Run to glory Indians' scoring pace reminiscent of Yankee dominance Click here for more on this story Posted: Tuesday July 06, 1999 10:35 PM   I'll take that! Leading the league in runs scored, Roberto Alomar has gotten plenty of practice perfecting his slide. AP By Desmond M. Wallace, CNN/SI With their overpowering offensive start, the Cleveland Indians are drawing comparisons to some of the great New York Yankees teams -- both past and present. As the 1999 season hits its midpoint, the Indians' star-studded lineup is on pace to break the 1931 Yankees' 20th-century record of 1,067 runs in a single season. Through the first 81 games, the Indians have scored 539 runs, which projects to 1,078 runs over the course of a 162-game season. Seattle also is on pace to score more than 1,000 runs this season, with 518 runs in its first 82 games. Much of the credit for the Indians' offensive explosion, of course, goes to right fielder Manny Ramirez, who leads the majors in RBIs. Homeward Bound Most team runs in a single season Year Team Runs 1931 1936 1930 1950 1930 1932 1930 1996 1929 New York Yankees New York Yankees New York Yankees Boston Red Sox St. Louis Cardinals New York Yankees Chicago Cubs Seattle Mariners Chicago Cubs 1,067 1,065 1,062 1,027 1,004 1,002 998 993 982 Indians stats through 81 games   Ramirez is on pace to drive in 187 runs, which would be the second-highest RBI total in baseball history, behind Hack Wilson's 191 in 1930. Lou Gehrig, who is currently No. 2, drove in 184 runs in the Yankees' explosive 1931 season. But as great a run-producer as Ramirez is, even he benefits from the fact that three other Indians have on-base percentages above .400: Roberto Alomar, Jim Thome and Kenny Lofton. Not surprisingly, Alomar and Lofton are among the AL leaders in runs scored. Cleveland also has scored at least double-digit runs a remarkable 14 times, including a 21-hit, 20-run performance against Tampa Bay in May. However, as impressive as the Indians are this season, part of the club's lack of national recognition is because so much attention was heaped on the Yankees last year.   Juggernauts Comparing the '98 Yankees and '99 Indians Stat NY 98 Cle 99 Batting Average At-bats/home run At-bats/run On-base pct. Total bases/gm .288 27.3 5.8 .364 16.0 .296 25.3 5.3 .373 16.9 Indians stats through 81 games But even a quick comparison of the two clubs reveals that the '99 Indians have a distinct offensive advantage over the so-called "greatest team of all time." The Indians are better in nearly every major offensive category than the '98 Yankees, a team that won 125 games (114 in the regular season) en route to the World Series title. New York scored 965 runs last year. But only time will tell if the Indians will be able to match up with the offensive production of the Yankees of 1931.   Related information Stories Mets' Cedeno making run at milestone Cincinnati feeling right at home on the road Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.

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