The Cleveland Indians had not lost to the Atlanta Braves or the Florida Marlins in the World Series yet. Jim Thome was a third baseman. Terry Francona had not begun his managerial career. Francisco Lindor was less than a year old.
These are just a few of the things that were true 26 years ago, when Jacobs Field opened its gates for the first time in 1994. Fast-forward to present day: the Indians have lost three Fall Classics–two of them in soul-stealing fashion. Thome is enshrined in Cooperstown. Francona is 91 victories away from becoming the Tribe’s all-time winningest skipper.