'Dealing: The Cleveland Indians' New Ballgame'

by Terry Pluto

Sunday April 27, 2008, 2:52 AM

 

THE CLEVELAND INDIANS dominated baseball's AL Central in the 1990s. But new owners found the economics radically different -- the novelty of a new stadium wore off, other Cleveland teams attracted fans again, and the Central Division rivals raised their games.

How does a team with the finances of a small market compete against big spenders like the New York Yankees? How does a team find and develop young stars?

Award-winning sports journalist Terry Pluto, a columnist for The Plain Dealer, explains in "Dealing: The Cleveland Indians' New Ballgame," updated from its 2006 first edition with details of last season.

Pluto compiles scouting reports, statistics and inside details of the deals that brought winning baseball back to Cleveland. And he explains why Indians fans can expect to lose their favorite players and see their team's fortunes rise and fall. Read exclusive excerpts from the book in The Plain Dealer and at cleveland.com.

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ONLINE CHAPTERS

Introduction: Facing a scary new ballgame

2: The Dolan family takes over

12: The end of the era of sellouts

15: Dreams become nightmares in 2006

16: Contenders again