Juuuust A Bit Outside

After the Bourbon Trail, we headed north towards Cleveland, Ohio. We were excited to see another baseball game at Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field). It took us two days to drive to the northern most point of Ohio, as we stopped to do a much needed load of laundry and got caught in a thunderstorm outside of Columbus. Peter's dad (better known to our readers as Jerry Jazz), funded our Cleveland adventure, allowing us to take full advantage of the game, a hotel, and the succeeding halls of fame. We checked into our hotel, ate some pizza, drank a beer, and took the hotel shuttle service to the ballpark for the 7:05 first pitch between the Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays.

Wolf standing outside Progressive Field. The ground was damp, but the weather held out for us.

Peter talking with the bag checker outside the stadium. He told us he used to live in Portland with his girlfriend, but she was a crazy biker, so he "had to get out of there." We stopped the conversation short by asking for a bar recommendation nearby. 

Peter's phone provided constant updates of "flash flood" warnings. There was one expected at game time, so we had time to grab a cold one at the recommended bar, Hairy Buffalo. That night, The Eagles (as in "Hotel California" Eagles) were playing at the adjacent arena. We mingled with their fans as the speakers blasted "Witchy Woman."

We were now in the stadium and the tarp was coming off. Play Ball!

Hanging out in the outfield bleachers conjured up memories of the center field drum circle in one of our favorite comedies, "Major League."

Korean tourists really into the game. They spent the first few innings capturing 1000's of pictures of themselves. 

The view from our first seats. The stadium was fairly empty due to the lack of success in recent years and the rain delay. We decided to move quickly. 

On the walk through the concourse to our new seats, a display showed a time when the Indians were one of the best teams in baseball. They were one of our favorite teams as a kid. A great hitting line-up which included David Justice, Roberto Alomar, Sandy Alomar Jr., Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Omar Vizquel, and others. 

We set up shop on the third base line about eight rows up. They were great seats, but they were our second stop of four.

A view of the fifth inning hot dog race. Wolf had ketchup who had a huge lead just before pulling a hammy. Peter had mustard, who won. Unbelievable upset. 

A view of Slider, the Indian's mascot, from our third seats. 

Panorama shot of the whole stadium. The Thinker on the right.

Settled in to our fourth and final seats. We met a couple from our hotel on the shuttle over to the game. We talked about splitting a cab back to the hotel. They were Toronto Blue Jays fans who drove down from Ontario for the game. Unfortunately, they didn't see their team win as the Indians won 3-0.

The game had ended and we were off to the hotel. Wolf flashing a quick Oregon "O" before we left.

We were excited to get a good night sleep in a bed. We had a big day ahead of us which included the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Oakland A's game at PNC Park. 

Major League - "Juuuust a bit outside"

 

Granicus - "Cleveland, Ohio"