Cleveland Indians: Three Keys to an Indians World Series Championship

The Cleveland Indians will take on the Chicago Cubs tonight when Game 1 of the 2016 World Series kicks off at Progressive Field in Cleveland. For the first time since 1997, Indians fans will have a rooting interest in the Fall Classic, as the Indians search for their first World Series championship since 1948.

In 1948 the late Bill Veeck turned to the Negro Leagues to acquire Satchel Paige just one year after he signed Larry Doby, helping break the color barrier in the American League, and leading the Cleveland Indians to their last World Series championship 68 years ago.

In fitting fashion the Indians will be opposed this week by a team with an even more storied history of falling short of the ultimate prize in baseball, the Chicago Cubs. The Chicago Cubs have not won a World Series championship since 1908, 108 years ago. The “Lovable Losers” seem to have the will of a century of hungry fans on their side, as well as possibly the most talented all-around team in baseball.

So how can the Indians answer their own city’s long-running baseball suffering, and make the Cubs fans wait at least one more year to shake the curse? Here are three keys to a Cleveland Indians World Series championship.