Indians Home Opener: 3 of the best moments from past seasons

The Indians will play their 27th Home Opener in Progressive Field history on Monday, taking on the Kansas City Royals. Traditionally, especially in Cleveland, the Home Opener for a team is a big deal locally. Many in Cleveland consider this a “city holiday”. Kids take off of school, employees play hookey, and usually, the first game is the most attended regular-season game of the year.

It’s a big deal, even if fans are rather pessimistic this year. That’s why it’s important now more than ever to remind fans why they love this team. This team is iconic. It’s had so many great moments and has given so many people great memories. The Home Opener still matters in Cleveland and it gives fans a sense of unity and optimism.

The Indians in 2021 have some real gems on their team, and the hope is that the team can surprise many and exceed expectations. Part of getting fans on board with that is making sure that the Home Opener goes off without a hitch. That something memorable happens to leave an indelible mark on the day. To help turn the next generation into fans and give the older generation a reason to stick around.

So today we’re looking at three of the greatest moments from the Indians’ past Home Openers. We’re not just looking at Progressive/Jacobs Field either. We’re going all the way back. After all, the past connects us to the future. So with that being said, let’s jump into the first of just three great all-time Home Opener moments.