CLEVELAND — As we count down to Opening Day at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario, the Guardians have released their slate of special promotions for the 2023 season.
With expectations sky-high following Cleveland's surprising run to the American League Central Division championship last year, the latest schedule includes giveaways and events for 35 games at Progressive Field. It all begins with the traditional magnet schedule and car magnet for all fans during the April 7 home opener against the Seattle Mariners.
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The club's most popular promotion has consistently been Sugardale Dollar Dog Night, and Guards rooters will be able to bask in its majestic glory nine times between May and September. There will also be 16 fireworks nights, including the spectacular "Rock 'N' Blast" display following back-to-back contests against the Chicago White Sox Aug. 4-5.
There will be a pair of jersey giveaways featuring Josh Naylor and Triston McKenzie, along with bobbleheads of Andrés Giménez, Steven Kwan, and Emmanuel Clase. Additionally, on May 13 against the Los Angeles Angels, the first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a replica Gold Glove Award from one of Cleveland's four winners from 2022 — Giménez, Kwan, Shane Bieber, or Myles Straw.
The organization will also celebrate Larry Doby Day against the Atlanta Braves on July 5, marking the 76th anniversary of the baseball legend breaking the AL's color barrier. The first 10,000 fans will receive a replica 1948-style Indians cap with Doby's signature stitched on the bill.
However, perhaps the biggest celebration will come on Aug. 19 against the Detroit Tigers, when the Guardians plan to induct at least one new member into the team's Hall of Fame. The club has not held such a ceremony at the ballpark since 2016, when Albert Belle, Charlie Jamieson, Frank Robinson, and Jim Thome were enshrined in Heritage Park.
The franchise has not yet announced who this year's inductee (or inductees) will be, but the first 12,500 people through the gates will get a special bobblehead. There will also be fireworks after the game.
According to the Guardians, single-game tickets for 2023 go on sale this coming Monday. You can view the entire list of promotions and events below (NOTE: Some giveaways will only be available to a select number of fans):
- April 7 (home opener): Magnet schedule & car magnet courtesy of Progressive (all fans)
- May 12: Asian American Pacific Islander heritage celebration
- May 13: Mystery Gold Glove (10,000 fans)
- Will be one of either Shane Bieber, Andrés Giménez, Steven Kwan, or Myles Straw
- May 26: Free Shirt Friday (12,500 fans), Sugardale Dollar Dog Night, fireworks, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite
- May 27: Josh Naylor jersey courtesy of Bally Sports (12,500 fans), fireworks presented by Wayside Furniture, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite
- May 28: Kids Fun Day, Kids Run the Bases presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's
- June 9: Free Shirt Friday (12,500 fans), Sugardale Dollar Dog Night, fireworks, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite, Pride Celebration
- June 10: Triston McKenzie jersey courtesy of Sugardale (12,500), fireworks, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite
- June 11: Kids Fun Day, Kids Run the Bases presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's
- June 22: Trucker cap courtesy of MLB Network (10,000 fans)
- June 23: Free Shirt Friday (12,500 fans), Sugardale Dollar Dog Night, fireworks, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite
- June 24: Andrés Giménez bobblehead courtesy of Discount Drug Mart (12,500 fans), $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite
- June 25: Kids Fun Day, Kids Run the Bases presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's
- July 3: Hawaiian Shirt courtesy of Car Parts Warehouse (15,000 fans), Sugardale Dollar Dog Night, fireworks presented by Wayside Furniture, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite
- July 5: Larry Doby 1948 cap courtesy of Dollar Bank (10,000 fans), Larry Doby celebration
- July 7: Free Shirt Friday (12,500 fans), fireworks
- July 8: José RamÃrez reversible Bucket Hat (15,000 fans) courtesy of Progressive, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Coors Light
- July 9: Kids Fun Day, Kids Run the Bases presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's
- July 21: Free Shirt Friday (12,500 fans), Sugardale Dollar Dog Night, fireworks presented by Dollar Bank, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite
- July 22: Steven Kwan bobblehead courtesy of Sherwin Williams (12,500 fans), fireworks, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite
- July 23: Kids Fun Day, Slider's birthday, Kids Run the Bases presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's
- July 26: Stainless steel tumbler courtesy of Lexus (10,000 fans)
- Aug. 4: Rock 'N' Blast presented by FirstEnergy, Free Shirt Friday (12,500 fans), Sugardale Dollar Dog Night, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite
- Aug. 5: Rock 'N' Blast presented by FirstEnergy, Weekender bag courtesy of Sysco (12,500 fans), $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite
- Aug. 6: Kids Fun Day, Kids Run the Bases presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's
- Aug. 18: Free Shirt Friday (12,500 fans), Sugardale Dollar Dog Night, fireworks, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Coors Light
- Aug. 19: Guardians Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Guardians Hall of Fame bobblehead courtesy of Medical Mutual (12,500 fans), fireworks, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Coors Light
- Aug. 20: Kids Fun Day, Kids Run the Bases presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's
- Sept. 1: Free Shirt Friday (12,500 fans), Sugardale Dollar Dog Night, fireworks, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite
- Sept. 2: Emmanuel Clase bobblehead courtesy of Bally Sports (12,500 fans), fireworks presented by Wayside Furniture, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Miller Lite
- Sept. 3: Kids Fun Day, Kids Run the Bases presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's
- Sept. 15: Hispanic Heritage celebration
- Sept. 16: Lightweight hoodie courtesy of Window World (10,000 fans)
- Sept. 23: Fan Appreciation Night, Sugardale Dollar Dog Night, fireworks, $2 Pregame in the District presented by Coors Light, 2023 schedule poster courtesy of TTX (all fans)
- Sept. 24: Kids Run the Bases presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's