The2008Cleveland Indians season marked the 108th season for the franchise, as the Indians attempted to defend theirAmerican League Central title. The team played all of its home games atProgressive Field (formerly known as Jacobs Field).
The Indians approached the winter of 2007–08 with the idea that tinkering at the edges was what was primarily needed to build on the previous year. Acquired in the offseason were utility infielderJamey Carroll,[1]Japanese League relieverMasahide Kobayashi[1] and relieverJorge Julio.[2]
The victory in the home opener came with a price: an injury to catcherVictor Martinez. While the offense played well enough to win the opening series, Martinez's missing bat did not help the Indians on their west coast road trip, where they lost series with both theOakland Athletics and theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Martinez returned to play for the Angels series. The Indians offense continued to struggle as the team failed to win their next four series. Near the end of the month, the Indians swept theKansas City Royals split a four-game series against theNew York Yankees and appeared to be coming out of their slump. Starting pitcherCliff Lee was named American LeaguePitcher of the Month for April, as he finished the month 5–0 with a 0.96 ERA.
The sub par offense became such a concern that on May 5, in an attempt to spark more offense,Jason Michaels was designated for assignment and Ben Francisco, the 2007International League batting champion was called up to play outfield.[4] For the first half of the month, the starting pitching was outstanding, resulting in a 431⁄3 scoreless innings streak[5] But the hitting still hadn't turned a corner and by the end of the month the Indians were still sub .500. Making his Indians debut was highly touted but often injured first basemanMichael Aubrey.[6] The Indians swapped injured starting pitchers asJake Westbrook came off the disabled list from anintercostal muscle injury just afterFausto Carmona went on it with a hip injury.[7] And to end the month, Travis Hafner was also placed on the disabled list with shoulder soreness.[8]
Westbrook's return was brief, returning to the disabled list with season endingTommy John surgery.[9] Victor Martinez also went on the disabled list with elbow problems.[10] And Josh Barfield, called up to replace the slumpingAsdrúbal Cabrera, also went on the disabled list.[11] The Indians were one of the few AL clubs not to take great advantage of interleague play, going only 6–12 against the National League.
After plummeting to last place to start the month, the Indians threw in the towel on the season, tradingCC Sabathia to theMilwaukee Brewers for outfielderMatt LaPorta, pitchers Rob Bryson andZach Jackson and a player to be named later.[12] They also parted ways withJoe Borowski, first designating him for assignment then releasing him.[13] Although the Indians continued to struggle, pitcherCliff Lee and center fielderGrady Sizemore were recognized for their individual accomplishments by being named to the American LeagueAll Star team. Lee was named the starting pitcher for the American League squad, where he pitched two shutout innings. Sizemore also participated in theHome Run Derby; he hit six home runs in the opening round, but it was not enough for him to advance to the second round. The Indians swept a series against the league leadingTampa Bay Rays right before the All-Star break, but continued their relatively uneven play, even with the return of Fausto Carmona in late July. Another victim of the Indians mediocre performance wasCasey Blake, who was dealt to theLos Angeles Dodgers forJon Meloan and baseball playerCarlos Santana.[14]
The Indians continued to struggle through the first week of August. On a road trip to start the month, the team began 2–4 before sweeping theToronto Blue Jays at theRogers Centre to finish the road trip 5–4 – the team's first winning road trip since May. The sweep of Toronto began a streak in which the Indians won 16 of 19 games, including 10 in a row to climb into third place in the division. The team clinched its first winning month of the season on August 24. Despite the turnaround, the Indians continued to trade players in order to add depth to their farm system. On August 12, they traded veteran pitcherPaul Byrd to theBoston Red Sox for a player to be named later.[15] Again, one of the Indians bright spots was the play of Cliff Lee, who was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for August.[16]
The Indians had a significant impact on the division championship this month, in as much as they both slowed theMinnesota Twins from catching theChicago White Sox and then gave the Twins a chance to win the division outright by beating the Sox two games out of three in the final series. The Twins' losses to Kansas City at the same time, however, forced the White Sox to make up a game against theDetroit Tigers to help decide the division winner. Cliff Lee's spectacular season ended with him having the American League lead in wins and ERA.[17] This effort earned Lee the American LeagueComeback Player of the Year award[18] and the American LeagueCy Young Award.[19]Shin-Soo Choo's great September numbers earned him the American LeaguePlayer of the Month.[20]
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
^abSimon, Joe (January 24, 2008)."Indians stand pat".Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle. Archived fromthe original on October 3, 2011. RetrievedFebruary 1, 2008.
Established in1894 Former names (all in Cleveland unless noted) -Grand Rapids Rustlers,Lake Shores,Bluebirds,Bronchos,Naps,Indians Based inCleveland, Ohio
