CLEVELAND, Ohio – No Indians fan receives more attention from other fans, and local and national media than John Adams. Indians players, managers, executives and owners come and go and grab their share of adulation and criticism.
The fans are the constant, and the one thing fans can almost always count on is seeing Adams and hearing him bang his big bass drum from the top row of the bleachers. He's been there at Progressive Field, and Municipal Stadium before it, for 3,211 games since Aug. 24, 1973.
He was among 5,726 fans and 69,000 empty seats that day when shortstop Frank Duffy hit two home runs and the Indians beat Texas, 11-5.
Saturday is the 40th anniversary of Adams and his drum, and he will be feted in a home-place ceremony at Progressive Field before the Indians' 7:05 p.m. game against Minnesota.
The Indians have recognized Adams before, including his own bobblehead doll in 2006, and in ceremonies for his 30th anniversary in 2003 and his 3,000th game in 2011.
“I don't understand all this adulation and stuff. I appreciate it beyond belief because I get to meet people from all over the world,'' he said. “I guess that's the most beautiful part about going down to the game is you make a memory.''
For most fans, it is difficult to recall a game that his rhythmic thump-thump-thump-thump wasn't the baseline for a rally or a save.
“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.''
Occupation: Senior data systems analyst at AT&T.
Hometown: Cleveland
Residence: Brecksville
High schools: St. Ignatius and Parma (Class of 1969)
Age: 61
Musical background: Played drums in marching band and orchestra in high school. Has played in fife & drum corps, Dixieland, jazz, country, and blues gigs and jam sessions. President of Cleveland Blues Society.
Volunteer work: Volunteer teacher at Cleveland State for 35 years. Teaches "Individualized Physical Education for Children with Special Needs.'' Also is a water safety inspector. He said he donates stipends he has received from the Indians or other organizations to charity.
Games attended with his drum: 3,211
Games missed: 38
How he began: In hollow Municipal Stadium, during rallies, fans would lift the wood seat bottoms next to them and bang them down, making 11,000 fans sound like 22,000. "Every kid growing up here was a seat-banger,'' Adams said. "When I was in high school, I used to be down with the cheerleaders with the bass drum beating on the drum with one hand and the megaphone in the other. Baseball didn't really have anything for a long time like that. I thought, I'll go get a drum, because I wasn't going to use my good drums. So, I bought a whole drum set for $25. That's where I got the bass drum. I called the Indians up and they said as long as I didn't bother anybody, I'd be OK.
"I used to sit at the bottom of the bleachers for 15 or 20 games a year. I brought it to a game and a line 16 of kids, I think they were from East Tech, came walking in, boy-girl, boy-girl. They sat down right in front of me and a guy turns around and said, 'You're not going to hit that, are you?'
“I thought, 'Oh, well, I guess this isn't gonna to work.' Then some guy was making a beer run to the drop of the bleachers and said, 'Are you going to hit that?' I said, 'I can't bother anybody.' He said. 'Well, you won't bother anybody up here!'
“I walked with him to the top of the bleachers with the drum and we won the game. I worked overtime on Saturday, but went back Sunday. Someone from the Cleveland Press took a picture and Bob Sudyk wrote a story and asked me if I was going to be at Tuesday's game. I said, 'I'm not too sure.' But the article comes out and says, 'If you want to hear John drum, come to tonight's game.'
“So, not to make a liar out out of the Fifth Estate, I showed up for the game, and went to the next game, and the next game.''
Turns Indians down: "(Former Indians executive) Jackie York told me, 'We love what you're doing, and she asked me if I would come to every game. I said no. I didn't want another obligation in my life. So, I committed to nothing. I just show up."
Bleacher bum bites back: Indians fans who ventured into the 5,000-seat bleachers at Municipal Stadium were known as Bleacher Bums. In 1985, Indians president Peter Bavasi tried to evict the bums, closing the bleachers. Pitcher Roy Smith's first reaction to Plain Dealer reporter Paul Hoynes? "What's the guy with the drum going to do?''
Hoynes also quoted an irate Adams that spring day saying, “I'm not going to turn my back on the Indians because of this. This is my team. It belongs to the fans. Guys like Bavasi come and go. The fans are the real owners.''
Weeks later, Bavasi relented somewhat, opening the bleachers for day games and he cited Adams as a reason. “The drum man said it best, 'This is my team,'” Bavasi told Hoynes.
The Indians made “This is my team'' their slogan and designed a marketing campaign around it.
The drum: The 26-inch bass drum was part of a drum set he found in the Trading Times in 1973. He doesn't know what brand it is, and the black paint is almost completely worn off. He said he restored it once, but fans complained that it looked too new. The bottom head is original, and he replaces the top head about twice a year, and he goes through a couple mallets a year. He has replaced the rims once.
When he hits: When the Indians run on the field in the first inning.
When an Indian is on second or third, or during a home run trot.
When the Indians are behind or tied in the eighth inning, beginning with the first Indians batter.
When the Indians lead for the last out in the top of the ninth or extra innings.
He stops when a pitcher reaches the set position.
Cooperstown-bound? A Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum spokesman could not comment directly on whether it would be interested in acquiring Adams' drum, but the museum regularly accepts fan donations. For example, its "Sacred Ground" stadium exhibit includes the frying pan and spoons banged at more than 1,500 Yankees games by the late Freddy "Sez" Schuman.
“I jokingly say when I die, they'll cremate me and put my ashes in the drum, and whenever someone bangs it, a little poof of me will come out,'' Adams said. “But that (Hall of Fame) is for somebody else to decide. It would be nice.''
His seats: At the top of the Progressive Field bleachers, where the middle isle dead-ends and just below a Budweiser sign, Adams has a four-seat, green medal bench in Row Y, seats 26-29, all to himself. He sits in seat 29 and twist to his right to bang the drum in seat 28. The bench is sandwiched between two large blue cement columns and is not bolted down because it blocks the door to the inside of the scoreboard. Whenever someone has to go in or out of the scoreboard, he removes the bench.
His tickets: When Jacobs Field first opened in 1994 and tickets were at a premium during the 455-game sellout streak, the Indians made him buy two tickets, one for him and one for his drum, which caused a stir among some fans who thought Adams should get a break. Adams said he didn't mind and eventually bought season tickets for all four seats on his bench. He said the Indians have comped those tickets since last year.
Player feedback: Several Indians over the years have thanked or encouraged Adams, including Gaylord Perry and Sandy Alomar. Many opposing players have grumbled about Adams, but in April, before Yankees closer Mariano Rivera's last series in Cleveland, Rivera asked to meet Adams.
"It's a blessing. Wonderful," Rivera said of Adams' drumming during a press conference. "I always said, 'Man, this guy is so loyal to the team.' Whatever happens, good or bad, he's there banging that drum. You appreciate that, the loyalty and faithfulness. That's what it is all about. It's not about what team he roots for, it's about baseball. He roots for his team, but it's baseball that is all around."
Lofton's long-range drumming: Former Indians center fielder Kenny Lofton liked to throw balls into the bleachers. At the end of the 1995 season, Adams waved his drum back and forth to get Lofton's attention.
“Kenny pointed to me. He lined up and threw the ball. He hit the drum. He doubled up on the field laughing,'' Adams said. “The next season, whenever the Indians were winning, I would hold the drum up and he'd hit the drum 95 percent of the time. Don't tell me he didn't have a good arm.
“When Kenny was traded (1997), other guys would try, like Marquis Grissom, but they couldn't do it. Kenny's trick was that he would line up at the aisle, because I'm at the top of the aisle. Years later, when he was with the Yankees, he pointed up to me, and I waved my arms and said, 'No way. You're a stinkin' Yankee now.'”
Longest home run, Municipal Stadium: (No player ever hit a home run on the fly into the bleachers in the stadium's history): "George Hendrick hit a home run almost the top row of the auxiliary bleachers they had there for football, which is pretty close to the bleachers. A few bounced in, but never on the fly.''
Longest home run, Progressive Field: "(Jim) Thome's home run was the longest (511 feet, July 11, 1999). On Mark McGwire home run (485 feet on April 30, 1997), I stood up and was like, 'Wow!' It looked like it was coming right at me. Baseball instinct was to try to catch it, but of course I hit the back wall. The ball hit the scoreboard 20 feet above me.''
Adams ale: During baseball season, Great Lakes Brewing Company brews Rally Drum Red Ale in Adams' honor. The company describes the brew as an "American red ale, a modern non-traditional style borrowing heavily from characteristics associated with more classical styles such as pale ales or bitters.''
Adams has had only a sip. He doesn't like beer.
He said all he asks in return are Rally Drum Red Ale T-shirts and an occasional burger.
His pregame routine: Adams parks near Cleveland State and carries the drum about 10 blocks to Progressive Field. He frequently accommodates fans who chat, wave or want to have their picture taken with him. He signs autographs "Big Chief Boom Boom.''
Other sports: He played the drum at Cleveland Force indoor soccer games, but not at Browns or Cavs games.
Road trip: Adams took his act on the road in 1997 when baseball tabloid Indians Ink paid his way to Oakland for a series. "Wow, did I make a lot of friends out there. Some of the workers wanted pictures with me. After a couple games, the guy who was the A's head of security gave me a tour of the whole town,'' he said.
Complaints about his drumming: "It's rare. People usually go out of their way to find a seat next to me.''