My Experiences: Stadium 2; Progressive Field

Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians and Tribe Nation! The stadium, landscape, and fans are one of a kind. It is the only stadium I have been to so far in which fans line the streets so heavily and wait in front of the gate hours before the game begins. Another thing that stuck out to me about pregame in Cleveland is that driving around the stadium was not as bad as PNC Park as well as parking was less expensive. In fact, PNC Park was easily the most expensive to park if I am not mistaken. 

Prior to the game, we stopped for a meal at Brickstone Tavern which has great pizza and bar food. However, they did not bring me water when I asked for one. I had to order a soda for them to actually bring me a beverage. I wish I could have had an adult beverage, but I was two months south of my 21st birthday at the time. Regardless, Brickstone Tavern has my highest praise for a pregame or post game meal or drink.

Heading into the stadium, I noticed some similarities between PNC Park and Progressive Field in that they each have a beautiful skyline behind them to showcase the beauty of the city. The city of Cleveland gets a bad rap, and we know it is not Joakim Noah’s preferred vacation destination. However, the city is a great one and they love their pro sport teams and are so loyal to them.

At Progressive Field, we sat in the second to last row right behind home plate. It was a hike to get up there, but the seats allowed us to see the amazing landscape and also see the entire field easily. The game was a pitching duel between Mike Clevinger and Justin Verlander. Verlander was starting to skid in the later part of his career with the Tigers, but he had mostly good stuff this game. He walked four batters, but had no run support. He gave up just one run, and that came on an RBI double from Michael Brantely that scored Fransisco Lindor.

Clevinger pitched well, gave up no runs, and got the win. Andrew Miller came in for the Tribe in relief and pitched 2 great innings and struck out two. He had great stuff that day, and hitters could not do much with what Miller was giving them to hit. Cody Allen came in for the 9th inning in a 4-0 ballgame and pitched a great inning. Seeing Miller and Allen was a treat because this was one of the best setup and closer duos in the 2017 season.Additionally, seeing Verlander and Miguel Cabrera play was special. These are two of the best players of my generation, and to see them live was amazing. The Indians were also a ball club who had a little bit of everything in 2017, while the Tigers we noticed were starting to go in the opposite direction. The Tigers had too much money wrapped up in too few players, and they are still digging their way out of that mess today.

The Indians are still a competitive ball club, but they too have had some players leave via trade and free agency. It is amazing to think how quickly major sports can change in terms of player and coaching personnel. It really is a business at the end of the day, and the business comes first to owners today more so than ever.

Later in the summer of 2017, I visited two more stadiums. The first of which was the Atlanta Braves brand new home, SunTrust Park. When I saw it, it was SunTrust Park, anyhow. Today, it is now called Trusit Park. I am excited to share about my wonderful experience seeing the young Braves play in person!