CLEVELAND -- Happy National Left Hander's Day!
In order to celebrate the occasion, we're counting down the top 10 southpaws in Cleveland sports history. As a note, left-handed hitters were included in the list, regardless of which hand they threw with throughout their playing careers. Switch-hitters, however, were not made eligible for the list.
Honorable mentions:
Delonte West, Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore, Brian Giles, Travis Hafner, Isaiah Thomas, Dave Zastudil, Shoeless Joe Jackson.
10. Tristan Thompson
Although he notoriously switched his shooting hand early in his career, Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson is a natural lefty -- we think.
In seven seasons with the Cavs, Thompson has averaged 9.0 points and 8.4 rebounds. In 2016, the former No. 4 overall pick served as the starting center on the only major Cleveland sports franchise to win a world championship in 52 years.
9. Michael Brantley
Acquired by the Cleveland Indians from the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008, Michael Brantley has proven to be one of the franchise's most consistent players of the past decade. Initially called up to the big leagues in 2009, the left-handed hitter and thrower has made 3 All-Star teams while accumulating a .293 batting average to go along with 83 home runs and 514 RBIs over the course of 10 seasons.
After two injury-plagued seasons, Brantley finds himself in the midst of one of his best campaigns yet. Having played in 105 games, the 31-year-old currently lays claim to a .298 batting average, 13 home runs and 62 RBIs.
8. Sam McDowell
A 6-time All-Star, Sam McDowell spent the first 11 years of his 15-year career pitching for the Indians. Over the course of his time in Cleveland, the 6-foot-5 lefty compiled a 122-109 record, to go along with a 2.99 ERA and 2,159 strikeouts -- the second-most of any pitcher in Indians history.
7. C.C. Sabathia
Called up to Cleveland at just 20-years-old, it didn't take long for C.C. Sabathia to cement his status as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. In just his rookie season, Sabathia compiled a 17-5 record, finishing second in American League Rookie of the Year voting behind Ichiro Suzuki.
Over the course of his eight seasons with the Tribe, the 6-foot-7 lefty would amass a 106-71 record and a 3.83 ERA. In addition to earning the first of his three career All-Star appearances in Cleveland, Sabathia won the 2007 AL Cy Young award while leading the Indians to a division title.
6. Kenny Lofton
One of the fastest players in baseball history, Kenny Lofton got a head start out of the batter's box -- literally. Having spent 10 of his 17 seasons in the majors in Cleveland, Lofton hit for a .300 average during his time with the Indians while recording a franchise record 452 steals.
In addition to his impressive ability in the batter's box and on the base paths, the former Arizona basketball star provided stellar defense in center field, earning four Gold Gloves in his Indians career.
5. Lenny Wilkens
One of the more underrated players in Cavaliers history, Wilkens spent two seasons playing in Cleveland from 1972-74. Although his time with the Cavs came on the back end of his career, the southpaw point guard still averaged 18.5 points and 7.7 assists over the course of 149 games.
4. Tris Speaker
Arguably the greatest center fielder of his era, Tris Speaker won the 1912 A.L. MVP award as a member of the Boston Red Sox. It didn't take long for him to make an impact upon joining the Indians in 1916, as he won a batting title with a .386 average in his first season in Cleveland.
Altogether, Speaker would go on to spend 11 years of his 22-year Hall of Fame career in Cleveland. In addition to his contributions as a player, he served as the Indians player-manager from 1919-1926, winning the franchise's first world series in 1920.
3. Larry Doby
The first African American to play in the American League, Larry Doby threw right-handed but hit from the left side of the plate. A 7-time All-Star, Doby was a key cog on the Indians' 1948 World Series team, hitting for a .301 average and 14 home runs over the course of 121 games.
Spending 10 of his 13 career seasons in Cleveland, Doby compiled a .286 average with the Indians to go along with 215 home runs and 776 RBIs. In 1998, Doby -- who led the American League in home runs in both 1952 and 1955 -- was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
2. Earl Averill
Although he threw with his right arm, Hall of Fame center fielder Earl Averill did his damage at the plate from the left side. In 11 seasons with the Indians, the 5-foot-9 Averill hit for a .322 average -- the sixth-highest in franchise history -- to go along with 226 home runs and an Indians-best 1,084 RBIs.
1. Jim Thome
The latest Indians player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, Jim Thome spent 13 of his 22 career seasons in Cleveland. From 1991-2002, as well as an additional season in 2011, the 6-foot-4 left-handed hitter launched a franchise record 337 home runs, while compiling a .287 batting average.
In 2018, Thome was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame -- his first year on the ballot. Despite having played for a total of six teams over the course of his career, he entered Cooperstown wearing a block 'C' ball cap.