13 Reasons The '95 Cleveland Indians Were The Greatest Team Ever

I am a Cleveland sports fan. LET ME HAVE THIS.

1. The 1995 Cleveland Indians had arguably one of the best batting lineups of the whole entire 1990s.

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2. In 1995, Jacobs Field was still called Jacobs Field.

Getty / Jed Jacobsohn

Suck it, "Progressive Field."

3. And in 1995, the Indians went to the World Series for the first time since 1954. 1954!

Getty / Otto Greule Jr.

4. In the regular season, the Indians led the American League in nearly every offensive category, including runs scored (840), hits (1,461), home runs (207), runs batted in (803), stolen bases (132), batting average (.291) and slugging percentage (.479).

Getty / Stephen Dunn

They also struck out the fewest times (766) of all 28 MLB teams.

5. Rumor has it that Jacobs Field had to Superglue all their bases down, because Kenny Lofton kept STEALING THEM.

Getty / Al Bello

In 1995, his 54 stolen bases led the AL for the third consecutive season.

Look at him LITERALLY LEVITATE.

Getty / Al Bello

That's right, the '95 Indians were so good they could actually defy gravity.

Getty / Otto Greule Jr.

6. In 1995, left fielder Albert Belle became the first player in major league history to hit 50 home runs and 50 doubles in the same season.

Getty / Stephen Dunn

Imagine being so awesome,* you could just chill out on a base.

Getty / Al Bello

*Except for the corked bat scandal, obviously. :(

7. Jim Thome led the team by hitting .314 with 25 home runs and 73 RBIs.

Getty / Otto Greule Jr.

8. Eddie Murray proved that designated hitters are a good idea. Because he definitely hit as designated.

Getty / Otto Greule Jr.

As in, he reached the 3,000-hit mark on June 30, 1995, with a single to right field off Minnesota Twins pitcher Mike Trombley.

9. Playing right fielder for the '95 Tribe was also a rookie named Manny Ramirez.

Getty / Al Bello

He batted 7th in the lineup, because you know your team is awesome when you can stick MANNY RAMIREZ that far down.

Or maybe you have heard of this guy. His name is OREL HERSHISER.

Getty / Jed Jacobsohn

10. Sandy Alomar Jr. was not only a stellar catcher, but a solid hitter as well.

Getty / Jed Jacobsohn

Getty / Craig Jones

Despite suffering a spring training knee injury, Alomar was hitting over .400 14 games into the season.

11. Omar Vizquel won nine consecutive Gold Gloves, which was a record only beaten by A-Rod in 2002.

Getty / Al Bello

Getty / Al Bello

12. José Mesa was a peerless closer and carried the team to many of their post-season victories.

Getty / Al Bello

In 64 innings pitched over 62 appearances, Mesa had a 1.12 ERA, saved 46 games and won three.

13. Manager Mike Hargrove expertly led the Tribe to their World Series appearance.

Getty / Jed Jacobsohn

A former first baseman, Hargrove would later be honored as one of the Cleveland Indians' top 100 players in team history. He also led the team to additional playoffs from 1995-99.

However, 1995 ended on a heartbroken note, as Cleveland lost 4-2 to Atlanta in the World Series.

Getty / Rick Stewart

Ever since, Cleveland fans have been left with a lingering hatred for the Atlanta Braves.

Getty / Otto Greule Jr.

Especially Chipper Jones.

Getty / Otto Greule Jr.

"CHIPPER" IS NOT EVEN A REAL HUMAN NAME.

But luckily, the Indians had another banner year in 1997, defeating the Yankees and the Orioles to face the Marlins in the World Series.

Getty / Doug Pensinger

(Leading to one of the most epic -- although ultimately disappointing -- Game 7's in the history of the championship.)