In 1987, a pair of young Cleveland Indians — along with the team’s mascot, Chief Wahoo — graced the cover of an April edition of Sports Illustrated with a bold proclamation.
“Believe it!’’ read a tease to the left of grinning right fielder Cory Snyder and utilityman Joe Carter. “Cleveland is the best team in the American League.’’
Inside the magazine, a 2,500-word feature presented the Indians as a pennant contender, as a team capable of “restoring the history’’ of an organization that won World Series titles in 1920 and 1948. “There’s a feeling that this is the year,’’ wrote the story’s author, Ron Fimrite.