1997 Cleveland Indians season
Major League Baseball team season
The 1997 Cleveland Indians season was the 97th season for the franchise and the 4th season at Jacobs Field . It involved the Indians making their second World Series appearance in three years. The Indians finished in first place in the American League Central Division and hosted the 1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game .
Offseason
November 13, 1996: Matt Williams was traded by the San Francisco Giants with a player to be named later to the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later, Jeff Kent, Julián Tavárez, and José Vizcaíno. The Cleveland Indians sent Joe Roa (December 16, 1996) to the San Francisco Giants to complete the trade.[ 1]
December 10, 1996: Eric Plunk was signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[ 2]
December 13, 1996: Kevin Mitchell signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[ 3]
December 16, 1996: Trenidad Hubbard was sent by the San Francisco Giants to the Cleveland Indians to complete an earlier deal made on November 13, 1996.[ 4]
December 18, 1996: Chad Curtis was signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[ 5]
December 19, 1996: Les Norman was signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[ 6]
December 28, 1996: Tony Fernandez was signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[ 7]
January 1, 1997: Casey Candaele was signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[ 8]
January 31, 1997: Greg Cadaret was signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[ 9]
Regular season
The season started with several new faces. The Indians acquired home run hitter Matt Williams. On March 25, 1997, the club traded All-Star Kenny Lofton and pitcher Alan Embree to the Atlanta Braves for Marquis Grissom and David Justice.
June 16 – The first interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians took place at Jacobs Field . The rivalry would be known as the Battle of Ohio . The Reds won the game by a score of 4-1.[ 10]
Most Starts by Position
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]
Team
ANA
BAL
BOS
CWS
CLE
DET
KC
MIL
MIN
NYY
OAK
SEA
TEX
TOR
NL
Anaheim
—
4–7
6–5
6–5
7–4
5–6
6–5
7–4
4–7
4–7
11–1
6–6
8–4
6–5
4–12
Baltimore
7–4
—
5–7
5–6
6–5
6–6
7–4
5–6
10–1
8–4
8–3
7–4
10–1
6–6
8–7
Boston
5–6
7–5
—
3–8
6–5
5–7
3–8
8–3
8–3
4–8
7–4
7–4
3–8
6–6
6–9
Chicago
5–6
6–5
8–3
—
5–7
4–7
11–1
4–7
6–6
2–9
8–3
5–6
3–8
5–6
8–7
Cleveland
4–7
5–6
5–6
7–5
—
6–5
8–3
8–4
8–4
5–6
7–4
3–8
5–6
6–5
9–6
Detroit
6–5
6–6
7–5
7–4
5–6
—
6–5
4–7
4–7
2–10
7–4
4–7
7–4
6–6
8–7
Kansas City
5–6
4–7
8–3
1–11
3–8
5–6
—
6–6
7–5
3–8
3–8
5–6
6–5
5–6
6–9
Milwaukee
4–7
6–5
3–8
7–4
4–8
7–4
6–6
—
5–7
4–7
5–6
5–6
7–4
7–4
8–7
Minnesota
7–4
1–10
3–8
6–6
4–8
7–4
5–7
7–5
—
3–8
7–4
5–6
3–8
3–8
7–8
New York
7–4
4–8
8–4
9–2
6–5
10–2
8–3
7–4
8–3
—
6–5
4–7
7–4
7–5
5–10
Oakland
1–11
3–8
4–7
3–8
4–7
4–7
8–3
6–5
4–7
5–6
—
5–7
5–7
6–5
7–9
Seattle
6–6
4–7
4–7
6–5
8–3
7–4
6–5
6–5
6–5
7–4
7–5
—
8–4
8–3
7–9
Texas
4–8
1–10
8–3
8–3
6–5
4–7
5–6
4–7
8–3
4–7
7–5
4–8
—
4–7
10–6
Toronto
5–6
6–6
6–6
6–5
5–6
6–6
6–5
4–7
8–3
5–7
5–6
3–8
7–4
—
4–11
Notable transactions
April 21, 1997: Ryan Thompson signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[ 11]
May 20, 1997: Torey Lovullo was signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[ 12]
June 3, 1997: Kevin Mitchell was released by the Cleveland Indians.[ 3]
June 5, 1997: Ryan Thompson was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Toronto Blue Jays for Jeff Manto.[ 11]
June 9, 1997: Dave Weathers was traded by the New York Yankees to the Cleveland Indians for Chad Curtis.[ 13]
July 3, 1997: Greg Cadaret was released by the Cleveland Indians.[ 9]
July 25, 1997: Pat Listach was signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[ 14]
July 31, 1997: John Smiley was traded by the Cincinnati Reds with Jeff Branson to the Cleveland Indians for Jim Crowell, Danny Graves, Damian Jackson, and Scott Winchester.[ 15]
July 31, 1997: Jeff Juden was traded by the Montreal Expos to the Cleveland Indians for Steve Kline.[ 16]
August 13, 1997: Julio Franco was released by the Cleveland Indians.[ 17]
Roster
1997 Cleveland Indians
Roster
Pitchers
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
Manager
Coaches
Game log
1997 Game Log: 86–75 (Home: 44–37; Away: 42–38)
April: 12–13 (Home: 5–6; Away: 7–7)
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Stadium
Attendance
Record
Streak
1
April 2
@ Athletics
9–7
Kline (1–0)
Wengert (0–1)
Shuey (1)
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
41,235
1–0
W1
2
April 3
@ Athletics
4–5
Lewis (1–0)
Plunk (0–1)
Taylor (1)
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
13,707
1–1
L1
3
April 4
@ Angels
6–8 (11)
Holtz (1–0)
Shuey (0–1)
–
Anaheim Stadium
17,758
1–2
L2
4
April 5
@ Angels
7–5
Ogea (1–0)
Hasegawa (0–1)
Shuey (2)
Anaheim Stadium
23,913
2–2
W1
5
April 6
@ Angels
10–8
Kline (2–0)
Percival (0–2)
Jackson (1)
Anaheim Stadium
29,363
3–2
W2
6
April 7
@ Mariners
8–3
Nagy (1–0)
Sanders (0–2)
–
Kingdome
22,012
4–2
W3
7
April 8
@ Mariners
8–14
Hurtado (1–0)
Lopez (0–1)
–
Kingdome
24,348
4–3
L1
8
April 9
@ Mariners
1–11
Wolcott (1–1)
Colon (0–1)
–
Kingdome
28,302
4–4
L2
9
April 11
Angels
15–3
Ogea (2–0)
Gubicza (0–1)
–
Jacobs Field
42,643
5–4
W1
–
April 12
Angels
Postponed (rain, makeup July 28)
10
April 13
Angels
3–8
Langston (1–1)
McDowell (0–1)
–
Jacobs Field
41,218
5–5
L1
11
April 14
Mariners
1–6
Martinez (1–0)
Nagy (1–1)
–
Jacobs Field
41,184
5–6
L2
12
April 15
Mariners
4–8
Wells (1–0)
Jackson (0–1)
Charlton (3)
Jacobs Field
40,118
5–7
L3
13
April 16
@ Red Sox
6–11
Avery (1–1)
Ogea (2–1)
–
Fenway Park
21,305
5–8
L4
14
April 17
@ Red Sox
4–3
Kline (3–0)
Trlicek (2–3)
Mesa (1)
Fenway Park
17,988
6–8
W1
15
April 18
Brewers
2–10
McDonald (2–1)
McDowell (0–2)
–
Jacobs Field
40,343
6–9
L1
16
April 19
Brewers
11–6
Nagy (2–1)
Eldred (2–1)
–
Jacobs Field
40,237
7–9
W1
17
April 20
Brewers
6–4
Hershiser (1–0)
Wickman (2–1)
Mesa (2)
Jacobs Field
42,285
8–9
W2
18
April 22
Red Sox
2–8
Avery (2–1)
Ogea (2–2)
Henry (3)
Jacobs Field
41,800
8–10
L1
19
April 23
Red Sox
11–7
McDowell (1–2)
Trlicek (2–4)
–
Jacobs Field
42,430
9–10
W1
20
April 24
@ Brewers
6–3
Nagy (3–1)
Eldred (2–2)
Mesa (3)
County Stadium
7,135
10–10
W2
21
April 25
@ Brewers
11–4
Hershiser (2–0)
Karl (0–4)
–
County Stadium
11,150
11–10
W3
22
April 26
@ Brewers
8–9
Jones (1–0)
Mesa (0–1)
–
County Stadium
13,028
11–11
L1
23
April 27
@ Brewers
5–6
Jones (2–0)
Plunk (0–2)
–
County Stadium
19,709
11–12
L2
24
April 29
Athletics
10–4
Nagy (4–1)
Prieto (2–1)
Jackson (2)
Jacobs Field
40,421
12–12
W1
25
April 30
Athletics
9–11 (10)
Taylor (1–1)
Mesa (0–2)
Wengert (1)
Jacobs Field
40,463
12–13
L1
May: 15–11 (Home: 9–3; Away: 6–8)
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Stadium
Attendance
Record
Streak
26
May 1
Athletics
7–1
McDowell (2–2)
Adams (1–3)
–
Jacobs Field
42,398
13–13
W1
–
May 2
Tigers
Postponed (rain, makeup August 13)
27
May 3
Tigers
7–6
Plunk (1–2)
Brocail (0–3)
–
Jacobs Field
42,269
14–13
W2
28
May 4
Tigers
0–2
Blair (3–2)
Nagy (4–2)
Brocail (1)
Jacobs Field
42,387
14–14
L1
–
May 5
Rangers
Postponed (rain, makeup August 9)
29
May 6
Rangers
5–4
Hershiser (3–0)
Pavlik (2–3)
Jackson (3)
Jacobs Field
40,451
15–14
W1
30
May 7
Blue Jays
7–1
McDowell (3–2)
Person (0–2)
–
Jacobs Field
42,463
16–14
W2
31
May 8
Blue Jays
3–4
Guzman (3–2)
Ogea (2–3)
Quantrill (1)
Jacobs Field
42,567
16–15
L1
32
May 9
@ Tigers
5–0
Nagy (5–2)
Sager (2–2)
–
Tiger Stadium
20,393
17–15
W1
33
May 10
@ Tigers
0–6
Olivares (2–2)
Colon (0–2)
–
Tiger Stadium
30,578
17–16
L1
34
May 11
@ Tigers
3–11
Thompson (3–2)
Hershiser (3–1)
–
Tiger Stadium
19,869
17–17
L2
35
May 12
@ Rangers
2–4
Burkett (2–2)
McDowell (3–3)
Wetteland (9)
The Ballpark in Arlington
25,327
17–18
L3
36
May 13
@ Rangers
7–3
Ogea (3–3)
Oliver (1–4)
Morman (1)
The Ballpark in Arlington
31,798
18–18
W1
37
May 14
@ Rangers
3–4 (10)
Wetteland (2–0)
Lopez (0–2)
–
The Ballpark in Arlington
30,268
18–19
L1
38
May 16
@ Blue Jays
2–5
Clemens (7–0)
Hershiser (3–2)
Timlin (5)
SkyDome
35,195
18–20
L2
39
May 17
@ Blue Jays
8–1
Lopez (1–2)
Williams (1–3)
–
SkyDome
36,220
19–20
W1
40
May 18
@ Blue Jays
8–6
Ogea (4–3)
Carpenter (0–2)
Jackson (4)
SkyDome
31,137
20–20
W2
41
May 20
Royals
4–3
Shuey (1–1)
Walker (2–2)
Jackson (5)
Jacobs Field
43,167
21–20
W3
42
May 21
Royals
1–0
Hershiser (4–2)
Appier (4–3)
Jackson (6)
Jacobs Field
42,290
22–20
W4
43
May 22
Royals
9–1
Lopez (2–2)
Rosado (3–3)
–
Jacobs Field
42,962
23–20
W5
44
May 23
Orioles
6–1
Ogea (5–3)
Key (8–1)
–
Jacobs Field
41,154
24–20
W6
45
May 24
Orioles
3–8
Mussina (6–1)
Kline (3–1)
–
Jacobs Field
41,040
24–21
L1
46
May 25
Orioles
7–6
Nagy (6–2)
Rhodes (2–2)
Morman (2)
Jacobs Field
42,944
25–21
W1
47
May 26
@ White Sox
10–4
Hershiser (5–2)
Navarro (4–3)
–
Comiskey Park
26,383
26–21
W2
48
May 27
@ White Sox
2–8
Drabek (4–3)
Lopez (2–3)
–
Comiskey Park
20,847
26–22
L1
49
May 28
@ Royals
10–3
Assenmacher (1–0)
Belcher (5–6)
–
Kauffman Stadium
13,380
27–22
W1
–
May 29
@ Royals
Postponed (rain, makeup September 19)
50
May 30
@ Orioles
0–3
Mussina (7–1)
Nagy (6–3)
–
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
47,759
27–23
L1
51
May 31
@ Orioles
5–8
Boskie (3–2)
Mesa (0–3)
Myers (17)
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
47,739
27–24
L2
June: 13–11 (Home: 7–7; Away: 6–4)
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Stadium
Attendance
Record
Streak
–
June 1
@ Orioles
Postponed (rain, makeup September 15)
–
June 2
@ Orioles
Postponed (rain, makeup September 16)
52
June 3
White Sox
5–9
Darwin (2–2)
Ogea (5–4)
–
Jacobs Field
42,994
27–25
L3
53
June 4
White Sox
4–9
Baldwin (3–7)
Lopez (2–4)
–
Jacobs Field
42,992
27–26
L4
54
June 5
White Sox
5–4 (11)
Shuey (2–1)
Castillo (0–1)
–
Jacobs Field
42,948
28–26
W1
55
June 6
@ Red Sox
7–3
Hershiser (6–2)
Gordon (3–6)
–
Fenway Park
30,202
29–26
W2
56
June 7
@ Red Sox
9–5
Colon (1–2)
Sele (6–5)
–
Fenway Park
32,780
30–26
W3
57
June 8
@ Red Sox
6–12
Hudson (1–0)
Ogea (5–5)
–
Fenway Park
32,155
30–27
L1
58
June 10
Brewers
5–4
Nagy (7–3)
Eldred (6–6)
Jackson (7)
Jacobs Field
42,882
31–27
W1
59
June 11
Brewers
4–3 (11)
Assenmacher (2–0)
Jones (3–3)
–
Jacobs Field
42,864
32–27
W2
60
June 12
Brewers
2–6
Mercedes (3–2)
Anderson (0–1)
–
Jacobs Field
41,975
32–28
L1
–
June 13
@ Cardinals
Postponed (rain, makeup June 14)
61
June 14 (1)
@ Cardinals
8–3
Lopez (3–4)
Mathews (2–3)
–
Busch Stadium
43,582
33–28
W1
62
June 14 (2)
@ Cardinals
2–5
Morris (5–3)
Ogea (5–6)
Eckersley (13)
Busch Stadium
44,532
33–29
L1
63
June 15
@ Cardinals
9–2
Nagy (8–3)
Stottlemyre (4–5)
–
Busch Stadium
46,646
34–29
W1
64
June 16
Reds
1–4
Tomko (3–1)
Hershiser (6–3)
–
Jacobs Field
42,961
34–30
L1
65
June 17
Reds
5–1
Anderson (1–1)
Smiley (5–8)
–
Jacobs Field
42,901
35–30
W1
66
June 18
Reds
2–5
Remlinger (2–3)
Ogea (5–7)
–
Jacobs Field
42,865
35–31
L1
67
June 20
Yankees
1–7
Gooden (2–0)
Nagy (8–4)
–
Jacobs Field
43,019
35–32
L2
68
June 21
Yankees
13–4
Hershiser (7–3)
Pettitte (8–5)
–
Jacobs Field
43,006
36–32
W1
69
June 22
Yankees
5–2
Anderson (2–1)
Wells (8–4)
Jackson (8)
Jacobs Field
42,912
37–32
W2
70
June 23
Twins
2–7
Radke (8–5)
Ogea (5–8)
–
Jacobs Field
42,861
37–33
L1
71
June 24
Twins
10–5
Wright (1–0)
Stevens (0–1)
–
Jacobs Field
42,902
38–33
W1
–
June 25
Twins
Postponed (rain, makeup September 27)
72
June 27
@ Yankees
2–3
Gooden (3–0)
Hershiser (7–4)
Rivera (26)
Yankee Stadium
35,837
38–34
L1
73
June 28
@ Yankees
12–8
Plunk (2–2)
Rogers (4–4)
–
Yankee Stadium
41,085
39–34
W1
74
June 29
@ Yankees
10–11
Rivera (2–2)
Mesa (0–4)
–
Yankee Stadium
39,756
39–35
L1
75
June 30
@ Astros
6–4
Mesa (1–4)
Martin (2–2)
Jackson (9)
Astrodome
29,051
40–35
W1
July: 14–13 (Home: 7–10; Away: 7–3)
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Stadium
Attendance
Record
Streak
76
July 1
@ Astros
8–6
Plunk (3–2)
Lima (1–4)
Jackson (10)
Astrodome
23,998
41–35
W2
77
July 2
@ Astros
2–6
Hampton (4–7)
Hershiser (7–5)
–
Astrodome
25,661
41–36
L1
78
July 4
Royals
7–6
Anderson (3–1)
Pichardo (2–4)
Jackson (11)
Jacobs Field
42,984
42–36
W1
79
July 5
Royals
8–4
Nagy (9–4)
Pittsley (2–6)
–
Jacobs Field
42,892
43–36
W2
80
July 6
Royals
8–7
Jackson (1–1)
Casian (0–2)
–
Jacobs Field
42,863
44–36
W3
–
July 8
68th All-Star Game
National League vs. American League (Jacobs Field , Cleveland, Ohio )
81
July 10
@ Twins
2–8
Radke (11–5)
Nagy (9–5)
–
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
13,605
44–37
L1
82
July 11
@ Twins
5–1
Jacome (1–0)
Robertson (7–7)
–
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
14,400
45–37
W1
83
July 12
@ Twins
7–2
Hershiser (8–5)
Tewksbury (4–8)
–
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
30,055
46–37
W2
84
July 13
@ Twins
12–5
Colon (2–2)
Hawkins (1–5)
–
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
16,734
47–37
W3
85
July 14
@ Yankees
3–2 (10)
Jackson (2–1)
Rivera (2–3)
–
Yankee Stadium
27,812
48–37
W4
86
July 15
@ Yankees
6–12
Irabu (2–0)
Nagy (9–6)
Mendoza (1)
Yankee Stadium
34,503
48–38
L1
87
July 16
@ Brewers
4–3
Wright (2–0)
McDonald (8–7)
Jackson (12)
County Stadium
23,047
49–38
W1
88
July 17
@ Brewers
3–2
Hershiser (9–5)
Eldred (9–9)
Jackson (13)
County Stadium
23,383
50–38
W2
89
July 18
Red Sox
0–7
Wakefield (4–10)
Colon (2–3)
–
Jacobs Field
43,037
50–39
L1
90
July 19
Red Sox
3–6
Suppan (4–0)
Clark (0–1)
Slocumb (14)
Jacobs Field
43,070
50–40
L2
91
July 20
Red Sox
7–2
Nagy (10–6)
Gordon (5–8)
–
Jacobs Field
42,932
51–40
W1
92
July 21
Red Sox
1–3
Avery (4–2)
Wright (2–1)
Slocumb (15)
Jacobs Field
42,851
51–41
L1
93
July 22
Mariners
6–2
Weathers (1–1)
Fassero (8–6)
Jackson (14)
Jacobs Field
42,951
52–41
W1
94
July 23
Mariners
3–6
Olivares (6–6)
Colon (2–4)
Holzemer (1)
Jacobs Field
43,049
52–42
L1
95
July 24
Mariners
1–11
Johnson (14–2)
Clark (0–2)
–
Jacobs Field
42,984
52–43
L2
96
July 25
Athletics
1–2
Small (7–4)
Jackson (2–2)
Taylor (19)
Jacobs Field
42,945
52–44
L3
97
July 26
Athletics
6–3
Wright (3–1)
Karsay (3–10)
–
Jacobs Field
42,925
53–44
W1
98
July 27
Athletics
4–2
Jacome (2–0)
Haynes (0–1)
Assenmacher (1)
Jacobs Field
42,885
54–44
W2
99
July 28 (1)
Angels
0–2
Springer (6–4)
Colon (2–5)
–
Jacobs Field
43,033
54–45
L1
100
July 28 (2)
Angels
7–10
Harris (2–2)
Weathers (1–2)
Holtz (2)
Jacobs Field
42,857
54–46
L2
101
July 29
Angels
2–7
Finley (10–6)
Clark (0–3)
–
Jacobs Field
42,975
54–47
L3
102
July 30
Angels
2–5
Hill (6–8)
Nagy (10–7)
James (7)
Jacobs Field
42,898
54–48
L4
August: 16–14 (Home: 9–6; Away: 7–8)
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Stadium
Attendance
Record
Streak
103
August 1
@ Rangers
8–5
Mesa (2–4)
Gunderson (2–1)
Assenmacher (2)
The Ballpark in Arlington
44,859
55–48
W1
104
August 2
@ Rangers
7–3
Smiley (10–10)
Witt (10–7)
–
The Ballpark in Arlington
23,266
56–48
W2
105
August 3
@ Rangers
7–8
Wetteland (6–2)
Jackson (2–3)
–
The Ballpark in Arlington
42,303
56–49
L1
106
August 4
@ Tigers
7–2
Nagy (11–7)
Sanders (3–9)
–
Tiger Stadium
26,832
57–49
W1
107
August 5
@ Tigers
4–6
Thompson (10–8)
Plunk (3–3)
Jones (22)
Tiger Stadium
24,824
57–50
L1
108
August 6
@ Blue Jays
3–6
Hentgen (12–7)
Lopez (3–5)
Escobar (7)
SkyDome
36,463
57–51
L2
109
August 7
@ Blue Jays
0–4
Clemens (17–4)
Smiley (10–11)
–
SkyDome
35,194
57–52
L3
110
August 8
Rangers
5–6
Bailes (1–0)
Jackson (2–4)
Wetteland (23)
Jacobs Field
43,110
57–53
L4
111
August 9 (1)
Rangers
3–4
Clark (1–3)
Nagy (11–8)
Wetteland (24)
Jacobs Field
42,964
57–54
L5
112
August 9 (2)
Rangers
4–2
Assenmacher (3–0)
Moody (0–1)
Mesa (4)
Jacobs Field
41,330
58–54
W1
113
August 10
Rangers
6–7
Whiteside (2–1)
Juden (11–6)
Wetteland (25)
Jacobs Field
42,902
58–55
L1
114
August 12
Tigers
7–4
Plunk (4–3)
Keagle (0–2)
Mesa (5)
Jacobs Field
32,992
59–55
W1
115
August 13 (1)
Tigers
3–13
Blair (12–5)
Smiley (10–12)
–
Jacobs Field
N/A
59–56
L1
116
August 13 (2)
Tigers
9–1
Hershiser (10–5)
Dishman (1–1)
–
Jacobs Field
42,673
60–56
W1
117
August 14
Tigers
12–1
Nagy (12–8)
Sanders (4–10)
–
Jacobs Field
42,936
61–56
W2
118
August 15
Blue Jays
5–4 (10)
Assenmacher (4–0)
Crabtree (2–3)
–
Jacobs Field
43,011
62–56
W3
119
August 16
Blue Jays
8–4
Shuey (3–1)
Quantrill (5–5)
–
Jacobs Field
42,908
63–56
W4
120
August 17
Blue Jays
5–10
Clemens (19–4)
Wright (3–2)
–
Jacobs Field
42,861
63–57
L1
121
August 18
Blue Jays
5–3
Hershiser (11–5)
Williams (7–11)
Mesa (6)
Jacobs Field
42,471
64–57
W1
122
August 19
@ Mariners
7–5
Smiley (11–12)
Cloude (1–2)
Mesa (7)
Kingdome
33,645
65–57
W2
123
August 20
@ Mariners
0–1
Johnson (17–4)
Nagy (12–9)
Slocumb (20)
Kingdome
32,546
65–58
L1
124
August 21
@ Mariners
6–7
Moyer (13–4)
Colon (2–6)
Slocumb (21)
Kingdome
30,395
65–59
L2
125
August 22
@ Athletics
5–3
Wright (4–2)
Prieto (6–8)
Mesa (8)
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
11,451
66–59
W1
126
August 23
@ Athletics
7–4
Hershiser (12–5)
Rigby (0–5)
Mesa (9)
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
17,066
67–59
W2
127
August 24
@ Athletics
1–4
Haynes (2–3)
Smiley (11–13)
Mathews (1)
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
20,074
67–60
L1
128
August 26
@ Angels
7–8
May (1–1)
Plunk (4–4)
–
Anaheim Stadium
21,012
67–61
L2
129
August 27
@ Angels
10–4
Wright (5–2)
Watson (11–8)
–
Anaheim Stadium
20,140
68–61
W1
130
August 29
Cubs
7–6
Mesa (3–4)
Stevens (1–4)
–
Jacobs Field
43,060
69–61
W2
131
August 30
Cubs
4–9
Tapani (4–3)
Smiley (11–14)
–
Jacobs Field
43,044
69–62
L1
132
August 31
Cubs
9–5
Nagy (13–9)
Batista (0–3)
Assenmacher (3)
Jacobs Field
43,013
70–62
W1
September: 16–13 (Home: 7–5; Away: 9–8)
#
Date
Opponent
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Stadium
Attendance
Record
Streak
133
September 1
@ Pirates
7–5
Ogea (6–8)
Cooke (9–14)
Mesa (10)
Three Rivers Stadium
45,298
71–62
W2
134
September 2
@ Pirates
4–6
Silva (1–0)
Wright (5–3)
Loiselle (25)
Three Rivers Stadium
43,380
71–63
L1
135
September 3
@ Pirates
7–3
Hershiser (13–5)
Loaiza (10–10)
–
Three Rivers Stadium
37,513
72–63
W1
136
September 5
White Sox
11–1
Nagy (14–9)
Bere (3–1)
–
Jacobs Field
43,093
73–63
W2
137
September 6
White Sox
9–7
Colon (3–6)
Baldwin (11–14)
Mesa (11)
Jacobs Field
43,055
74–63
W3
138
September 7
White Sox
5–2
Wright (6–3)
Drabek (10–10)
Mesa (12)
Jacobs Field
43,051
75–63
W4
139
September 8
Orioles
2–1
Assenmacher (5–0)
Mills (2–2)
Mesa (13)
Jacobs Field
43,009
76–63
W5
140
September 9
Orioles
3–9 (8)
Krivda (4–0)
Ogea (6–9)
–
Jacobs Field
43,045
76–64
L1
141
September 11
@ White Sox
5–7
Foulke (3–5)
Nagy (14–10)
Karchner (14)
Comiskey Park
22,620
76–65
L2
142
September 12
@ White Sox
9–0
Wright (7–3)
Drabek (10–11)
–
Comiskey Park
31,249
77–65
W1
143
September 13
@ White Sox
6–7
Sirotka (2–0)
Hershiser (13–6)
Karchner (15)
Comiskey Park
32,306
77–66
L1
144
September 14
@ White Sox
8–3
Shuey (4–1)
Darwin (0–1)
–
Comiskey Park
32,485
78–66
W1
145
September 15 (1)
@ Orioles
5–6
Benitez (4–4)
Plunk (4–5)
Myers (42)
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
41,602
78–67
L1
146
September 15 (2)
@ Orioles
4–1
Ogea (7–9)
Krivda (4–1)
Mesa (14)
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
47,110
79–67
W1
147
September 16 (1)
@ Orioles
4–2
Nagy (15–10)
Rodriguez (0–1)
Mesa (15)
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
38,022
80–67
W2
148
September 16 (2)
@ Orioles
2–7
Key (16–9)
Weathers (1–3)
–
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
46,185
80–68
L1
149
September 17
@ Twins
7–6
Wright (8–3)
Miller (0–4)
Mesa (16)
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
9,512
81–68
W1
150
September 18
@ Twins
4–1
Hershiser (14–6)
Tewksbury (6–13)
Jackson (15)
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
9,564
82–68
W2
151
September 19 (1)
@ Royals
3–10
Belcher (13–12)
Colon (3–7)
–
Kauffman Stadium
N/A
82–69
L1
152
September 19 (2)
@ Royals
6–2
Anderson (4–1)
Bones (3–8)
Assenmacher (4)
Kauffman Stadium
16,973
83–69
W1
153
September 20
@ Royals
2–5
Olson (4–3)
Lopez (3–6)
Montgomery (14)
Kauffman Stadium
19,125
83–70
L1
154
September 21
@ Royals
0–1
Bevil (1–2)
Jackson (2–5)
–
Kauffman Stadium
15,274
83–71
L2
–
September 22
@ Royals
Cancelled (rain)
155
September 23
Yankees
10–9
Mesa (4–4)
Nelson (3–7)
–
Jacobs Field
43,039
84–71
W1
156
September 24
Yankees
4–8
Gooden (9–5)
Anderson (4–2)
–
Jacobs Field
42,976
84–72
L1
157
September 25
Yankees
4–5 (10)
Mendoza (8–6)
Shuey (4–2)
Stanton (3)
Jacobs Field
43,004
84–73
L2
158
September 26
Twins
7–2
Ogea (8–9)
Radke (20–10)
–
Jacobs Field
42,895
85–73
W1
159
September 27 (1)
Twins
10–6
Colon (4–7)
Miller (1–5)
–
Jacobs Field
42,854
86–73
W2
160
September 27 (2)
Twins
4–6 (10)
Aguilera (5–4)
Lopez (3–7)
–
Jacobs Field
42,867
86–74
L1
161
September 28
Twins
1–5
Tewksbury (8–13)
Nagy (15–11)
–
Jacobs Field
42,940
86–75
L2
Legend: = Win = Loss = Postponement Bold = Indians team member
All-Star game
The 1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 68th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League (AL) and National League (NL). There were no members of the Indians in the starting lineup although three Indians (Sandy Alomar Jr., Jim Thome, and David Justice) were named to the team. The game was held on July 8, 1997, and the first pitch was thrown by former Indian Larry Doby . The American League were victorious 3 – 1, with the go ahead HR coming courtesy of Alomar Jr.
Player stats
Batting
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Pitching
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
American League Division Series
Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees
Game 1
September 30, Yankee Stadium
Game 2
October 2, Yankee Stadium
Game 3
October 4, Jacobs Field
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
New York
1
0
1
4
0
0
0
0
0
6
4
1
Cleveland
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
5
1
W : David Wells (1-0) L : Charles Nagy (0-1) SV : None
HR : CLE – None NYY – Paul O'Neill (2)
Game 4
October 5, Jacobs Field
Game 5
October 6, Jacobs Field
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
New York
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
3
12
0
Cleveland
0
0
3
1
0
0
0
0
X
4
7
2
W : Jaret Wright (2-0) L : Andy Pettitte (0-2) SV : José Mesa (1)
HR : CLE – None NYY – None
American League Championship Series
Game 1
October 8, Camden Yards
Game 2
October 9, Camden Yards
Game 3
October 11, Jacobs Field
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
R
H
E
Baltimore
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
8
1
Cleveland
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
6
0
WP : Eric Plunk (1-0) LP : Randy Myers (0-1)
HRs : None
Game 4
October 12, Jacobs Field
Game 5
October 13, Jacobs Field
Game 6
October 15, Camden Yards
World Series
Game 1
October 18, 1997, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami
Game 2
October 19, 1997, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami
Game 3
October 21, 1997, at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio
Game 4
October 22, 1997, at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio
Game 5
October 23, 1997, at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio
Game 6
October 25, 1997, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Cleveland
0
2
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
4
7
0
Florida
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
8
0
W : Chad Ogea (2-0) L : Kevin Brown (0-2) S : José Mesa (1)
Game 7
October 26, 1997, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
R
H
E
Cleveland
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
6
2
Florida
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
3
8
0
W : Jay Powell (1-0) L : Charles Nagy (0-1)
HR – FLA : Bobby Bonilla (1)
Award winners
All-Star Game
Minor league affiliates
References
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Established in 1894 Former names (all in Cleveland unless noted) - Grand Rapids Rustlers , Lake Shores , Bluebirds , Bronchos , Naps , Indians Based in Cleveland, Ohio
Franchise Ballparks Culture and lore Rivalries Key personnel Postseason appearances (17) Division championships (12) American League pennants (6) World Series championships (2) Hall of Famers Minors
Seasons (131)
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