CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
Fifty years to the day that he first brought his brass drum to Cleveland Municipal Stadium, John Adams is being celebrated with one of the Cleveland Guardians' highest honors.
On Wednesday, the Guardians announced that their legendary stadium drummer has been inducted into the franchise's Distinguished Hall of Fame for non-uniformed personnel. Adams first brought his drum to Cleveland Municipal Stadium on Aug. 24, 1973, and has been associated with the franchise for the past 50 seasons, leading fans in supporting the team while attending more than 3,700 games.
As a legacy gift and tribute to Adams, the Guardians have commissioned local sculptor David Deming to create a bronzed replica drum affixed to his actual bleacher bench at Progressive Field. The John Adams drum bench is located on the top level of Heritage Park.
While he hasn't been able to attend a game in person since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and his ongoing health issues, Adams has still managed to make his presence felt in Cleveland. Earlier this year, O’Neill Healthcare Fairview Park -- where Adams has been rehabbing -- posted a video of him banging on his drum at the facility during the Guardians' home opener.
Adams is the 12th person to have been inducted into the Guardians' Distinguished Hall of Fame. Last week, the team inducted long-time traveling secretary Mike Seghi into the Hall of Fame.
"I'm the one that's blessed," Adams told 3News in 2021. "I get to go to ballgames, which I love, beat on a drum and make noise, and I get to meet people from all over the world. How lucky can a guy get?"