CLEVELAND, Ohio — It’s scheduled to be 35 degrees today when the Guardians open the home season at Progressive Field against the White Sox at 4:10 p.m. That’s 35 degrees with a possibility of snow or rain.
Former Guardians manager Terry Francona called April Cleveland’s “cruelest month.” He was referring to its impact on young players trying to get a foothold in the big leagues. Instead they have to guard against frostbite.
It’s why the Guardians often start their best young players at Triple-A Columbus so they can get off to a good start and make the move to Cleveland in May or June when they have a better chance of keeping the hot streak going.
Unless a player has been through it, it is a shock to the system. After spending two months in the Arizona sunshine, it’s once again time to experience Ice Station Cleveland. It’s like a 24/7 Polar Bear swim.
Experienced players like Steven Kwan are ready for it. When told it was going to be cold for the home opener, Kwan, after playing in 80-degree weather at Angel Stadium over the weekend, smiled and said, “That’s Cleveland baseball.”
It almost sounded like he was looking forward to it.
Yes, the dugouts and bullpens will be heated. Players will have all sorts of cold-weather gear, including tight-fitting hoods that make them look like deep-sea divers.
When Municipal Stadium was still standing on the shores of Lake Erie, it always seemed 10 to 15 degrees colder inside the ballpark than outside — and that was in July.
Second baseman Tony Bernazard used to coat his upper body with baby oil to ward off the cold early in the season. Did it work? He never said, but at least he was trying.
The Cleveland cold, however, is undefeated.
Breakfast and trivia
It’s going to be cold at Progressive Field for Tuesday’s home opener so let’s go with some pancakes, bacon and sausage to help stimulate some body heat. While you’re pulling on that extra pair of socks, try to figure this one out: In 1975 when Cleveland’s Frank Robinson became MLB’s first Black manager, who was his starting third baseman for the season opener on April 8 at the old Stadium? Answer below.
Next
Today: Guardians home opener vs. White Sox 4:10 p.m. EDT. RHP Ben Lively (0-1, 6.75) vs. RHP Shane Smith (0-0, 3.18). CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM/1100 and WMMS will carry the game.
Guardians’ 2025 regular-season schedule
Wednesday: Guardians vs. White Sox 6:10 p.m. EDT. LHP Logan Allen (0-1, 6.75) vs. RHP Sean Burke (1-1, 5.23). CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM/1100 and WMMS will carry the game.
Thursday: Guardians vs. White Sox 1:10 p.m. EDT. RHP Gavin Williams (0-0, 4.50) vs. RHP Jonathan Cannon (0-1, 3.12). CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM/1100 and WMMS will carry the game.
Trivia answer
Buddy Bell was the Indians’ starting third baseman in the season opener on April 8, 1975. Bell was a member of the Tribe’s opening day lineup for seven straight years from 1972 through 1978.
