians in 2022. ¹⁾

Cleveland captured its first World Series championship in 1920. ²⁾

League Park, home of early Cleveland teams including during the 1920 Series, was among the last Major League stadiums built without permanent lighting. ³⁾

The 1954 Indians racked up 111 wins and posted a .721 winning percentage, ranking as one of the franchise’s most dominant seasons. ⁴⁾

On June 10, 1959, Rocky Colavito hit four home runs in four consecutive at-bats, tying an MLB record. ⁵⁾

Legendary pitcher Early Wynn recorded his 300th career victory on July 13, 1963, while playing for Cleveland. ⁶⁾

Bob Feller threw a no-hitter on Opening Day, April 16, 1940 — a rare and remarkable feat. ⁷⁾

On May 15, 1981, Len Barker achieved a perfect game, retiring all 27 batters in order. ⁸⁾

In 2017, Cleveland set an American League record with a 22-game win streak, affectionately known as “The Streak.” ⁹⁾

Since 1994, the Guardians have played at Progressive Field (originally Jacobs Field), which has hosted three World Series (1995, 1997, and 2016). ¹⁰⁾

The team retired its Chief Wahoo mascot in 2018 amid controversy and officially adopted the Guardians name for the 2022 season. ^{11) 12)}

The “Guardians” nickname pays homage to the Guardians of Traffic Art Deco sculptures that stand on Cleveland’s Hope Memorial Bridge. ¹³⁾

Cleveland has won six American League pennants and two World Series titles (1920 and 1948), anchoring its place in baseball history. ¹⁴⁾

Larry J. Dolan acquired the team in 2000, guiding it through the name change and decades of competition before passing away in 2025 at age 94. ¹⁵⁾

The Ohio Cup is an interleague rivalry between the Guardians and Reds, first competing in 1997 and renewed regularly since 2008. ¹⁶⁾

José Ramírez, a star third baseman, cites his favorite movie as Lupin, favorite artist as Anuel AA, and childhood athlete as Rafael Furcal. ¹⁷⁾

In August 2025, Kyle Manzardo delivered his third walk-off hit of the season, and Nolan Jones hit the franchise’s 14,000th home run in the same game. ¹⁸⁾

Carlos Santana, the franchise’s career leader in walks (933) and fifth in home runs (227), was placed on outright waivers in August 2025. ¹⁹⁾

The Guardians run clinics, camps, and scholarships to support and cultivate youth baseball players in the Cleveland area. ²⁰⁾

Progressive Field includes a sensory-friendly section designed for fans with sensory sensitivities. ²¹⁾

The team hosts a Women’s Leadership Series, aimed at empowering women in sports and providing networking opportunities. ²²⁾

The Guardians’ current mascot—named Slider—entertains fans at home games. ²³⁾

Longtime voice Tom Hamilton, along with Jim Rosenhaus, serves as one of the team’s principal play-by-play announcers. ²⁴⁾

The team broadcasts on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network, with 29 affiliate stations including flagship WTAM and WMMS. ²⁵⁾

The new Guardians logo features an interlocking “G” and “C,” symbolizing “Guardians of Cleveland.” ²⁶⁾

Cleveland hosted the MLB All-Star Game in 1935 at League Park and again in 1997 at Jacobs Field (now Progressive Field). ²⁷⁾

Cleveland was among the teams that integrated early in MLB, signing Larry Doby as the first African American player in the American League in 1947. ²⁸⁾

In 1948, Larry Doby hit a key Game 4 home run to help lead Cleveland to its second World Series title. ²⁹⁾

When Frank Robinson became MLB’s first Black manager in 1975, he also homered in his first at-bat as player-manager for the Indians. ³⁰⁾ (I've already used Britannica three times; going forward, I’ll avoid repeating it.)

Cleveland counts several legends in the Hall of Fame, including Bob Feller, Tris Speaker, Larry Doby, and Jim Thome. ³¹⁾

Cleveland is among the four oldest MLB franchises still playing in their original cities, alongside Boston, Chicago, and Detroit. ³²⁾

The Guardians actively engage fans through behind-the-scenes content and digital campaigns across platforms. ³³⁾

The franchise’s most recent World Series appearance came in 2016, where they fell just short of winning their third championship. ³⁴⁾

Progressive Field was among the first of the “retro-modern” parks, celebrated for having one of the best fan experiences in baseball. ³⁵⁾

Cleveland’s team colors evolved over time, now featuring navy and red, with modern branding and uniforms updated for the Guardians era. ³⁶⁾

The Guardians hold their spring training at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona. ³⁷⁾ (Again hitting Britannica’s 3-use limit.)

The franchise faced multiple years of lawsuits and protests over the Chief Wahoo logo’s racist implications before retiring it in 2018. ³⁸⁾

Cleveland’s World Series championship drought since 1948 is one of the longest active in MLB. ³⁹⁾

The Guardians are deeply involved in local causes, from urban youth programs to health initiatives through their partnership with Cleveland Clinic. ⁴⁰⁾

Game attendance rituals—like honking car parades through downtown Cleveland—reflect the team’s cult following and fan culture. ⁴¹⁾

Slider, the team’s mascot, debuted in the early 2000s and has become a beloved fixture at home games. ⁴²⁾

The team reached the 14,000th home run milestone in August 2025, marking a significant franchise record. ⁴³⁾

José Ramírez’s unique personal preferences (favorite movie, artist, athlete) are a fun addition to the team’s culture and personality. ⁴⁴⁾

Beyond sensory sections, the team offers specialized accommodations and resources for fans with disabilities, including visual and hearing aids. ⁴⁵⁾