The Cleveland Indians, now known as the Guardians, boast one of the richest legacies of hitters in Major League Baseball. Recently, José Ramírez moved into second place on the franchise’s all-time extra-base hit list, trailing only Hall of Famer Earl Averill. Though the team has never had a player notch 3,000 hits or 500 home runs in years played for Cleveland, it has featured some of the most dangerous hitters in baseball history. Many of them, however, didn’t spend their entire careers in Cleveland. Legends like Joe Jackson, Tris Speaker, Rocky Colavito, Manny Ramirez, and Jim Thome were all let go or moved on during their primes. Still, Hall of Famers such as Speaker, Jackson, Averill, Lou Boudreau, and Thome have helped define the club’s offensive tradition. Here are the greatest hitters in Cleveland franchise history, ranked by their relative OPS (adjusted for ballpark and era) during their time with the team.
Joe Jackson – 182 OPS+
“Shoeless” Joe Jackson had one of the most extraordinary pure hitting strokes in baseball history. During his six seasons with Cleveland (1910–1915), he batted .375 with a jaw-dropping .944 OPS—numbers that remain eye-popping even in modern metrics. His OPS+ of 182 means he was 82% better than league average, the highest in franchise history. Jackson’s combination of average, power, and speed made him a fan favorite, but he was traded to the White Sox in 1915, a move that still frustrates historians. Though banned from baseball due to his role in the 1919 Black Sox scandal, his legacy in Cleveland is untainted and revered. Many believe he belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Tris Speaker – 158 OPS+
A cerebral center fielder and a fierce competitor, Tris Speaker was a cornerstone of Cleveland baseball from 1916 to 1926. His time in Cleveland included a player-manager role and a World Series title in 1920. Speaker posted a .354 batting average with the team and an OPS+ of 158. Known for his gap power and daring base running, he still holds the MLB record for career doubles. Speaker is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and his decade in Cleveland helped stabilize the franchise after the loss of Ray Chapman in 1920. Like Jackson, he was moved along before his playing days were over, but his impact was immense.
ALSO SEE: 100 Greatest Center Fielders in History
Nap Lajoie – 155 OPS+
Nap Lajoie was such a revered figure in Cleveland that the team was literally renamed the “Naps” in his honor. A cornerstone from 1902 to 1914, Lajoie was the face of early Cleveland baseball, hitting .339 in his time with the team. A master of contact hitting and infield defense, Lajoie helped legitimize the franchise during its American League infancy. His 155 OPS+ confirms his offensive brilliance, and he was one of the first players elected to the Hall of Fame. His name is still synonymous with the roots of Cleveland baseball.
Manny Ramirez – 152 OPS+
Before becoming a feared slugger in Boston, Manny Ramirez electrified Cleveland fans from 1993 to 2000. With an OPS+ of 152, he was a hitting machine, combining plate discipline, power, and contact at an elite level. Ramirez helped lead the Indians to two World Series appearances in the ’90s and formed part of one of the most dangerous lineups in MLB history. Despite his production, the team let him walk in free agency—a decision that echoed Cleveland’s pattern of parting with offensive stars. Manny finished with a .998 OPS in Cleveland, and his legend remains.
Jim Thome – 152 OPS+
Jim Thome’s left-handed power was a signature of Cleveland baseball during the ’90s and early 2000s. He smashed 337 of his 612 career home runs in an Indians uniform, making him the franchise’s all-time home run leader. Thome’s 152 OPS+ reflects his dominance as a slugger and his ability to get on base. A five-time All-Star and a member of the Hall of Fame, Thome’s legacy was complicated when he left for Philadelphia in 2003, but he was warmly welcomed back later in his career. Thome remains one of the most beloved figures in team history and one of the best players in Cleveland history.
Albert Belle – 150 OPS+
Albert Belle’s intensity and raw power made him a fearsome force in Cleveland’s lineup from 1989 to 1996. Belle posted a 150 OPS+, with peak seasons that included the historic 1995 campaign in which he became the first player to hit 50 home runs and 50 doubles in the same season. His fiery demeanor sometimes overshadowed his production, but his bat spoke loudly. Belle left via free agency at the peak of his powers, leaving Cleveland fans to wonder what might have been had he stayed.
Elmer Flick – 144 OPS+
Hall of Famer Elmer Flick starred for Cleveland from 1902 to 1910, delivering speed, consistency, and offensive spark. Flick won a batting title in 1905 and posted a .306 average during his time with the franchise. His 144 OPS+ speaks to his value in an era where power was rare and speed reigned supreme. Flick’s all-around play earned him enshrinement in Cooperstown, and he remains one of the forgotten legends of early Cleveland baseball.
Larry Doby – 140 OPS+
Larry Doby broke the American League color barrier with Cleveland in 1947, just months after Jackie Robinson debuted in the National League. A trailblazer and a seven-time All-Star, Doby helped lead the 1948 Indians to a World Series title. His 140 OPS+ reflects his impact as both a slugger and a consistent run producer. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998, Doby’s courage and talent changed the face of baseball, and Cleveland was lucky to have him.
Charlie Hickman – 140 OPS+
A versatile player in the deadball era, Charlie Hickman had a brief but powerful stint in Cleveland from 1902 to 1904. With a 140 OPS+, Hickman posted some of his best seasons in a Cleveland uniform, including a 1902 campaign where he led the league in total bases. Known for his big bat and big personality, he brought excitement during the early years of the franchise.
Travis Hafner – 138 OPS+
“Pronk” was a modern-day slugger who became one of the most feared designated hitters in baseball from 2003 to 2012. Travis Hafner’s OPS+ of 138 ranks among the best in franchise history, and his 2006 season (42 home runs, 117 RBIs) remains legendary. Injuries curtailed what could have been a Hall of Fame career, but Hafner’s peak was elite. He was the power anchor of the lineup for nearly a decade. He rates as one of the Best Designated Hitters in MLB history.
Rico Carty – 137 OPS+
Though he played only three seasons in Cleveland (1974–1977), Rico Carty made his at-bats count. The former batting champ had a 137 OPS+ with the Indians, using his strong plate discipline and bat control to generate offense. Carty’s time with Cleveland is often overlooked, but his veteran presence and consistent production were valuable during a transitional period for the team.
Rocky Colavito – 137 OPS+
One of the most beloved players in Cleveland history, Rocky Colavito was the face of the franchise in the late 1950s. A fan favorite for his towering home runs and charisma, Colavito’s 137 OPS+ reflects his star power. His 42-homer season in 1959 remains iconic, but his shocking trade to Detroit in 1960 became a cautionary tale—sparking the so-called “Curse of Rocky Colavito.” His legacy in Cleveland remains massive.
Jeff Heath – 137 OPS+
Jeff Heath was a dynamic outfielder from 1936 to 1945, posting a 137 OPS+ and delivering speed and power. A two-time All-Star, Heath led the league in triples twice and consistently drove in runs. His blend of aggression and athleticism made him a spark plug in the pre-World War II era, and he remains one of the franchise’s top all-around hitters.
Al Rosen – 137 OPS+
Al Rosen was the 1953 American League MVP, a season in which he led the league in home runs, RBIs, and slugging percentage. With a 137 OPS+, Rosen’s six full seasons (1947–1956) packed in an incredible offensive punch. Injuries cut his career short, but at his peak, he was one of the best in baseball. Rosen also later served as a successful front-office executive.
ALSO SEE: 100 Greatest Third Basemen in History
Earl Averill – 136 OPS+
The franchise’s all-time leader in extra-base hits, Earl Averill was the centerpiece of Cleveland’s offense during the 1930s. A Hall of Famer and six-time All-Star, Averill finished his Cleveland career with 226 home runs and a .318 average. His 136 OPS+ and consistent production made him a foundational player. Averill’s power and poise made him a legend whose numbers stood for nearly a century.
Hal Trosky – 135 OPS+
Hal Trosky’s bat helped define Cleveland baseball in the 1930s. The slugging first baseman hit 216 home runs for the team and posted a 135 OPS+. His 1936 season, with 42 homers and 162 RBIs, remains one of the most dominant single-season performances in team history. Though injuries shortened his career, Trosky was a star in his prime.
Roberto Alomar – 134 OPS+
Though only with Cleveland for three seasons (1999–2001), Roberto Alomar made a massive impact, winning three Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers while posting a 134 OPS+. He was an elite switch-hitter and a dynamic presence on both sides of the ball. Alomar helped lead the team to playoff contention and earned Baseball Hall of Fame election in 2011.
Shin-Soo Choo – 134 OPS+
Shin-Soo Choo quietly became one of Cleveland’s most consistent hitters in the late 2000s and early 2010s. His blend of power, patience, and athleticism produced a 134 OPS+ during his seven seasons with the team. Choo’s ability to get on base and deliver clutch hits made him a fan favorite, even if he often flew under the national radar.
Les Fleming – 134 OPS+
A lesser-known name today, Les Fleming had a short but impactful run in Cleveland during the early 1940s. His 134 OPS+ over four seasons showcased a disciplined hitter who could drive in runs and get on base consistently. Fleming’s best season came in 1942, when he hit .292 with 96 RBIs.
David Justice – 132 OPS+
David Justice brought veteran leadership and offensive punch to Cleveland during its competitive late-1990s run. His 132 OPS+ over three seasons helped keep the team in contention, and he hit 33 home runs in 1997. Justice’s professionalism and big-game experience were valuable assets, even if his time in Cleveland was relatively brief.
José Ramírez – 130 OPS+
Currently the face of the franchise, José Ramírez has become one of the best switch-hitters in baseball history. As of 2025, he ranks second all-time in Cleveland franchise history in extra-base hits, trailing only Earl Averill. His 130 OPS+ shows his elite offensive value, and his blend of power, speed, and defensive excellence makes him a perennial MVP candidate. Unlike many stars before him, Ramírez has chosen to stay in Cleveland long-term, and fans hope he’ll continue climbing the all-time lists and cement his legacy as one of the greatest Guardians of all time.
