Cleveland Guardians will honor John Adams at home opener against Mariners

The Cleveland Guardians will open the season Friday in a fitting way – honoring super fan John Adams, who died in January.

The team will wear a “JA” patch featuring Adams’ bass drum and mallets for the home opener and for the 50th anniversary of Adams’ drumming debut at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium on Aug. 24. The organization will also hold a moment of silence for Adams and Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry, who died in December of last year.

Continuing the local theme: former Cleveland Heights Tiger and current Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce along with his mother, Donna Kelce, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

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John Carroll graduate and Cleveland native Norelle Simpson, who recently made a second appearance as a back-up singer for Rhianna’s performance, will sing the national anthem.

Members of all six branches of the military will present colors and 112th Fighter Squadron of the Ohio Air National Guard will do a flyover with F-16s.

The Guardians will raise the 2022 American League Central Division pennant, the 11th division title in franchise history.

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The East Palestine Little League – boys and girls 8 and younger – will form a tunnel for player introductions.

Fun begins prior to first pitch on the Gateway Plaza from 1:15-3:30 p.m. with The Guardians Block Party with a D.J. and children’s activities.

The team has released a block of standing room only tickets that can be purchased at cleguardians.com/tickets.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: John Adams will be honored by Guardians at home opener