Progressive Field

Jacobs Field (informally called "The Jake") is a baseball stadium located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex, along with Quicken Loans Arena, it was built as a replacement for Cleveland Stadium.

Jacobs Field is home to the Cleveland Indians of the American League, and bears the name of former team owner Richard Jacobs. As part of the sale of the team in 2000, the naming rights were scheduled to expire at the end of 2006. The name remains while the team may re-sell the naming rights.

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" .[1] In the eighth inning a huge swarm of insects (believed to be midges from Lake Erie)[2] enveloped the playing field, distracting relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain. Chamberlain walked Grady Sizemore who later scored the tying run on a wild pitch. [3] [4]

Attendance record

The Indians' move to "The Jake" coincided with the coming of age of an outstanding young team, and the Indians soon became the hottest ticket in Cleveland. The ballpark set a major league record between June 12, 1995 and April 4, 2001 by selling out 455 straight games . Demand for tickets was so great that they sold out all 81 home games before opening day on three separate occasions. The Indians "retired" the number 455 in honor of this outstanding record.

Ballpark firsts

Statistic	Person(s)	Date
First Ceremonial First Pitch	President Clinton to Sandy Alomar, Jr.	April 4, 1994
First Hit	Eric Anthony (Seattle Mariners), home run	April 4, 1994
First Indians Hit	Sandy Alomar, Jr., single to right field	April 4, 1994
First Double	Manny Ramírez	April 4, 1994
First Triple	Ken Griffey, Jr. (Seattle Mariners)	April 7, 1994
First Home Run	Eric Anthony (Seattle Mariners)	April 4, 1994
First Indians Home Run	Eddie Murray	April 7, 1994
First Indians Run	Candy Maldonado, scored on Manny Ramírez 2 run double in the 8th inning	April 4, 1994
First Grand Slam	Paul Sorrento	May 9, 1995
First Inside-the-park home run	David Bell	April 15, 1998
First Winning Pitcher	Eric Plunk	April 4, 1994
First Save	Hipólito Pichardo (Kansas City Royals)	April 15, 1994
First Triple Play	Casey Blake-Asdrúbal Cabrera-Víctor Martínez (5-4-3)	August 27, 2007

Photo gallery

• 
  A look at the front of Jacobs field in April, 2003.
• The scoreboard at Jacobs Field, featuring one of the largest video screens in the world.
  The scoreboard at Jacobs Field, featuring one of the largest video screens in the world.
• 
  Looking in from behind the right-center field bullpen at Jacobs Field.

External links

• Ballpark Digest: Jacobs Field
• Cleveland Indians: Jacobs Field

41°29′44.53″N 81°41′7.02″W