1997 Cleveland Indians

I know another Cleveland Indians post right? I have had this team done for quiet some time when i made the 1995 team and have finally gotten around to posting the team that also just came up short in the 1997 World Series. Finishing at 86-75 the team stumbled into the playoffs, but still won the central division. First beating the Yankees 3-2 followed by the Baltimore Orioles 4-2. It all came down to another heart breaking 4-3 loss in the World Series to the Florida Marlins. So here we go with the most common used batting order for the team. While many of the players are the same from 95 you can also see some differences such as Kenny Lofton missing from this team.


Point Values
I made these cards a while ago and didn't do point values because I rarely use them. mainly do team vs team. But for those who do I have figured out values for all these players

Leading off Marquis Grissom

.262 Avg 12 HR 66 RBI 22 SBs 190 PTS

Batting Second Tony Fernandez

.286 Avg 11 HR 44 RBI 160 PTS

Batting Third Jim Thomes

.286 AVG 40 HR 102 RBI 120 BB 510 PTS

Batting Cleanup Manny Ramirez

328 AVG 26 HR 88 RBI 410 PTS

Batting Fifth David Justice

.329 AVG 33 HR 101 RBI Silver Slugger 350 PTS

Batting Sixth Matt Williams

.263 AVG 32 HR 105 RBI Gold Glove 220 PTS

Batting Seventh Sandy Alomar JR

.324 AVG 21 HR 83 RBI 270 PTS

Batting Eighth Brian Giles

.268 AVG 17 HR 61 RBI 220PTS

Batting Ninth Omar Vizquel

.280 AVG 5 HR 49 RBI 43 SB Gold Glove 320PTS

What an offense just looking at the stats there was some serious pop in that batting order, especially with a lower controlled pitcher. Going against this team you want your pitchers 5 or 6 controlled to limit the lower part of the order.

Starting Pitching

Pitching is enough to get by with this offense but on its own isn't very reliable especially from the starters.

Ace Charles Nagy

15-11 4.28 ERA 1.45 WHIP 390 PTS

#2 Orel Hershiser

14-6 4.47 ERA 1.37 WHIP 360 PTS

#3 Chad Ogea

8-9 4.99 ERA 1.47 WHIP 230 PTS

#4 Jaret Wright

8-3 4.38 ERA 1.28 WHIP 210 PTS

Bullpen

Closer Jose Mesa

4-4 16 Saves 9 Holds 200 PTS

Mike Jackson

2-5 15 Saves 14 Holds 150 PTS

Paul Assenmacher

5-0 4 Saves 20 Holds 130 PTS

Eric Plunk

4-5 0 Saves 4 Holds   120 PTS