Cleveland Indians History

MLB Realignment: Could Indians-Pirates ever "rival" Browns-Steelers?

They came, they watched, they witnessed a sweep.

More than 100,000 fans of the Cleveland Indians converged to watch their team - despite being in the midst of a rough patch of play relative to the months of April and May - take all three games from the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.  Undoubtedly aided by fireworks, interleague intrigue, one-dollar hotdogs and a cameo by all-city rock star Michael Stanley (he did sell out back-to-back nights at Blossom), the Indians-Pirates series ended in an 11-inning walk-off win capped with brooms by those who endured the rain delay.

Now back in first place with a one-game lead over the Detroit Tigers, the question is worth asking: With the largest three-game attendance total since September of 2008, could the Cleveland Indians actually have a true MLB rival in the Pittsburgh Pirates?

Amidst last week's reports regarding a potential MLB realignment that would move one National League team to the American League in order to form two 15-team leagues, Jim Bowden, former executive for the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, recently made a pitch for a geographic-based version of what current owners are pondering. Bowden's realignment would aim to increase region-based attendance and excitement and, ultimately, revenue. Similar to the NFL's directionally-based divisions that have been a part of the league's rise to prominence, Bowden's proclamation provides undeniable appeal.

In what would be the Central Division within the American Conference, the Indians would still go to battle against the Tigers and Minnesota Twins, but in addition to the other team from Ohio - the Cincinnati Reds - the Wahoos would have a new division rival in the Bucs. A fellow mid-market team that has been handcuffed by salary constraints, Pirate fans have also seen their fair share of big-name players move on to have successes while donning a different jersey. 

Only two hours east, the Pirates' home facility of PNC Park is widely considered one of the best in the game.  Nestled along the infamous three rivers, the scenic surroundings coupled with excellent amenities all within walking distance provides Clevelanders with a worthwhile Plan B when it comes to catching a baseball game.  If the two teams were to play more often than twice per season, PNC Park would be the closest "rival" stadium; Neil Zurcher's dream come true.

Cleveland Indians | History Of The Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers are a Major League ball bar in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The Rangers fool around in the American League West division. The group got its name from the Texas Rangers military squad. While their home stadium’s name has altered over the years, it is now called Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

The initial authorization launched in 1961 as the Washington Senators, in Washington D.C. Following the 1971 season, the Senators were no more, and the group relocated to the Dallas area.

End of Futility

The Rangers are members of an disdainful bar of teams that have never reached the World Series. The other teams are the Seattle Mariners and the Washington Nationals. Only the Rangers and Nationals have never won a playoff series. The Rangers hope to exit this group this season, as they are in first place, and is to first time, have what researcher Nate Silver calls the “secret sauce”.

While the Rangers have never won a pennant, the eminence sounds worse than it is. They have usually played in Texas given 1972. Since then, many other teams have unsuccessful to go low in to October.

If you add their years in Washington, the Rangers authorization is the longest running authorization in any of the 4 first American pro sports leagues that has never won a trophy. That said, the Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants won their ultimate championships before the Rangers came in to existence.

Ownership Change

In 2009, group owners Tom Hicks was reported to have defaulted on a $525 million loan. In April of that year, Hicks spoken that he was prone to put a minority interest in the group up for sale. One month later, the Hicks Sports Group voiced its goal to sell the group in its entirety. Later in the year, Hicks had to steal allowance from MLB to prove payroll demands.

In Aug of 2010, an tenure group comprising of Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan took over the team.

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