You need a plan when you’re attending a Guardians game…I’m here to help, with this detailed and useful Progressive Field parking guide! This page is full of great Cleveland Guardians game parking tips, whether you’re looking to save money, be close to the ballpark, get an easier out after the game, or enjoy a meal and drink with your baseball.

(Need more Progressive Field help? Check out this guide to finding a great seat, and this post about the amazing food selection at the home of the Guardians!

 

There’s a wide variety of options, so I’ve broken it down (but read it all if you can, great tips here!):

Progressive Field Parking Tips

Alternate Routes To Cleveland Guardians Games
General Parking Notes
Gateway East Garage
East 9th Street Parking Lots
Nearby Restaurant Parking
Tower City Garage
Other Third Party Lots
Free and Cheap Street Parking
Shuttles to Progressive Field

Ready? Okay great…but first, this highly applicable bit of advice from our sponsor: book your Guardians game parking passes in advance with SpotHero!

Never drive to Progressive Field without a plan…

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Progressive Field Parking, Tip #1) Alternate Routes to Progressive Field. I love the GPS apps you can use to get places these days, but they often underestimate how long it takes to get through city traffic, so I’m offering some alternate routes to the ballpark here.

Progressive Field is easy enough to get to from I-90 and I-71 (which are the same road near the ballpark) from the southwest, and on I-77 from the southeast. However, there isn’t a super-sized parking facility located at the ballpark, so you don’t necessarily want to just put “Progressive Field” in your GPS.

Auto and pedestrian traffic can get heavy, and the Guardians suggest avoiding the streets bordering the ballpark close to game time (and I second that).

Since Progressive Field is located at several interstate exits and most people will be using those, you can try approaching the ballpark from the north or west.

 

From I-77, for example, you can use the East 14th St. exit and stay on East 14th to Prospect Avenue, and then make a left onto Prospect and nearby slightly cheaper parking. From I-90 there is now an East 9th Street exit, but you can also use the East 22nd Street exit, and head north on East 22nd to Prospect.

Most people use East 9th, and there isn’t much in the way of parking on the west side of the park (Ontario Street) until you get near Tower City. If you can find a way to approach the ballpark from the north or east using the Shoreway (Ohio Route 2 from I-90 east of the ballpark, and U.S. 6/20 west of the park), you may have an easier time of it, especially with construction going on.

 

You should definitely be aware if there is a Cavaliers home game. The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is just a few feet away from Progressive Field, and decent parking becomes scarcer when both teams are playing or if there is another event going on. If the Cavs are home that night, you should either get there very early, or consider using RTA rail.

Leaving the ballpark, unless you’re parked right off of the Interstate, it might be easier to head north on East 9th and then make a right onto Superior Avenue to get to I-90. From I-90 you can easily access I-77 and I-71.

The city has removed the direct entrance to I-77 from E. 9th (you’ll thank them); you can now hop on the interstate from Orange Avenue and you can detour onto Broadway Avenue if Orange is too congested.

Here’s the Google map of the Progressive Field area to help you visualize all of this.

 

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #2) General Parking Notes. There isn’t a lot of area parking that’s run by the team, but there are numerous lots in the downtown Cleveland area that work fine for a ballgame.

The Guardians claim that there is enough entertainment complex parking to accommodate a simultaneous Guardians and Cavaliers sellout. The key phrase there is “in the area”—that could mean you’ll be walking a little bit; and expect a price hike if the Cavs are in the playoffs. (Again, if both teams are playing, I suggest using rapid transit if you can.)

Parking prices for most Guardians games ranges from $10 to $50 as of this writing. It isn’t difficult to find a decent spot at a good price, so long as you don’t grab the first thing you see, especially coming from I-77. Prices will increase in many lots if the Yankees or another high-value opponent is in town.

For a weekday game, you should arrive earlier and use the Gateway East lot, since most of the other lots will be filled with commuters. You can (and should) book a parking space ahead of time for an easier entrance, either through the Guardians or my friends at SpotHero.

Here’s the lowdown on popular parking options:

 

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #3) Gateway East Garage. The closest thing to a main Guardians garage is the Gateway East garage, which is among the largest and most convenient, abutting Progressive Field on Larry Doby Way (formerly Eagle Avenue).

If you’re not overly concerned about the price, and it’s reasonable, this is as good a spot as any and not too far from the highways. The price is usually consistent regardless of opponent or what’s happening in the area, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t arrive earlier (and buy a pass beforehand) when an event is going on at Rocket Mortgage Field House, or on fireworks nights. The lower levels are reserved for employees of both venues, so you’ll be using the upper levels, but there is an elevator.

Very important note! In 2023, with construction in the downtown area, the Guardians have warned that there is a limited number of spaces in the Gateway East garage. When buying game tickets through the team, if there are spaces available, they will offer passes to you. If you’d like to park here, definitely get the pass!

All things considered, the Gateway East garage is probably the best parking spot at Progressive Field, especially if you’re a newbie.

My friends at TickPick have Guardians tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

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Progressive Field Parking, Tip #4) East 9th Street Lots. If you want to be close to the ballpark and interstates, and don’t care about the price, the best bet is the lot on the corner of East 9th St. and Carnegie Avenue (G49 on Google Maps), or at the Hilton Garden Inn across the street. Both are across the street from the ballpark and exit easily onto I-90 or I-77. You will pay more for this privilege, however, at least as much as any other lot.

The parking lot at the Cross Country Mortgage building at the corner of East 9th and Bolivar might be slightly cheaper, and you can’t beat the convenience of being this close to the center field entrance and the amazing food selection in the ballpark.

There are a couple of lots just north of Bolivar on E. 9th, and they’re close too, but these will charge about as much as the closer lots to the interstate. You can go a couple blocks further north on E. 9th and usually find cheaper lots. After the game you can use the aforementioned route to I-90 via Superior Ave; Superior is U.S. 6/322 from E. 9th.

 

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #5) Nearby Restaurants. There are several restaurants a short walk from Progressive Field with event parking spots nearby. These are higher in price than the Gateway East garage, but they are very convenient to the ballpark and these joints are known for being fun places to celebrate a Guardians victory. Both charge less earlier in the day, but they’ll kick you out or make you pay the event rate once the time comes.

Here’s a few links to restaurants near Progressive Field that have nearby lots, and their specialties (I’ve included the address of the parking lot, not the restaurant):

Thirsty Parrot (lot at 811 Bolivar Road) – Pre- and post-game parties, limited menu of burgers, sandwiches, and appetizers.

Headliner Bar & Eatery (lot at 501 Huron Road East) – Restaurant for the Hotel Indigo, high end tavern and dining.

Flannery’s Pub (lot at 2065 East 3rd Street) – Craft beers, handcrafted cocktails, burgers, sandwiches and appetizers. Mabel’s BBQ is also close to this lot – Cleveland style BBQ (with Bertman’s mustard as a BBQ sauce ingredient), brisket, sandwiches and sides, beer and cocktails.

 

Harry Buffalo (lot at 2118 East 4th Street) – Burgers, sandwiches, pizza, wings, tacos, and appetizers, and weekday specials. Primo African Quisine is also near this lot – Grilled lamb and seafood entrees, traditional African dishes, sandwiches and appetizers, craft beers and fancy drinks.

Clevelander Bar & Grill (lot at 750 Huron Road East) – Burgers, sandwiches, wings, and appetizers; beer and drinks.

Those are a few for you, but there’s plenty of bars and eateries in the area north of the ballpark; you can use these addresses when booking your parking on SpotHero.

 

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #6) Tower City Garage. The Tower City center parking garage is a fair amount of walking from the ballpark, but the nice thing is that the walkway is indoors all the way from the Tower complex to the Cavs’ arena. The garage is located off of Huron Road.

Parking is cheaper here than nearby lots, it’s often good for all day, and you can spend some time in the Tower City shopping center. It’s also easier to get to the interstates after the game, especially since the crowd will be mostly cleared out by the time you get to the garage. Since the RTA public transit station is at Tower City, you’ll see plenty of baseball fans walking there after the game.

The other benefit of parking here is that there are a lot of eateries in Tower City; you can grab a cheaper bite or fill up your goody bag with less expensive food for the game. The Tower City garage is probably your best option for cheap parking at a Guardians game.

 

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #7) Other Lots. Carnegie Avenue has several convenient lots that are fairly reasonable. The Wolstein Center further east (home of Cleveland State University sports) has an affordable lot and is an easy exit onto I-90 from East 21st. This is about a 15-minute walk on a busy street, so it should be fine at night; just check that there isn’t an event happening there.

On Carnegie Avenue east of the ballpark is the St. Maron Catholic Church, which allows parking in its covered lot for non-Sunday games. The location is great, and it’s also an easy exit onto the highway. And what could be safer than having Jesus watch over your car? I’ve also mentioned the Hilton Garden Inn lot, which in some cases can be half the price of lots across the street. You can usually book these on SpotHero.

 

The Halle Garage on Huron Avenue is cheaper and a 5-minute walk, but it does get some poor reviews for its lack of space inside. There are other lots on East 14th St.; if you don’t mind passing by a cemetery at night. With the new ramp on East 14th, these should be an easier exit onto I-77.

North and east of the ballpark on St. Clair Avenue are close to a dozen lots that you can book very cheaply. These are about a mile from the ballpark though, and not in a great area. I would avoid these for a night game especially, even though they’re cheap.

 

Some of the lots in the Prospect/Bolivar/East 14th St. area, are also in less safe areas of downtown. I’ve read some reviews from folks whose cars were broken into, and you will frequently see orange signs imploring you to “put your junk in your trunk” (which I would think is obvious anywhere).

The lots are usually cheap, but if cheap means more to you than convenience, I would go for the lots east of the ballpark on Carnegie Avenue.

 

The JACK Casino at Public Square charges for parking on game days; it’s not a good option and not any cheaper for the distance. The lot is open 24/7, if you’d like to enjoy some slots before or after the game. Parking is free for members or folks who play enough to earn points for it, but it will probably cost you more than it’s worth. I’ve read that it can be very slow exiting after games as well.

Ultimately remember that the most used highway ramps are from East 9th Street and Carnegie Avenue. Use any parking spot closer to another exit for an easier out.

 

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #8) Cheap Or Free Street Parking. You won’t find any place to park for free nearby on East 9th St. close to game time, but there are spots on side streets where you can park on the street at certain times.

On Prospect Avenue near the watering holes are metered spots which become free after 6:00 PM, so you can feed the meter cheaply until then. Many meters are inactive on weekends and holidays, so you could land a free spot for a weekend game if you’re early. The city bans a lot of street parking before playoff and high demand games.

Carnegie Avenue east of the ballpark also has parking on the street for free on evenings and weekends, and it’s a great spot, but you will need some good timing to land one of these for a ballgame.

 

On Huron Road East near Tower City there is parking that is free after 6:00; if you can’t find anything there, try the numbered streets like East 6th, north of the ballpark, or Chester Avenue off of East 9th. You can find some street parking on East 2nd Street for night games.

As always with street parking, be careful that you’re parking on the right side of the street, and that the regulations are clear on any applicable sign. If it’s confusing, it’s probably designed to be. And put your junk in your trunk.

 

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #9) Guardians Game Shuttles. Ballpark E-Guides always goes the extra mile, so I’m adding a couple shuttle options you can use to save some cash. I highly recommend the first for a pre-game meal and drink:

Flat Iron Café The Flatty, as regulars call it, is an Irish pub located on Center Street near U.S. 6-20; they have a shuttle that I believe runs for all of the Guardians home games. Parking is free on the street after 6:00 PM and on weekends, or you can use a very inexpensive lot across the street. To use the shuttle, you have to spend a small amount in the restaurant.

The menu is Irish pub fare, burgers, sandwiches, wings, and appetizers like giant onion rings, fish and chips and potato skins. Good variety and prices are reasonable, and there’s beer of course. It draws a larger crowd on game nights; some Guardians fans use the shuttle regularly.

For the most part people who share opinions online think very highly of the Flatty. The location also makes it a much easier exit after the game, especially heading west.

As of this moment the Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Fatty Wagon isn’t running, but that may change. Drop a line if you hear anything.

 

RTA Trolleys RTA has two free downtown trolleys—the E-Line and B-Line—that have stops at Tower City; they are free to ride but are available only during the day on weekdays.

If you can score some free parking near a trolley stop on a weekday, it’s a nice deal, but again, this is only for weekday games, of which there aren’t many. The Guardians and the city do often suggest the use of trolleys for Opening Day, though, should you be lucky enough to attend. Not a bad idea considering that most nearby lots will be full and expensive.

 

There you have it my friends…your complete and handy guide for parking at Progressive Field to see your Cleveland Guardians. I hope this was helpful to you…and be sure to read my Progressive Field guide for lots more great Guardians baseball game tips!

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The Progressive Field food menu, in my humble opinion, is one of the best in baseball. The home of the Cleveland Guardians not only showcases iconic local restaurants (and who knew that Cleveland was such a great foodie town?), it offers a lot of the best in basic baseball food…like hefty foot long hot dogs and true ballpark mustard.

What the best food at Progressive Field is of course a matter of opinion, but I’ve picked out ten that I think you’ll be happy with, including some new food items they’ve added to the Progressive Field menu for 2023. This should help your taste buds if you’re a first time visitor especially.

Most all of these are on the lower level, although some of the concession stands have additional outposts in the upper level.

I’ll start with some amazeballs sandwich selections, after this quick word from our sponsor:

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Progressive Field Food, Tip #1) Melt Bar & Grilled (Right Field District). Melt started in Lakewood with a simple goal: “gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and lots of beer”. They have multiple types of large grilled cheese sandwiches at Guardians games, and the sandwiches are made with huge slices of Texas Toast and include a bag of chips.

Try the chorizo and potato or the mushroom sandwich with grilled onions…that might be the best vegetarian meal I’ve had at a game.

Recent additions to the menu: Melt now has mac and cheese bowls, including a Buffalo version topped with chicken. I trust these folks to get the taste right!

 

Progressive Field Food, Tip #2) Fat Head’s Brewery (Infield District). Fat Head’s is a North Olmsted brewery and sandwich shop known for large-sized sandwiches that they call “Headwiches” (because they’re the size of your head).

They have a “Fat Italian” – ham, salami, capicola, pepperoni and hot sausage with provolone, banana peppers and a hard-boiled egg; and a “Southside Slopes” – a kielbasa with pierogies, American cheese, grilled onions and horseradish sauce. The Slopes, incidentally, was voted #5 Best Sandwich in America by Maxim Magazine.

They make great craft beers too…including some award-winners at the Great American Beer Festival. If you like citrus beers in the summer, Fat Head’s is for you.

Recent addition to the menu: Pepper Jack bites! Crusted Pepper Jack cheese with ranch dressing included for dipping.

 

Progressive Field Food, Tip #3) Throwin’ Smoke BBQ (Main Concourse). Throwin’ Smoke isn’t a local eatery, just a cleverly named BBQ stand that was a long time coming to Cleveland’s ballpark. The sandwiches are definitely BBQ messy and you should probably sit down to eat one. They have a BBQ mac and cheese in a baseball helmet too (I would clean it out before wearing it).

You can get a pulled pork, chicken or beef brisket sandwich; get it topped with slaw, sharp cheddar and pickle chips. And the specialty sandwich is the Heater, any kind of meat with habanero BBQ sauce, jalapenos and pepper jack cheese. Don’t mess around with that one, seriously; get a beer to go with it.

Recent additions: They have a pork mac and cheese cone now…a waffle cone with mac and cheese and topped with Montgomery Inn pulled pork, cole slaw and BBQ sauce. In 2023, Throwin’ Smoke added mac and cheese brisket: mac and cheese again topped with that Montgomery Inn BBQ brisket, pickled crunchy onions, and BBQ sauce.

 

So there’s your sandwich selections, at least not counting what is basic ballpark food…but in Cleveland, they take ordinary ballpark items a step further…check out Happy Dog, for example!

 

Progressive Field Food, Tip #4) Happy Dog (Infield District). At the actual Happy Dog in Gordon Square, they have over 50 toppings, but at the Prog the pared down offerings are wacky enough. Witness the Slider Dog…topped with Froot Loops, mac and cheese and bacon. Wait, what? Froot Loops? Yes.

They have lots of other unusual options for baseball’s classic food here, so check it out. Last I looked there was a Dyngus Dog with red cabbage sauerkraut; a southern BBQ Dog with pulled pork, beer cheese, greens and caramelized onions; or a Summer Veggie Dog with tomatoes, cucumbers, cole slaw and chimichurri. If nothing else that’s healthier than Froot Loops.

All Happy Dog dogs are all-beef quarter-pound sizable hot dogs on poppy seed buns. I would get a fork for the heftier ones. Froot Loops…wow.

Recent additions: Going healthy? Try the Wild Thing…a Field Roast vegan dog topped with house made vegetable chili, shredded cheddar, diced onions, and (of course) Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Your ballgame meal is complete.

 

Progressive Field Food, Tip #5) Build-A-Burger (Main Concourse). The name Build-A-Burger invokes the obvious question: how many toppings can I pile on? We are paying ballpark prices here, so get your money’s worth. You can find this one in the left field corner.

Here you go: get an All-American burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles…or make it interesting with a pulled pork burger topped with BBQ sauce slaw, sharp cheddar and bacon (bits or slices!).

Several types of fries here, which I’ve read are crispy and excellent. Chicken tenders too. Get them topped with pulled pork, queso blanco, and/or peppers and onions or just plain loaded.

Recent additions: The Southwest Burger is a 1/3 pound all beef patty with guacamole, pico de gallo, nacho cheese sauce, and chipotle crema on a brioche bun…new in 2023 is the Pimento Cheese and Bacon Burger, a 1/3 pound patty topped with pimento cheese, bacon, and shredded lettuce on a brioche bun. I presume you can add toppings to these as well.

Unfortunately I am told Dynomite Burger is no longer in the Prog…(sniff)

Never drive to Progressive Field without a plan…

Book your parking spot now with my friends at SpotHero!

Progressive Field Food, Tip #6) Dante’s Inferno (Infield District). Dante’s Inferno is the pizza shop of Cleveland chef Dante Boccuzzi, the owner of several top-rated Cleveland restaurants.

No typical ballpark pizza, this…Dante’s actually has a spaghetti and meatball pizza, and yes, it does have noodles on it (not a lot though, so don’t worry about the carbs). Dante’s also has a spicy Inferno pizza with sausage, pepperoni, olives and hot peppers, and an above-average veggie pizza with zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms and basil walnut pesto. Or just plain or pepperoni.

Dante’s sells pizza by the pie, and it’s a good-sized pie for one.

 

I should probably rank these next selections higher, because they’re all great…just saying that the Prog is a super place to get your Mexican fix on:

 

Progressive Field Food, Tip #7) Barrio (Right Field District). Barrio is a Tremont-based eatery with build-your-own tacos; you can get chicken or chorizo tacos and they have a veggie “street corn” version too.

But I must add that Barrio does a very impressive plate of nachos; they feature melted and shredded cheese (yes, both), and several different salsas with chicken or chorizo for a small extra fee.

The chips are salty in my opinion, but it’s definitely an above average plate of nachos for a ballpark, and it can easily feed two.

 

Progressive Field Food, Tip #8) Momocho (Infield District). Momocho is an Ohio City joint owned by Eric Williams, another “Best Chef” award winner, this time by Scene readers. Momocho is all about nachos and quesadillas. The chips are made to order and heated in a giant rotisserie oven and served with homemade guac and salsa.

Your choices of toppings include chicken, Barbacoa pulled pork or chorizo sausage; they come with pickled jalapenos, green salsa and cilantro-lime cream. You can add extra queso, beans or salsa for a fee that is worth it.

I thought the Barrio nachos were slightly superior, and a couple of nice Indians fans whose opinion I asked at the train station agreed, but I will say the Momocho chips were less salty. And they’re definitely still a great plate of loaded nachos.

 

Progressive Field Food, Tip #9) Ohio City Burrito (Infield District). I read once that the burrito is an ideal ballpark food, that you can use your non-beer holding hand to hold it; I couldn’t agree more.

Ohio City Burrito is, as the name strongly implies, a burrito joint based in the Ohio City neighborhood; they take pride in the burrito rolling technique that is especially important for eating in a ballpark seat.

At the Prog outpost burrito types include chicken, pork carnitas, Barbacoa beef and a veggie (which is just minus the chicken or beef); burritos include rice, black beans, onions, peppers, cheese, lettuce, and a choice of salsa, guac and/or sour cream. They are all available in a bowl without that calorie-laden flour tortilla. OCB is also known for sweet homemade salsa.

 

Finally, even with the basics, the Guardians clearly care about your needs:

 

Progressive Field Food, Tip #10) Big Hot Dogs With Bertman’s Mustard (Everywhere). At Sausages & Dogs or Ballpark Classics stands, whatever…if you look around, most of the generic stands have those really hefty half pound (yes, half pound) hot dogs. These are like the footlongs you find at a lot of ballparks, only thicker…and with peppers, onions, and Bertman’s Ballpark Mustard piled on, it can be a great value by ballpark standards.

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to the Prog, but they used to have a Charred Dogs stand behind home plate. If you like the skin burnt on your dogs, it might be worth a look.

Read more about Bertman’s Mustard here…you’ll like this tale.

 

There you have it folks…ten great selections of menu items for your next game at Progressive Field. One word of caution…as of 2023, half of the stands are cashless, so you’ll need your credit card (or Apple Pay or Google Pay device). I’m guessing there will be more of that in the future.

Ballpark E-Guides is happy to be your helpful resource for going to your next Cleveland Indians…sorry, Cleveland Guardians home game. If you’d like more great advice, check out my complete guide to Progressive Field here! Thanks for reading, and please support our sponsors!

 

Planning a trip to Cleveland? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

Click here to start booking your trip to Cleveland and Progressive Field today!

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

Here it is Guardians fans and Progressive Field visitors…your complete and handy Progressive Field seating guide! I’ve included all the tips I could find for choosing the best seats at Progressive Field for your budget and taste…including cheap seats, great standing room spots, shaded sections and more.

(If you’d like to know about getting tickets, parking and food at the Cleveland Guardians ballpark, be sure to check out my complete Progressive Field guide here!)

 

I’ve broken this down into parts so you can skip stuff if need be (but don’t, it’s all good…):

Your Key Progressive Field Seating Tips

Progressive Field Layout
The Dugout Suites
Lexus Home Plate Boxes
Kaulig Companies Club
Drug Mart Club Seats
Lower Level Seating
Field and Lower Box Seats
Lower Reserved
Family Deck
Upper Level
Bleachers
Standing Room
The Corner

As you can see, there’s a lot to cover here to help you find the best seats in the Cleveland Guardians’ ballpark…so after this quick word from our sponsor, we’ll get started. (Please use the links, and thanks for your support!)

My friends at TickPick have Guardians tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

Click here to order your Guardians tickets on TickPick!

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 1: Ballpark Layout

Progressive Field has three tiers; all three levels extend from the left field foul pole around to about right center field and Gate C; the bleachers in left field are somewhat elevated above the high left field fence.

The second tier is mostly club level and several levels of suites; this is where the Terrace Club, Club Lounge, kids play area and mezzanine are. The upper tier is upper box and reserved seating; this level is pretty high up, something to be wary of if you’re acrophobic.

Like most ballparks, the right field corner is the last to see shade; this can make it a desirable spot on those Cleveland April days.

Rows are lettered and start with A, so Row AA is Row 27. Facing the field, Seat 1 is always on the right. The home team dugout is on the third base side.

Progressive Field has a lot of premium seating, so we’ll start there.

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 2: Dugout Suites

Yes, those really are fans that you see on TV sitting inside what is normally the fence behind home plate, not scouts with radar guns. Those seats are the Dugout Suites, which are among the most popular premium seats in the ballpark.

These seats are in high demand and expensive, and presently only available for groups. If you have to ask the price you probably can’t afford it. But they do include all of the suite amenities, and the literally field level view is pretty amazing. You’ll be closer to home plate than the pitcher, and can see facial expressions on the players and everything. And you’re covered from the rain, although these seats are in the shade.

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 3: Lexus Home Plate Boxes

The Guardians decided to greatly improve the box seats they had behind the lower sections at home plate and turn them into exclusive box seats behind home plate. I’m presuming you still have a view of the scoreboard back there.

The package for these seats includes eight tickets, two parking passes, and an all-inclusive menu that includes beer and wine (you pay for cocktails). Better yet, there are balcony heaters here, and access to the Home Plate Club, two very welcome amenities in Cleveland. You also get a team store discount, so you can more cheaply replace all of your Indians gear.

Again, these are sold on a season ticket basis, but if I find anything cheaper on TickPick I’ll let you know. (Feel free to have a look!)

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 4: Kaulig Companies Club

The then-Indians tore out a bunch of suites in 2013, and installed a huge high-end lounge next to the press box on the first base side, for a straight ahead view of the most impressive Prog scoreboard.

The Kaulig Companies Club features an all-inclusive menu with top shelf drinks, extra wide leather high-backed seating with drink rails, 20 hi-def TVs, and live access to the pre- and post-game shows, if any of that tickles your fancy. The Club also has indoor seating with a view of the game, something that the Club Lounge seats lack.

Seats are sold on a season ticket basis only and this spot is popular; the Guardians usually sell almost all of the 100 or so available seats for each event. Thus far I haven’t seen anything available on third party sites.

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 5: Club Seats

You see that big mezzanine section on the first base line, covering a good portion of the lower section? Those are the Club Seats, placed in front of the climate controlled and very large Club Lounge on the suite level. They are padded and comfortable, and you can escape the Cleveland weather in the huge Club Lounge.

Inside the Lounge are comfortable leather chairs, full bars and TVs to watch the game. If you’d rather stay in your seat, you get in-seat wait service as well.

 

Included with Club tickets are access to the impressive Lounge menu, from which you can gorge on plates from a pasta bar, a meat carving station, salads, nachos, pizza and whatever the chef’s special that day might be. They’ll even prepare the stuff right in front of you. Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages are also included in the price.

Seats at this level aren’t high up at all; they almost seem like field level, and being on the first base side there’s a great view of the Big Board and Cleveland skyline. In cold weather especially these seats may be worth the extra price for the perks.

The Guardians separated the Club seats into three sections, with the most expensive seats being closest to home plate. You can find some seats for a real bargain on non-prime nights. Remember that would include April games, and you’ll have access to the heated lounge. (Don’t let weather stop you from enjoying Guardians baseball!)

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 6: Lower Level Seating

The seats between the bases on the lower level are the Field Box seats, and this includes the first few rows of sections past the dugout. The first few rows of infield sections are premium Diamond seats and generally go to season ticket holders; if you’re looking for one of these, try TickPick sometime in April and you may get a great deal. For certain opponents, they’re not expensive at all.

The nice thing about lower seats is that there aren’t too many seats to a row, so you’ll have less of a problem with people getting up and walking by to get their Barrio nachos.

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 7: Field/Lower Box Seats

Field and Lower Box rows start with A-Z and then AA, BB, etc. and generally extend to Row HH. Just past the bases there are two sections where the Field Box seats are closest to the field. The Guardians charge different prices for front, middle and back seating in Field Box sections, but the difference is slight.

The sections past the dugouts are the Lower Box sections—these are significantly lower in price, and in most sections the seats are angled towards home plate. Well, towards second base would be more accurate. If you can land a low row in Section 138, you’re not doing badly.

 

The only problem with some of the Field and Lower Box seats is on the first base side, where that big Club section of seating juts out over everything, providing some nice cool shade for those scorching April days in Cleveland (the Guardians are one of the few teams that don’t hide obstructions on their interactive seating map).

From about row AA up in the lower level, which isn’t far, your view of the Big Board may be blocked. If you’re getting anything in Sections 129-150 on the first base side (“Field Box Back”), try to get a lower row if you can.

 

Field and Diamond Box season ticket holders also have access to the swanky Home Plate Club; the Guardians inserted an indoor club with a full bar, some of the better food items, and a glass enclosure to view the game. Great in cold months but nice anytime.

I’m not sure yet if you can get Home Plate Club access buying a third party stub from a season ticket holder, but if you can it’s a sweet deal. You can even hang out there after the game for a while to let the traffic clear out.

Never drive to Progressive Field without a plan…

Book your parking spot now with my friends at SpotHero!

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 8: Lower Reserved

In the corners and the lower level seats in right field are the Lower Reserved sections. They’re even less in price yet, about half the price of Field Box. Most of the upper seats in these sections have been replaced by drink rail and patio areas, so you don’t need to worry about upper rows having a blocked view anymore, and you can land a good spot close to the field fairly cheaply.

Sections 125 and 175 are tucked into the corner and may require you to crane your neck a bit; better to move a section over to the outfield if you can.

 

Section 103 is next to the newly relocated bullpens, and it’s a prime spot to watch pitchers from both teams warm up. It’s extra cool to watch on the stairs behind the catcher. This section misses a bit of left field if you’re close to the bullpens, but it’s not a big deal.

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 9: Family Deck

The mezzanine in right field is laid out over the lower seats in the same manner as the Club seats in the infield, but there’s no club here and the seats are much cheaper. The view isn’t great, but it’s better than the upper right field boxes and doesn’t cost too much. There are about 20 rows in most sections.

These seats have been renamed the Family Deck to remind people of their proximity to the Kids Clubhouse on the mezzanine level, making it a prime spot if you’re bringing the kids. There are also interactive games in the concourse behind these sections.

 

Progressive Field Seating Pro Tip! The outfield mezzanine section has its own secret and exclusive escalator to reach it; it is located in the right field concourse.

So now onward to the cheap seats at Progressive Field and their respective merits…

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 10: Upper Level (Cheap Seats!)

The upper deck at Progressive Field is divided into three tiers around the bases; from low to high they are View Box, Upper Box and Upper Reserved. Past the bases, View Box (the first five rows in the infield) becomes Upper Box. Rows are lettered, and usually Row X is the breezy top of the ballpark. The View Box and lower Upper Box seats are the 400 level; Upper Reserved is the 500 level.

The upper level is pushed up fairly high by the three levels of suite seating and is steeper than acrophobic sorts probably like. Even View Box seats are high up. It can be considerably breezy and cooler up there, so dress warmly for colder nights.

 

The upper level does provide an outstanding view of the Cleveland skyline and the Big Board, especially from the first base side, but in right field the very distant Upper Reserved seats were at one time the worst seats in the ballpark. The Indians recognized this, and they have replaced the seats in the entire upper deck around the foul pole (all sections numbered lower than 528), and turned it into the Right Field Terraces, closed off with tables and bar stools.

 

The tributes to team greats look cool, but it looks like an odd way to watch a ballgame. Thus far I haven’t seen anyone there, but I’ve read that it can be a popular spot for people who want to get away from the standing room crowds and long bathroom lines. The view isn’t great in my opinion, and it would be the last place to see shade on a hot summer evening, but suit yourself.

With the deals to be had on tickets, you’re probably better off seeking View Box or Upper Box than Upper Reserved. Between Upper Box and Upper Reserved isn’t much of a price difference, although View Box can cost a chunk more (and it’s worth it for the ease of getting to the concourse). You may find a better deal on TickPick for View Box depending on demand.

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 11: Bleachers

There is a large amount of bleacher seats at Progressive Field; they are the green benches in front of the Big Board in left field. These seats are among the dirt cheapest in the Cleveland ballpark, and they’re fairly popular, drawing those dedicated Guardians fan crowds, and are a prime spot to catch home run balls in batting practice. You’ll have to move for fireworks nights though.

The bleacher sections are divided into three price levels now, with the lower bleachers sections considerably more expensive than the upper sections, especially for premium games. Row L is probably the best bang for the buck here.

 

The benches have backs and aren’t too uncomfortable, and the view isn’t bad save for missing a portion of left field. You are facing away from the Big Board, though, and that’s one of the ballpark’s more striking visual features, especially nowadays with its improved resolution. There are about 25 rows in the bleachers, which are designated by letter.

The Guardians even sell some season tickets to this spot. But I’d say if you’re going to sit on these benches 81 nights a year, you should probably bring a cushion.

 

I don’t currently know the status of John Adams, who attended thousands of Indians games at the top of the bleachers where he pounded on his drum. He hasn’t been there since 2019 as he’s struggled with health problems, and he’s definitely missed. I met him once and he’s a super nice fellow. We wish him Godspeed and a safe return to his bleachers spot.

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 12: Standing Room

There is more demand for standing room these days, with the new Right Field District and Corner Bar added for 2015; the Guardians are even selling very affordable standing room District Tickets that include a free drink. Nowadays there is much more space to rest your drink or Momocho nachos, and there is standing room space directly behind the visitors’ bullpen. Great for heckling if you’re into that kind of thing.

If you’re interested in such a view, the Guardians now let people sit behind the right field fence for an inning; if no one’s waiting they’ll let you stick around. It’s a bullpen pitchers’ perspective, and you’ll realize that you usually have better seats than relief pitchers do. But it’s a neat thing to check out.

 

The Home Run Porch in left field has been improved for the standing room ticket holders, and many fans just buy a cheap seat and stand there, even on top of the sign itself. A bunch of left field corner seats have been pulled out…not a bad idea in a spot where the foul pole can get in the view…and replaced with drink rails, making it similar to the Corner in right field. There isn’t an indoor bar there, which makes it less crowded, but you’re closer to the impressive food options on the third base side.

The area can still get crowded, but home run balls do land there, and as one observer put it “it gets like Waveland Avenue at Wrigley” at batting practice with people scrambling for a souvenir.

By most accounts ushers are very tough on seat poaching in the lower level, so if you decide you want to sit, take the escalator to the upper deck. There will likely be plenty of available seats there, and the ushers are nowhere near as strict.

 

Progressive Field Seating, Part 13: The Corner

The right field corner features the aforementioned and millennial-friendly Corner Bar, named for Tom Hamilton’s radio broadcast introduction: “We’re underway at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario!” The two-story bar is pretty cool; its walls are made from remnants of the Columbus Road Bridge, and the furniture is from an old Cleveland foundry. There are also sofas and a fire pit on the upper level, no small thing on those September nights.

The Corner has plenty of standing room space in front of it, with an abundance of drink rails, and you can go inside the bar if it gets too hot or cold. The glass doors are floor-to-ceiling, and the upper level has a fine view of the field. At dusk, though, the sun is going to be directly in your eyes; you’ll definitely want shades for that.

 

It undoubtedly is a great standing room spot whatever the weather forecast, and the Guardians feed into that with the aforementioned District Ticket. It’s also popular, so stake a spot early.

If partying in the outfield isn’t your thing for standing room, there are open concourses throughout most of the lower level, but in most spots you won’t be able to see the Big Board with the overhang. You can also find some picnic areas with a view in the outfield. There are no open concourses on the upper level, except in right field, which is pretty far.

As stated, remember that the third base side is the last to see shade for night games. Something to consider on a hot day. Or a cold one, for that matter.

 

Get all that? You’re now educated on how to choose a great seat at Progressive Field for your taste and budget. I’ve written plenty more helpful money-saving tips for Progressive Field if you need more help, whether you’re a first time visitor or a regular…have a look at my complete Progressive Field guide here!

Thanks for reading, and please support Ballpark E-Guides sponsors using the links in this article. Your support is greatly appreciated!!

 

Planning a trip to Cleveland? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

Click here to start booking your trip to Cleveland and Progressive Field today!

 

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With the team at or near the top of the AL Central often these days, cheap Guardians tickets can be harder to come by. But you still have some ways to save a few bucks on tickets – here are three courtesy of Ballpark E-Guides. If you want to choose from the cheaper seats, check this out…and if you’re planning a Guardians game, be sure to read my complete Progressive Field guide!

 

Cheap Guardians Tickets, Tip #1) Brave The April Cold. Cleveland weather being what it is, the team doesn’t generally draw big crowds for April games, especially on weeknights with dynamic pricing. This is a great time of year to save on Club tickets or tickets with access to the Home Plate Club, and you can duck out of the cold in the club.

You can also order a cheap ticket and move to the upstairs section of the Corner bar, and move to the fire pit between innings. And who knows, it might not be that cold that night. I’ve gone to April games in Cleveland that weren’t too bad.

Cheap Guardians Tickets, Tip #2) Take The Volunteer Challenge. The Guardians sometimes offer tickets and other rewards to philanthropic sorts; you can sometimes score tickets by donating cans of food or a used glove.

If you give your time through the team’s Volunteer Challenge, you can reap some rewards when you build up a number of volunteer hours, including game tickets. Who says good deeds aren’t appreciated? Not the Guardians!

You can find opportunities like this in the Community section of the Guardians’ website.

 

Cheap Guardians Tickets, Tip #3) Eschew The Fees. If you know a game probably won’t sell out (see the April tip above), try getting your tickets at the box office or the team shop rather than online…with multiple tickets especially, you can save a considerable chunk of online fee change.

The only exception is the District Ticket, which is only available online. Bonus tip: the Guardians sometimes waive ticket fees and will tell you so in their e-mail ticket alerts; that’s the time to snag those District Tickets.

My friends at TickPick have Guardians tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

Click here to order your Guardians tickets on TickPick!

Cheap Indians Tickets, Tip #4) Bonus Tip: Try TickPick. TickPick is my favorite third party outlet for Guardians tickets, and I’m not just saying that because they’re an affiliate. I frequently find better deals there than on StubHub, and there’s no fees!

There you go; three ways (+1!) for you to land some possibly cheaper tickets to see the Cleveland Guardians. Stay tuned, I’ll post more.

Planning a trip to Cleveland? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

Click here to start booking your trip to Cleveland and Progressive Field today!

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

Even if you’re getting a loaded dog, you can’t pass up on Bertman’s ballpark mustard.

Somehow many people, myself included, have confused the “Stadium Mustard” made by Davis Foods with the authentic, served-since-the-League-Park-days Bertman’s Ballpark Mustard that goes on most hot dogs served at Progressive Field.

Joe Bertman’s spicy brown mustard has been part of Cleveland since the 1920s, while the “Stadium” version was made by another company smart enough to give it a similar name and make it available in retail stores first.

The two are similar in taste. Both are spicy Dijon deli-style mustards, better in quality than the French’s yellow usually found at the ballgame. Bertman’s takes pride in not watering down their mustard and using the finest vinegar; Stadium Mustard is pretty thick too. The only difference (according to a West Side Market vendor) is that the Stadium Mustard has cayenne in it.

My friends at TickPick have Guardians tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

Click here to order your Guardians tickets on TickPick!

To this day Stadium Mustard is easier to find in supermarkets and elsewhere, including in sports arenas outside of Progressive Field; I was unable to locate a bottle of Bertman’s in my travels except at the West Side Market. But despite their similar tastes, Bertman’s Ballpark Mustard is the real thing if you’re looking for authenticity.

It’s not that Stadium Mustard is bad by any means, just be sure you know what you’re getting.

(Note from Kurt: I received an e-mail about this piece from someone who remained anonymous, accusing me of “mustard propaganda”, which may be the funniest thing I’ve ever been accused of. As far as I can tell there aren’t any factual errors here, but if so feel free to call me out.)

Planning a trip to Cleveland? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

Click here to start booking your trip to Cleveland and Progressive Field today!

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

 

Progressive Field may not be the best ballpark in MLB, but it was the best of 2016 in terms of improvements. I’m not sure how much of this post will apply now (like affordability), but it’s still worth the trip.

When Jacobs Field was new in the mid-1990s and featured a suddenly competitive Indians team, it was the hottest ticket in baseball. Indeed, the venue experienced 455 straight sellouts back then, a string of almost eight straight seasons with no empty seats.

Nowadays that is hard to imagine. The Indians are near the bottom in baseball attendance as this is being written, even with a fairly competitive team. Only the Rays draw fewer fans.

 

Part of the reason for this may be the difficulties of traffic in an area with lots of construction. I don’t know how else to explain it; the team is reasonably good, the prices are reasonable right now and the ballpark has been greatly improved since last year. The Indians have added party areas, shuttles and a greatly improved Cleveland-themed menu.

Here are a few reasons why you should put Cleveland on your list of ballparks to see this year (or any year!).

Best Ballpark of 2016, Reason #1: Affordability. Tickets are easy and cheap; a very good seat at the Prog can be had for a fraction of the price of the same seat at Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park. That’s the plus of a team that struggles at the gate. If you can stand Cleveland weather in April especially (remember that club seats offer an out from the elements), you can get into the ballpark for a great price.

My friends at TickPick have Guardians tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

Click here to order your Guardians tickets on TickPick!

Best Ballpark of 2016, Reason #2: Great food. The Prog has been renovated, and part of the new menu is some outstanding Cleveland staple food items, like Melt, Barrio and Sweet Moses. The food selection has greatly improved, and there is still the ubiquitous Ballpark Mustard.

I won’t say the food is a bargain here…it’s still a ballpark…but you do get a little more value at the Prog in my experience. The Barrio nachos are a pretty hefty plate of food, and the bigger hot dogs are no slouch either. And there are dollar dog nights and cheap burger stands, too.

Best Ballpark of 2016, Reason #3: Easy Access. Parking is ample and reasonable here, and the ballpark…if you know what you’re doing…is very easy to get to. If you don’t want to drive, there are perfectly adequate public transit options, like the RTA train lines or the HealthLine.

There are also a couple of taverns with beer specials and fine food that will shuttle you to the game, making for a great night out.

 

Best Ballpark of 2016, Reason #4: The Area. Downtown Cleveland is a great destination in its own right, with the Rock and Roll Hall (which finally properly includes Rush, Yes and Chicago), the Science Center, and some great downtown bars and restaurants. And the West Side Market is a worth a visit.

Like in Baltimore, there are quite a few major attractions in Cleveland that are not far from the ballpark. Making a day of visiting Cleveland is no problem these days.

 

Best Ballpark of 2016, Reason #5: Road Trip Essential. Cleveland is not very far from Detroit, Cincinnati or Pittsburgh, and you can make Cleveland the centerpiece of a road trip that includes four of major league baseball’s great ballparks.

Cheap tickets for a renovated ballpark in a happening town.

So if you’re wondering which is the best ballpark to put on your travel list for 2016, consider the newly renovated, beautiful ballpark in the great city of Cleveland.

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

 

A few years ago, I was approached by a gentleman named Peter Fertig, author of a children’s baseball book called “The Deal Is On Strike Three” (that’s an affiliate link, incidentally), who asked me if I might be willing to serve on the board of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award that he had founded.

I was surprised and more than humbled by the request. I had always admired Feller, but reading more about the man, I am now in awe of him.

When I think of players I wish I could have seen in their prime, it’s often pitchers that go near the top of the list. I loved watching Roy Halladay, Justin Verlander or David Price just blow through a lineup and make the best hitters in baseball look like Little Leaguers.

 

So one of my only regrets of being born when I was is missing out on seeing the greatest pitchers; and if you asked me to pick my top three that I never saw, they would be Walter Johnson, Sandy Koufax, and Bob Feller. And maybe Steve Dalkowski, had he ever made it in the bigs.

The Indians hadn’t been much of a powerhouse for most of my 45 years. But there was a time when the Cleveland nine were a consistently contending squad, and the biggest reason was Rapid Robert. During Feller’s career, the Indians made two World Series appearances, winning the 1948 Fall Classic against the Milwaukee Braves. They finished first or second for six straight seasons towards the end of Feller’s career.

Bob Feller piled up strikeouts in an era when hitters were far more selective than they are today. It’s not that Kerry Wood or Roger Clemens recording 20 Ks in a game isn’t a big deal, but I doubt it was as much of a big deal as Feller fanning 18 in one game, as he did in October of 1938. In 1946, he set a record with 348 strikeouts, which would stand until Nolan Ryan K’d 383 in 1973.

He also threw three no-hitters, a record until Sandy Koufax came along, and 12 one-hitters, a record that still stands (shared with Ryan). One of them was the only Opening Day no-hitter in history, in case anyone asks you the trivia question of “when was the only time in history when every player’s batting average was the same before and after a game?”. Another was against the mighty Yankees.

Said Feller of that one: “The no-hitter on opening day in Chicago is the one that gets all the attention. But my no-hitter at Yankee Stadium was against a much better team than the White Sox. There was no comparison. I had to pitch to Tommy Henrich, Charlie Keller and Joe DiMaggio in the ninth inning to get the Yankees out.” What a thriller that must have been to see.

 

My favorite quote from Bob Feller is this one: “I would rather beat the Yankees regularly than pitch a no-hitter.”

Feller posted 266 wins and 2,581 strikeouts in his career. And like many great players of the era, he lost four seasons to World War II.

Despite a terminally ill father and the offer of an exemption from combat, Feller enlisted immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and served as a gun captain on the U.S.S. Alabama, a ship that saw several combat missions. During his time in the Navy, Feller earned six campaign ribbons and eight battle stars. He is still today the only Chief Petty Officer that is in the Baseball Hall of Fame…the one record he owns that is most likely to remain unbroken.

Of his World War II service, Feller modestly said that “the real heroes didn’t come home.” He told a reporter that “combat is an experience that you never forget. A war teaches you that baseball is only a game, after all — a minor thing, compared to the sovereignty and security of the United States. I once told a newspaper reporter that the bombing attack we lived through on the Alabama had been the most exciting 13 hours of my life. After that, I said, the pinstriped perils of Yankee Stadium seemed trivial.”

Feller believed that everyone should serve in the military because of its character building. I could never argue with someone who no-hit the Yankees in the Stadium.

 

Baseball people estimate that given Feller’s 1941 and 1946 performances, he would have likely totaled over 300 wins and 3,800 strikeouts in his career…enough to top Walter Johnson, the record-holder at the time. He also probably would have added some no-hitters and one-hitters to his lifetime total. But the Heater from Van Meter had no regrets. When asked what his biggest victory was, he always replied: “World War II.”

Feller passed away in December of 2010, and while I didn’t think too much of it at the time, I realize now how fortunate I was to have been to a game in Cleveland the following season, and seeing tributes decorate Progressive Field…some of which are featured in this post…and seeing the statue dedicated not just to the Greatest Indian, but much more importantly to a proud war hero.

It is a great honor to serve for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award. I highly recommend that you have a look at the Act of Valor Award website and Facebook page, and see more about what they do to acknowledge war heroes, both of past eras and today.

One day in late June of 1994, I stood at my coil-winding machine wondering what I was going to do with my long weekend. The Fourth of July yielded two whole days off from my employer, who no doubt was trying to weasel out of giving holiday pay to their undeserving employees. With my Orioles in Cleveland, I pondered taking a road trip.

 

The city of Cleveland had begun a long overdue resurgence. A brand new ballpark, Jacobs Field, had finally replaced Municipal Stadium, a place that could have been used for religious pep rallies. The Gund (now Quicken Loans) Arena, the new home of the Cavaliers, had emerged next door. The city barely edged out Philadelphia as the new home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Suddenly, in a matter of just months, the Mistake on the Lake was a worthwhile place for tourists to spend a few dollars.

I had a new car, a 1993 Chevrolet Lumina. I didn’t doubt that it could get me there from Willingboro, NJ. But I didn’t want to drive eight hours to a rainout. Right up until that morning, I was still apprehensive. Why, I don’t know, although it might have had something to do with a Baltimore game getting rained out the year before, and that’s just a two hour drive. Apparently I considered it a big enough deal to be full of trepidation about going.

Watching the Weather Channel, there was rain in the forecast just about everywhere in the country. Except in Ohio.

A phone call to their local weather confirmed a clear evening. A sign from the Baseball Gods. Finally at about 10:00 AM, I pulled the trigger. Called the team, ordered a ticket, got in the car and went.

A light drizzle peppered me along most of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but shortly after crossing the Ohio border, following a rest stop with a fill-up and a Whopper, choirs sang and the skies began to clear…and by the time I had reached the city, it was a gorgeous 73-degree evening with completely clear skies…a perfect night for baseball. I hopped off I-77 at East 9th Street, finding a parking spot at the bar that is now “Local Heroes” or something, just minutes before gametime. Downtown Cleveland.

I circled the ballpark on foot and took in Cleveland’s newest jewel with awe. The white steel, the limestone façade, toothbrush lights, and hordes of newly awakened baseball fans. Just as fresh and stylish as Camden Yards, yet completely different.

All on a beautifully clear, temperate early evening made doubly special by the dark, rainy weather that I had experienced most of the day. I managed to grab a program and find my seat just before gametime, staring at the huge “Indians” atop the scoreboard and marveling at the notion that I was in Cleveland.

 

And the game wasn’t half bad. I believe I hold a small distinction of being present for Cal Ripken’s only homer at the Jake. It put the Birds up 2-1 behind the crafty pitching of Jamie Moyer, one of the more underrated pitchers of his era (and this era, since he’s still pitching as I write this).

I had forgotten about it, but I instantly remembered it when I saw his name in the boxscore. In the sixth inning Chris Sabo, playing in his only season for the O’s, tried to stretch a routine single into a double and was thrown out by about an hour. I remember thinking that I wished the Orioles wouldn’t sign National Leaguers.

Wearing my Orioles gear, I wasn’t too popular with the guys on my right until I bought the guys on my left a beer. Then my right hand men struck a conversation with me, asking how many strikeouts Moyer had (that’s why I keep score). The Indians scored later to make the score 2-2 by the seventh, when Moyer gave way to Mark Williamson, in order to face the mighty Albert Belle with one on.

I am convinced that backup pitchers are called relief pitchers because of the opportunity they provide to empty one’s bladder. At least it worked for me. The Jake’s architects were obviously fans, and installed speakers to broadcast the games in the men’s room. Great idea, I thought, as I pulled up my pants listening to Williamson deliver the first pitch to Belle.

The temperamental Belle reacted by crushing the ball as only he could, and unleashed a mammoth blast into the left field bleachers. Returning to my seat I remarked to my neighbor that it was a good time for an Orioles fan to be not watching, and he agreed…I believe “Yeah, that was a shot” were his words. Williamson would be out of the game a batter later without recording an out.

Cleveland won 4-2 with Mark Clark pitching a complete game. But for once I didn’t mind an Orioles loss (I would certainly have to get used to it after 1997), even as a Cleveland fan sneered at me in the concourse for wearing Orioles gear.

After the game I stopped in the bar where I had parked for a beer and an enjoyable chat with a few local fans. That beer totaled four for the evening, a high number for me. Starting the trek towards home, I simply figured I would go as far as I could go towards home, then crash in a hotel somewhere.

Back out on the Turnpike, with Devo playing on the stereo, I suddenly realized I was tired enough to sleep immediately. Stopping in a Dunkin Donuts on the highway for coffee, I went into the bathroom to splash some water on my face.

 

Picture a six-foot-four guy having removed his hat that he’d been sweating in all night (and I wasn’t much for haircuts back then), dangerously close to falling asleep, with four beers sloshing around his system. What do you suppose this lanky, wide-eyed Baseball Geek looked like? If you said “an alien with an Orioles shirt on” you’d be about right. I pondered what the people at the counter were thinking when the deranged derelict came in for a cup of coffee. A good Thanksgiving story for many of them.

Crossing over the Pennsylvania border, I finally stopped off the first exit, waking up the nice hotel owner and just barely out-negotiating two other people for the last room in the place. It was a little spooky, actually–an out of the way little hotel at 2AM.

The next day that same hotel owner at the office recommended a diner called—I’m not making this up—Sadie’s Big Beaver. And after a fine breakfast of bacon and sunny side up eggs at Sadie’s, I enjoyed a long ride home driving through the hills of Pennsylvania, on a picture-perfect July day.

 

The Jacobs Field souvenir beer cup made it home with me, where I could display it next to the Camden Yards cup. With notes underneath for my roommates: Under Jacobs Field–“This is cool.” And under Camden Yards–“But this is better.” A sentiment I still carry today, with all respect to Cleveland fans.

Looking back it was one of the most enjoyable days of my life, perhaps even top five on that scale, and yet that morning I had to overcome my stupid hand-wringing and take the chance on going. What a difference a Nike moment can make. It’s one of my favorite tips for ballpark road trippers. Just do it. I’ve never regretted it.

So endeth my first Cleveland adventure, and the beginning of the making of a certified Baseball Geek.

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