MLB Team Guide
Cleveland Guardians: History, World Series & Facts
Cleveland has been in the American League since it began in 1901 and has won two World Series, in 1920 and 1948. The team became the Guardians in 2022. Here is the franchise at a glance.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1901, a charter member of the American League |
|---|---|
| Ballpark | Progressive Field, Cleveland (opened 1994 as Jacobs Field) |
| World Series titles | 2 (1920, 1948) |
| AL pennants | 6 (1920, 1948, 1954, 1995, 1997, 2016) |
| Name history | Blues, Bronchos, Naps, Indians (1915–2021), Guardians (2022–) |
World Series history
Cleveland has not won the World Series since 1948. As of 2026 that is the longest title drought in Major League Baseball.
- 1920 World Series: beat the Brooklyn Robins 5–2 (best-of-nine)
- 1948 World Series: beat the Boston Braves 4–2
- Also won AL pennants in 1954, 1995, 1997 and 2016
Franchise history
- 1901: Began play as a charter member of the American League.
- 1903–1914: Known as the Naps, after star Nap Lajoie.
- 1915: Became the Indians.
- 1994: Opened Jacobs Field, renamed Progressive Field in 2008.
- 2021: Announced the change to the Guardians, effective for the 2022 season.
Franchise record holders
| Hits | Nap Lajoie, 2,047 |
|---|---|
| Home runs | Jim Thome, 337 |
| Pitching wins | Bob Feller, 266 |
Retired numbers
- 3Earl Averill
- 5Lou Boudreau
- 14Larry Doby
- 18Mel Harder
- 19Bob Feller
- 20Frank Robinson
- 21Bob Lemon
- 25Jim Thome
- 42Jackie Robinson (retired across MLB)
- 455The fans (honorary, for 455 straight sellouts, 1995–2001)
Hall of Famers
Bob Feller, Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker, Addie Joss, Stan Coveleski, Earl Averill, Lou Boudreau, Bob Lemon, Larry Doby, Jim Thome.
Biggest rivalries
- Detroit Tigers: fellow 1901 charter members and AL Central rivals, who met in the 2024 ALDS and 2025 Wild Card Series.
- New York Yankees: seven postseason meetings between 1997 and 2024.
- Cincinnati Reds: the in-state Ohio Cup series.
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Why did Cleveland change its name to the Guardians?
The Indians name had drawn criticism amid the controversy over Native American mascots. The team announced the change in July 2021, and it took effect in 2022. The name honors the "Guardians of Traffic" statues on the Hope Memorial Bridge near the ballpark.
When did Cleveland last win the World Series?
In 1948, beating the Boston Braves four games to two. As of 2026 no MLB team has gone longer without a title.
How many World Series has Cleveland won?
Two: 1920 and 1948.
What was Progressive Field's old name?
Jacobs Field, from its opening in 1994 until 2007.
Why is number 455 retired in Cleveland?
It is an honorary number for the fans, marking 455 consecutive sellouts from 1995 to 2001.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.