During the 1950’s, the Cleveland Indians were a powerhouse team composed of Bob Feller, Doby, Minnie Miñoso, Luke Easter, Bobby Ávila, Al Rosen, Early Wynn, Bob Lemon, and Mike Garcia continued to contend through the early 1950s. However, Cleveland only won a single pennant in the decade, in 1954, finishing second to the New York Yankees five different times during that span.
The winningest season in franchise history came in 1954, when the Indians finished the season with a record of 111–43 (.721). That mark set an American League record for wins which stood for 44 years until the Yankees won 114 games in 1998 (a 162-game regular season). The Indians 1954 winning percentage of .721 is still an American League record. The Indians returned to the World Series to face the New York Giants. The team could not bring home the title, however, ultimately being upset by the Giants in a sweep.
This lot features a collection of 14 vintage (1940’s and ‘50s) Cleveland Indians pennants including two commemorating the team’s 1954 American League championship. Each of the 14 felt pennants feature various, progressive incarnations of the team’s famous “Chief Wahoo” logo. The pennants are all nicely preserved and are ready for hanging!