Stadium Preview: Part XI
What originally fueled the B4B idea was to visit each major league baseball stadium across the country. Now that our dreams will become reality beginning in 2012, we will want to share our greatest experiences with followers of our journey. We’ll report on fan devotion, best concessions, most memorable park moment in history and video blogging each 7th inning stretch the B4B crew will sing along to all season. We really want our readers to experience each stadium along with us.
Over the next few months, the B4B blog will be providing previews of each major league stadium. We will give some historical background, along with plenty of pictures. We would love to get fans perspective on each park as well, so please provide feedback on your favorite stadium on facebook and twitter. Our posts will take us from the oldest stadium all the way to the brand new Marlins Stadium. We hope you enjoy.
Progressive Field
Progressive Field has been home to the Cleveland Indians since 1994. It was originally know as Jacobs Field until Progressive Insurance purchased the naming rights to the stadium in 2008. The Indians had previously played at 75,000 seat Cleveland Municipal Stadium since 1947, in which they shared with the Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens franchise. So each professional team left that stadium in the mid-1990’s, albeit under different circumstances.
In 2008, a full 14 years after it opened, Progressive Field was ranked as Major League Baseball’s best ballpark according to a Sports Illustrated fan opinion poll. The ballpark’s reputation is validated by both architectural and aesthetic details such as the 19 toothbrush-shaped light towers that illuminate the stadium. The playing field also has unique features that qualify it as a “retro” stadium, including asymmetrical fences of varying heights and elevated bullpens that allow fans to see who is warming up. The urban ballpark is built within the physical boundaries of three main streets in downtown Cleveland, and it sits right next to Quicken Loans Arena as part of the Gateway Sports Complex.
Much has been made of Cleveland’s major professional championship drought. The last Cleveland championship took place in 1964 by the Browns. Cleveland fans even pity themselves enough to have a blog called Cleveland Sports Torture. Prior to Progressive Field opening, the Indians were doing their part to contribute to the futility. They didn’t go to the postseason since 1954, but they went to the first of five consecutive postseason appearances the year after the new stadium opened. They went to two World Series in that time, losing the 1995 World Series to the Atlanta Braves and the 1997 World Series to the Marlins in the bottom of the 11th inning in game 7. Those 1990’s Indian teams had a stacked line-up with great players in their prime. Carlos Baerga, Jim Thome, Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton, Manny Ramirez, Sandy Alomar, David Justice, and Omar Vizquel.
It’s no coincidence that the success during these player’s careers in Cleveland created a great amount of fan interest. The Indians sold out every game from June 12, 1995 to April 4, 2001; 455 straight games. That was a major league record until the Red Sox recorded 456 straight sellouts in September of 2008.
Although the Indians have had 3 straight losing seasons, they have a very young and promising team. They might start the sellout streak again this season. B4B is looking forward to watching the pitching staff that features three of the top eight ground ball pitchers in the majors.