CLEVELAND — It’s not a player one Ohio sports team is honoring for his lifetime achievement, but a fan.
What You Need To Know
- John Adams first brought his bass drum to a Cleveland Indians game on Aug. 24, 1973
- Since then, he’s attended more than 3,700 games, leading fan support with his steady beat
- To honor his dedication to the team, the Cleveland Guardians commissioned a bronze replica of his drum attached to his actual bleacher seat, now on display at Progressive Field
- Adams was also inducted into the team’s Distinguished Hall of Fame for non-uniformed personnel
Cleveland’s baseball team has had a lot of fans over its more than 120-year history, but only one brought the beat of his own drum to more than 3,700 games to help rally the team to victory.
To thank John Adams for his support, the Cleveland Guardians brought a piece of Progressive Field to him on the anniversary of the first time he attended a game with his drum nearly 50 years ago.
Curtis Danburg, the team’s communications and community impact vice president, unveiled a bronze replica of the instrument and inducted Adams into the team’s Distinguished Hall of Fame for Non-Uniformed Personnel at a special ceremony.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Adams said. “This is incredible.”
But Danburg said it’s Adams who’s incredible.
“It’s pretty clear who our number one fan has always been,” Danburg said. “Going back to 1973.”
That’s the year a 21-year-old Adams brought the drum with him to Cleveland Municipal Stadium to cheer on the then-Cleveland Indians.
Danburg said a newspaper article mentioned Adams and his unique show of support for the team, adding he’d be at every game with the drum.
“And from that moment on he’s like, ‘Well, it’s in print, I need to show up and make sure I’m at every game,’” Danburg said. “And he has done that. Almost up to 50 years.”
The team moved to Progressive Field in 1994 and Adams came along with them—his drum beat a part of the overall experience at Cleveland games.
John Adams sits near a replica of his drum, surrounded by healthcare personnel while being honored by the Cleveland Guardians. (Courtesy of Cleveland Guardians)
“It transcends baseball, and it transcends life and really is what Cleveland is all about,” Danburg said.
Adams rhythmically rallied the team and became an honorary member of the ball club in the process.
“We’ll soon have a plaque up here honoring him, and it was right here that we removed the bench that is now out in Heritage Park,” Danburg said, gesturing to the space under the stadium Jumbotron.
Heritage Park is a place inside the stadium that preserves the team’s legacy and honors Hall of Fame players.
And now, also Adams.
“To dedicate his life to supporting our team?” Danburg said. “I mean, that really is true dedication.”
In recent seasons, Adams has had to hang up his mallets for health reasons, unable to attend games in person.
“You can’t replicate 50 years of fandom with the legacy he had,” Danburg said. “That’s why we wanted to honor and celebrate him. We’re not looking to repeat that, we’re not looking to replicate that. It’s about honoring John and what he meant.”
That prompted the Guardians to honor him with a special ceremony at a health care facility.
“Now when I get back down there, to the ballpark, you better have a new seat for me,” Adams said.
A video tribute honoring Adams and sharing his legacy will be played at the Cleveland Guardians games at Progressive Field on Sept. 2 and Oct. 1.
