History of the Kansas City Indians

The **Kansas City Indians** were founded in 1881 as the **Worcester Ruby Legs**, with the franchise located in Massachusetts. The team relocated to Milwaukee, then to Kansas City to become to the Indians in 1891.

## Worcester Ruby Legs

The **Worcester Ruby Legs** were founded in 1881 and played only two seasons in Worchester, Massachusetts before relocating to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to become the first incarnation of the Milwaukee Brewers. In their inaugural season, the Ruby Legs finished as the National League Champions with a 34–22 record. They would go on to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 4–2 and securing their first World Series title. The following season, the Ruby Legs would again be crowned National League Champions and defeated the Indianapolis Airhogs (now the Chicago White Sox). The Ruby Legs swept the Airhogs 4–0, in the first ever World Series sweep. A 20-year World Series cursed by a voodoo priest in 1882 during the process of the franchise's relocation. This was later brought up during the team's later years, when the team struggled to make the postseason and was claimed to be reasoning for their postseason failures for the next two decades.

## Milwaukee Brewers

Main article: Milwaukee Brewers (1883–1890)
The Ruby Legs moved to Milwaukee and became the Milwaukee Brewers. The franchise's first season in Milwaukee saw the continuation of the dynasty started in Worcester. The Brew Crew won the franchise's third consecutive World Series title in 1883. Following the 1883 World Series title, the Brewers failed to win another World Series. The Brewers win the NL South Division in 1884, however they were eliminated from the postseason by the New York Raiders in the National League Divisional Series, two games to four. The following three seasons saw the team fail to qualify for the postseason for the first time, and the first time the team failed to qualify for the postseason in consecutive years. The Brew Crew won the National League South Division in 1885, but were unable to defeat the Montreal Expos in the World Series, getting swept in the series 0–4. In the following season, they finished 2nd in their division with a 37–23 record and were four games behind first place.

In the 1887 season, the Brewers placed third in the division and regressed to 34–26 but were only a game back from first place in their division. The following season, 1888 was the team's worst season. The 1888 Brewers finished the regular season with a last place finish, and their worst ever record at 24–36 record; which was also their first ever losing season in franchise history. Manager Jorge Rios was nearly fired after the season; however he was able to successfully convince owner Chris Froula to remain in his post despite the mounting pressure from fans. This decision would prove to be a good one as the Brewers had a bounce back season and finished with their first division title since 1885 with a 34–26 record. Unfortunately, the Brewers were eliminated in the Panthers in the National League Divisional Series.

## Kansas City Indians

### Early years in Kansas City (1891–1892)

The Brewers relocated in the 1891 offseason to Kansas City. Froula chose the name Indians in honor of a team of the same name who played in the American Association. The name also honors the history of the Native Americans who lived in the area prior to Europeans and in honor of the large Native American communities in the region. The Indians won the NLCS and appeared in the World Series in both the 1891 and 1892 season, continuing their streak of success from their tenure in Milwaukee. The Indians finished their first season in Kansas City with a 45–28 (.616) record and lost to the Columbus Maroons in the World Series 1–4.

In 1892, the Indians finished again with the best record in the National League South. The team slightly regressed to a 41–32 record. The season also saw the re-expansion of the postseason into a two stage contest. In the NLCS, the Indians defeated the Philadelphia Athletics 4–3. They won game 1 at Kansas City 7–5, then lost game two 0–2, won the third game 9–8 after 16 innings, won game four 3–1, lost game five 10–12, lost game six 4–8 and then won the final game seven by a score of 6–3. In the National League Championship Series, the Indians were again defeated by the Maroons 2–4 in the World Series.

### Failed five year plan (1893–1897)

Staring in 1893, the Indians began to plan a rebuilding process in order to field a competitive team in the future. In the regular season, the Indians finished with a 31–42 record and a 3rd place finish in the NL South. The team also began the process of rebuilding by selling key players for future prospects and for draft picks. In the 1893 Draft, the Indians selected David Gordon, who only played for the Indians until 1900 with the 16th overall pick. They would also draft notable busts Marcos Galvin with the 24th overall pick in the supplemental draft. Third Baseman Aaron Moore was drafted with the 10th pick in the 3rd round (54th overall), and never played for the Indians, finishing his career with the Minor League affiliate Burns Green Knights. Pitcher Mark Lyons was drafted after Moore, and he only played for a season with the Indians before being traded to the Philadelphia Athletics for Gus Gonzalez and Jose Vanegas; neither of whom played for the team. They would also release a eight players to free agency (most of whom were depth players) in the offseason. including future Hall of Famer, George Wood.

The regular season ended with the team finishing in 3rd again, but improving to 39 wins on the season. The 1894 Indians again failed to qualify for the postseason again. The front office continued to flounder, re-signing numerous players with minimal contributions to the team all in the name of stability.

### The Froula Plan Era (1912–1916)

The 1916 season was the only season under manager Jose Caraballo that the Indians had a losing record with a 52–60 record and finished last in their division.

### Dynasty Era (1917–1928)

#### Comeback Indians and the Bambino trade (1917–1918)

The Kansas City Indians finished the 1917 season with a 2nd place Wild Card berth, and 61–51 record. The Indians defeated the Nationals in the National League Divisional Series (NLDS). In the National League Championship Series (NLCS), the Indians fell behind 2–0, and then won game three. The Indians won game three and four of the series. The Rays won game five to go behind 3–2, and then the Indians won game six, creating a must win game seven. In game seven. The Indians took an early lead 4–2 lead going into the fourth inning. The Rays would come back in the fifth inning to tie the game at four, and then would take a two run lead in the sixth inning. Going into the ninth inning, the Indians were behind 4–6 before the Indians scored five runs to take the lead. The Rays failed to score in the bottom of the ninth innings and winning the series.

Suspicions were raised regarding the legitimacy of the Indians’ 1917 postseason run began to emerge shortly after the 1917 World Series. The accusations began when opposing players from the Rays alleged bribing umpires to sway the results of games during the 1917 NLCS and the World Series. They stated that the Indians' comeback 4–3 win after being down 0–3 in the NLCS was particularly suspicious. Allegations of Major League Baseball being bribed to sway the World Series in order to keep the Indians in Kansas City were denied by all parties. A whistleblower from within the Indians organization claimed to have coordinated and been present during meetings held between the Indians front office and Major League Baseball. This whistleblower claimed to have been privy to a $1.5 million deal that would give the Indians the World Series title and would keep the Kansas City Indians from being purchased by the league and relocated from Kansas City. A formal investigation was conducted by Major League Baseball which failed to produce any concrete evidence of corruption. However, many Rays fans view their title as being illegitimate to this day. After the investigation, Assistant General Manager Bobby Hart resigned amidst pressure from the national media and the public. This investigation was also viewed as fraudulent by many Rays fans who believe that the title should be vacated.

In the 1918 season, the Indians traded for the New York Mets pitcher/outfielder Babe Ruth to bolster the team and ensure the team wouldn't be a one-championship wonder. The team would start the season slow, and were last in the NL North for the entire first of half of the season.

#### Babe Ruth–Wally Pipp (1919–1923)

The following season saw the Indians fail to qualify for the postseason, placing 3rd in the NL South Division, only their third season since the rebuild of the franchise that the Indians failed to make it to the postseason. The team's multiple young prospects were able to break into the major league roster.

In 1921, Kansas City solidified their dominance in Major League Baseball with a 78–54 record, tied for the the best record in the National League and best in the league overall. The Indians were able to defeat the new version of the Buffalo Bisons 3–1. The Indians lost game one 3–5, then won game two with the same score just flipped of 5–3. In game three, the Indians won 7–5 over the Bisons after 13 total innings. In the fourth game of the series, the Indians would finally finish the series with a 4–2 win to take the series 4 games to two. In the National League Championship Series, the Indians faced the California Angels and won 4–1. Game 1 was a narrow victory 4–3, with the Indians coming back from a 3–1 deficit in the bottom of the 9th inning, scoring three runs in the inning to win the game. In the second game the Angels got the best of the Indians, losing 1–3. Game 3 of the series saw the first homerun in the 1921 NLCS, with outfielder George Kelly scoring a home run in the 4th inning (which was also the only score of the game) to win the game and take the lead 2–1. This narrow margin of victory continued into the fourth game of the series with a second straight 1–0 victory over the Angels. Game six was the strongest victory for the Indians during the season with a 6–1 victory over the Angels to clinch their 10th World Series berth. In the World Series the Atlanta Redskins lost the opening game 5–1, with Babe Ruth scoring a home run. Game two was a 2–3 loss, tying the series at 1 each. Atlanta won the next game 5–7 with no home runs. The Indians were finally able to comeback in the next game, winning 6–3. Then winning game six with a 4–1 win to win their 6th World Series title.

#### 1923–1926: Struggle to maintain the dynasty

During the 1923 offseason, the construction of new Kansas City Stadium finished being named Kansas City Stadium II. The 1923 season saw the Indians won a fourth consecutive National League South Division title with a 77–55 record. They won in the NLDS against the Bisons in a 3–2 comeback win, only to end up losing the NLCS 2–4 to the Utah Bees. In the following offseason, the Indians would extend Jose Caraballo. In the 1924 season, the Indians would again finish with a winning record however they were unable to win the division. They would lose to the Angles in the NLCS, once again struggling to live up to the expectations set by the fans.

1925 was more of the same for the team. Finishing the year with the a 71–61 record and winning the NL South. The Indians would defeat the Angels in the NLDS, only for history to once again repeat itself as they would go on to lose in the NLCS, this time to the Philadelphia Athletics. Tensions began to rise between the ownership and Caraballo, as the team continued to disappoint. 1926 saw the team make some progress, finally making it past the NLCS, but losing in the World Series to the Baltimore Orioles. The Indians finished the seasons with a slightly worse 64–58 record and fans began to consider whether it was time to remove Caraballo as manager. Just as tensions began to rise in the clubhouse, they were settled; as the Indians finished their 1927 campaign with another World Series title.

#### 1927–1928: Breakthrough

The 1927 Indians finished with an improved record of 71 wins and won the NL South. They were again led by Babe Ruth and Wally Pipp. With the addition of Lou Gehring to the team to sure their hitting. The 1927 team came back from 2 games down against the Detroit Tigers to advance to the NLCS. They would lose the first game to their rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers before winning the next four games and taking the series.

### The Promise (1932–present)

#### 1930–1936: The Second Carballo Era

The second era under Caraballo did not live up to the expectations set up during Caraballo's first tenure.

#### 1937–: Josh Toliver Era

Caraballo was fired in the 1936 offseason after a disappointing 58–64 record and a third place finish in the NL South. Caraballo was replaced by Josh Toliver, another former Tobytown Robins coach.

### 1948–present: The Post-Froula era

#### 1948–present: Ownership by the City Trust

Despite the new stadium for the franchise, tensions between Froula and the city continued. Froula continued to express a his desire to relocate his team to the Los Angeles area. He was previously blocked from doing so as the San Francisco Bay Sox and California Angels had territorial rights to the area that had recently been renewed with Major League Baseball, barring any further expansion or relocations to the area. The City Trust of Kansas City became the owners of the franchise in 1949 after owner David Froula was ousted by a no confidence vote of the Board of Directors. The new ownership corporation was a joint venture between the Board and the city council of Kansas City.