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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1



CLEVELAND INDIANS CONSIDER POSSIBLE SALE OF TEAM

BOARD ENGAGES GOLDMAN SACHS, MCDONALD INVESTMENTS TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL BUYERS.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - May 13, 1999 - Cleveland Indians Baseball Company, Inc.
(Nasdaq: CLEV) announced today that its Board of Directors has engaged The
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and McDonald Investments Inc. to identify potential
buyers for the franchise.

The Indians, one of the most successful teams in Major League Baseball over the
past five seasons, currently lead the American League Central Division.

"I have indicated to the Company's Board of Directors, and they agree, that now
may be an appropriate time to consider selling the franchise," said Richard E.
Jacobs, Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and controlling
stockholder. "Sports franchises are attracting premium prices, and we are under
no pressure to sell. It is my hope that initiating a sale now will permit us to
obtain an appropriate price for our shareholders while ensuring that the
ballclub is in good hands going forward."

Jacobs said it is the Company's intention is to find a buyer "who is committed
to Cleveland and its tremendous fans."

"The intentions of any potential new owner are very important to me, because one
of America's greatest baseball cities and its fans deserve committed ownership,"
he said.

Subject to the approval of Major League Baseball and the Company's shareholders,
if required, the transaction will include Cleveland Indians Baseball Company
Limited Partnership, of which Cleveland Indians Baseball Company, Inc., a
publicly owned company, is the sole general partner.

 "Although we hope to go forward with the sale in a timely manner, it is not a
sure thing," said Jacobs. "Major League Baseball must approve any sale, and we
will sell only if we find a suitable buyer who is both able to pay an
appropriate price for the franchise and committed to the continuing success of
this ballclub."



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Jacobs said team officials plan to proceed as quickly as practicable, although
unforeseen factors could affect the timeframe. Jacobs said neither he nor the
Company will comment further on the potential sale until the matter is
successfully consummated.

Jacobs and his late brother, David, bought the struggling Indians franchise in
December 1986. The team endured five straight losing seasons through 1993 while
the organization placed greater emphasis on player development and scouting and
implemented its long-term "Blueprint for Success."

The "Jacobs Field Era" began in the strike-shortened 1994 season, when the
Indians moved into a new, state-of-the-art ballpark, Jacobs Field. Since then,
the team has won four consecutive American League Central Division Championships
and made two World Series appearances by winning the American League pennant.

The team also boasts 308 consecutive sellouts at Jacobs Field, a figure that
leads all of Major League Baseball and extends back to early in the 1995 season.

Including this season, the Indians have 15 years remaining on their lease at
Jacobs Field and are obligated to play there under terms of that lease.

 "This team belongs to the community, and it has merely been entrusted to us to
care for it for the past 12-1/2 years," Jacobs said. "This is a very important
decision that I believe will help to assure the continuing success of the team
here in Cleveland."

Cleveland Indians Baseball Company, Inc. is the sole general partner of the
partnership that owns the Indians. Net revenues for the partnership in 1998
totaled $144.6 million. The Company completed its initial public offering and
began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market on June 4, 1998.


MEDIA CONTACT:    Dennis Lehman (216) 420-4200
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:  Kenneth E. Stefanov, (216) 420-4200