John Adams Was a Baseball Revolutionary

If you say the name John Adams in Boston and most places in America, then chances are it will conjure up images of one of our Founding Fathers and the second President of the United States.

However, if you utter the name John Adams in Cleveland and surrounding area then you are likely to get a very different response. For nearly half a century, John Adams was a fixture at Cleveland Indians games banging his drum slowly. 

Today, the Cleveland Guardians announced Adams' passing at the age of 71. In December 2020, Adams underwent heart surgery and never was able to resume his duties which he began during the 1973 season. 

On personal note, I got to see Adams in action when I saw a game in Cleveland in August 1999. Aside from seeing a grand slam HR from future Hall of Famer Jim Thome, Adams drumming was about the only enjoyable part of my experience in Cleveland. But that is another story for another time.

Last year, Adams was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame. He also was bestowed with the Hilda Award by the Baseball Reliquary for his contributions to baseball as a fan. John Adams was truly a baseball revolutionary. R.I.P.