Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians Ticket Sales Double Over Past 5 Seasons

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Cleveland Indians

As Opening Day approaches, Cleveland fans are optimistic that the Indians will bring home the World Series pennant this season. They are having a pretty good run in Spring Training clinching the top spot in the American League and this is fueling the excitement. The tribe recently confirmed that they will play their home opener before a sellout crowd after selling out all tickets in just 40 minutes. In fact, the Cleveland Indians have been selling out home game tickets for the past 25 years. And according to the Indians, “The Tribe’s 2017 one-day on-sale total is double that of any on-sale date in the past five seasons.”

“Apparently, losing the MLB World Series to the Cubs has not hurt ticket sales. The tribe’s fans are an intensely loyal crowd,” mentioned Victor Bierman III, Ohio lawyer and business expert. To show their support of the team, fans are making sure that they will be present in the club’s home games. Most vowing to attend all home games like they have done in the past five seasons.

In the 2016 season, for instance, the Indians sold out all remaining World Series tickets in only 15 minutes. Average resale prices for those tickets rose past $24,000 within hours of the Indians winning the AL pennant, based on sales figures from TicketIQ. All are clear indications that single ticket sales for the tribe have significantly improved.

With the off-season signings of Edwin Encarnacion and Boone Logan, it’s clear that club manager Terry Francona has his sights on winning the World Series pennant in the upcoming season. Also, the Indians announced today that it has signed a 5-year contract with INF Jose Ramirez. The contract includes options that could extend his run through the 2023 season. The 24-year old Dominican Republic native has an impressive record scoring 84 runs, 46 doubles, 3 triples, 11 home runs and 76 RBI while stealing 22 bases in his first MLB season in 2016.

The tribe will play the first game of the major league season in Texas against the Rangers on April 3rd. The Cleveland Indians will host the White Sox in its 2017 home opener on Tuesday, April 11th at Progressive Field.

Image Credit: Keith Allison

World Series Fever Hits Clevelanders Hard

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Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland

Against all odds, the Cleveland Indians finally made into the World Series for the first time since 1997, after clipping the Toronto Blue Jays in a 3-0 victory to win the pennant in Game 5 of the ALCS Championship on October 19th.  The fact that the Indians are in the World Series has excitement running through the veins of practically every Clevelander. The town has gone wild. While some were cautiously optimistic, they soon found themselves in a state of euphoria after the team’s incredible season and performance.

The past seasons have not been so great for the Indians though; they have struggled a lot. However, things change and this year is theirs to win. The team is strong and spirits in the Cleveland camp are so high that fans are starting to believe the Indians could actually win the World Series. They believe this team is the one to watch because of their outstanding performance this season. This will be the 6th time the Indians have made it to the World Series in their 116-year history. So, the fans are more than happy and everyone in Cleveland wants to be part of the experience. “It’s pretty crazy because Cleveland Indians have had the worst luck since I can remember,” said Britni Alkassmi , 28, of Belpre.

It’s been 68 years since the Cleveland Indians last won the World Series title. But they are playing against the Chicago Cubs which is in a 108-year drought and are just as thirsty for a win. Regardless of who wins, the 2016 World Series is a historic event that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Having seen their team struggle and overcome all sorts of hurdles, Cleveland fans are smiling from ear to ear and share the optimism that the team projects.  In a season that seemed tainted has abruptly turned and many fans simply cannot believe it.

Although game tickets are expensive, fans are trying everything within their reach to get to be part of the experience. “For most, it is more than just watching a baseball game.  It is hometown pride in a city that has had its shares of struggles and is now resurging,” noted Victor J. Bierman III, Ohio lawyer and business expert. Cleveland is turning around for the better. Most Cleveland fans believe that this is the year that the Indians will bring it home.

And they’re off to a roaring start. In Game 1 of the World Series opener, the Indians shut down the Cubs in a 3-0 win at Progressive Field in Downtown Cleveland. If history proves correct, the Indians have a 92 percent chance of winning the title. So, the title is all but assured, right? Play ball!

Image Credit: Tony Hoffarth | Flickr

Cleveland Scores Big with NBA Championship

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Quicken Loans Arena Cleveland

After years of urban decay and neglect, Cleveland is making a well-deserved and long overdue comeback. And with the recent Cavaliers’ NBA championship victory for the first time in franchise history, the city seems to be on an unstoppable trajectory of growth.

Cleveland is alive and thriving again. For the first time in years, you can feel the energy and excitement beaming around town. Consumers are coming back to downtown Cleveland. Businesses are opening again. Residents are moving back in. It’s now the place to see and be seen in Northeast Ohio.

It is estimated that over $6B in new investment has poured in to the city in the last six years and approximately 3,000 new jobs created in the last three years. This has helped to reverse the trend of residents leaving the city. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated Cleveland population in 2015 was 388,072. This is down slightly from 2012 estimates of 390,928 residents. If this trend continues, the city’s population could easily top the 400K mark by the next official census in 2020.

Even more impressive is the area welcomed its largest increase in employment in 2015 with the addition of 23,000 jobs to the area, based on a report published by the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

The crown jewel of downtown Cleveland was the recent completion of the Public Square renovation project. Not only is this an open-space that brings the city together, it has become a symbol of civic pride.  In addition, the park has spurred a number of residential and commercial development projects. Major employers including IBM and New York Life have created hundreds of new jobs. Retailers have expanded or opened up shop around the square. The old East Ohio Gas Building has been renovated and is now a prime residential complex. With apartment occupancy hovering at 96 percent, hundreds of new units are planned to come online downtown in the near future.

But perhaps downtown’s most important and vital redevelopment project is the renovation of 200 Public Square. Soaring 45 stories it is one of the tallest buildings in Cleveland.  When the renovation is complete, this location will undoubtedly be one of the most prestigious downtown addresses. And Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse is expected to open in the space later this year.

Not surprisingly, Millennials are helping to fuel the growth in downtown Cleveland. The Downtown Cleveland Alliance reports that the area ranks 8th, along with Miami and Seattle, among college educated 25-34 year-olds. “Downtown is particularly attractive to millennials. There is plenty of green space, exciting shopping and dining options, and a vibrant nightlife and two professional sports venues outside their door,” said Victor J. Bierman III, Ohio lawyer and business expert. “Downtown Cleveland is fast becoming an exciting city to live, work and play.”

Image Credit: Erik Drost | Flickr