Top 25 MLB stories of 2017, from Aaron Judge to Houston Strong

9. The Windians

From August 24 to September 14, the Cleveland Indians did a lot of things. One of the things they did not manage to do, however, was lose a game. That’s right, the Indians won 22 games in a row to set a modern record. Only the 1916 New York Giants had a longer winning streak, at 26 games. Cleveland’s, given the nature and heightened competitiveness of baseball in the 21st Century, is overwhelmingly more impressive.

The Indians didn’t just beat teams during their winning streak, they annihilated them. Over the course of 22 games, the Tribe outscored their opponents by a whopping 142-37. After the streak ended, the Indians picked right up where they left off and won five more in a row to bring their total to 27 of 28.

With their streak propelling them to the American League’s best record, the Indians entered the playoffs as the overwhelming favorite to reach the World Series. They even won the first two games of the ALDS against the New York Yankees. It looked like smooth sailing, but it was not to be. In Game 5, Cy Young winner Corey Kluber was roughed up for two home runs and three runs in only 3.2 innings. The Yankees won 5-2 and the Indians were done.

The disappointment of the ALDS aside, the Indians and their fanbase have to be exceedingly happy about the way the 2017 season turned out. Jose Ramirez joined Francisco Lindor as a legitimate MVP candidate. Right-handers Mike Clevinger and Trevor Bauer also came of age in the second half and give the team the best five-man rotation in the American League by a longshot.