Most Indians’ fans think of Rick Manning as one of the T.V. Broadcasters. But he was also a good player for the Indians quite a while ago. In 1976 Manning had his best season with the Indians. He played in 138 games in 1976 and he was 161 of 552 (.292 avg, .730 OPS) with 73 runs scored, 6 homers, 43 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Manning also won a Gold Glove in CF in 1976 for the Indians. It was the only Gold Glove Manning would win despite a very solid reputation as a defensive player. Manning played in 1,063 games in his 9 years with the Tribe and he is 1,053 of 3,997 (.263 avg, .664 OPS) with 500 runs scored, 36 homers, 336 RBIs and 142 stolen bases.

1B/DH Andre “Thunder” Thornton was one of the only reasons to come out and watch the Cleveland Indians for the 10 years he played with them. The teams were always lousy but that didn’t seem to bother Thornton who always seemed to come through despite usually having not much help in the lineup. Thornton played in 1,225 games in his 10 years with the Indians and he was 1,095 of 4,313 (.254 avg, .809 OPS) with 650 runs scored, 214 homers, 749 RBIs and 39 stolen bases. Thornton is #7 all-time in Indians’ history with 214 homers and he is also #7 all-time in walks with 685. Thornton was a 2-time All-Star for the Indians and he won one Silver Slugger Award. Thornton was also a good person and that’s the real reason that so many fans liked him in Cleveland.

Righty reliever Doug Jones didn’t come to the Indians until he was 30 years old and he didn’t have great stuff. His fastball could barely dent a couch but he had a great changeup. Jones was also a bulldog who came right after hitters with his below par stuff and he not only made it work….but he turned into a great relief pitcher. Jones pitched in 295 games (4 starts) in his career with the Indians and he was 27-34 with 129 saves, 3.06 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. From 1988-1990 he was one of the best closers in all of baseball as he made the All-Star team three straight years and he wasn’t picked because the team had to have a Indian….it was because he deserved the honor. In those three years, Jones pitched in 176 games (0 starts) in which he was 15-19 with 112 saves, a 2.39 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. Despite only being on the Tribe for a short time, Jones is #2 all-time in saves in team history with 129.

Miguel Dilone came to the Indians in 1980 and he was mainly a pinch runner and defensive replacement until he came to the Tribe. All Dilone did in 1980 was play in 132 games in which he was 180 for 528 (.341 avg, .807 OPS) with 82 runs scored, 0 homers, 40 RBIs and 61 stolen bases. Dilone never could repeat his success of 1980 again. He played four years with the Indians playing in 340 games in which he was 360 for 1,244 (.289 avg, .700 OPS) with 180 runs scored, 3 homers, 91 RBIs and 128 stolen bases. Indians’ fans didn’t have much to cheer when Dilone played for them so his 1980 season gave them hope which quickly faded just like his career did. Dilone played in 460 games in his career with other teams and he was 170 for 756 (.225 avg) with 134 runs scored, 3 homers, 38 RBIs and 139 stolen bases. So, Dilone’s moment in the sun was with the Cleveland Indians and not many players would say that back then.