RIP Cleveland Baseball Legend, Ballpark Drummer John Adams, Who Missed Only 45 Games In 48 Years
LEGEND.
There's no other way to put it. John Adams was the heartbeat of Cleveland Baseball for 48 years, and there's not a memory in that ballpark I have that doesn't include him pounding on that drum. And that same thing can be said for my Dad. And that same thing can be said for his Dad. I remember him at The Jake, but there are many people that know him from Cleveland Municipal Stadium, and others that met him at Progressive Field. So while today is certainly a sad day for Clevelanders, I have a feeling that everyone is like me right now, reminiscing on the good memories they have watching Cleveland baseball. And not one of those memories doesn't have a pounding of a drum in the background. In 48 years, where nearly 4,000 home games were played, he missed a total of 45....
John Adams was the soundtrack of the summer at Cleveland baseball games. He literally became a part of the stadium. He literally became a part of the city. I didn't realize it when I was a kid, but not every baseball stadium has that constant pounding before big pitches, during big rallies, or with two outs in the 9th. That was special to Cleveland. And he didn't do it for attention either. He did it because he loved Cleveland Indians baseball.
I believe there is an argument to be made, and I'm not sure anyone could debate it, that John Adams is the most iconic member of Cleveland Baseball history. Yeah, the older generation got to experience Bob Feller. And then 90s crowd got to experience Jim Thome and Kenny Lofton. Now the kids celebrate Jose Ramirez. But who else other than John Adams spanned multiple generations? Who else impacted as many Clevelanders as he did? Who else impacted even 25% of the people John Adams impacted?
The amount of family photos and childhood photos in the replies of this news right now gives me goosebumps.
I could post 1,000 of these. This man brought his drum to the ballpark for 48 years, and from that, millions of people feel connected to him.
The fact of the matter is that John Adams deserves more than a plaque behind his seat. He deserves a statue, and it should be put right in his seat, with a drum next to him. And keep the soundtrack playing on the speakers in every moment John would've played it himself. He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
Rest In Peace, John Adams. Go Tribe.