Progressive Field

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The journey to Progressive Field began when Cleveland Stadium, which seated around 78,000 for baseball, became too vast for the team's lean years from the 1960s through the early 1990s. Voters approved a sin tax in May 1990 to fund the new complex after previous plans for a fully publicly funded domed stadium failed in 1984. Construction started in January 1992 at the site of the former Central Market, with Mel Harder throwing a ceremonial pitch at the groundbreaking ceremony on January 22, 1992. The ballpark opened on April 4, 1994, with Cleveland Mayor Michael White throwing the first pitch as the Indians defeated the Seattle Mariners 4–3 in 11 innings before a crowd of 41,459. During that inaugural season, the team posted an 18-game home winning streak. The venue quickly became a playoff destination, hosting World Series games in 1995, 1997, and 2016, and the MLB All-Star Game in 1997.

In Their Own Story

On October 5, 2007, during Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, the stadium witnessed a bizarre event now known as the "Bug Game." A swarm of midges from Lake Erie enveloped the field in the eighth inning, distracting relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain. The insects caused him to walk outfielder Grady Sizemore, who later scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Years earlier, on July 3, 1999, Jim Thome launched the longest home run in ballpark history, measured at 511 feet (156 m) to center field. The facility also saw significant milestones like the first playoff game on October 3, 1995, ending a 41-year drought with a 5–4 win over the Boston Red Sox. Between 1995 and 2001, the team sold out 455 consecutive regular-season games, establishing a golden era for Cleveland baseball.

Reader's Guide

Visitors to Progressive Field should note its evolution from a 42,865-seat facility in 1994 to an official capacity of 34,820 as of 2025. The stadium features unique elements like "Heritage Park," created in 2007 with $1.1 million spent on plaques honoring Hall of Famers and a memorial plaque for Ray Chapman originally from League Park. In March 2012, the team installed a corkscrew-shaped wind turbine above the southeast corner, though it was removed by March 2013 due to cracks. Renovations in 2015 reconfigured Gate C, moved statues of Jim Thome and Bob Feller, added "The Corner" bar, and relocated bullpens to right-center field. Further updates before the 2016 season included new standing room areas and a club behind home plate. By 2017, LED lights and Wi-Fi were installed throughout. The ballpark is owned by the Gateway Economic Development Corporation of Greater Cleveland.

Did You Know?

• The stadium was the first new major sporting facility to open in Cleveland since Cleveland Arena opened in 1937.
• Between 1995 and 2001, the Indians sold out 455 consecutive regular-season games.
• In 2008, Progressive Field was ranked as MLB's best ballpark in a Sports Illustrated fan opinion poll.
• The longest home run hit at the stadium is often cited as 511 feet by Jim Thome on July 3, 1999, but this claim is unverified by official measurements or reliable sources.
• As of 2025, it is not the smallest MLB stadium by total maximum capacity; Tropicana Field has a smaller listed capacity.