- Nap Lajoie has the highest bWAR in Cleveland Guardians history.
- Guardians have won the Cy Young award in six different seasons.
- Al Rosen was the last Guardians MVP winner back in 1953.
With a franchise history dating back to 1901, there’s a massive number of players to choose from when selecting the best Cleveland Guardians of all time. While some players are still active and boost the team’s current MLB odds of winning a World Series in the coming years, all of my top five retired long ago.
Cleveland has won two World Series, the most recent of which was in 1948. Eight former Guardians have had their numbers retired by the franchise.
Here are my five greatest Cleveland Guardians:
Best Cleveland Guardians Players of All Time
| Rank | Player | Position | Guardians Years |
| 1 | Tris Speaker | Center Fielder | 1916-1926 |
| 2 | Nap Lajoie | Second Baseman | 1902-1914 |
| 3 | Bob Feller | Starting Pitcher | 1936-1941, 1945-1956 |
| 4 | Joe Jackson | Right Fielder | 1910-1915 |
| 5 | Addie Joss | Starting Pitcher | 1902-1910 |
1. Tris Speaker
The all-time MLB leader in doubles, Tris Speaker, might have won his MVP as a member of the Red Sox, but he played the majority of his career for Cleveland.
Speaker clocked a 158 OPS+ for the franchise and was integral in their World Series win in 1920. Only one player can better Speaker’s OPS+. He was also one of the best defensive center fielders of his generation and racked up 74.9 bWAR during his time with the Guardians.
2. Nap Lajoie
With the franchise lead in bWAR, Nap Lajoie was a lock for either first or second in these rankings. Lajoie won two batting titles as a Guardian and would have been a perennial All-Star.
Owning the franchise lead in hits and with the third-best OPS+, Lajoie’s power numbers might be lower than others because of the dead-ball era, but he was one of the premier hitters in baseball throughout his time in Cleveland.
3. Bob Feller
Bob Feller has the highest bWAR of any pitcher in Cleveland Guardians history. His career ERA+ is only 122, but that is partly down to missing three of his peak years of military service.
Born on this day in 1918:
Bob Feller
🔥 2,581 SO
⚾️ 266 Wins
⚾️ 3 No-Hitters
🇺🇸 Navy Chief Petty Officer pic.twitter.com/oI27E0xg6O— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) November 3, 2022
Feller received MVP votes in seven seasons and clocked three straight top-three finishes between 1939 and 1941. With the most innings pitched, complete games and strikeouts in franchise history, there was no question that Feller deserved a place in the top five.
4. Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson is primarily remembered for his involvement in the Black Sox scandal and subsequent banishment from baseball. Prior to the controversy, though, Jackson was one of the best outfielders in the sport.
The Pickens County native had a remarkable 182 OPS+ over his six seasons in Cleveland. He finished in the top five of MVP voting in three campaigns and had an OPS+ above 190 in 1911, 1912 and 1913.
5. Addie Joss
Addie Joss has the lowest WHIP in MLB history. His 143 ERA+ is the best of any Cleveland pitcher.
All nine of Joss’ MLB seasons were played with Cleveland. He passed away at just 31 years of age due to tuberculous meningitis. Despite illness cutting his career and life short, Joss still ranks sixth in franchise history in innings pitched, sixth in wins, and first in shutouts.