5 Greatest Cleveland Indians Since 1990

Apr 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Balloons flood the sky over a statue of former Cleveland Indians player Jim Thome as the gates open for the home opener between the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Balloons flood the sky over a statue of former Cleveland Indians player Jim Thome as the gates open for the home opener between the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 2, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; The newly unveiled Jim Thome statue before the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Texas Rangers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

2- 1B/3B/DH Jim Thome

Time in Cleveland- (1991-2002, 2011)

Jim Thome has a statue beyond Heritage Park in center field at Progressive Field. That should tell you just about all you need to know about his place in Cleveland Indians history.

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Thome is the franchise leader in home runs (337) and walks (1008). He’s also fifth in runs scored (928), third in on base percentage (.414) and second in RBIs (937). While donning an Indians uniform he made three All-Star games and won the Silver Slugger award in 1996.

Like all on this list, Thome was a fan favorite. His return during the second half of the 2011 season was a perfect display of the love and affection Tribe fans have for the slugger.

On a side note, how did Thome only make three All-Star games during his time in Cleveland? In 2002, his final season before signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, he hit 52 home runs, drove in 118 runs, batted .304 and was snubbed from the All-Star game. Baffling.

Anyways, you would be hard pressed to find an athlete as revered as Thome and the next guy on the list amongst Tribe fans in the city of Cleveland.

Next: 1- SS Omar Vizquel