Cleveland Indians, Amercian League
8/10
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Progressive has a welcoming, well-styled entrance.
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Another downtown park with a low profile allowing for a good view of the skyline? Sure!
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You can make out the enclosed, angled suites in left field on the right of this shot.
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us come down from Toronto that morning. The weather in Toronto had featured a torrential downpour
so it was greatly appreciated to have a clear evening that felt more like late summer than early fall. The Indians were in the midst of a Wild Card run, sending the eventual Cy Young winner for the AL, Corey Kluber, to the mound.
so it was greatly appreciated to have a clear evening that felt more like late summer than early fall. The Indians were in the midst of a Wild Card run, sending the eventual Cy Young winner for the AL, Corey Kluber, to the mound.
The park is in the middle of downtown Cleveland, almost right next to the NBA Cavaliers’ home court.
If Balitmore’s Camden Yards was a groundbreaker in terms of ballpark design, Progressive Field,
or as it was known when it opened, Jacobs Field, reinforced that the trend would continue.
Walking in, it is hard to believe that this park was 19 years old when I visited it.
If Balitmore’s Camden Yards was a groundbreaker in terms of ballpark design, Progressive Field,
or as it was known when it opened, Jacobs Field, reinforced that the trend would continue.
Walking in, it is hard to believe that this park was 19 years old when I visited it.
The park has a relatively common three decked layout. The high wall in left centre is the most
unique feature as far as the field dimensions are concerned. The enclosed suites on the left field side,
presumably to fight Cleveland’s cooler springs are also an interesting design. The large, open
concourse in left field, evokes the similar one on the right field side in Baltimore.
The Cleveland skyline is clearly visible, although Tower Plaza, arguably the most famous building
in the city was not, at least not without leaning forward.
unique feature as far as the field dimensions are concerned. The enclosed suites on the left field side,
presumably to fight Cleveland’s cooler springs are also an interesting design. The large, open
concourse in left field, evokes the similar one on the right field side in Baltimore.
The Cleveland skyline is clearly visible, although Tower Plaza, arguably the most famous building
in the city was not, at least not without leaning forward.
A neat quirk was how in the program, all concession items anywhere in the park were listed,
along with what concession stands sold them. No more walking around looking for Corn Dogs for you.
along with what concession stands sold them. No more walking around looking for Corn Dogs for you.
A weird quirk was how the outer sections of the upper deck were closed. I can understand not wanting to open 5 sections, that will just need to be cleaned which there are
unsold seats from better vantage points, but it served to make the park look emptier than it was.
There were still 30 thousand in attendance, who weren’t disappointed, as the Indians eked out a win.
unsold seats from better vantage points, but it served to make the park look emptier than it was.
There were still 30 thousand in attendance, who weren’t disappointed, as the Indians eked out a win.
On the whole, I liked this park. It’s downtown, which is always a plus and the fact that it was
slightly ahead of it’s time to begin with means it is aging nicely. Recommended.
Update 2017: Haven't been back here to date. There were apparently only 17 thousand and change in attendance, which is surprising, given the fact it was September and Cleveland was still in it. Under the new ratings, the park still earns a plus, with the somewhat flat atmosphere not actually affecting the score. Cleveland doesn't seem to draw well until basically the playoffs, finishing 28th in average attendance for the 2016 regular season, ahead of only pariahs, Tampa Bay and Oakland. With such a good team, it's amazing it's not in the top half.
Linescore
2014-09-07
123 456 789 RHE
Chicago(AL) 001 000 000 151
Cleveland 000 100 20x 391
Temp: 69F Time: 2:46 Att: 17,367
slightly ahead of it’s time to begin with means it is aging nicely. Recommended.
Update 2017: Haven't been back here to date. There were apparently only 17 thousand and change in attendance, which is surprising, given the fact it was September and Cleveland was still in it. Under the new ratings, the park still earns a plus, with the somewhat flat atmosphere not actually affecting the score. Cleveland doesn't seem to draw well until basically the playoffs, finishing 28th in average attendance for the 2016 regular season, ahead of only pariahs, Tampa Bay and Oakland. With such a good team, it's amazing it's not in the top half.
Linescore
2014-09-07
