CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians, their corporate sponsors and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission held the official kickoff party to the summer baseball season at League Park in the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland Saturday.
In an unprecedented three-mile relay, Indians alumni, fans and sponsors lined the route from League Park to Progressive Field, throwing the ball to the next person in line to deliver it for the ceremonial first pitch prior to today’s game between Cleveland and the New York Yankees.
“First Pitch is a celebration of Cleveland’s baseball history and a great summer of baseball in Cleveland ahead,” said Bob DiBiasio, senior vice president of public affairs for the Indians.
“We come together as a community of many different backgrounds to have one shared experience, and through teamwork and patience, we can complete this incredible task. Let’s be an example of the great things that can be done when we come together as one and work together as a team, much like the players on your beloved Cleveland Indians.”
The original League Park was constructed in 1891 and played home to several of Cleveland’s baseball teams: the Indians, Spiders, Lakeshores and the Negro League Champion Buckeyes. Additionally, League Park hosted games for the Toledo Mudhens, as well as the NFL’s Cleveland Rams and Browns.
Several historic moments in baseball annals happened at League Park, including the final game of Joe DiMaggio’s record 56-game hitting streak and Babe Ruth’s 500th career home run. Also, League Park was the home of the Indians during their run to the 1920 World Series.
“What an honor it is to be here in ‘The Land,’ where everything started,” said Indians Hall of Fame infielder Carlos Baerga. “Baseball started right here at League Park and it’s an honor for me because I like history. When I go to that museum, when I go to this ballpark, I start thinking about all the players that came through here
“This opportunity to start the First Pitch of Summer in this ballpark, and then, we’re going to Progressive Field to throw out the first pitch, it’ll be an honor for me. I represent the Cleveland Indians. I work for the Cleveland Indians, and I’m a die-hard Indian. I want to win as an Indian.”
Baerga started the relay when he threw a pitch to former Indians pitcher Paul Shuey and officially kicked off a summer of events ahead of the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, which will be played at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 9.
“It’s huge for our community,” said David Gilbert, president and CEO of Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.
“It’s going to be watched around the country, watched around the world, but we wanted to make sure at events like this that we all get to take part, and that’s a big part of what this is, connecting our community, connecting our neighborhoods to that wonderful event.”
