5 Things to Know About the 1966 Cleveland Indians

The 1966 Cleveland Indians had an up-and-down year, both on and off the field. What really happened to the Cleveland Indians that year? Let’s take a look at five key things that defined their season, from how they played to who showed up to watch.
Season Performance
The Indians’ on-field performance in 1966 was the very definition of mediocrity, finishing the season with a perfectly balanced 81-81 record. This .500 winning percentage landed them in fifth place in the American League, a considerable 17 games behind the league-leading Baltimore Orioles. It was a season that neither thrilled nor disappointed, leaving fans and management alike in a state of limbo. The team showed brilliance at times but struggled to find consistency throughout the long summer months.
Fan Support
Despite the team’s middling performance, the loyal fans of Cleveland continued to show up in droves. Cleveland Stadium, the home field of the Indians, welcomed a total of 903,359 spectators through its gates over the course of the 1966 season. Even in the face of an unremarkable season, the passion of the fanbase remained undiminished.
Managerial Changes
The 1966 season was also marked by significant changes in leadership and reflected a period of organizational instability for the team. That year began under the leadership of manager Birdie Tebbetts, who guided the team to a decent 66-57 record. However, Tebbetts’ tenure came to an abrupt end, and George Strickland stepped in to finish out the season. Strickland’s brief 39-game stint at the helm resulted in a less impressive 15-24 record.
Key Player Performances
While the team as a whole may have struggled to find its footing, several individual players shone brightly throughout the season. Offensively, the Indians were led by the powerful bat of Rocky Colavito, who crushed 30 home runs over the course of the year. Not to be outdone, Leon Wagner significantly contributed to the team’s offensive output, posting a solid .279 batting average along with 23 home runs of his own.
Emerging Talent
Perhaps most significantly, the 1966 season saw the continued development of a player who would go on to become a franchise icon. Sam McDowell, a young pitcher with electric stuff, was beginning to come into his own as a dominant force on the mound. McDowell’s performances during this season set the stage for his future prominence within the organization and his eventual place in Cleveland baseball lore. The 1966 Cleveland Indians season, while not a standout year in terms of on-field success, serves as a reminder that in baseball, as in life, even the most ordinary years can contain the seeds of extraordinary things to come.