The ballpark, call it Jacobs Field or now the “Prog” (how stupid does that sound) will Friday become nothing for awhile. Friday at 9am they are taking the old Jacobs Field sign off the front of the ballpark. It will stay blank for awhile until they put a new Progressive Field sign on it prior to opening day March 31st. Ugh, can’t wait.
Cleveland, Ohio (January 11, 2008)—In March of 1937, Steve O’Neill was managing the Cleveland Indians, the team was at Spring Training in New Orleans and preparing for another season at League Park at Lexington and East 66th Street in Cleveland. At the same time, just a few blocks away on Euclid Avenue, two young Clevelanders, Jack Lewis and Joe Green, were starting a car insurance company known as Progressive.
Now, 70 years later, two Cleveland institutions—the Cleveland Indians and Progressive—are joining forces to bring the excitement of championship baseball to fans everywhere.
Today, what’s currently known as Jacobs Field will become Progressive Field. Progressive, a leading car, motorcycle and commercial auto insurer, has partnered with the Indians on a 16-year deal for the naming rights to the ballpark and will also become the Official Auto Insurer of the Cleveland Indians.
Progressive President and CEO Glenn Renwick said: “This is a story about two Cleveland-based organizations making a long-term commitment to the city, the fans and our people.”
“Progressive is the perfect fit for the Cleveland Indians, a hometown, world-class organization known for putting their customers first with a tradition of innovation and excellence,” said Indians President Paul Dolan. “We look forward to continuing to provide our fans with a championship-caliber team in an atmosphere of superior customer service and entertainment at Progressive Field.”
Progressive’s payments to the Indians over the 16-year term of the agreement will average approximately $3.6 million annually.
For those of you that have pushed for The Jake to never be called anything else, times are a changin. The Indians are announcing today that they are re-naming Jacobs Field today, with the new name being Progressive Field, after Progressive Insurance agency which is located in Mayfield. While this is sad, it’s totally expected, and will give the Indians a little cash since by no means are they renaming the field for free. While the amount has yet to be known, consider that the new ballpark in Pittsburgh which is named PNC Park, has PNC Bank paying the Pirates $2 mil a season through 2020. Hopefully some of this cash will go to CC. Links to stories on the name change below.
Matt has covered Major League Baseball and the "other two" Pro teams in Cleveland since 1994. He has been on the beat of the Indians in full-time mode since 1996, working for various raido and print networks around the country.
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