Indians’ record-breaking streak stands test of time

David Eckstein did not start paying attention to the Cleveland Indians’ historic winning streak until it reached 18 or 19 victories.

Excuse Eckstein, a Sanford native and two-time World Series champion, if he was not engrossed by the streak’s early stages. He is no stranger to such extended excellence, albeit on the wrong side.

Eckstein was on the 2002 Anaheim Angels when their division rival, the Oakland Athletics, established the American League record with 20 consecutive victories.

“It was like, ‘Are they ever going to lose?’ ’’ Eckstein said. By winning 22 games in a row, streak that ended with a 4-3 a loss to the Kansas City Royals on Friday night, the Indians eclipsed the A’s standard. They also challenged the major-league record, a 26-victory lap by the 1916 New York Giants.

The Indians’ absurdly long

JASON MILLER/GETTY IMAGES Central Florida’s Francisco Lindor, left, celebrates with Jay Bruce after Cleveland breaks the record.