Puerto Rican Parade and Festival

 The annual Cleveland Puerto Rican Parade was held Sunday August 7th. The Parade was put on by the Hispanic Police Officers' Association (HPOA) which has been proudly serving it's members and the greater Cleveland community since it was founded in 1986.

The 2022 Parade Honorees were:

• Ramonita Vargas, Grand Marshal
• Victor Ruiz, Padrino
• Keisha González, Madrina
• Zaria Ivelisse Ortiz, Miss Teen Puerto Rico 2022

Click on the white arrow below to watch a video of some highlights of the Parade including former Cleveland Indians Carlos Baerga and Candy Maldonado. I did not include the cars and other vehicles in the parade - they will be in a separate video. I also did not include the many politicians in the parade.

See lots of pictures and video of the Puerto Rican Parade and Festival

Rocky Colavito statue unveiling and 88th Birthday

Rocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito Jr. (born August 10, 1933) is best known playing baseball for the Cleveland Indians in right field. In 1959, he hit four consecutive home runs in one game. In 1965, he became the first American League (AL) outfielder to play a complete season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

Rocky Colavito was an All-Star for six seasons (9 All-Star Games). He is the fifth player in the history of the AL to have eleven consecutive 20-home run seasons (1956–1966). During that span, he exceeded 40 home runs three times and 100 runs batted in, six times. He also led the AL in home runs, RBI, and slugging average once each. Colavito ranked third among AL right-handed hitters for home runs (371) and eighth for AL games played at right field (1272), at the end of his MLB playing career in 1968.

But Rocky is so much more than a bunch of all-star caliber achievements. He was a hero to Cleveland and every kid in little league copied the stretch and other batting nuances of #6. The fans loved Rocky and when he was unexpectedly traded to Detroit on April 17, 1960 by Indians general manager Frank Lane to the Detroit Tigers for Harvey Kuenn the fans were devastated. They missed "The Rock" and cries of Don't knock the Rock were everywhere.

The Tribe was extremely unsuccessful after the trade and it was blamed on "The Curse of Rocky Colavito" which became a book by sportswriter Terry Pluto.

In January 1965, Rocky Colavito was brought back to Cleveland from Kansas City by Indians general manager Gabe Paul.

The Cleveland fans never stopped idolizing Rocky and he had a triumphant return in August 2021 for the unveiling of a statue in his honor in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood.

The day included a lunch with a birthday cake and the packed house singing Happy Birthday to Rocky.

Happy 88th birthday Rocky Colavito

I was fortunate to be one of a handful who got to ask Rocky questions at a press conference.  I asked about the many Italian American stars in baseball. I asked who would be his all-time Italian outfield with him in right field and Joe Dimaggio in center. Off camera we talked about other positions. For example, he said while Mike Piazza was great the best Italian catcher was Yogi Berra. No contest.

The highlight of the day was the ceremony and unveiling of the statue in Little Italy.

See lots of photos and videos of Rocky Colavito ceremony

Larry Doby All-Star Playground Dedication

Originally constructed 22 years ago during the inaugural year of the Major League Baseball All-Star Legacy effort during the 1997 All-Star Week in Cleveland, the Larry Doby All-Star Playground has been renovated to include updated equipment and refurbished flooring.

Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland - King Kennedy Club and youth in the nearby community will be able to use the Playground as a daily recreational outlet. The ribbon cutting took place with Larry Doby Jr. and Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan among others in attendance.

Photos and videos from the Larry Doby ceremony

I love the quote from Larry Doby Jr. who said "My Dad said he never got booed in Cleveland."

Larry Doby Jr.

Slider having fun with the kids

Cutting the ribbon

Major League Baseball All-Star Game Play Ball Park Preview

While the biggest baseball stars will come together at Progressive Field during the All-Star break this July, the Indians and MLB will provide fans with their own opportunity to play and experience the game just a few blocks away

A new interactive baseball festival, PLAY BALL PARK, will arrive inside and outside the Huntington Convention Center from July 5-9. The outside activities will be free to all fans, while the indoor activities will be ticketed.  

We took a brief tour outside as crews set up for the big event.

The WalkUp area will let fans hear the walk up song that each player has as he approaches the batter's box.

Special Food Lineup for the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Cleveland

Delaware North, the official food, beverage and retail partner of the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field, announced a lineup of new items for the MLB All- Star Game.

The menu showcases local favorites and ingredients such as Cleveland Kraut, a variety of pierogi and rich sausages.

Loaded Pierogi

On June 28, 2019 media were invited to preview the foods and ask the chef questions.

Chef Joshua Ingraham

See photos, descriptions and videos of all the new All-Star Game foods

More Cleveland foodie stuff at ClevelandCooks.com

37 Baseball Hall of Famers served in World War II led by Bob Feller

Under the umbrella of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation – the U.S. Navy, Cleveland Indians and the Baseball Heritage Museum at League Park saluted and thanked those who served during WWII. This D-Day Remembrance ceremony honored over 100 men and women of the greatest generation.

After the ceremony, Bob DiBiasio, Sr. Vice President-Public Affairs, Cleveland Indians Baseball, told about the 37 Baseball Hall of Famers who served in World War II and the story of Bob Feller who was the first to enlist.

Feller had already won 100 games and was driving to Chicago to sign a new contract.  When he heard the news of the Pearl Harbor attack on the radio he turned around and drove to an enlistment center and signed up.

Baseball Hall of Famers who served in World War II

Watch this short video with Bob DiBiasio telling about the Hall of Famers who served.

What would our modern athletes do?

Cleveland Indians 2018 season preview - What's New at Progressive Field

The American League Central Division Champion Cleveland Indians provided details about what’s new this season at Progressive Field, including the Lexus Home Plate Club, Progressive Charging Lockers, expanded safety netting, new menu items and more. 

Of course the new food and beverage items are of great interest.  How do you not like the Flamethrower or Mac Daddy Dog?

The Flamethrower (Served in Terrace Club and at Throwing Smoke, section 160) is a pork belly and pulled pork sandwich topped with bacon jam, barbecue sauce, green apple slaw and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Mac Daddy Dog is a premium jumbo all-beef hot dog, smoked bacon mac n cheese, pickled fresh jalapenos

See what's new at Cleveland Indians ballpark for 2018

Cleveland Indians give Geeks a Charge

New at the Cleveland Indians ballpark for 2018 are Storage & Phone Charging Lockers from Progressive Insurance.

The 45 storage lockers are perfect for fans who want to stash their belongings and protect souvenirs while cheering on the game. The 72 phone-charging lockers each come equipped with four charging cords, compatible with most phones, so fans can power up and not miss capturing any key moments. 

The lockers, located in Section 169, are available to fans absolutely free of charge and on a first come, first served basis.

Cleveland Indians Hispanic Heritage Night

The Cleveland Indians hosted Hispanic Heritage Night on Friday, Sept. 15 at Progressive Field as part of Major League Baseball’s broader Hispanic Heritage Month efforts.

The Tribe played host to a large group of Hispanic fans at Progressive Field that evening, plus a DJ played the club’s players’ favorite Latin music throughout the game.

The Tribe’s 40-man roster includes 13 players of Hispanic descent, including fan favorites Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramírez, Carlos Carrasco, Edwin Encarnación and more. On Opening Day, 235 players -- almost 30 percent of the league -- were of Latino descent and in a recent ESPN poll, more than 60 percent of Hispanic people living in the U.S. consider themselves fans of Major League Baseball.

The increased activity surrounding Hispanic Heritage Month is an extension of the league’s “Ponle Acento” (“Put an Accent on It”) campaign, launched in 2016 to highlight the distinctive mark that Hispanic and Latino players and fans leave on the game.

Players wore #PonleAcento shirts during Batting Practice that day as seen in these photos by Brittney Zivcsak courtesy of the Cleveland Indians.

Carlos Santana

Francisco Lindor

See more from Cleveland Indians Hispanic Heritage Night 

Indian Independence celebrated at One World Day in Cleveland

Members of the Cleveland Indian community celebrated the Independence of India in the India Cultural Garden on One World Day 2016 in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens in a ceremony organized by FICA, the Federation of India Community Associations.

Near the large statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Satish Parikh spoke about gaining Independence, shouted Jai Hind and then led the singing of Jana Gana Mana, the national anthem of India.

More from the Cleveland Indian community

Cleveland Museum of Art Dir William Griswold – Centennial Part 2

Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) Director William Griswold spoke at the kick off of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s summer of centennial programs event.  This is Part 2 of 2. Slider from the Cleveland Indians joined Bill at the podium.



More photos and video of CMA Centennial event

The Making of Major League

Juuuuust a bit inside.

Jobu.

Wild Thing.

Anyone who has seen the movie Major League will instantly recognize these, and dozens of other, phrases and characters from the classic baseball movie featuring the underdog Cleveland Indians.

People from Cleveland and Milwaukee (where much was filmed) are naturally fans but to many, this is the quintessential baseball movie.

Author Jonathan Knight created the ultimate in depth look at the movie and how it was made and then the follow-up films and reactions. The book includes inside information from writer/director David Ward and producer Chris Chesser as well as all the stars (Tom Berenger, Bob Ueker, Corbin Bernsen, etc and even a foreword by Charlie Sheen.) Not to mention participants like Sister Mary Assumpta.

There are details that will appeal to film buffs - how it was approached, funded, produced, marketed, etc. Of course baseball fans will enjoy the stories of how the actors were taught proper baseball mechanics making it one of the most realistic baseball movies ever.

The author includes a lot of what he calls "Extras" that include trivia, unknown behind-the-scenes info and other tidbits that fans will eat up.

The book is thorough enough to serve as reference material but loaded with enough stories to make it a fun read.

I was at Cleveland Municipal Stadium for the big crowd filming with the helicopters and in reality it wasn't very memorable. We just sat in the stands. But the memories from the movie, now reinforced by this book, are lasting.

Just try and listen to Wild Thing or Randy Newman's Burn On without a fond memory of Major League.

There's a red moon rising on the Cuyahoga River…


Reviewed by Dan Hanson

Let's Have Another by Dan Coughlin

Let's Have Another is the perfect title for this 3rd collection of short stories from longtime Cleveland sports journalist Dan Coughlin. Many of the stories have some connection to a bar or drinking so 'Let's have another' makes sense.

But just like its predecessor 'Pass the Nuts' the title is a predictor of how you will read the book. Whether salty peanuts or another draft, it's sometimes hard to stop. And that's how reading Coughlin's book is. You read a story, then another, then another. You look at the clock and figure you can squeeze one more in. Then another, then another.

The book is a collection of short stories, in no particular order, so it's like you ran into the author in a bar and listened in on some wild tales. The stories are fascinating - especially for a Cleveland sports fan. Some are funny, some sad and some illuminating.

As a lifetime Cleveland sports fan I thought I knew all the details on Ted Stepien and the Cavs, Mickey McBride, Paul Brown, Otto Graham and the rest of the Cleveland Browns and the Cleveland Indians. But the author gave insights I never knew. How different would things have been if Edward DeBartolo had bought the Tribe?

Some characters return from the first two books, like Junior O'Malley and Dennis Lustig, with fresh tales.

Sports Writers and Characters - Dan Coughlin and Dennis Lustig

Like most Cleveland sports fans I am a Browns, Indians and Cavs guy. Tennis, boxing, cars, horse racing are a distant second in interest but Coughlin tells the stories so well I want to start following the other sports.

Just like the keg in one of his favorite bars, I hope Coughlin isn't tapped out and has another volume or two of these stories ready to go. These 220 pages went way too fast.

Slainte.

Don't miss the official ClevelandSeniors.Com profile of Dan Coughlin from 2011.

Reviewed by Dan Hanson

Cleveland Indians spending

We all know about the major expenditures the Cleveland Indians have made for the 2013 season.

But did you know that high school baseball for boys and softball for girls in the Cleveland metropolitan school district is 100% funded by Cleveland Indian Charities and would not exist without them?

Kudos to the Tribe.

19 days

Bob Feller's old #19 jersey came in handy for Tribe PR boss Bob DiBiasio as he announced there are 19 days until the Cleveland Indians Home Opener!

Albert Belle and the Tribe

To me, Albert Belle was one of the most intimidating hitters ever. The way he snarled and grimaced at the plate had to scare opposing pitchers. And the famous photo of Albert pointing to his bicep is a classic.

He, of course, has been estranged from the Cleveland Indians but through the efforts of Carlos Baerga, Kenny Lofton, Sandy Alomar and Mike Hargrove Albert Belle visited spring training this year and the door was opened for more participation.

I am ready for it.

Watch Indians VP Bob DiBiasio tell about it.

Food at Progressive Field for 2012 Season

I am normally a hot dog and beer guy at the ballpark but when there's a Cleveland Indians media preview and you get to sample all the goodies, it can be hard to resist.

There is a new Food Network Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese at sections 121, 154, 163, and 550. As an introductory offer, the Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese will be offered for $2 (regularly $4.50) for the first home stand, while daily supplies last.




There's a decadent praline cake soaked in Jim Beam bourbon.



Some other interesting choices too.

Check out the new foods at Progressive Field this season

Cleveland Indians Experimental Wind Turbine

The Cleveland Indians continue their pioneering efforts re sustainability (solar panels, recycling, etc.) with the installation of a wind turbine at Progressive Field. Assistant director of operations Brad Mohr says they worked on the wind turbine with their neighbors from Cleveland State University. The wind turbine is located on the south-east corner of the ballpark.

See more about the wind turbine and the Cleveland Indians solar panels and other sustainability efforts.

Cleveland Indians and Social Media

The Cleveland Indians have been involved in social media (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc) for years and are expanding their efforts to engage with fans on different platforms such as Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr and a new behind-the scenes blog called Tribe Vibe.

Anne Keegan, Assistant Director of Communications for the Cleveland Indians, tells the Great Lakes Geek about these new efforts.



More on the Tribe and Social Media including how you can apply for the Social Suite and a list of all Cleveland Indians Twitter accounts.

Cleveland Indians Mascots play at Snow Days

Fox 8 Sports Reporter Allie LaForce took on the condiments in pool.

Cleveland Indians Mascots Ketchup, Mustard and Onion try the games in a warm-up area at Progressive Field as part of the Indians Snow Days. Mustard lost to Ketchup in pool and then to Onion in Air Hockey before giving up.

Pictures and Video from Snow Days