Cleveland Indians: Send in those Tribe Vibes

From the New York Yankees bleacher creatures roll call to the Braves chop drop and even the wave, fans of Major League Baseball will stop at nothing to help provide a stadium buzz, a spark, or do anything they can to intimidate the opponent. It’s part of the atmosphere and every stadium is unique, including Progressive Field.

John J. Adams, an Ohio native who was born in 1951, and attended Saint Ignatius and Parma High Schools, both located in Parma, Ohio. John played the bass drum in the school band before graduating in 1969.

August 24, 1973,  was a day that saw John Adams forever be sewn into the fabric of the Cleveland Indians. On this day, the Indians were playing host to the Texas Rangers.

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John had decided that he would bring a bass drum to the game, to assist in crowd noise but didn’t want to bring his good drum. So at a yard sale, John found a whole set for $25 and took the bass drum from that set to the game. Now John normally would sit in the lower level but was getting disapproving looks from the people in the lower level, “You’re not going to bang that, are you”, a fan in the section asked John. A guy making a beer run saw John sitting with his drum and asked him, ‘Are you going to hit that?’ John replied, ‘I can’t bother anybody.’ the man answered. ‘Well, you won’t bother anybody up here!’ So John followed him to the top of the bleachers with his drum. The Tribe won that game. The next day John had to work overtime but went back Sunday. Bob Sudyk from the Cleveland Free Press took a picture and wrote a story asking him if John was going to be at Tuesday’s game. John said, ‘I’m not too sure.’  Then the article came out and said, ‘If you want to hear John drum, come to tonight’s game.” So, not to make a liar out of the Fifth Estate,  John showed up for the game, and went to the next game, and the next game.”

Little did John Adams know but he was about to become a legend in the history of the Cleveland Indians.

"“I bang on the drum to cheer the team. It’s fun to do that. It’s that simple,” he said. “I watch the game. I pay attention. Baseball a phenomenal game, and I love it, and I love Cleveland. This is my home and this is my team.”"

Adams now always sits in the highest bleacher seat in left center field with his drum, and has only missed around 40 games in the 40 years he’s been attending Tribe games. During his time, he has witnessed all the highs and lows that the Indians have been through. On April 27, 2011, after Adams drummed in his 3,000th game, the Indians celebrated the achievement by making him part of the opening pitch ceremonies; Joe Charboneau threw a pitch to Adams ,who swung at the ball with his drum. John was also a part of the record-breaking 455 game sellout record and helped unveil the commemoration sign.

Adams no longer buys himself and his drum a ticket for the game. The Cleveland Indians appreciate his loyalty and the positive atmosphere he creates for the crowd, and he knows that it is worth much more than the cost of a ticket.

In 2006, John Adams became the only fan in professional sports to have his own bobblehead day. John was also recognized in 2008 winning the Hilda award by The Baseball Reliquary, “to recognize distinguished service to the game by a baseball fan”. He also had a beer from Great Lake Breweries named in his honor; Rally Drum Red Ale was released on opening day in 2015.

Where would the great game of baseball be without its fans? Us, the fans help create the atmosphere, the hype and, ultimately the players’ salaries. But then there are fans like John Adams that really sets the bar. Maybe one day the Indians will have to add another bronze statue at Progressive Field, to honor him.

So with the season only weeks away, it won’t be long until Johns tweets out, “send out those tribe vibes now” and, along with his drum nicknamed ‘Big Chief Boom-Boom ‘,will be riding the highs and lows once again, that the 2016 season brings.

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As selfless as John is and has been for the Indians, on March 4 the only request John made was the following, “I would love to get over the hump and have 10k followers on Twitter. :-)”.

So let’s all help fulfill that small request and follow him on Twitter @TribeDrummer. “I make noise at Indians games”

Go Tribe Go!