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Cleveland Baseball History

Travis Bazzana Selected First Overall

July 15, 2024

The Guardians selected Oregon State’s with the first overall selection in this year’s MLB draft.

Bazzana was born in Australia and, if he makes it to the majors with Cleveland, will be just the second Australian-born player in team history.

, a lefty pitcher, appeared in 15 games for the Tribe during the 2000 season.

There have also been only three players from Oregon State to play for Cleveland:

That number could rise to four if (currently on the IL) appears in a game later this season.

Steven Kwan Batting Leadoff

July 15, 2024

Steven Kwan will be the leadoff hitter for the American League in this year’s All-Star Game. He’s the sixth different Cleveland hitter to bat leadoff in the game.

The others:

Kwan will face Pirates rookie Paul Skenes in the first inning. The last time a rookie started the All-Star Game was in 1995, when Hideo Nomo struck out Kenny Lofton to start the game. was the number-two hitter that year and followed up with a hit.

Clase’s Historic First Half

July 15, 2024

Emmanuel Clase enters the All-Star break with 29 saves and a 0.81 ERA. He’s just the ninth pitcher in to record at least 25 saves with an ERA under 1.00 in the first half.

The others:

  • Zack Britton, 2016 Orioles
  • Fernando Rodney, 2012 Rays
  • Jonathan Papelbon, 2006 Red Sox
  • Mariano Rivera, 2004 Yankees
  • Armando Benitez, 2004 Marlins
  • John Smoltz, 2003 Braves
  • Rob Nen, 1998 Giants
  • , 1990 A’s

Steven Kwan Enters ASG with .352 BA

July 15, 2024

Steven Kwan enters the All-Star Break batting .352, just the 10th qualified player in franchise history to enter the break with an average over .350.

Here are the highest averages entering the break in franchise history:

Everyone on the list made the All-Star team except Knickerbocker, who was left off in favor of Hall of Famer Joe Cronin, the only shortstop selected to the game that year. Cronin was batting .283 with a .354 OBP.

Noel’s Pinch-Hit HR

July 14, 2024

‘s belted Cleveland’s fourth pinch-hit go-ahead home run of the season on Saturday afternoon, setting a team record. , and hit the first three. 

The previous record of three was set in 1967 by (twice) and .

Noel is also just the sixth rookie in team history with a pinch-hit, go-ahead home run. The others:

Hardy, Davis and Wilson’s were their first career home runs. Hardy’s was a walk-off against Chicago’s 7-time All-Star pitcher Billy Pierce.

Davis’ home run was also a walk-off and the only home run of his career,

Jose Ramirez’s 3 IBB

July 10, 2024

Jose Ramirez drew 3 intentional walks yesterday. He’s just the ninth player in franchise history with 3 IBB in a game.

Here’s the full list, with the batter behind them in parentheses:

Bo Naylor Pinch-Hit HR

July 7, 2024

Today, for just the third time in Jacobs Field history, a Cleveland pinch-hitter came to the plate with the team trailing and hit a home run to give them the lead.

The full list: