The Cleveland Indians haven’t won a World Series since 1948. Just call it the “curse of Bill Veeck.” Veeck was the former Cleveland owner, baseball pioneer and promotional genius that purchased the team in 1947, won a title in 1948 and then financial problems forced him to sell the talented squad in 1949.
Indians president Mark Shapiro and general manager Chris Antonetti, fired skipper Manny Acta on Sept 27, following the team’s 3rd 90-loss season in four years.
Saturday, the club fittingly hired the curse breaker himself , former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona. Francona won two World Series titles with Boston (2004, 2007), breaking an 86-year championship drought known as “The Curse of the Bambino.” The Indians have lost the World Series three times since 1948 -- in 1954, 1995 and 1997. And it’s been 15 seasons since Cleveland has tasted the postseason. Transforming an Indians team that ranked 21st in hitting and 29th in pitching won’t be easy. The Indians are betting Francona can shock baseball again and end the city’s 54-years of World Series futility.
J.R. Gamble writes for The Shadow League. He's been covering pro sports as a radio host and journalist since 1996. He's written for The Raleigh News & Observer, Newsday and SLAM Magazine.. He has co-hosted Sportsrap Radio with A Tribe Called Quest legend Phife Dawg.
