THE DRUMMER

October 16, 2023

Good evening. This is Dead Legends. The daily newsletter that loves baseball as much as Ichiro loved MJ.

Let’s dive in.

Today’s story is a tribute to one of the most iconic fans in sports history.

John Adams, also known as the “Drummer Guy”, was a diehard who attended over 3,500 Indians games.

He brought his drum to the ballpark for 47 years, and only missed 37 home games during that entire stretch.

He was essentially the Cal Ripken Jr. of baseball fans.

Adams was a staple at home games in Cleveland and you could always find him sitting in the same spot.

Section 182 Row Y Seats 28-29

The thing is, John never intended to be the "drummer guy." It just happened.

He bought tickets to a game in '73 and wanted to join the Cleveland fans in their tradition of "seat banging."

But since John liked to sit in the bleachers, there were no seats to bang, so the next logical move was to bring his drum.

People loved it.

He spoke with a reporter from the Cleveland press, and the interviewer asked if he would be drumming at the next game; he said no.

The reporter misquoted John and claimed he would drum at the next game.

John didn't want the reporter to look like a liar, so he showed up at the next game with his drum.

Just like that, a legend was born.

Jackie York, who was the Indians promotions director at the time, approached Adams and asked him to play the drum every game.

Officially, he declined, but something kept him coming back to the ballpark - drum in hand, ready to energize the tribe.

The Indians missed the playoffs for 20 years straight, but John still believed in them.

And the team loved him.

Last year, Cleveland announced that Adams had been inducted into the Guardians distinguished Hall of Fame and that a bronze replica of his drum will be attached to his seat and displayed at the stadium.

Unfortunately, John Adams passed away earlier this year, but he was a beloved figure in the Cleveland community and an inspiration to all those who love the game.

BASEBALL TRIVIA

Answer at the bottom of this email!

STRANGE NAMES

If you're just joining us, we play this game every day where we try to find the weirdest names throughout baseball history.

Why? Don't ask us, it's just something we like to do.

If you've been rocking with us for awhile now, you know what time it is.

Today's winner is:

Stubby spent most of his time in D-town.

His teammates were people like George Kell, Hal Newhouser, and Hank Greenberg.

He was also on the Yankees team that won a World Series in '51.

That lineup had FIVE hall of famers.

THE DEAD LEGENDS ARCHIVE

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BASEBALLTRIVIA ANSWER: Pud Galvin