⚾ Snow, Sun, and 16 Innings? Welcome Back, Cleveland

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Some cities have cherry blossoms. We have… 40,000 decorated eggs. Honestly, we win 🥚🌸😤

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

When all else fails, there’s always the home opener...

The Guardians open their home season against the Cubs at 4:10 today. It’s a rite of spring that brings high hopes for the team and a change in the weather.

Not so, sometimes.

In 1996, a massive April snowstorm dumped 7.1 inches on Cleveland, forcing a one-day postponement of the home opener against the New York Yankees.

The craziest weather tale belongs to the 2007 opener – when a blizzard hit Cleveland and up to 10 inches accumulated in spots.

The grounds crew used leaf blowers to clear the outfield grass between delays. Paul Byrd had a no-hitter through 4⅔ innings, and the Indians led 4-0 when the game was called (one strike from becoming official).

The entire series was scrapped due to lingering snow – and the home opener was relocated to Miller Park in Milwaukee.

It remains one of the most infamous weather-disrupted openers in MLB history.

A different kind of endurance test came in 2012, when the Indians played the Blue Jays brought a different kind of endurance test.

The teams played the longest Opening Day game in MLB history: 16 innings, five hours and 14 minutes.

A different kind of history was made in 1975: Frank Robinson – MLB’s first black manager and a player – hit an opening-day home run against the Yankees.

Then there’s 2024, when Cleveland was treated to a double-header: The city was in total darkness a mere two hours before the season opener — thanks to the solar eclipse.

Hot dogs and baseball go hand in hand – except when the home opener falls on Good Friday, says the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.

"It is a day of reflection, and traditionally, a day of fasting, prayer, and penance," the diocese said in a statement.

Lucky you: The food offerings at Progressive Field have received a makeover.

USA Today ranks the concessions at the stadium the fourth best in the country:

“With a wide array of food options to satisfy fans' cravings, Progressive Field goes beyond standard ballpark fare, showcasing local flavors and regional favorites. Baseball fans can enjoy gourmet sausages, pierogi, and loaded nachos.”

And much more this season, from Spicy Thai Fries to Tallow Popcorn to vegan and gluten-free options.

Progressive Field will out roll out Fat Head’s Brew Deck – a corner bar in the right field upper levels that features a beer market and games.

Egg-cellent! A Cleveland Easter tradition has been reborn. Here comes Eggshelland, an attraction whose roots go back to 1957.

That’s when Lyndhurst couple Ron and Betty Manolio began the annual tradition of transforming their front yard into an Easter egg-stravaganza, using more than 40,000 real, painted eggshells to create elaborate themed displays.

They gathered the shells from local diners and restaurants, carefully cleaning and painting them at home to create their free annual display.

The beloved tradition ended in 2013 following Ron’s death. 

Since 2022, Eggshelland has made its seasonal home at Eddy’s Fruit Farm in Chesterland.

It’s open through Saturday. Eddy’s also has an arts and crafts station for kids, and an Easter market selling candy, chocolates, cider and more. For more info, go here.

Friday

Opening Day in Ohio City: The party celebrates the Guardians’ big game with beer, bars and a cookout. Slider will then lead a parade across the Hope Memorial Bridge. 10 a.m. Info.

Jim Breuer: The actor, comedian and Dave Chappelle’s buddy in ‘Half Baked’ brings his irreverent stand-up routine to the Agora. 7 p.m. Info.

Eddie Griffin: The comedy legend and star of one of the funniest blaxploitation spoofs ever made, ‘Undercover Brother,’ hits MGM Northfield Park. 7 p.m. Info.

Saturday

Third Annual Blues and Soul Jam: Apostle Jones & Friends are back at the Grog Shop to roll out raw vocals and smooth rhythms as they pay tribute to the music that inspired them. 8 p.m. Info.

Bizarre Dance Triangle: DM vs. NIN: The Mahall’s dance party mixes tracks by Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails. So, who wins?  10 p.m. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Call it the Metropolis of museums – at least for one night.

The Cleveland Museum of Art’s monthly party MIX is raising a cape for the Kid from Krypton, er, make that Cleveland with a Superman-themed bash at 6 tonight. Info.

It features themed food and drinks, and a Clark Kent and Lois Lane look-alike contest hosted by the Siegel & Shuster Society.

The Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library with showcase a display of Superman memorabilia from its collection. Carol and John’s Comic Shop will give away free Superman comics to the first 500 guests.

You also get to dance to Wave Magnetik -- an Ohio-based producer and trumpeter, mixing a set of EDM that incorporates original music, contemporary favorites, and remixed superhero tunes.

Short Vincent, 1954. For much of the 20th century, the 485-foot strip of bars, restaurants and clubs running between East Sixth and East Ninth streets was the epicenter of city nightlife. It all disappeared by the ‘80s and Short Vincent became a dead zone.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

64 °F 🌡️ 55 °F | 🌧️ (Cloudy with Rain Showers) | 60% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 15 mph (≈ 13 knots)

67 °F 🌡️ 52 °F | 🌧️ (Heavy Rain / Mild & Breezy) | 80% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 18 mph (≈ 16 knots)

56 °F 🌡️ 37 °F | 🌧️➡️📉 (Rain / Sharp Cooldown to Winter Chill) | 75% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 22 mph (≈ 19 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Home vs. Pacers, 6:00 PM April 5 (Sunday)

Home vs. Cubs, 4:10 PM April 3 (Friday)

Home vs. Cubs, 7:15 PM April 4 (Saturday)

Home vs. Cubs, 1:40 PM April 5 (Sunday)

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