Team History[edit]
The Indianapolis Indians, of the Triple-A International League and briefly in Triple-A East, are the only minor league team that has played in the same city using the same nickname since 1902. The Pittsburgh Pirates farmhands play their home games at Victory Field in Indianapolis, IN.
The Indians started using that nickname 13 years earlier than the Cleveland Indians - who bought their Indy namesake in 1952 and were about to move the club when locals bought it back. The brand will continue, despite some controversy, with the Tribe's February 22, 2023, announcement of a two-year partnership with the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana.[1] The deal is similar to that of the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League and the Spokane Tribe of the Spokane Reservation, and outside the confines of minor league baseball with that of the Florida State University Seminoles and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
The same movement that caused the NFL's Washington Redskins' and MLB's Indians' change of nicknames wants Indy to give up Indians. The I-Tribe considered doing so, but years slid past after their August 2020 statement to that effect. Their name being so clearly grounded in their state and city's makes it seem unnecessary.
For a team that has shown great continuity in its nickname, there has not been the same stability in terms of leagues. When the American Association disbanded after the 1962 season, the Indians joined the International League in 1963, and then the Pacific Coast League from 1964 to 1968. In 1969, the American Association was re-formed following MLB's only four-team expansion, and the team returned to its old circuit - for a spell.
The Indians left their longtime home, Bush Stadium, and moved to new, downtown Victory Field in 1996. In 1998, Triple-A baseball re-consolidated into two leagues, again killing the Association, and the club rejoined the International League. In 2000, the Indians won the Triple-A World Series.
In a feat of extreme rarity, two members of the Indians completed the cycle in the same inning on August 7, 2018. How rare is that? Minor League Baseball doesn't maintain records completely enough to say with certainty - or, for that matter, forever - but it has never been done in even the same game in the Majors.
Some of the greatest players to wear an Indians uniform have included Grover Cleveland Alexander, Luke Appling, Roger Maris, Harmon Killebrew, George Foster, Ken Griffey, Andres Galarraga, Randy Johnson, and Larry Walker. Hall of Famer Al Lopez was the Indians skipper from 1948 to 1950.
Championships[edit]
- American Association Champions: 3 times (1902, 1908 and 1928)
- American Association Regular Season Champions: 11 times (1948, 1954, 1956, 1961, 1962, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1994 and 1995)
- American Association Playoff Champions: 8 times (1949, 1956, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1994)
- American Association Eastern Division Champions: 3 times (1971, 1974 and 1978)
- International League Playoff Champions: 2 times (1963 and 2000)
- Junior World Series Champions: 3 times (1917, 1928 and 1949)
- Triple-A Classic Champions: 2 times (1988 and 1989)
- Triple-A World Series Champions: 1 time (2000)
Year-by-Year Record[edit]
Year |
League |
Affiliation |
Record |
Finish |
Manager |
Postseason |
Team MVP
|
1902 |
AA |
none |
95-44 |
1st |
William Watkins |
|
|
1903 |
AA |
none |
78-61 |
4th |
William Watkins |
|
|
1904 |
AA |
none |
69-85 |
6th |
William Phillips |
|
|
1905 |
AA |
none |
69-83 |
6th |
E.G. Barrow |
|
|
1906 |
AA |
none |
53-96 |
8th |
Charlie Carr |
|
|
1907 |
AA |
none |
73-81 |
6th |
Charlie Carr |
|
|
1908 |
AA |
none |
92-61 |
1st |
Charlie Carr |
|
|
1909 |
AA |
none |
83-85 |
4th |
Charlie Carr |
|
|
1910 |
AA |
none |
69-96 |
7th |
Charlie Carr |
|
|
1911 |
AA |
none |
78-88 |
7th |
Jimmy Burke |
|
|
1912 |
AA |
none |
56-111 |
8th |
Jimmy Burke (13-23) / Charley O'Leary(22-45) / Charles O'Day (21-43) |
|
|
1913 |
AA |
none |
68-99 |
8th |
Mike Kelley |
|
|
1914 |
AA |
none |
88-77 |
3rd |
Jack Hendricks |
|
|
1915 |
AA |
none |
81-70 |
3rd |
Jack Hendricks |
|
|
1916 |
AA |
none |
95-71 |
2nd |
Jack Hendricks |
|
|
1917 |
AA |
none |
90-63 |
1st |
Jack Hendricks |
Won Junior World Series |
|
1918 |
AA |
none |
41-34 |
3rd |
Napoleon Lajoie |
|
|
1919 |
AA |
none |
85-68 |
4th |
Jack Hendricks |
|
|
1920 |
AA |
none |
83-83 |
5th |
Jack Hendricks |
|
|
1921 |
AA |
none |
83-85 |
4th |
Jack Hendricks |
|
|
1922 |
AA |
none |
87-80 |
4th |
Jack Hendricks |
|
|
1923 |
AA |
none |
72-94 |
7th |
Jack Hendricks |
|
|
1924 |
AA |
none |
92-74 |
2nd |
Donie Bush |
|
|
1925 |
AA |
none |
92-74 |
2nd |
Donie Bush |
|
|
1926 |
AA |
none |
94-71 |
2nd |
Donie Bush |
|
|
1927 |
AA |
none |
70-97 |
6th |
Bruno Betzel |
|
|
1928 |
AA |
none |
99-68 |
1st |
Bruno Betzel |
Won Junior World Series |
|
1929 |
AA |
none |
78-89 |
4th |
Bruno Betzel |
|
|
1930 |
AA |
none |
60-93 |
8th |
Red Corriden |
|
|
1931 |
AA |
none |
86-80 |
3rd |
Red Corriden (22-28) / Emmett McCann (64-52) |
|
|
1932 |
AA |
none |
86-80 |
5th |
Emmett McCann |
|
|
1933 |
AA |
none |
82-72 |
3rd |
Wade Killefer |
|
|
1934 |
AA |
none |
77-75 |
5th |
Wade Killefer |
|
|
1935 |
AA |
none |
85-67 |
2nd |
Wade Killefer |
|
|
1936 |
AA |
none |
79-75 |
4th |
Wade Killefer |
Lost AA Championship |
|
1937 |
AA |
none |
67-85 |
6th |
Wade Killefer |
|
|
1938 |
AA |
none |
80-74 |
4th |
Ray Schalk |
Lost in 1st round |
|
1939 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
82-72 |
3rd |
Ray Schalk (48-42) / Wes Griffin (34-30) |
Lost AA Championship |
|
1940 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
62-84 |
6th |
Wes Griffin (26-38) / Jewel Ens (36-46) |
|
|
1941 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
65-88 |
6th |
Wade Killefer |
|
|
1942 |
AA |
none |
76-78 |
6th |
Gabby Hartnett |
|
|
1943 |
AA |
none |
85-67 |
2nd |
Donie Bush |
Lost AA Championship |
Stew Hofferth, C
|
1944 |
AA |
none |
57-93 |
6th |
Donie Bush (2-12) / Bob Logan (0-2) / Mike Kelly (55-81) |
|
Wayne Blackburn, OF
|
1945 |
AA |
none |
90-63 |
2nd |
William Burwell |
|
Stan Wentzel, OF
|
1946 |
AA |
Boston Braves |
88-65 |
2nd |
William Burwell |
Lost AA Championship |
Sibby Sisti, SS
|
1947 |
AA |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
74-79 |
6th |
Jimmy Brown |
|
Roy Weatherly, OF
|
1948 |
AA |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
100-54 |
1st |
Al Lopez |
Lost in 1st round |
Les Fleming, 1B
|
1949 |
AA |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
92-61 |
2nd |
Al Lopez |
AA Champions, won Junior World Series |
Nanny Fernandez, 3B
|
1950 |
AA |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
85-67 |
2nd |
Al Lopez |
Lost AA Championship |
Danny O'Connell, SS
|
1951 |
AA |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
68-84 |
7th |
Don Gutteridge |
|
Jack Merson, 2B
|
1952 |
AA |
Cleveland Indians |
75-79 |
6th |
Eugene DeSautels |
|
Dave Pope, OF
|
1953 |
AA |
Cleveland Indians |
82-72 |
4th |
Birdie Tebbetts |
Lost in 1st round |
Wally Post, OF
|
1954 |
AA |
Cleveland Indians |
95-57 |
1st |
Kerby Farrell |
Lost AA Championship |
Herb Score, P
|
1955 |
AA |
Cleveland Indians |
67-86 |
7th |
Kerby Farrell |
|
Billy Harrell, IF
|
1956 |
AA |
Cleveland Indians |
92-62 |
1st |
Kerby Farrell |
AA Champions, won Junior World Series |
Larry Raines, IF
|
1957 |
AA |
Chicago White Sox |
74-80 |
6th |
Andy Cohen |
|
Ron Jackson, 1B
|
1958 |
AA |
Chicago White Sox |
72-82 |
6th |
Walker Cooper |
|
Johnny Callison, OF
|
1959 |
AA |
Chicago White Sox |
86-76 |
3rd |
Walker Cooper |
|
Joe Hicks, OF
|
1960 |
AA |
Philadelphia Phillies |
65-89 |
7th |
Johnny Hutchings (30-39) / Ted Beard (35-50) |
|
Larry Raines, OF
|
1961 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
86-64 |
1st |
Cot Deal |
Lost in 1st round |
Cliff Cook, 3B
|
1962 |
AA |
Chicago White Sox |
89-58 |
1st |
Luke Appling |
Lost in 1st round |
Tom McCraw, 1B
|
1963 |
IL |
Chicago White Sox |
86-67 |
1st |
Rollie Hemsley |
IL Champs |
Don Buford, 3B
|
1964 |
PCL |
Chicago White Sox |
89-69 |
2nd |
Les Moss |
|
Ken Berry, CF
|
1965 |
PCL |
Chicago White Sox |
70-78 |
4th |
George Noga |
|
Lee Elia, SS
|
1966 |
PCL |
Chicago White Sox |
80-68 |
3rd |
Les Moss |
|
Dick Kenworthy, 3B
|
1967 |
PCL |
Chicago White Sox |
76-71 |
2nd |
Don Gutteridge |
|
Jim Hicks, 1B-OF
|
1968 |
PCL |
Cincinnati Reds |
66-78 |
5th |
Don Zimmer |
|
Hal McRae, 2B
|
1969 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
74-66 |
3rd |
Vern Rapp |
|
Bernie Carbo
|
1970 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
71-69 |
3rd |
Vern Rapp |
|
Ross Grimsley, P
|
1971 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
84-55 |
1st |
Vern Rapp |
Lost AA Championship |
Pedro Borbon, P; Bill Plummer, C
|
1972 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
61-79 |
4th |
Vern Rapp |
|
Roe Skidmore, 1B
|
1973 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
74-62 |
2nd |
Vern Rapp |
|
Ken Griffey, OF
|
1974 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
78-57 |
1st |
Vern Rapp |
Lost AA Championship |
Tom Spencer, OF
|
1975 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
71-64 |
2nd |
Vern Rapp |
|
Joe Henderson, P
|
1976 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
62-73 |
3rd |
Jim Snyder |
|
Dave Revering, 1B
|
1977 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
72-64 |
2nd |
Roy Majtyka |
|
Dave Revering, 1B
|
1978 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
78-57 |
1st |
Roy Majtyka |
Lost AA Championship |
Champ Summers, OF
|
1979 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
67-69 |
4th |
Roy Majtyka |
|
Ron Oester, SS
|
1980 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
58-77 |
4th |
Jim Beauchamp |
|
Geoff Combe, P
|
1981 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
62-74 |
3rd |
Jim Beauchamp |
|
Dave Van Gorder, C
|
1982 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
75-61 |
1st |
George Scherger |
AA Champs' |
Gary Redus, OF
|
1983 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
64-72 |
3rd |
Roy Hartsfield |
|
Dallas Williams, OF
|
1984 |
AA |
Montreal Expos |
91-63 |
1st |
Buck Rodgers |
Lost in 1st round |
Razor Shines, 1B
|
1985 |
AA |
Montreal Expos |
61-81 |
4th |
Felipe Alou |
|
Andres Galarraga, 1B
|
1986 |
AA |
Montreal Expos |
80-62 |
1st |
Joe Sparks |
AA Champs |
Casey Candaele, 2B
|
1987 |
AA |
Montreal Expos |
74-64 |
3rd |
Joe Sparks |
AA Champs |
Dallas Williams, OF
|
1988 |
AA |
Montreal Expos |
89-53 |
1st |
Joe Sparks |
AA Champions, won Triple-A Classic |
Billy Moore, OF
|
1989 |
AA |
Montreal Expos |
87-59 |
1st |
Tom Runnells |
AA Champions, won Triple-A Classic |
Junior Noboa, 2B
|
1990 |
AA |
Montreal Expos |
61-85 |
4th |
Tim Johnson |
|
Scott Anderson, P
|
1991 |
AA |
Montreal Expos |
75-68 |
4th |
Jerry Manuel (28-22) / Pat Kelly (47-46) |
|
John Vander Wal, OF
|
1992 |
AA |
Montreal Expos |
83-61 |
2nd |
Pat Kelly |
|
F.P. Santangelo, IF-OF
|
1993 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
66-77 |
7th |
Marc Bombard |
|
Scott Ruskin, P
|
1994 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
86-57 |
1st |
Marc Bombard |
AA Champs |
Doug Jennings, OF
|
1995 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
88-56 |
1st |
Marc Bombard |
Lost in 1st round |
Eric Owens, 2B
|
1996 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
78-66 |
3rd |
Dave Miley |
Lost League Finals |
Eduardo Perez, 3B
|
1997 |
AA |
Cincinnati Reds |
85-59 |
2nd |
Dave Miley |
Lost in 1st round |
Aaron Boone, 3B
|
1998 |
IL |
Cincinnati Reds |
76-67 |
6th |
Dave Miley |
|
Roberto Petagine, 1B
|
1999 |
IL |
Cincinnati Reds |
75-69 |
7th |
Dave Miley |
|
D.T. Cromer, 1B
|
2000 |
IL |
Milwaukee Brewers |
81-63 |
5th |
Steve Smith |
League Champs won Triple-A World Series |
Bob Scanlan, P
|
2001 |
IL |
Milwaukee Brewers |
66-78 |
11th |
Wendell Kim |
|
Marco Scutaro, 2B
|
2002 |
IL |
Milwaukee Brewers |
67-76 |
3rd |
Ed Romero |
|
Jim Rushford, OF
|
2003 |
IL |
Milwaukee Brewers |
64-78 |
4th |
Cecil Cooper |
|
Pete Zoccolillo, OF
|
2004 |
IL |
Milwaukee Brewers |
66-78 |
3rd |
Cecil Cooper |
|
Ben Hendrickson, P
|
2005 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
78-66 |
2nd |
Trent Jewett |
Lost IL Championship |
Cesar Crespo, IF-OF
|
2006 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
76-66 |
1st (tie) |
Trent Jewett |
Lost one game playoff |
Carlos Maldonado, C
|
2007 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
70-73 |
8th |
Trent Jewett |
|
Brian Bixler, SS
|
2008 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
68-76 |
9th |
Trent Jewett |
|
Neil Walker, 3B
|
2009 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
70-73 |
9th |
Frank Kremblas |
|
Dan McCutchen, SP
|
2010 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
71-73 |
8th |
Frank Kremblas |
|
Brandon Moss, OF
|
2011 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
76-68 |
6th |
Dean Treanor |
|
Matt Hague, 1B
|
2012 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
89-55 |
1st |
Dean Treanor |
Lost in 1st round |
Rick VandenHurk, SP
|
2013 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
80-64 |
3rd |
Dean Treanor |
Lost in 1st round |
|
2014 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
73-71 |
7th |
Dean Treanor |
|
|
2015 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
83-61 |
1st(t) |
Dean Treanor |
Lost League Finals |
|
2016 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
70-74 |
7th |
Dean Treanor |
|
|
2017 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
79-63 |
5th |
Andy Barkett |
Lost in 1st round |
|
2018 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
73-67 |
5th (t) |
Brian Esposito |
|
|
2019 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
66-74 |
9th (t) |
Brian Esposito |
|
|
2020 |
Season cancelled
|
2021 |
Triple-A East |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
57-62 |
11th |
Brian Esposito |
4-5 |
|
2022 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
74-75 |
10th (t) |
Miguel Perez |
|
|
2023 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
70-78 |
12th (t) |
Miguel Perez |
|
|
2024 |
IL |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
77-70 |
6th |
Miguel Perez |
|
|
Coaches[edit]
Hitting
Pitching
Coach
External Links[edit]
Further Reading[edit]
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