CLEVELAND — Progressive Field has undergone a multitude of changes since it last hosted the MLB All-Star Game, and if fans have not been to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario since might notice a few new amenities.
Here is a look at some of the changes made to Progressive Field in the last 22 years.
Name on the door
When Cleveland hosted the 1997 MLB All-Star Game, the Indians had yet to enter the corporate naming rights game, as the ballpark was known as Jacobs Field after owner Richard E. Jacobs.
Although Jacobs paid for the naming rights, it was not until 2008 that Progressive Insurance, based out of the Cleveland suburb of Mayfield purchased the rights for a reported $57.6 million for a 16-year stretch.
Local flare
During their latest round of renovations, the Indians renewed their commitment to the City of Cleveland in a unique culinary way.
The Indians have partnered with several local restaurants from the various neighborhoods around the city to bring unique food offerings to ballpark goers, everything from Happy Dog, Ohio City Burrito and Pasta Al Dante to Dynomite Burgers, Barrio and The Melt Bar and Grilled.
The District/Homeplate Club
The Indians have been committed to creating unique and popular fan experiences in recent seasons, and have done so by removing some seats and creating new and different viewing sections, namely in foul territory in right field and behind home plate.
“The Corner Bar” has become a popular go-to spot for younger fans, as they are the least expensive tickets in the park and come with a beer on the house for those 21 and over. Fans can watch the games on a multitude of flat-screen TVs while enjoying the sports bar experience or stand by one of the several rows of drink rails in right field.
The Homeplate Club is for Diamond Box and Field Box Front season-ticket holders, and unlike many club and suite levels, it is located on the main concourse of the ballpark. There is a full bar with a multitude of concession options and remains open after games for season-ticket holders a place to wait for traffic to clear for high-demand series.
Video board
The Indians have gone through two scoreboard changes since 1997, the latest of which took place before the 2016 season.
The Indians’ new high-definition scoreboard stands 59 feet tall and 221 feet wide, good enough for 13,000 square feet of display.
Party Decks
The Indians shrunk the capacity of Progressive Field when they added the right field terraces to the ballpark ahead of the 2015 season.
Although the creation of the right field terraces led to the removal of 7,000 seats, during opening day, postseason and high-demand regular-season games, it has become a popular spot for those looking to cheer the Indians onto victory.
Additionally, the numbers and names of the jerseys retired by the team adorn the front façade of several of the terraces.
Heritage Park/Jim Thome statue
The Indians are no strangers to paying homage to their history and the players who helped make the franchise an institution in Cleveland, and since the 1997 MLB All-Star Game, the organization has made it a point to recognize key figures and moments in time.
Along with the several moments commemorated with plaques outside the center-field gates, the Indians have Heritage Park, which houses the names of the team’s 100 greatest players and hall of famers. Also, there are statues honoring the team’s great players, notably Larry Doby, Jim Thome, Lou Boudreau, Frank Robinson and Bob Feller.
