CLEVELAND — Two hours before the first pitch of his first home game in front of his new fan base, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt stood on the infield at Progressive Field, looking beyond the upper deck through glasses with solar filter and said these words to Len. “Steal my sunshine.”
From dawn to pseudo-dusk until first pitch, Cleveland was the center of celestial attention Monday, with downtown drawing visitors from around the world to watch the sun, moon and Earth create unique magic. For the first time since 1806 and last time until 2444, Cleveland fell into the path of totality during a solar eclipse – and it fell on the same day as the Guardians’ home opener against the Chicago White Sox.
GO FURTHER
Total park eclipse: Guardians home opening coincides with rare solar eclipse
An afternoon traditionally marked by splendor was darkened by a shadow for four minutes. Mother Nature also blessed Cleveland with ideal weather in early April for the occasion. With clear skies and temperatures in the 60s, spectators from Progressive Field to the shores of Lake Erie were able to witness the full progression of the eclipse over two and a half hours, from bright to dark and then back again to bright.
At 3:12 p.m. ET, as false darkness fell over the stadium and the temperature plunged, the PA announcer bellowed, “Totality is almost here.” » Fans shouted from both levels of The Corner bar in right field, an area overflowing with people searching for the optimal angle of the eclipse. The sequence took place above the stadium lights on the upper deck overlooking the third base line. Fans also flocked to the stairwell at the back of the ballpark for a view including the Hope Memorial Bridge and the Cuyahoga River.
More like CLEclipse, right?#ForTheEarth pic.twitter.com/GxWg7pyNDB
– Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 8, 2024
As totality approached, José Ramírez, the Guardians’ All-Star third baseman, finally got up from his sidelines, where he was scrolling through social media posts on his phone. His teammates had gathered on the indoor turf to watch the proceedings. Ramírez leaned over the blue-padded railing and took photos of the spectacle above him.
At 3:15 p.m., as Pink Floyd’s “Eclipse” played over the speakers at the moment of peak eclipse, it sounded like the Guardians had scored an uneventful victory in October. A deafening roar and darkening skies created a scene as eerie and surreal as a stadium greeted it.
Triston McKenzie, Cleveland’s starting pitcher who was clearly neck and neck in scouting reports, walked onto the field at that moment and wondered why it was already dark. “Ohhh, the eclipse,” he said.
It took the reassurance of several teammates to convince Hunter Gaddis that he could safely remove his glasses during the dark period.
Within minutes, the sky cleared, the temperature recovered and the players returned to the clubhouse. Cleveland fans shouted “Jose!” ” sang as they waited another hour for the eclipse to officially end, full sunlight to return, and the pregame presentations to begin.
The Guardians have coordinated with city officials and NASA experts over the past two years to determine the best approach to an unprecedented day. They opted for a first launch at 5:10 p.m. instead of their other option, 7:10 p.m., because they preferred to incorporate the eclipse into their plans. So the usual opening schedule was interrupted by a two-hour science lesson. They moved batting practice higher on the calendar so those fly balls wouldn’t have to wear sun-filter glasses while patrolling the outfield. At the height of the eclipse, the Guardians suspended entry to the stadium for 20 minutes.
NASA astronomy communicator Josh Roberts provided periodic dashboard updates throughout the afternoon. The team also posted regular updates of the NASA telescope feed from other locations in the path of totality, including Kerrville, Texas; Indianapolis; and Mazatlán, Mexico. Total solar eclipses occur every 18 to 24 months, but often over large oceans or uninhabited areas. On Monday, the path of totality extended from Mexico to Maine.
At North Coast Harbor, on the lawn of the Great Lakes Science Center and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, NASA set up one of three live broadcast centers for the day (it did the same in Kerrville and Indianapolis ). Josh Dobbs, the former Browns quarterback who also happens to be a rocket scientist, made an appearance, as did astronaut Stephen Bowen. People flocked to the NASA Village when its doors opened at 10 a.m. for a series of space-themed activities and to reserve a spot on the lawn to take in the views. Speakers throughout the region near Lake Erie played a space-themed playlist including Toploader’s “Dancing In The Moonlight,” David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” David Bowie’s “Wheel In The Sky,” Journey and “Blinded By The Light” by Manfred Mann.
That last bit is no joke; the Guardians regularly reminded fans to wear the sunscreen glasses they handed out at stadium entrances. The Guardians even had a team member send a message to the players urging them to do the same. The last thing they needed, a team official said, was to have a player placed on the injured list with a burned retina.
Before playing his first home game with the Guardians, Vogt remembers seeing an eclipse while attending elementary school in Visalia, Calif., about 30 years ago. He remembers the shop teacher who provided the students with welding goggles.
His players didn’t really know what to expect. When pitcher Tanner Bibee realized the eclipse would cause a two-hour break in pregame preparation, he joked, “No wonder we’re stretching so early.” » Logan Allen was originally scheduled to pitch Monday for Cleveland before the club’s series finale at Minnesota was rained out on Sunday. This pushed Allen back a day and gave him more free time on Monday afternoon. He initially said he wasn’t sure what he would do before learning he could watch the eclipse from the field.
Left fielder Steven Kwan, who tried on a pair of sunglasses during an interview with reporters, wondered what a player would look like at bat during this madness. He assumed that pitchers would benefit from the diminishing sun.
Vogt said of the eclipse: “It was really cool. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Michael Brantley and Corey Kluber, two longtime Cleveland stars who each retired over the winter, returned to Progressive Field for ceremonial first pitches in tandem. They were also treated to a showcase in the sky.
“It was kind of crazy how dark it got,” Kluber said.
“I really loved it,” Brantley added. “I didn’t know what to expect either, but then we fell completely into darkness. It was sick.
(Top photo by Stephen Vogt: Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)