CLEVELAND — Editor's note: Video in the player at the top of this story was originally published in a previous article on Sept. 8, 2022.
Although he wasn’t in his well-known seat under the scoreboard at Progressive Field, John Adans and his iconic rally drum still made a special appearance at the ballpark to kick off the first Wild Card game between the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.
Appearing via video, Adams was showcased as a special guest to get the best-of-three series started.
“I want to hear you, Cleveland!” he said before banging on his drum as he’s done for decades.
With Slider by his side, Adams then shouted: “Play ball!”
The Guardians shared the video on Twitter.
“We miss you here at Progressive Field,” the team wrote with #ForTheLand.
You can watch the moment with Adams below:
RELATED: 'I can't quit': Iconic Cleveland baseball drummer John Adams gives update amid health issues
Adams has not attended a game since 2019 due to some health issues that surfaced after a routine checkup as he learned his thyroid was failing and he was having a heart attack.
“It’s difficult and a lot of setbacks,” Adams told 3News’ Nick Camino in an exclusive one-on-one interview that aired last month. “It wasn’t just one. It was a lot. But I can’t quit. That’s when you lose is when you quit. I have too much to do and too much to look forward to.”
Adams, who became a staple of the ballpark experience for fans all across Northeast Ohio, first brought his drum to Cleveland Municipal Stadium on Aug. 24, 1973, ultimately attending more than 3,700 games.
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated Guardians story on Oct. 7, 2022.