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Lindor is leading the Indians into a new era
- Updated: October 8, 2016
When the Cleveland Indians most recently won the World Series, the Cold War was in its infancy. Sixty-eight years ago, in 1948, the Tribe took down the Boston Braves for the second title in franchise history. Since then, though — despite a trio of Fall Classic appearances — the club has struggled to assemble a winning formula. But now, they may have the pieces — at least one, in particular.
At 22, shortstop Francisco Lindor is the youngest player on the Indians’ roster. But already, he has a season and a half of big league experience under his belt. Since making his Major League debut last June, the Puerto Rico native has slashed in the .300/.350/.450 range over more than 250 games played.
After finishing second in 2015 American League Rookie of the Year voting — just behind fellow star shortstop Carlos Correa, who is actually a year his junior — Lindor earned his first All-Star appearance in mid-July; the timing coincided with the Indians’ franchise-record 14-game winning streak. The eighth overall pick in the 2011 Draft has also established himself as a defensive star, ranking third in the Majors in defensive WAR (2.7) through the regular season.
Inspired by the team’s play, the middle infielder hopes to lead the Indians to their first World Series appearance since 1997 — sooner rather than later. Still a relatively new face in the league, Lindor looks forward to what the rest of his Major League career holds, and discusses his affinity for the city of Cleveland and passion for playing for the Tribe.
Last season the Indians finished just one game above .500. What was different about this year?
The chemistry that we have. Everybody’s playing good at the same time. Hitters are hitting when we need to hit. Pitchers are pitching when they have to pitch.
We became a team last year, with the chemistry that we built in the last two months of the season. It carried into this year. Everybody has done their job. I always believe in my team. If we can play the game the right way and put everything together day in and day out, we’ll …
