The Cleveland Guardians are a professional Major League Baseball team located in Cleveland, Ohio, and compete in the American League (AL) Central Division. Established as a Major League franchise in 1901, the organization has achieved notable success, including two World Series championships, earned in 1920 and 1948, along with 11 Central Division titles and six American League pennants. On November 6, 2023, Stephen Vogt was appointed as the manager of the Cleveland Guardians, making him the 45th individual to hold this position in the club's history. Mike Chernoff serves as the team's general manager; he has been an influential figure within baseball management since his appointment in 2015.
The origins of the Cleveland Guardians trace back to 1894 when they were founded as the Grand Rapids Rustlers in Grand Rapids, Michigan within the Western League. The franchise relocated to Cleveland in 1900 and was initially named the Cleveland Lake Shores. In 1901, it adopted the name Cleveland Bluebirds or Blues. Over time, the team has undergone several identity changes: from its previous names, Cleveland Naps (1903–1914), and Cleveland Bronchos (1902), to its most recent one "Cleveland Guardians" established in 2022.
Who owns the Cleveland Guardians?
Larry Dolan is the principal owner of the Cleveland Guardians. David Blitzer an American investor and senior executive at Blackstone, has owned 25% of the Cleveland Guardians, since 2022. Larry Dolan is a retired attorney who graduated from St. Ignatius High School and earned his law degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1956. In recognition of his contributions to the legal community, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Cleveland State University.
Dolan served with distinction in the United States Marine Corps for two years, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. Following his military service, he became President and Managing Partner at Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan in Chardon, Ohio. In 2000, through a family trust, Larry Dolan acquired the Cleveland Indians for $323 million from Richard Jacobs. The Jacobs family had purchased the team for $35 million in 1986 before selling it in February 2000 to Larry Dolan and family trusts.
Larry Dolan became the principal owner of the Cleveland Guardians in 2000, acquiring the franchise and transforming it into a privately held entity. As part of this transaction, Dolan purchased all shares at $12 per share. During his tenure, the team reached the World Series in 2016; however, they were defeated by the Chicago Cubs in a closely contested series. In 2006, Dolan launched SportsTime Ohio to broadcast Guardians games; this network was sold to Fox Entertainment Group in 2012. Notably, in November 2021, the baseball team officially changed its name from Indians to Guardians. Paul Dolan one of the children of Larry Dolan is the chairman, CEO of the Cleveland Guardians, and controlling owner of the baseball team.
Cleveland Guardians Valuation
As per Forbes in March 2024, the Cleveland Guardians' valuation is $1.35B.
List of Cleveland Guardians owners
Here is the list of all owners of the Cleveland Guardians throughout its history:
| Name | Years |
| Charles W. Somers | 1900–1916 |
| Jim Dunn | 1916–1922 |
| Dunn estate | 1922–1927 |
| Alva Bradley | 1927–1946 |
| Bill Veeck | 1946–1949 |
| Ellis Ryan | 1949–1952 |
| Myron H. Wilson | 1953–1956 |
| William R. Daley | 1956–1962 |
| Gabe Paul | 1963–1966 |
| Vernon Stouffer | 1967–1972 |
| Nick Mileti | 1972–1976 |
| Ted Bonda | 1977–1978 |
| Steve O'Neill | 1978–1983 |
| O'Neill estate | 1983–1986 |
| Richard Jacobs | 1986–2000 |
| Dolan family (Larry, Paul, Matt) | 2000–present |
| David Blitzer | 2022–present |
FAQs
A. The Cleveland Guardians were founded in 1901 as a charter member of the American League.
A. The team was known as the Cleveland Indians from 1915 until they changed their name to the Cleveland Guardians in 2021.
A. The Cleveland Guardians play their home games at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
A. The Cleveland Guardians have won two World Series championships, in 1920 and 1948.
A. As of 2024, the manager of the Cleveland Guardians is Stephen Vogt.
