The club was disbanded in 1872, and professional baseball returned to the city in 1879 in the National League. After a few hops from the National League to the American Association, and then back to the National League, and then being dropped from it in 1899, by 1900, Cleveland - an established major league city - joined the then minor league Western League, which later became the American League, and a major league.

Called the Blues, the team played the very first American League (AL) game in its major league history, on April 24, 1901 at Chicago. In 1902, the team came to be known as the Broncos, and from 1903 onwards, the Broncos were known as the Naps, in honor of Napoleon Lajoie, who was biggest baseball star in those early days of Cleveland’s new franchise.

Following the close of the Lajoie era and his departure from the city after the 1914 season, a name change was sought, and the team was renamed the Cleveland Indians. Legend has it that it was so named to honor Louis Sockalexis, a Native American who had played in Cleveland during 1897-1899.

The Indians won their first AL Pennant and their first World Series the same year, in 1920. The Indians defeated the Brooklyn Robins 5-2 in the best-of-nine games, on October 10, 1920 at League Park to win their first World Series. This particular series had many firsts to it, all occurring in the fifth game:

Elmer Smith’s grand slam was the first in World Series history. Jim Bagby’s home run was the first by a pitcher in World Series history. Bill Wambsganss’ unassisted triple play was the only unassisted triple play in World Series history.

The Indians have won two World Series titles, five American League Pennants, and six Central Division titles.

The Honors
The Indians have honored six of their players by retiring their jersey numbers, never to be worn by any other player in the team. These jersey numbers are:

# 3 – Howard Earl Averill played 11 seasons with the Indians.

# 5 - Lou Boudreau played 13 seasons with the Indians.

# 14 – Larry Doby, the first black player in the history of the American League, played 10 seasons with the Indians.

# 18 – Mel Harder spent 20 seasons with the Indians.

# 19 – Bob Feller played 18 seasons with the Indians.

# 21 – Bob Lemon played 13 seasons with the Indians.