JACOBS FIELD

'Jacobs Field' (informally called '"The Jake"') is a baseball stadium located in the middle of 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.^[1] The name remains while the team and the park's owner, The Gateway Economic Development Corp., look to re-sell the naming rights.

Contents

History

Attendance record

Ballpark firsts

Photo gallery

References

External links

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, and which for the Tribe had become the archetype of the adjective "cavernous."
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, where 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 where 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.^[2]

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 1995 and early 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 Indians Run'	Candy Maldonado, scored on Manny Ramírez 2 run double in the 8th inning	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 Grand Slam'	Paul Sorrento	May 9, 1995
'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

References

1. Hoynes, Paul. Tribe fielding offers to rename Jacobs Field, ''The Plain Dealer'', May 24, 2006.
2. Briggs, David. Tribe cuts ribbon on Heritage Park, MLB.com. 2007-03-29.

External links

★ Ballpark Digest: Jacobs Field

★ Cleveland Indians: Jacobs Field