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Jacobs Field (informally called "The Jake") is a baseball stadium located in the middle of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex, along with Quicken Loans Arena, it was built as a replacement for Cleveland Stadium. Jacobs Field is home to the Cleveland Indians of the American League, and bears the name of former team owner Richard Jacobs. As part of the sale of the team in 2000, the naming rights will expire at the end of 2006.•
History Jacobs Field is one of the contributing factors to the revitalization of downtown Cleveland. Opening in 1994, it replaced Cleveland Municipal Stadium, which the Indians shared with the NFL's Cleveland Browns, and which for the Tribe had become the archetype of the adjective "cavernous." In May 1990, Cuyahoga County voters approved a 15-year sin tax on alcohol and cigarette sales in order to finance the new sports complex. In June 1992, the ceremonial first pitch was thrown at the site of the new Jacobs Field before construction of the building began. Finally, on April 4, 1994, the Cleveland Indians played their first baseball game at Jacobs Field against the Seattle Mariners. Then-president Bill Clinton threw the ceremonial first pitch, and the Indians won 4-3. In 1995, Jacobs Field hosted its first World Series, where the Cleveland Indians lost to the Atlanta Braves. Jacobs Field was the site of the 1997 MLB All-Star Game and the host of the 1997 World Series where the Cleveland Indians lost to the Florida Marlins. Prior to the start of the 1997 season, Jacobs Field had a slight addition as two sections of seating were added onto the ends of the bleacher section, increasing the capacity by about 1,000 to its current 43,345. The Indians' move to "The Jake" coincided with the coming of age of an outstanding young team, and the Indians soon became the hottest ticket in Cleveland. The ballpark set a major league record between 1995 and early 2001 by selling out 455 straight games. Demand for tickets was so great that they sold out all 81 home games before opening day on three separate occasions. The Indians "retired" the number 455 in honor of this outstanding record. "455 THE FANS" has been placed in lettering on a wall in the right field GA in commemoration. In 2004, Jacobs Field's scoreboard, the largest free-standing scoreboard in the United States, was modernized with the installation of the largest video display in the world at a sports venue, built by Daktronics of South Dakota. The video board measures 36 feet high by 149 feet wide. Also in 2004, a center field dining area located behind the seating, formerly occupied by auxiliary bleachers, was replaced with a bar area called the Batter's Eye Bar. Ballpark firsts Photo Gallery Image:Jacobs Field 2003.jpg|A look at the front of Jacobs field in April, 2003. Image:Jacobs field scoreboard.jpg|The scoreboard at Jacobs Field, featuring one of the largest video screens in the world. Image:DSCN4653.JPG|Looking in from behind the right-center field bullpen at Jacobs Field. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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