The Cleveland Indians aren’t part of this year’s postseason, which is disappointing to all of us who root for them. While we’re looking forward to next season, we can also look back on the team’s history in a new book.
“Ultimate Cleveland Indians Time Machine Book” covers the players and events that are part of Cleveland’s baseball past. Author Marty Gitlin will discuss the book Saturday at the Baseball Heritage Museum at League Park. The free talk begins at 1 p.m.
Gitlin, an award-winning journalist who covered the Indians during some of their best years, will answer audience members’ questions after his talk. He’ll also have books for sale that will include personalized autographs.
League Park, at East 66th Street and Lexington Avenue, is where the Indians played before they moved permanently to Cleveland Municipal Stadium, the precursor to Jacobs/Progressive Field. The field has been restored and the former ticket office has been turned into a museum.
Before the franchise now known as the Indians became a charter member of the American League in 1901, League Park was the home of the Cleveland Spiders, a National League team. The Spiders played the first game at League Park in 1891, beating Cincinnati 12-3.
The ballpark was the site of the 1920 World Series, which the Indians won against the Brooklyn Robins (later renamed the Dodgers). Hall of Famers including Cy Young, Tris Speaker, Lou Gehrig and Ty Cobb played at League Park, and Babe Ruth hit his 500th career home run there in 1929.
Register for Saturday’s event here. The museum will be open after Gitlin’s talk in the Visitors Center, and I recommend visiting it, even if you’ve been there before. The exhibits change, as do the items for sale. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are accepted. Memberships also are available.