Progressive Field

Progressive Field

The Jake
Former names	Jacobs Field (1994-2007)
Location	2401 Ontario Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Coordinates	41°29′45″N 81°41′7″W / 41.49583°N 81.68528°W / 41.49583; -81.68528Coordinates: 41°29′45″N 81°41′7″W / 41.49583°N 81.68528°W / 41.49583; -81.68528
Broke ground	January 1992
Opened	April 4, 1994
Owner	Cuyahoga County
Operator	Gateway Economic Development Corp
Surface	Kentucky Bluegrass
Construction cost	$175 million
Architect	Populous
Capacity	43,515
Field dimensions	Left field - 325 feet (99 m) Left-center - 370 feet (113 m) Center field - 405 feet (123 m) Right-center - 375 feet (114 m) Right field - 325 feet (99 m) Fence height Left field - 19 feet (6 m) Center and right fields - 8 feet (2 m)
Tenants
Cleveland Indians (MLB) (1994-present)

Progressive Field is a ballpark located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and is the home of the Cleveland Indians of the American League. Along with Quicken Loans Arena, it is part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex. It was ranked as Major League Baseball's best ballpark in a 2008 Sports Illustrated fan poll.^[1]

The ballpark is informally referred to as The Jake, based on its original name, Jacobs Field (after former team owners Richard and David Jacobs). It was known by that name since its inaugural season in 1994, until it was changed to Progressive Field prior to opening day 2008.

History

1990s

In 1994, the ballpark opened under the name Jacobs Field as the new home of the Cleveland Indians, which had previously shared Cleveland Municipal Stadium 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. On April 4, 1994, the Indians played their first game at the new stadium. President Bill Clinton threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the Indians defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-3 in 11 innings.

In 1995, it hosted its first World Series, in which the Cleveland Indians lost to the Atlanta Braves. Two years later, it was the site of the 1997 MLB All-Star Game, in which the American League defeated the National League 3-1. In 1997, it hosted the 1997 World Series, which the Cleveland Indians lost to the Florida Marlins.

Prior to the start of the 1997 season, 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.

2000s

Until 2008, the stadium was named Jacobs Field.

In 2004, South Dakota based Daktronics installed what was at the time the largest video display in the world at a sports venue. The video board measures 36 feet (11 m) high by 149 feet (45 m) 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 Cleveland Indians players,^[2] 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, shielded by plantings so it doesn't interfere with the batter's eye.^[3]

On October 5, 2007, in the eighth inning of a playoff game against the New York Yankees, a swarm of insects (believed to be midges from Lake Erie)^[4] enveloped the playing field, distracting relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain. Chamberlain walked Grady Sizemore who later scored the tying run on a wild pitch.^[5] The incident became known as the "Bug Game". In 2009, seagulls began to reside in the outfield during games at the stadium, even interrupting a game-winning ground ball play in a game against the Kansas City Royals. Stadium groundskeepers are currently searching for a solution to the problem, most recently shooting off fireworks after each half-inning in an attempt to scare the birds away.

In August 2008, the Indians extended their lease agreement for the stadium from 2013 to 2023. The agreement with the Gateway Economic Development Corp. also gives the team four five-year renewal options after 2023.^[6]

Renaming

Named for former team owners the Jacobs brothers, the original naming rights expired at the end of 2006.^[7]

On January 11, 2008, it was announced that naming rights to the park had been bought by Progressive Corporation, an insurance company headquartered in nearby Mayfield Village.^[7] Removal of the iconic Jacobs Field sign on the front of the building began the morning of January 18, 2008,^[8] with the replacement sign installed on March 25, 2008.^[9] Progressive agreed to pay $57.6 million for the naming rights for 16 years.^[10][11]

Attendance record

The ballpark set a major league record between June 12, 1995 and April 4, 2001 by selling out 455 straight games.^[12] Demand for tickets was so great that all 81 home games were sold out before opening day on three separate occasions. The Indians "retired" the number 455 in honor of the sellout record. The Boston Red Sox later surpassed this record, when Fenway Park recorded 456 straight sellouts on September 9, 2008.^[13]

"Slider" store

The ballpark features a make-your-own-mascot store. The Indians' mascot, "Slider", is one of only three Major League Baseball team mascots to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame.

Ballpark firsts

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Progressive Field stadium

• Ballpark Digest: Progressive Field (then listed as Jacobs Field)
• Cleveland Indians: Progressive Field
• Flickr Photo Group: Jacobs Field