Progressive Field
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Jacobs Field is the home of the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. It was built to replace the extremely large, but deteriorating and poorly maintained, Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
[edit] History
Jacobs Field is one of the contributing factors to the revitalization of downtown Cleveland. Opening in 1994, it replaced Cleveland Municipal Stadium, which the Indians shared with the NFL's Cleveland Browns. In May 1990, Cuyahoga County voters approved a 15-year sin tax on alcohol and cigarette sales in order to finance the new sports complex. In June 1992, the ceremonial first pitch was thrown at the site of the new Jacobs Field before construction of the building began. Finally, on April 4, 1994, the Indians played their first game at the new stadium. Then-president Bill Clinton threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the Indians defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-3 in 11 innings.
In 1995, Jacobs Field hosted its first World Series, which the Cleveland Indians lost to the Atlanta Braves. Jacobs Field was the site of the 1997 MLB All-Star Game and the host of the 1997 World Series which the Cleveland Indians lost to the Florida Marlins.
Prior to the start of the 1997 season, Jacobs Field had a slight addition as two sections of seating were added onto the ends of the bleacher section, increasing the capacity by about 1,000 to its current 43,345.
In 2004, Jacobs Field's scoreboard, the largest free-standing scoreboard in the United States, was modernized with the installation of the largest video display in the world at a sports venue, built by Daktronics of South Dakota. The video board measures 36 feet high by 149 feet wide. Also in 2004, a center field dining area located behind the seating, formerly occupied by auxiliary bleachers, was replaced with a bar area called the Batter's Eye Bar.
In 2007, the Cleveland Indians opened Heritage Park, a section honoring the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame, the 100 greatest Indians, memorable Indians moments, and a memorial plaque for Ray Chapman that was originally installed in League Park. It is located behind the center field wall, and is shielded by plantings so it doesn't interfere with the batter's eye.
On October 5, 2007 a bizarre incident at Jacobs Field occurred in a playoff game against the New York Yankees, which became infamous as the "Bug Game" . In the eighth inning a huge swarm of insects (believed to be midges from Lake Erie) enveloped the playing field, distracting relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain. Chamberlain walked Grady Sizemore who later scored the tying run on a wild pitch.
[edit] Timeline
- May 1990: Cuyahoga County voters agree to a sin tax on alcohol and cigarette sales to build a new stadium for the Indians.
- June 1992: The first pitch is thrown at Jacobs Field before construction even begins.
- April 4, 1994: Jacobs Field opens in its first major league game, with the Indians defeating the Seattle Mariners 4-3.
- October 1995: The stadium hosts its first World Series, with the Indians losing to the Atlanta Braves in 4-2
- October 1997: Another Fall Classic comes to Jacobs Field, with the Indians losing again, this time to the Florida Marlins in seven games. The Marlins became the fastest expansion team to win a championship, having won the title after only four years in existence; the Arizona Diamondbacks would break that record when they won the title in 2001, only three years after their first season in 1998.
- January 2007 Progressive Inc. purchases naming rights to Jacobs Field.
