{"id":2464,"date":"2023-03-05T18:51:51","date_gmt":"2023-03-06T02:51:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=2464"},"modified":"2023-03-05T18:56:55","modified_gmt":"2023-03-06T02:56:55","slug":"clevelands-maestros-of-the-mound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/03\/05\/clevelands-maestros-of-the-mound\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleveland\u2019s Maestros of the Mound"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>GOODYEAR, Az. &#8212; It all starts with pitching for the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/03\/04\/guardians-count-on-bieber-prospect-countdown-continues-80-71\/\">Cleveland Guardians<\/a> in 2023. No surprise. Preeminent pitchers are a proud franchise tradition in Cleveland&#8211; the town has had many maestros of the mound.<\/p>\n<p>It was true on the way to winning the AL Central last year as staff ace <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/biebesh01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Shane Bieber<\/a> (13-8, 2.88 ERA),\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/q\/quantca01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cal Quantrill<\/a> (15-5, 3.38 ERA), and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mckentr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Triston McKenzie<\/a> (11-11, 2.96 ERA) led the way. The club hopes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/civalaa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Aaron Civale<\/a> (5-6) and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/plesaza01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Zach Plesac<\/a> (3-12) will rebound from injury-marred seasons to once again give the Guardians a strong quintet. Two years ago, Civale went 12-5 and Plesac 10-6.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"YNVyG51UQxR4d6nbvX3ppg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1862761\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'YNVyG51UQxR4d6nbvX3ppg',sig:'74U1AL3uy_M4P38BQ5SlMTbL5LJqVxMYtyhjqvFdWvU=',w:'397px',h:'594px',items:'1862761',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nIn 2020, Bieber became the fifth Cleveland starter to win the AL Cy Young Award, joining\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/perryga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Gaylord Perry<\/a> (1972),\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sabatc.01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">C.C. Sabathia<\/a> (2007),\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=leecl02,leecl01&amp;search=Cliff+Lee&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cliff Lee<\/a> (2008) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/klubeco01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Corey Kluber<\/a> (2014 &amp; 2017).<\/p>\n<p>Current fans may be surprised to discover that well before any of them were born, Cleveland became famous for producing plenty of pitchers with extraordinary talent. When Kluber went 20-7 in 2018 (finishing third in Cy Young voting)\u00a0it was the 57th time a Cleveland pitcher had 20 or more wins in a season.<\/p>\n<h2>Cleveland&#8217;s Cy Young Reward<\/h2>\n<p>The tradition began when an Ohio farmboy came to Cleveland in 1890. The city\u2019s ball club was known as the Spiders, played in the National League, and were amidst a pitiful 44-88 record for a seventh-place finish when Denton True (Cy) Young joined them. The 23-year-old rookie compiled the staff\u2019s only winning record at 9-7. That was far better than the club\u2019s \u201cace\u201d, the appropriately named\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/beatied01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ed Beatin<\/a> (pronounced beaten, as in his 22-30 record).<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"qh0MCGg8SKNJRFb9KGSd6g\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/98143882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'qh0MCGg8SKNJRFb9KGSd6g',sig:'5zTcUjd_ibgeBIeTNjlV2_llHMUWQAx3rf365OQvgrA=',w:'594px',h:'433px',items:'98143882',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nTwo years later, Young pitched the Spiders to a lofty second-place finish at 93-56 \u2013 going an incredible 36-12 with a 1.93 ERA. Had there been such a thing as the Cy Young Award, the hard-throwing right-hander would have won it.<\/p>\n<p>Young\u2019s all-time record of 511 wins is a pretty good reason why the award presented for pitching excellence is named for the kid who reportedly got his nickname for throwing a wild pitch that splintered a backstop. \u201cLooks like a cyclone hit it,\u201d somebody said. Since Young, known as \u201cDent\u201d was the one who had put more than a dent in it, he became \u201cCy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Young had 241 wins for Cleveland and kept piling them up after being traded to the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/cardinals\/\">St. Louis Perfectos<\/a> in 1899 and to the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/red-sox\/\">Boston Americans<\/a> in 1901. When finally traded back to Cleveland\u2019s AL team in 1909 at age 42, he was a shadow of his great self \u2013 yet still won 19 games with a 2.26 ERA!<\/p>\n<h2>Amazing Addie Joss<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"gAcNKi9CSkF9eUR3vazZ9w\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/72726009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'gAcNKi9CSkF9eUR3vazZ9w',sig:'Y8YYa0hGbhDTFXwuKfuKyKr4kdTy1eIIgo96gaWHbbs=',w:'594px',h:'457px',items:'72726009',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nBy then, other Cleveland pitchers had achieved fame \u2013 most notably Toledo native\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jossad01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Addie Joss<\/a>. In his first seven years, the right-hander went 141-79. Tragically, his career was cut short as he died of spinal meningitis at age 31 in 1911. His career totals: 160-97 and the lowest career ERA in history \u2013 1.89. Joss pitched two no-hitters, including a memorable perfect game in 1908 and seven one-hitters, including one in his big-league debut in 1902.<\/p>\n<p>He did it by deceiving hitters and throwing strikes. He frequently turned his back to the batter before coming at him with a sidearm pitch that inevitably painted a corner of the plate.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Joss not only had great speed and a fast-breaking curve,&#8221;\u00a0Baseball Magazine\u00a0reported in 1911, &#8220;but a very effective pitching motion, bringing the ball behind him with a complete body swing and having it on the batter almost before the latter got sight of it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>El Tiante: Simply Supremo<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"6uPb_6xRTit2eB85vmOJhw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/90440038\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'6uPb_6xRTit2eB85vmOJhw',sig:'6_R0caNB_lS1JX4cwhr4bTgtByirYIybFGQeg7HfdmE=',w:'401px',h:'594px',items:'90440038',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nThat\u2019s exactly how\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=tiantlu01,tiantlu02&amp;search=Luis+Tiant&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Luis Tiant<\/a> confounded hitters and delighted fans six decades later. The Cuban had a 15-1 record at Triple-A Portland when called up at age 23. He made his big-league debut against the powerful New York Yankees on July 19, 1964 \u2013 at Yankee Stadium, against Hall of Famer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/fordwh01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Whitey Ford<\/a>. \u201cNo problema,\u201d said Tiant after shutting out the mighty Bronx Bombers on four hits while striking out 11 in a 3-0 win.<\/p>\n<p>Four years later, turning his back to hitters and throwing any variety of fast or funky pitches overhand, three-quarters or sidearm from a herky-jerky motion, Tiant put together one fabulous season. Like Young, he didn\u2019t win the Cy Young Award, either. That\u2019s because Tiant had the misfortune of being overshadowed by Detroit\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mclaide01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Denny McLain<\/a>, who became baseball\u2019s first 30-game winner in 34 years. Many believe Tiant was the better pitcher that year. He was 21-9 with an AL-leading 1.60 ERA, 264 strikeouts and only 152 hits allowed in 258 innings.<\/p>\n<h3>Cleveland Maestros of the Mound in Concert With Tiant<\/h3>\n<p>Tiant was one of many fine pitchers the Indians boasted in the 1960s. Veteran <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/donovdi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dick Donovan<\/a> won 20 in 1962 and made the All-Star team. Tiant, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/grantji01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jim (Mudcat) Grant<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bellga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Gary Bell<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/latmaba01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Barry Latman<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/stigmdi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dick Stigman<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kralija01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jack Kralick<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hargast01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Steve Hargan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/siebeso01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sonny Siebert<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdowsa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sam McDowell<\/a> also were all-stars at least once in the decade.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"aV8pjo0ISBBVZB5kZVu1Ow\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/514901256\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'aV8pjo0ISBBVZB5kZVu1Ow',sig:'DNirugKoVPRknsgyEpTDguK7Wjo5kFk23oQtjoD22EE=',w:'594px',h:'460px',items:'514901256',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nThat came from the work of pitching coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hardeme01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mel Harder<\/a>, who spent 16 seasons developing 20-game winners <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wynnea01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Early Wynn<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lemonbo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bob Lemon<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=garcimi03,garcimi01,garcia005mik,garcia006mik&amp;search=Mike+Garc\u00eda&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mike Garcia<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/scorehe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Herb Score<\/a> in the 50s and then the group in the 1960s.<\/p>\n<p>McDowell had an overpowering fastball and crackling curve, but never fulfilled his true potential due to wildness and an alcohol problem. He won 20 once, in 1970, despite allowing very few hits and averaging well over a strikeout an inning.<\/p>\n<h2>Bullet Bob Feller<\/h2>\n<p>The low hit and high strikeout totals were reminiscent of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/fellebo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bob Feller<\/a>, the most overpowering pitcher in Cleveland&#8217;s history. A statue outside of Progressive Field shows Feller\u2019s high leg kick, which helped propel the most feared fastball in the game.<\/p>\n<p>Venerable baseball writer Russ Schneider, in his book <em>Tribe Memories: The First Century<\/em>, explains how scout C.C. Slapnicka met Indians officials at the Terminal Tower in the spring of 1936 and proclaimed, \u201cGentlemen, I\u2019ve found the greatest young pitcher I ever saw. I suppose this sounds like the same old stuff to you, but I want you to believe me. This boy that I found out in Iowa will be one of the greatest pitchers the world has ever known.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Feller Takes Pause From Baseball to Serve in WWII<\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"8Ay8LR6zQntrKj8AwDqkfA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/3234208\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'8Ay8LR6zQntrKj8AwDqkfA',sig:'s03bV8PxFho89KmZvJ6rkD2B_LknDkYojnAN5OLEtJI=',w:'475px',h:'594px',items:'3234208',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nThat summer, Feller fanned 15 in his first start, two weeks later struck out 17 and had five wins at age 17 \u2013 then went back to high school. One of the most precocious prospects ever, the LeBron James of his time, he\u2019s in the Baseball Hall of Fame despite missing 3\u00bd years in the prime of his career due to World War II.<\/p>\n<p>In his last two seasons before the war, Feller totaled 52 wins. In his first two full years after returning from naval battle, he won 46 more. His best season was probably 1946 when he went 26-15 with a 2.18 ERA, 10 shutouts, and a record-setting 348 strikeouts.<\/p>\n<p>How good was \u201cRapid Robert?\u201d Take it from the man often called the greatest hitter who ever lived, Hall of Famer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willite01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ted Williams<\/a>. A few years ago, he wrote: \u201cThree days before he pitched, I would start thinking about Robert Feller. I would sit in my room thinking and seeing him, thinking about him all the time.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/reynoal01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Allie Reynolds<\/a> (an ex-Indian) of the Yankees was tough and I might think of him for about two hours before a game, but Robert Feller \u2026 I\u2019d think about him for three days.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Lemon Aided Staff<\/h2>\n<p>Feller won 20 or more six times. Bob Lemon accomplished the feat seven times. That he did it after coming up as a third baseman\/outfielder is even more remarkable. He appeared in five games apiece for Cleveland in 1941 and 1942. Like Feller and others, he went off to World War II. During this time, he pitched in games against other ballplayers in the armed forces.<\/p>\n<p>After the war, Tigers catcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tebbebi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Birdie Tebbetts<\/a>, who would manage the Indians in the 1960s, told Cleveland skipper\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/boudrlo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lou Boudreau<\/a> that he had handled Lemon in the service. \u201cHe\u2019s got the best sinker I ever caught,\u201d Tebbetts. \u201cYou\u2019re nuts if you don\u2019t make him a pitcher.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"DmfmDHNGR1d1w2c4-TeUnA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/53002300\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'DmfmDHNGR1d1w2c4-TeUnA',sig:'EeGwMbew7Xexol6SQbjsXAwlbaocLqfFANIjc_oQJZI=',w:'475px',h:'594px',items:'53002300',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nLemon, usually a low-key, fun-loving sort, fought the idea. But with a newfound discipline from military service, he followed orders. He pitched in 69 games during 1946-47, mostly in relief. Made a starter in 1948, he pitched 10 shutouts, won 20 with a 2.82 ERA, and earned the victory in Game 6 to clinch the World Series title.<\/p>\n<p>In a 10-year span from 1947 through 1956, Cleveland pitchers won 20 or more games 17 times and had a trio of 20-game winners three times in the 50s. Feller, Garcia, and Wynn did it in 1951; Garcia and Wynn repeated the next year, joined by Lemon; and in \u201956 Lemon and Wynn were joined by young Score \u2013 considered by many a left-handed Feller.<\/p>\n<p>It seemed everybody won 20 for Cleveland. In 1948, lefty knuckleballer\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/beardge01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Gene Bearden<\/a> went 20-7 as a rookie, beat Boston in a one-game playoff for the pennant, then went 1-0 with a save and zero runs allowed in the World Series.<\/p>\n<h2>Herb Score &#8230; What Might Have Been<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"REW4AxggSqdNe9Qw9lOwmg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/515024856\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'REW4AxggSqdNe9Qw9lOwmg',sig:'O-doxtWkZBHmqHhFKazVtXGKvfD3DHctWjQ1m6DGicE=',w:'594px',h:'484px',items:'515024856',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nScore was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1955 and won 20 a year later. Then he got hit in the eye by a line drive in 1957, and was never the same.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe would have been probably one of the greatest, if not the greatest, left-handed pitchers that ever lived,\u201d said Feller. \u201cHe probably would have been better than (Hall of Famer) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/koufasa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sandy Koufax<\/a>. Herb had just as good a curveball as Koufax and a better fastball. If he didn\u2019t get hurt, he would\u2019ve been the best left-hander ever.\u201d<br \/>\n<a id=\"vOhGJGSfQf1LV4RPI_lHOA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/514964916\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'vOhGJGSfQf1LV4RPI_lHOA',sig:'xKua1mUvTCk0LmXhk7bDkCxkJzCkYUZRCfQjf9Dj8G4=',w:'470px',h:'594px',items:'514964916',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>At his short-lived peak, Score was part of a star-studded rotation backed by an outstanding bullpen. \u201cEverybody talks about us Yankees and how we\u2019ve got all these hitters but believe me we need \u2018em because that Cleveland club has enough pitching to win it all \u2013 except that we\u2019ve got some pitchers too that help us stop their good hitters just like their great pitchers do only slightly different,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/03\/01\/yankees-st-louis-browns\/\">New York Yankees<\/a> manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/stengca01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Casey Stengel<\/a> said in his best gibberish in 1955. \u201cThere\u2019s pitchers, then there\u2019s Cleveland\u2019s pitchers, which is a whole different ballgame because their pitchers aren\u2019t like other teams\u2019 pitchers.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Seeking Relief<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"kZ2BFa9EQdVpipBfIqs8Ag\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/517818768\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'kZ2BFa9EQdVpipBfIqs8Ag',sig:'AMUYbPj4IDMvsHLB7sk_9pz3A__4FX-wX0XxMAqio-0=',w:'594px',h:'458px',items:'517818768',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nCleveland was one of the first teams to use relief pitchers in the early part of the 20th century when most clubs let their starters go until their arms fell off. The Indians led the AL in saves for three straight seasons beginning in 1917, when they had a then-whopping team total of 22.<\/p>\n<p>In 1954, manager\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lopezal01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Al Lopez<\/a> became the first to consistently employ a right-left combo to close out games. Hard-throwing right-hander\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/narlera01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ray Narleski<\/a> and lefty <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mossido01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Don Mossi<\/a>, both rookies, were key to the Indians winning 111 games and the AL pennant. Narleski, Bell, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kernji01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jim Kern<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mesajo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jose Mesa<\/a> were closers who blew hitters away with power fastballs. Now, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/claseem01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Emmanuel Clase<\/a>&#8216;s stuff makes them look like a horse and buggy group in a rocketship world.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jonesdo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Doug Jones<\/a>, however, hardly broke the speed limit with his slower-than-slow changeup and got 129 saves in the 1980s. That was the team record until\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wickmbo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bob Wickman<\/a> used his sharp slider to save 139. Then\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/allenco01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cody Allen<\/a> saved 149 with his knucklecurve. He was made all the more effective by setup lefty <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=millean01,miller023and,miller018and,miller017and,miller016and,miller021and,miller020and,miller019and&amp;search=Andrew+Miller&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Andrew Miller<\/a>. His slider was virtually unhittable over 120 games (2016-18) with Cleveland.<\/p>\n<h2>Complete Competitors<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"Jx98jVG7QbxwUPk9HBVr3Q\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/72076025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Jx98jVG7QbxwUPk9HBVr3Q',sig:'BRLkGFMoG6QIjun4ot6tCvHLBOwc3JhSJYB9_TeI8gk=',w:'430px',h:'594px',items:'72076025',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nEmil (Dutch) Levsen frowned upon relievers. Though he had only a 21-26 career record, the right-hander had one incredible performance for the Indians on Aug. 28, 1926. He pitched complete games on both ends of a doubleheader at Boston\u2019s Fenway Park. He allowed four hits in each game, winning 6-1 and 5-1. Even more astounding, he didn\u2019t register a single strikeout over the 18 innings.<\/p>\n<p>No pitcher has done such a Herculean feat since, though the Indians had their share of \u201ciron man\u201d pitchers in their early years. Hot-tempered\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/ferrewe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Wes Ferrell<\/a> won 20 or more in four straight seasons and completed most of his starts, often challenging to fight any manager who dared replace him. Before him, Cleveland native\u00a0George (The Bull) Uhle won 20 or more three times.<\/p>\n<p>Both were more than just fine pitchers. Ferrell hit 37 career homers, the most by any pitcher in history. Uhle hit .289 for his career, the highest batting average by any pitcher.<\/p>\n<p>Decades before the team\u2019s big winners of the 1950s, Cleveland had three pitchers win 20 or more in the same season twice. It happened in 1906 when Joss, Bob Rhoades, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hessot01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Otto Hess<\/a> did it. Then in 1920, ex-Yankee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/caldwra02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ray Caldwell<\/a>, Hall of Famer\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/covelst01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Stan Coveleski<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=bagbyji02,bagbyji01&amp;search=Jim+Bagby&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jim Bagby<\/a> all did. Bagby more than did it. He had a team-record\u00a0 31 wins.<\/p>\n<h2>Winning With Wet Ones<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"rkv316J8RuFo8b614J8xqg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/158862083\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'rkv316J8RuFo8b614J8xqg',sig:'XQHYeWIDtUHsyVsTQPPoaPgjeoYJb7Bi7VuQkRQ2Nd8=',w:'401px',h:'594px',items:'158862083',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nBut it was Coveleski who stepped up in the World Series \u2013 pitching three complete-game victories including a shutout in Game 7 to clinch Cleveland\u2019s first championship. Today, Coveleski would be termed a cheater, for his best pitch was the spitball. He taught it to Caldwell. Both were among the 17 pitchers allowed to continue throwing it when the pitch was ruled illegal for the 1921 season.<\/p>\n<p>Not that others since haven\u2019t tossed a few wet ones. Wynn and Lemon were suspected of doing it. So were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hershor01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Orel Hershiser<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/martide01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dennis Martinez<\/a> when they helped Cleveland reach the 1995 World Series. That club was known for its overpowering offense but also had the lowest team ERA in the AL that year.<\/p>\n<h3>Gaylord the Great<\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"ontPhybMRlhEjij17D9_KQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/81478535\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ontPhybMRlhEjij17D9_KQ',sig:'jIqewNF87jn62GiLPEst2oAev7NWJlDE2yBWKr-jdbw=',w:'440px',h:'594px',items:'81478535',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nThere was no doubt that Gaylord Perry loaded up the baseball while winning 64 games for the Tribe in 1972-74. The question was how in the world did he avoid being caught by umpires constantly on the lookout for his shenanigans? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/bullpen\/Bill_Haller\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bill Haller<\/a>, an AL ump at the time said this about Perry: &#8220;I watch Gaylord like a hawk. He never goes to his mouth. I never see him get any foreign substance. When we umpire, we check balls as well as the catcher&#8217;s glove. I&#8217;ve never found anything. I&#8217;ll tell you what he&#8217;s got: a good curve, a fine fastball, a good change, and a fine sinker. His sinker is the suspicious one. It&#8217;s excellent. I&#8217;ll tell you what Perry is: he&#8217;s one helluva pitcher, a fantastic competitor.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Perry got a particular kick out of that interview. He often claimed that all the fuss was much ado about nothing, but delighted in promoting his image, which got opponents even more riled. In his book <em>Me and the Spitter, An Autobiographical Confession<\/em>, Perry wrote: &#8220;I reckon I tried everything on the old apple but salt and pepper and chocolate sauce topping. Of course, I&#8217;m reformed now. I&#8217;m a pure law-abiding citizen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Harder Threw Softer<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"uoJuaGiPTDZjSXJbP4kZTg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/887555594\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'uoJuaGiPTDZjSXJbP4kZTg',sig:'eqUPYaqisBahBHC5Cz8MzfFrKbo6OntP1dF-B6Azw74=',w:'491px',h:'594px',items:'887555594',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nOne legend always walked the straight and narrow, looking more like a Sunday School teacher than a 20-game winner. Mel Harder won 223 games for Cleveland, mostly in the hard-hitting era of the 1930s. He won the second All-Star Game in 1934, the first of four straight appearances in the midseason classic. He\u2019s still the only pitcher to not allow a run in more than 10 career All-Star innings.<\/p>\n<p>Harder then indeed became an instructor, serving as the Indians\u2019 pitching coach from 1947 through 1963. He turned generations of throwers into pitchers. Garcia, Wynn, Score, and others all credited him with teaching them how to throw a good curveball to go with their big fastballs. \u201cIf Mel Harder couldn\u2019t teach you the curve, then nobody could,\u201d Score once said.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>The Best Was Satch, Natch<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"XoeeWLb2SyJISLnZT497vA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/98146352\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'XoeeWLb2SyJISLnZT497vA',sig:'Dme72dR8O9Qt24Oq7nJ3Bvi33aiv_8JlFpknWf61sx0=',w:'439px',h:'594px',items:'98146352',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>One of the most interesting and entertaining pitchers in team history was the legendary Leroy (Satchel) Paige, who signed out of the Negro Leagues to give the club a boost in its quest for the pennant in 1948. He went 6-1 with a 2.48 ERA as a 42-year-old \u201crookie\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhoever is the highest paid pitcher today would be No. 2 if Satch was still pitching,\u201d fellow Hall of Famer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/dobyla01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Larry Doby<\/a> said three decades later.<\/p>\n<p>Paige is one of 14 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame to pitch for Cleveland. Some, such as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/newhoha01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Hal Newhouser<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/carltst01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Steve Carlton<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/niekrph01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Phil Niekro<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/morrija02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jack Morris<\/a>\u00a0donned a Cleveland uniform in their finals after achieving greatness elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>The Indians have pitched 15 no-hitters and had the AL\u2019s season ERA leader 17 times. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/barkele01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-03-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Len Barker<\/a>&#8216;s perfect game in 1981 was the most recent no-hitter by a Cleveland pitcher, while Bieber&#8217;s minuscule 1.63 ERA in the covid-skewed 2020 season made him the most recent to lead the league in that category.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ll soon see if somebody on the 2023 Guardians staff can add to the Cleveland tradition of maestros on the mound.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2475\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2475\" style=\"width: 680px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2475 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/Dd7PuSlVwAA3wpg-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"680\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/Dd7PuSlVwAA3wpg-1.jpeg 680w, https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/Dd7PuSlVwAA3wpg-1-300x221.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2475\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Left to right, Cleveland Indians starting pitchers in 1965: Luis Tiant, Ralph Terry, Jack Kralick, and Sam McDowell. Photo from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/baseball--469852173619363310\/\">Leigh Apperstein, Pinterest<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GOODYEAR, Az. &#8212; It all starts with pitching for the Cleveland Guardians in 2023. No surprise. Preeminent pitchers are a proud franchise tradition in Cleveland&#8211; the town has had many maestros of the mound. It was true on the way to winning the AL Central last year as staff ace Shane Bieber (13-8, 2.88 ERA),\u00a0Cal [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":2475,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[492,465,554,576,575,577,578,464,579,559],"class_list":["post-2464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guardians","tag-2023-spring-training","tag-aaron-civale","tag-cal-quantrill","tag-cy-young","tag-gaylord-perry","tag-luis-tiant","tag-satchel-paige","tag-shane-bieber","tag-triston-mckenzie","tag-zach-plesac","pmpro-has-access","eq-blocks"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Cleveland\u2019s Maestros of the Mound - Sport Relay<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Preeminent pitchers are a franchise tradition in Cleveland-- the town has had many maestros of the mound &amp; it all starts with pitching in 2023\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/03\/05\/clevelands-maestros-of-the-mound\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Cleveland\u2019s Maestros of the Mound - 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