Fifty years ago, cheap beer helped turn a routine major league game into a bloody riot.

Ichiro Suzuki headlines the group of players who are eligible for voting a year from now for baseball's Hall of Fame.

Each Friday, News4JAX will update players in Major League Baseball.

Cleveland may have a certain type of home field advantage this weekend against the New York Yankees.

David Ortiz, Ryan Howard, Tim Lincecum and Alex Rodriguez are among 13 first-time candidates on the Hall of Fame ballot of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, joining 17 holdovers.

Aaron Civale allowed only three singles while pitching six scoreless innings and the Cleveland Indians closed out their 107th and final season under that name with a 6-0 win against the Texas Rangers.

White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson has been suspended for three games and fined for making contact with umpire Tim Timmons during Monday’s 8-7 win at Detroit.

The area has produced countless stars in professional baseball and we’re keeping track of the players currently in the big leagues. Each Wednesday, News4Jax will update players in Major League Baseball.

The Chicago White Sox clinched their first AL Central title since 2008 with a 7-2 win over the Cleveland Indians behind two home runs by Tim Anderson in the opener of a doubleheader spit.

Formerly a fleet outfielder, Anthony Gose returned to the majors five years later Monday night as a rocket-armed reliever for the Cleveland Indians, flashing 100 mph heat and finishing his outing by fanning Royals slugger Salvador Perez.

Milwaukee ace Corbin Burnes combined with reliever Josh Hader to pitch baseball’s record ninth no-hitter this season, breaking a mark set when pitchers began throwing overhand in 1884 as the Brewers beat the Cleveland Indians 3-0.

Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes lost his bid for a perfect game with a leadoff walk in the seventh inning, but is still pitching a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians.

Minnesota Twins rookie Joe Ryan is pitching a perfect game through six innings against the Cleveland Indians in just his second major league start.

Franmil Reyes homered over the Green Monster to spark a three-run third inning _ Cleveland’s franchise-record tying 19th straight game with a home run _ and the Indians salvaged the finale of the series with an 11-5 victory over the COVID-impacted Boston Red Sox.

The Cleveland Indians have sent struggling reliever James Karinchak to Triple-A Columbus after he failed to retire a batter and got the loss Friday night against Boston.

Cal Quantrill pitched two-hit ball over seven innings, Amed Rosario launched an early homer and the Cleveland Indians beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 in the Little League Classic.

Triston McKenzie has been perfect for the Cleveland Indians through seven innings against the Detroit Tigers.

Cleveland rookie Ernie Clement hit the first two homers of his career while Miguel Cabrera stayed one drive short of No. 500 as the Indians beat the Detroit Tigers 7-4.

Mitch Moreland homered twice, Chris Bassitt posted his AL-leading 12th win and the Oakland Athletics routed the Cleveland Indians 17-0 for their seventh straight victory.

The Cleveland Indians have agreed to a 15-year lease extension at Progressive Field.

White Sox rookie Seby Zavala hit the first three home runs of his career, including a grand slam, but the Cleveland Indians rallied to beat Chicago 12-11.

The lCleveland Indians made their second significant trade in two days, sending outfielder Eddie Rosario to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Pablo Sandoval.

Franmil Reyes homered twice, including a second-inning blast that bounced out of Progressive Field and almost dinged a bicyclist pedaling past on the street, and the Cleveland Indians beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-2.

Indians manager Terry Francona remains away from the team and missed his second straight game with a head cold.

After more than 100 years, the Cleveland Indians are getting a new name — the team will be called the Guardians next season.

It’s official: The Cleveland Indians will become the Cleveland Guardians.

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa has been placed on the injured list due to health and safety protocols.

Five Tampa Bay pitchers combined for seven hitless innings, and the Rays beat the Indians 4-0 for a doubleheader sweep.

Nelson Cruz hit a three-run homer shortly after Cleveland right fielder Josh Naylor was carted off the field following a frightening collision with a teammate, and the Minnesota Twins went beat the Indians 8-2.

Indians pitcher Aaron Civale will miss more than one month with a sprained right finger, the latest blow to Cleveland’s injury-ravaged rotation.

Cleveland Indians right-hander Aaron Civale appears headed to the injured list because of soreness in the middle finger on his pitching hand, another major hit for a banged-up staff.

José Ramírez picked up a pair of RBIs made possible by Baltimore blunders in the field and the Cleveland Indians extended the Orioles’ road losing streak to 16 straight games with a 4-3 win.

Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber won’t throw for at least two weeks because of a right shoulder strain, an injury that will further test Cleveland’s pitching depth.

Seattle Mariners reliever Kendall Graveman is back with the team after being on the injured list following a COVID-19 scare.

The Cleveland Indians now have a final list of new names for their team.

The major league batting average rose slightly in May, though it remained at its lowest level in 53 years.

Cleveland’s Shane Bieber has a no-hitter through six innings against the Detroit Tigers.

Cleveland Indians right-hander Zach Plesac will not need surgery after breaking the thumb on his pitching hand while yanking off his undershirt following a rough outing.

Cleveland Indians righty Zach Plesac has been put on the 10-day injured list, the result of breaking the thumb on his pitching hand while yanking off his undershirt after a rough outing.

Miles Mikolas is set to return to the majors for the first time since starting the opener of the 2019 NL Championship Series for St. Louis.

Los Angeles Angels star outfielder Mike Trout is expected be sidelined for six to eight weeks because of a strained right calf, a setback that could keep him out through the All-Star break.

An update on Mike Trout is expected after the Los Angeles Angels star left Monday night’s win over Cleveland because of a strained right calf.

Shohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 13th home run and the Los Angeles Angels defeated the slumping Cleveland Indians 7-4 after star outfielder Mike Trout was injured early.

Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout exited Monday night's game against Cleveland after the first inning because of a strained right calf.

Shane Bieber’s record strikeout streak ended when the Seattle Mariners sent the Cleveland ace to an early exit.

Cleveland’s Zach Plesac has not allowed a hit through seven innings against the Seattle Mariners.

Shane Bieber pitched out of some early trouble before extending his strikeout record and César Hernández hit a two-run homer, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs.

The Indians could be without Gold Glove catcher Roberto Pérez for months.

White Sox center fielder Luis Robert could miss the remainder of the season because of a torn right hip flexor, another major blow for a team eyeing a deep playoff run.

Shane Bieber struck out 11, setting a major league record in the process and pitching the Cleveland Indians past the Chicago White Sox 5-3.

Arizona LHP Madison Bumgarner starts against Colorado in his first appearance since pitching a seven-inning no-hitter against Atlanta last Sunday, a game that Major League Baseball does not consider to be a no-hitter.

Jordan Luplow hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning off Alex Colomé, giving the Cleveland Indians a 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins in their series opener.

Gerrit Cole was one pitch better than Shane Bieber in a heavyweight matchup of aces as Rougned Odor and Aaron Hicks homered off Cleveland’s Cy Young winner in the fifth inning, giving the New York Yankees a 2-1 win over the Indians.

Giancarlo Stanton busted out of his slump with two rocketed home runs — one with the highest exit velocity this season — and New York connected four times, sending the Yankees to a 5-3 win over the Cleveland Indians.

As pitching matchups go, this one is aces.

The Cleveland Indians plan to increase attendance at upcoming games at Progressive Field from 30% to 40%.

Shane Bieber kept up his record strikeout run, fanning 13 and pitching the Cleveland Indians past the Cincinnati Reds 6-3.

Josh Naylor lined into a triple play in the eighth inning, then let a routine grounder roll through his legs at first base with two outs in the ninth that led to Cincinnati’s tying run as the Reds beat the Cleveland Indians 3-2 in 10 innings.

Carlos Rodón has thrown the second no-hitter of the young baseball season, losing his bid for a perfect game on a hit batter with one out in the ninth inning, and the Chicago White Sox cruised to an 8-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Chicago White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodón has a perfect game after eight innings against the Cleveland Indians.

Cleveland Indians first baseman Yu Chang shared some racist tweets he received after making a costly error in Monday night’s game in Chicago.

Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left biceps strain.

Patrick Carney wasn’t nervous before his first live drumming gig in more than a year, just honored.

Miguel Cabrera homered through the snow in his first at-bat of the season, then added a sparkling play at first base to lift the Detroit Tigers to a 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Patty and Steve Smith watch the baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians as snow falls, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)DETROIT – Miguel Cabrera hit the first home run of the new Major League Baseball season, a drive through the snow in Detroit's chilly opener against Cleveland on Thursday. It wasn't easy to see through the ball through the snow, and Cabrera slid into second base, unsure if he'd cleared the wall. The 37-year-old Cabrera is five homers shy of tying Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff for 28th on the career list. The new season began at Yankee Stadium, where Gerrit Cole threw the first pitch of the year, a ball to Toronto's Marcus Semien.

While moving forward with a plan to change their name, the Cleveland Indians said they will not permit fans inside Progressive Field wearing headdresses or inappropriate face paint. The team announced the new guidelines on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in advance of Monday's home opener against Detroit. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File)CLEVELAND – While moving forward with a plan to change their name, the Cleveland Indians said they will not permit fans inside Progressive Field wearing Native American headdresses or face paint. The team announced the fan dress policy for the 2021 season on Wednesday in advance of Monday's home opener against Detroit. Cleveland fans will still be allowed to wear caps and clothing featuring Chief Wahoo, the team’s contentious mascot.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jiménez was having surgery Tuesday to repair a ruptured left pectoral tendon, and general manager Rick Hahn said the slugger still is expected to miss five to six months. Hahn said the timeline hasn't changed, though he left the door open for Jiménez to return sooner. With Tim Anderson, AL MVP José Abreu and Yoán Moncada, the White Sox have a potent lineup. But Vaughn, a first baseman who was selected by the White Sox with the No. The White Sox released veteran catcher Jonathon Lucroy on Tuesday.

Bieber will receive a $679,700 salary while in the major leagues and $311,600 in the unlikely event he is optioned to the minors. Bieber was an All-Star in 2019 and led the major leagues during last year's shortened season in wins (eight), ERA (1.63) and strikeouts (122). Those renewed include New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year, who gets a salary of $676,775 in the major leagues and $326,261 in the minors. Another top young Mets player, left-hander David Peterson, agreed to a one-year contract with a salary of $585,750 in the major leagues. Seattle outfielder Kyle Lewis, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, was renewed for $625,000 in the majors and $282,750 in the minors.

The 27-year-old says his power surge through the first two weeks of exhibition games is for real. He's had a good start with seven hits in his first 14 at-bats, including three homers and three doubles. He's shown dominant stuff at different points throughout his career and struck out a career-high 235 batters in 2019. The 24-year-old has been a top prospect for several years and hit .350 with nine homers in 2019 at Triple-A Albuquerque. The durable right-hander pitched an MLB-high 84 innings for the Rangers last season and had a 6-3 record with a 3.32 ERA.

New Zealand has opened its first large vaccination clinic as it scales up efforts to protect people from the coronavirus. (New Zealand Ministry of Health via AP)WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand has opened its first large vaccination clinic as it scales up efforts to protect people from the coronavirus. Gordon cites Wyoming’s declining number of COVID-19 cases and its success in distributing vaccines as reasons to lift the restrictions. AdThe nation of 1.3 million has seen a rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases n the past few weeks. Italy’s total virus cases surpassed 3 million last week, with a new surge powered by the highly contagious variant that was first identified in Britain.

New York starter Jordan Montgomery gave up two hits in three scoreless innings. Brubaker allowed two hits over two scoreless innings and Chase De Jong followed with two shutout innings. MARLINS 4, METS 4Miami starter Pablo Lopez gave up a hit and a walk over three scoreless innings. German Marquez scattered three hits and a walk over three scoreless innings for Colorado. Kansas City starter Jakob Junis pitched three innings and gave up one hit, a leadoff homer to Trent Grisham.

CLEVELAND – For the third time in less than a year, the Cleveland Indians are having to isolate players because they broke COVID-19 protocols. Francona said Reyes, who had a virus-related misstep last season, and Ramirez went out to dinner on Friday following an exhibition game in Mesa against the Chicago Cubs. These are the rules that the players’ association and Major League Baseball came up with. Francona understands that players may be fatigued by the COVID-19 guidelines, but they're in place to protect their safety. But these are the rules we’re playing under and the more we follow them, the better chance it gives us to be a complete baseball team.

Seattle Mariners Jarred Kelenic fields an RBI double by Cleveland Indians' Josh Naylor during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)PEORIA, Ariz. – Seattle Mariners top prospect Jarred Kelenic will be sidelined due to a strained adductor muscle in his left knee. “While disappointed that Jarred will be sidelined, we are relieved that the long-term outlook is positive,” Dipoto said. The 21-year-old Kelenic, who hit Seattle’s first home run of spring training earlier this week against the Cubs, has been the center of attention during spring training. AdKelenic and his agent lashed out at the Mariners in comments made to USA Today following Mather’s resignation last month. After homering earlier this week Kelenic said he’s using those words as motivation.

FILE - Cleveland Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway, left, watches with manager Terry Francona during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, in Detroit, in this May 3, 2017, file photo. Indians manager Terry Francona said no one in the Cleveland organization covered up for former pitching coach Mickey Callaway, who is under investigation by Major League Baseball following allegations of sexual harassment. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)CLEVELAND – Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Wednesday he couldn't comment on his previous remarks about Mickey Callaway's conduct due to Major League Baseball's ongoing investigation into sexual harassment allegations against the team's former pitching coach. Callaway has been suspended as the Los Angeles Angels pitching coach, pending the outcome of MLB's investigation. He reiterated the team is “fully cooperating with the investigation.”In the most recent story, the husband of a woman who had an extramarital affair with Callaway contacted the Indians multiple times to complain about his behavior in 2017.

FILE - Cleveland Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway, left, watches with manager Terry Francona during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, in Detroit, in this May 3, 2017, file photo. Indians manager Terry Francona said no one in the Cleveland organization covered up for former pitching coach Mickey Callaway, who is under investigation by Major League Baseball following allegations of sexual harassment. Callaway is currently suspended as the Los Angeles Angels pitching coach, pending the MLB inquiry. Callaway was Cleveland's pitching coach from 2013-17 before he was hired to manage the New York Mets. The Angels already promoted bullpen coach Matt Wise to serve as interim pitching coach last month.

Cleveland Indians head coach J B.Bickerstaff directs his team in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)CLEVELAND – Trying to strengthen the strained relationship between the community and city police, the Cavaliers hosted dozens of area youth for what the NBA team — in its partnership with the Browns and Indians — hopes leads to permanent change. Soon, they were standing side by side with the exercise designed to shown their commonality and not differences. The images of last summer's unrest flashed across the arena's giant scoreboard, which on most nights shows game highlights. One speaker suggested the possibility of holding an event just to get to know the officers on a more personal level.

(AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The Big West Conference will hold its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments without spectators, including family and guests of the teams. The Big West’s board of directors decided to start the season without fans in attendance. AdPelicans officials say they are hoping to allow as many as 4,000 fans per game later this season. The Cleveland Browns and Cavaliers have been permitted to have a limited number of fans at games during the pandemic. AdThe governor said about 1,700 to 1,800 fans should be allowed to attend Devils games under the new rules.

FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Indians pitcher Shane Bieber smiles as he walks to the dugout in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit. Bieber has reported to training camp with the Cleveland Indians after recovering from COVID-19. The right-hander took part in drills on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, a day before the Indians hold their first full-squad workout in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)CLEVELAND – Cy Young winner Shane Bieber reported to training camp on Saturday with the Indians after the right-hander was quarantined with COVID-19. Bieber, who was baseball's best pitcher in 2020, was medically cleared and joined Cleveland's other pitchers and catchers in Goodyear, Arizona. Cleveland has one of the AL's best starting staffs, led by Bieber, who is 34-14 in three major league seasons.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)NEW YORK – Thirteen of 4,336 tests for COVID-19 were positive during intake for Major League Baseball's spring training, a rate of 0.3%The commissioner's office said Friday that nine positive samples involved players and four involved staff. After the intake screening, there were no new positives among 2,298 monitoring test samples. All players on 40-man rosters and players with minor league contracts invited to big league training camp are screened. In the final figures released last year, MLB said it had collected 172,740 samples and that 91 had been positive, or 0.05%. Fifty-seven of 91 positives have been players, and 21 of the 30 teams have had a person covered by the monitoring test positive.

FILE - Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona looks on during spring training baseball workouts for pitchers and catchers in Avondale, Ariz., in this Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, file photo. Indians manager Terry Francona recently underwent surgery for a staph infection in his toe and will be on crutches for several weeks in training camp. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)CLEVELAND – Indians manager Terry Francona recently underwent surgery for a staph infection in his left big toe and will be on crutches for several weeks in training camp. “I still have my toe,” Francona said on a Zoom call. Francona, who is in his ninth season with the Indians, described his ordeal last season as “awful.”___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

FILE - Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Cody Allen throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the eighth inning of a baseball game, in Cincinnati, in this Aug. 15, 2018, file photo. Cody Allen, the Cleveland Indians' career saves leader and an underappreciated closer for the team, has retired. The team announced Allen's retirement Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, on Twitter, posting: From a 23rd round draft pick to the franchise saves (leader). (AP Photo/Gary Landers, File)CLEVELAND – Cody Allen, the Cleveland Indians' career saves leader and an underappreciated closer for the team, has retired at age 32. The Indians announced Allen's retirement Wednesday on Twitter, posting: “From a 23rd round draft pick to the franchise saves (leader).

Major League Baseball has slightly deadened its baseballs amid a years-long surge in home runs. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)NEW YORK – Major League Baseball has slightly deadened its baseballs amid a years-long surge in home runs. Five teams also plan to add humidors to their stadiums, raising the total to 10 of 30 MLB stadiums equipped with humidity-controlled storage spaces. The makeup of official Rawlings baseballs used in MLB games has come under scrutiny in recent years. In an effort to better center the ball, Rawlings has loosened the tension on the first of three wool windings within the ball.

FILE - Minnesota Twins' Eddie Rosario hits the ball during a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Fort Myers, Fla., in this Monday, March 9, 2020, file photo. The Indians officially signed free agent outfielder Eddie Rosario, adding a quality player who pounded their pitchers in recent years. Rosario passed his physical on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, to finalize a one-year, $8 million contract for 2021. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)CLEVELAND – Free agent outfielder Eddie Rosario has joined the Cleveland Indians, adding a quality player who has haunted their pitchers in recent years. Rosario passed his physical on Thursday and finalized the $8 million, one-year contract he agreed to late last week.

The average Major League Baseball salary dropped for an unprecedented third straight year, even before the shortened season caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/David Dermer)NEW YORK – The average Major League Baseball salary dropped for an unprecedented third straight year, even before the shortened season caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Major League Baseball Players Association said Thursday the 2020 average would have been $3.89 million if a full season had been played. That was down 4.2% from the 2019 average of $4.05 million and represented a 5.2% decrease from the record average of just under $4.1 million in 2017. Major League Baseball’s final 2020 report last month showed payrolls plunged to $1.75 billion during the pandemic-shortened season from $4.22 billion.

Four games were postponed because of players testing positive or quarantining under the COVID-19 protocol. DePaul’s previously postponed game at St. John’s on Jan. 2 has been rescheduled for Feb. 20. Major League Baseball last week proposed a one-month delay in starting spring training due to the coronavirus pandemic. ___The Cleveland Indians will not be allowing fans to watch their spring training workouts in Arizona due to the COVID-19 pandemic. AdThere has not yet been a decision on whether fans will be able to attend spring training games.

The Cactus League and Arizona community leaders have asked Major League Baseball to delay the start of spring training due to coronavirus concerns just over three weeks before pitchers and catchers are supposed to report. The Cactus League made the request in a letter to Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred obtained by The Associated Press on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)The Cactus League and Arizona community leaders have asked Major League Baseball to delay the start of spring training due to coronavirus concerns just over three weeks before pitchers and catchers are supposed to report. The Cactus League made the request in a letter to Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred obtained by The Associated Press on Monday. The Cactus League hosts 15 MLB clubs.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020 file photo, Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Brad Hand delivers in the ninth inning in a baseball game against the Cincinnati Red in Cleveland. Brad Hand has agreed in principle to join the Washington Nationals, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)WASHINGTON – All-Star closer Brad Hand has agreed to a deal with the Washington Nationals, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The 30-year-old left-hander is poised to become Washington’s closer after leading the majors with 16 saves during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. After tying for last place in the NL East, the Nationals have acquired Hand, starter Jon Lester (pending a physical), slugger Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Josh Bell.

The National Football League said it will reconsider its donations but did not commit to suspending them. “We are re-evaluating our political giving policies through the Gridiron PAC,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the AP in a statement Wednesday. Others, like MLB, have postponed political giving to both political parties altogether. The Office of The Commissioner of Major League Baseball Political Action Committee has donated $669,375 to Senate and House candidates since the 2016 election cycle, with 52.4% of that money going to Republican candidates, according to The Center for Responsive Politics. Since the 2016 election cycle, MLB has made contributions to two senators and nine representatives who were among those opposing certification of Biden's victory.

The Cleveland Indians have agreed to trade four-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco to the New York Mets, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. The cash-strapped Indians sent Lindor and Carrasco to the Mets on Thursday for young infielders Andrés Giménez and Amed Rosario, and two minor league prospects: right-hander Josh Wolf and outfielder Isaiah Greene. "They did not come cheaply,” Mets president Sandy Alderson said of Lindor and Carrasco. One of his next big-ticket items figures to be trying to sign Lindor to a long-term contract, something the Indians couldn't do. New York also signed injured right-hander Noah Syndergaard to a $9.7 million, one-year deal, avoiding arbitration.

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona talks before a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Cleveland. Francona, on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, praised the Cleveland Indians for trying to do the right thing with a name change that was inevitable, and necessary (AP Photo/Phil Long, File)CLEVELAND – Manager Terry Francona praised the Cleveland Indians for trying to “do the right thing” with a name change that was inevitable — and necessary. “I am proud of the fact that we are going to do something that is correct,” Francona said on a Zoom call from his home in Arizona. He's confident Chris Antonetti, the team's president of baseball operations, and general manager Mike Chernoff will do whatever's necessary to keep the Indians competitive. Schilling pitched for Francona in Philadelphia and Boston, where he helped the Red Sox end their long World Series drought.

FILE - James Watson, left, protests before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians, Monday, April 1, 2019, in Cleveland. The Cleveland Indians are changing their name _ they just don't know to what or when. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)Colorful names for teams are nearly as old as team sports themselves. But a few have clung to Native American names and imagery, arguing they reflect honor and respect. “Shortly after the so-called ‘Indian Wars’ of the 1880s, that’s when we see sports teams start to use the names on a wide basis,” said Hunt.

FILE - In this July 10, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor runs the bases after hitting a home run during a simulated game at Progressive Field in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File)CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Indians are changing their name — they just don't know to what or when. "The new name, and I do not know what it is, will not be a name that has Native American themes or connotations to it. He promised to listen and learn, and that's what transpired in recent months during discussions with fans, business leaders, players, social activists and researchers focused on Native American culture and issues. We’ll be the Cleveland Indians of 1915 to whatever year is that we ultimately change.

FILE - In this July 10, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor runs the bases after hitting a home run during a simulated game at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The Indians are changing their name after 105 years, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File)CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Indians are changing their name after 105 years. Cleveland's move away from Indians follows a similar decision earlier this year by the NFL's Washington Football Team, which was previously known as the Redskins. A few days after Dolan's statement, Indians manager Terry Francona said it was time to "move forward” with the name change.

Bieber won the AL Cy Young Award on Wednesday night, Nov. 11, 2020. The right-handers had the same Las Vegas odds for the Cy Young Award. They are the third pair of former teammates to win Cy Young Awards in the same season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom was third, falling short in his bid for a third consecutive Cy Young Award. Bieber gave Cleveland its fifth Cy Young Award since CC Sabathia won in 2007.

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Brad Hand delivers to Pittsburgh Pirates' Josh Bell during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland. The Cleveland Indians have declined contract options on Brad Hand and first baseman Carlos Santana for next season, decisions that will initially cut $27 million from the team's payroll. Feeling the financial pinch from a shortened season, Cleveland declined Hand's $10 million contract option on Friday and also chose not to exercise options for either first baseman Carlos Santana ($17.5 million) or outfielder Domingo Santana ($5 million). The team owes buyouts of $1 million to Hand, $500,000 to Carlos Santana and $250,000 to Domingo Santana, who are all free agents. Carlos Santana struggled in his second season back in Cleveland after leaving as a free agent in 2018.

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Indians expect manager Terry Francona to return for the 2021 season after he missed 48 games in 2020 due to health reasons. President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti said Tuesday that the 61-year Francona is back home in Arizona resting and recovering. Francona was hospitalized during the season after undergoing surgery for a gastrointestinal issue and then dealing with blood clotting complications. Antonetti has been in daily contact with Francona, Cleveland's manager for the past eight seasons. “He's starting to feel better and he's really confident he'll be able to manage right from the start next season,” Antonetti said Tuesday on a Zoom call.

It's been a feast-or-famine postseason on the pitcher's mound so far. Then there were teams like the Indians and Chicago White Sox, whose seasons are over in large part because of control problems that popped up at the worst possible time. The Atlanta-Cincinnati contest was the first postseason game to be scoreless after 11 innings. San Diego was only in that position because the Cardinals couldn't hold off the Padres' sluggers Thursday. The White Sox ended up using nine pitchers and Oakland used eight.

New York Yankees' Gio Urshela (29) and Mike Ford celebrate after the Yankees defeated the Cleveland Indians 10-9 in Game 2 of an American League wild-card baseball series, early Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)CLEVELAND – It took the New York Yankees nearly five hours on the field, carried them from Wednesday to Thursday and September into October to complete the sweep. "They weren’t going to lose.”At 4 hours, 50 minutes — even without two rain delays totaling another 76 minutes — it was draining. New York went 2-8 during a testy season series with top-seeded Tampa Bay, which won the AL East by seven games over the second-place Yankees. RECORD STOREIndians pitchers walked 12, tied for the most in any postseason game.

(AP Photo/David Dermer)CLEVELAND – On a night for debates, Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees made quite an opening statement. "I wish I would have been with my off-speed stuff in the zone, and challenged those guys a little more. Staked to an early lead on Judge's homer, Cole showed why the Yankees shelled out $324 million for him in the offseason. Cole's strikeouts were the second-most by a New York pitcher in postseason history. Judge's first homer since coming off the injured list on Sept. 16 — and the first allowed by Bieber at home this season — gave the Yankees a stunning 2-0 lead.

Gerrit Cole delivered for the Yankees in his first season since signing a $324 million, nine-year contract, going 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA. “We think this is a good matchup.”For all Bieber and Cole have accomplished in the shortened regular season, it will mean little if they don’t perform well to start the best-of-three series. For instance, Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka has only played 72 regular season games, including just two against wild-card foe Cleveland. Both were injured Friday, sat out the final two regular season games as a precaution, then participated in a workout at Target Field on Monday. They open a wild-card series in Oakland hoping ace Lucas Giolito can play stopper.