In 1946, Bill Veeck

Bill Veeck

William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...

 finally became the owner of a major league team, the Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...

. He immediately put the team's games on radio, and set about to put his own indelible stamp on the franchise. Actor Bob Hope

Bob Hope

Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...

 also acquired a minority share of the Indians.

Offseason

• Prior to 1946 season: Al Aber
  Al Aber
  Albert Julius Aber , nicknamed Lefty, was a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played six years in the Major Leagues with the Cleveland Indians , Detroit Tigers , and Kansas City Athletics ....
  
   was signed as an amateur free agent by the Indians.

Regular season

During the season, Bob Feller

Bob Feller

On December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...

 became the last pitcher to win at least 25 games in one season for the Indians in the 20th century.

Notable transactions

• June 26, 1946: Mickey Rocco
  Mickey Rocco
  Michael Dominick Rocco was a Major League Baseball player for the Cleveland Indians from 1943 to 1946. He was the Tribe's regular first baseman for the majority of the World War II years....
  
   and cash were traded by the Indians to the Chicago Cubs
  Chicago Cubs
  The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
  
   for Heinz Becker
  Heinz Becker
  Heinz Reinhard Becker was a Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians...
  
  .
• July 4, 1946: The Indians traded a player to be named later to the Chicago White Sox
  Chicago White Sox
  The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
  
   for Tom Jordan
  Tom Jordan (baseball)
  Thomas Jefferson Jordan is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for three seasons. He played for the Chicago White Sox in 1944 and 1946, the Cleveland Indians in 1946, and the St. Louis Browns in 1948. He was born in Lawton, Oklahoma.-External links:...
  
  . The Indians completed the deal by sending Frankie Hayes
  Frankie Hayes
  Frank Witman Hayes was an American professional baseball player. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to and, was highly regarded for his defensive abilities. He played most of his career for Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics and also spent time with the St. Louis Browns,...
  
   to the White Sox on July 15.

Roster

1946 Cleveland Indians
Roster
Pitchers		Catchers Infielders		Outfielders Other batters		Manager Coaches

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pos	Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
	34	98	24	.245	2	14

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
	48	371.1	26	15	2.18	348

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
	21	3	6	1	3.38	16

Awards and honors

• Bob Feller
  Bob Feller
  On December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
  
  , Led American League with 36 complete games (it would also be the highest total in the decade)

All-Star Game

1946 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

The 1946 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 14th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 1946, at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts the home of the...

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Harrisburg, Centreville, Batavia