Some say the America League Central Division title is not worth the paper it is printed on.

Running away with the division? Hah!

Critics can scoff all they want. Despite injuries and season-long slumps, the Indians clinched their fourth straight Central Division title Wednesday night with an 8-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

And no matter how many times they do it or how docile the competition, it is still special to manager Mike Hargrove.

"In 1992, if I had told everybody that starting in 1995 we'd do what we've done, a lot of people would have laughed," Hargrove said.

"And I wouldn't have blamed them."

The Indians, one of the worst teams in sports for nearly four decades, became only the third team to win four straight division titles since divisional play started in 1969.

They joined Atlanta, on its current run of seven straight, and the Oakland A's, who won the AL West from 1971-75.

With their 84th victory, the Indians wrapped up the title a week earlier than last season - when they clinched with a dramatic, seven-run comeback for a 10-9 victory over the New York Yankees on Sept. 23.

Before the clinching game, Hargrove repeated a statement he made last fall before game six of the World Series.