Despite a down season Carlos Santana’s place in Indians lore is secure

The Cleveland Indians own Carlos Santana is now tied for 6th in club history for home runs.

Carlos Santana hasn’t had a good 2020. Heck, he hasn’t had a mediocre or even an acceptable 2020. It’s been bad, downright atrocious. This will hurt his 2021 chances of getting paid, as the team will most likely not see a sub .200 hitter being worth $17.5 million. Since the team has a club option, that doesn’t mean he’s done with the team, just that if the team wants him back it’ll be after they opt-out of his current deal.

Regardless if Santana comes back to the team in 2021, Santana has done more than enough to warrant his place as one of the club’s more celebrated players. Sure, he may not be in the top 20 of greatest Indians hitters of all time, but top 30? Yeah, that sounds about right. He took a step forward in crafting his legacy during the teams win on Wednesday night against the Chicago White Sox when Santana smacked career home run 215.

He’s now tied with Larry Doby for 6th all-time in club history for home runs hit in an Indians jersey.

His down year does take focus away from Santana’s achievement, but he’s had a great run with the team. Just a year ago was a player some voted for as an MVP candidate. He’s had seven seasons of 20+ home runs, and two years where he was in the top 16 in MVP voting. He’s also had nine straight seasons of at least 74 RBI’s in a season, a streak that will snap this year due in part to his poor play but mostly due to the pandemic shortened season.

When talked about franchise icons, Santana’s name isn’t held in the same breath as a Corey Kluber, Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel, or even a Sandy Alomar Jr. but he should be right below that cusp. With guys like Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner, Michael Brantley, and others who were integral to the team’s success even if they weren’t the biggest movers and shakers in baseball.

Santana’s next home run will tie him with Hal Trosky for 5th all-time. If Santana can hit two more before the playoffs start,  he’ll be fifth all-time in home runs by himself to end the season.