CLEVELAND — After missing the postseason last year by one game, the Cleveland Indians have hoisted another American League Central Division championship banner.

        And Charles Nagy, whose return from elbow surgery this season epitomized the Indians' comeback, was given the honor of pulling the rope.

        Nagy had to fly the flag. He had carried it all season.

        “I can't even put into words what that meant,” said Nagy, his eyes filling with tears.

        The Indians returned to the top of their division Sunday, clinching their sixth AL Central title in seven years with a 9-1 rout over the Minnesota Twins.

        Last season, the Indians missed the playoffs when they finished one game out in the wild card race. From the opening of training camp in February, their goal was to not let it happen again.

        “We are back,” said Jim Thome. “We had to sit home last October and it was a long, long winter. That makes this even sweeter.”

        Bartolo Colon pitched eight shutout innings and Thome hit his 49th homer as the Indians pummeled the surprising Twins, the team they had to chase down in the second half to get back to the postseason.

        After injuries led to a second- place finish behind Chicago last year, Cleveland set out in 2001 to reclaim the division, which it won from 1995 to 1999.

        Once they finally reeled in the Twins following the All-Star break, there was no stopping them.

        “This team was hell-bent,” said John Rocker, who joined the club in July.

        When Omar Vizquel flipped to second baseman John McDonald for the final out, the Indians walked to the pitcher's mound, as they had done following 88 previous victories.

        But after some heartfelt hugs, Nagy was given the Central championship banner and the Indians walked as a group to center field to raise the flag.

        Nagy inspired his teammates all season.

        Despite having no cartilage in his right elbow, the right-hander defied doctors' odds by pitching. He never missed a workout during spring training and didn't complain as he was left behind when camp broke.

        He spent time in the minors and was 5-6 with a 6.40 earned run average in August when he told manager Charlie Manuel he was done for the year. After going home, Nagy returned and has been throwing batting practice — a task most major leaguers would find demeaning.

        “Nobody cared more about his teammates than Charlie,” Travis Fryman said.

        True to his unselfishness, Nagy was reluctant to be singled out.

        “I didn't want to do it, but they wouldn't let me give it back,” said Nagy. “I guess I threw good enough batting practice.”

        Kenny Lofton said it took a few minutes to convince Nagy.

        “He didn't want to do it,” said Lofton. “But the vote was 39-1.”

        Cleveland's celebration was somewhat bittersweet because manager Charlie Manuel remains hospitalized with an abdominal infection.

        As the players sprayed champagne, Manuel, who watched the game from his room at the Cleveland Clinic, toasted his team with a glass of cranberry juice.

        Although he wasn't in the clubhouse, Manuel was there in spirit.

        “This one's for Charlie,” said Thome, his shirt and cap drenched. “Charlie's our leader. We'll celebrate this one without him, but hopefully he'll be here for a few more.”

        Manuel probably will be released from the hospital Monday and said he's likely to rejoin the club next weekend in Toronto.

        Ellis Burks added a two-run homer and Jolbert Cabrera and Lofton drove in two runs apiece as Cleveland finished the season 14-5 against Minnesota.

        The Twins, who led the division by five games on July 16, are 26-43 since the break.

        Several Minnesota players stayed on their bench to watch the Indians' postgame celebration. Doug Mientkiewicz even issued Cleveland a warning.

        “I have a sneaking suspicion they better enjoy this one, because it could be awhile before they get another one,” he said. “If anything, I think we pushed them all year. They're not going to run away with it any more. I think we've arrived.”

        Colon (14-11) allowed four singles and overpowered the Twins whenever he needed to. The right-hander, who probably will start Game 1 of the division series, walked four and struck out 10.

        Thome's 435-foot shot to right-center — his seventh homer against Minnesota — off Rick Reed (4-5) put the Indians up 2-0 in the fourth. With the homer, Thome moved within one of tying Albert Belle's single-season club record.

        Notes: The Indians' 14 victories against Minnesota were their most against an opponent since beating the Twins 14 times in 1968. ... Twins coach Paul Molitor was ejected for the second straight day. Molitor was thrown out three times this season — all at Jacobs Field. ... Indians outfielder Juan Gonzalez, the AL's RBI leader, missed his third straight game with an ear infection.

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