Stadium Friday - Cleveland Municipal Stadium

 Today is Cleveland Stadium, also known as Lakefront of Municipal Stadium. 

Municipal Stadium was built in 1931. The Cleveland Indians called this somewhat home from 1932-1933, then again from 1937-1993. The reason I say somewhat for the first few years is that they split between this monstrosity and League Park. 

I remember seeing pictures of the stadium and honestly thinking about how it seemed like a more utilitarian Yankee Stadium. Turns out the enigeering firm that worked on Yankee Stadium worked on this one as well. 

As with most stadiums, the dimensions were fiddled with over the course of its lifespan. Until 1947, when they installed an inner fence, it was 470 to centre.. 435 down the lines. 

The venue hosted the All Star Game four times, tying old Yankee Stadium for the most. 

Of course, this was a multipurpose stadium. The Indians weren't the only tenant. And really, it showcased some of the seating/distance issues that would come up in the 60s and 70s with the explosion of multipurpose donuts. Some of the seats were so far away they wouldn't really be useful. 

To go along with the Indians, there were multiple football tenants over the years. The Football Cleveland Indians for one season, the Cleveland Rams, and the Browns. 

They also hosted NCAA games for the Western Reserve Red Cats, and John Carroll Blue Streaks. 

The site also held the Great Lakes Bowl in 1947.

To go along with the Handegg, futball was also played here. NASL Cleveland Stokers called the place home for Two years.

After the Indians moved to Jacobs Field, the only tenant was the Browns. They left in 1995 to Baltimore after the owner made a horrible miscalulation that could have ended him up with a new stadium rather than a new city and breach of contract lawsuits..

Parts of the stadium were used to create three artificial reefs.. So I guess Cleveland Stadium is swimming with the fishes....