According to a release by MLB on April 8, fans can visit MLB.com/FranchiseFour to select the four most impactful players for each franchise who best represent the history of each franchise out of eight choices from its lineage. There is also a space for a write-in selection. Voting is live now until May 8.
The Ballot:
Earl Averill (1929-1939)
Lou Boudreau (1938-1950)
Larry Doby (1947-1955, 1958)
Bob Feller (1936-1941, 1945-1956)
Nap Lajoie (1902-1914)
Tris Speaker (1916-1926)
Jim Thome (1991-2002, 2011)
Omar Vizquel (1994-2004)
Shoestring Catches Recommendations for the Cleveland Indians:
Lou Boudreau: A seven-time all-star who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1970, Lou Boudreau was the American League’s Most Valuable Player when the Indians won the World Series in 1948. He also served as a player/manager for the club from 1942-50.
Larry Doby: The first African-American to play in the American League just a few months after Jackie Robinson played with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. A member of the 1948 World Champions and the 1954 AL winners. Doby won the AL home run crowns in 1952 and 1954.
Bob Feller: Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962, Bob Feller is Cleveland’s all-time leader in wins (266) and strikeouts (2,581). Feller was an eight-time all-time was the first player in Indians history to have his number (19) retired. He led the American League in wins six times and strikeouts on seven occasions.
Nap Lajoie: In 1937, Nap Lajoie was in the second class inducted into the Hall of Fame. During his time in Cleveland the team was known as the Naps. Lajoie is a member of the 3,000-hit club with 2,046 coming with the Indians, which is the club record.