Jim Thome, Austin Carr and Jim Brown to throw out ceremonial first pitches at Indians Home Opener
The American League Champion Cleveland Indians announced today the full schedule of festivities leading up to first pitch at 4:10PM on Tuesday, April 11, the Tribe’s 2017 Home Opener at Progressive Field. Gates will open at 2PM.
The game, the Tribe’s 24th Home Opener at Progressive Field, marks the 117th as a charter member of the American League, and the 25th consecutive Home Opener sellout dating back to the team’s final year at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. This year’s game sold out in three minutes on March 6.
There will be a pregame ceremony to celebrate the Indians AL Championship, during which players and coaches will receive their AL Championship rings, a flag will be raised in center field and a banner will be unveiled in the Right Field Terraces. The Indians encourage fans to be in their seats by 3PM to witness the ceremony.
The Tribe will help the city #RallyTogether by hosting a trio of Cleveland sports legends to throw out ceremonial first pitches:
· Jim Thome: A familiar face to fans, the Indians Hall of Famer played for the Tribe from 1991-2002 and in 2011 and is the franchise leader in home runs.
· Austin Carr: This Cavs great is second on the franchise’s all-time games played list and fourth in points scored.
· Jim Brown: The Browns Hall of Fame running back was recognized as the NFL MVP three times and led the team to an NFL championship in 1964.
The Cleveland Orchestra string section is set to perform the national anthem; the group also performed the anthem before Game 7 of the World Series. The Cleveland Orchestra is nearing the celebration of its centennial of its founding. Following the conclusion of their performance, there will be a US Air Force F-16 flyover.
The Indians will honor all branches of the United States military, as members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard will present the colors. Meanwhile, an oversized American flag will be presented by 250 employees of Progressive Insurance, the presenting partner of the club’s Opening Series.