CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Guardians kicked off one of their biggest alumni weekends ever with a charity golf outing at Firestone Country Club, bringing together more than 30 former players to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1995 team's World Series run while raising funds for youth baseball programs in Cleveland.
Turnout for Thursday's event featured alumni from various eras in franchise history spanning multiple decades of Cleveland baseball.
Former stars Jim Thome and Carlos Baerga served as official greeters, welcoming golfers to Akron's historic golf course.
During breakfast at Firestone, Thome and Baerga asked teammate Kenny Lofton how many stolen bases he could have had under the new MLB base running rules. He stated, "I would of had a lot more," as they all smiled at his response.
The event benefits Cleveland Guardians Charities, which focuses on supporting youth baseball throughout northeast Ohio. The funds raised will help with field repairs and programs for youth baseball across the region, ensuring future generations have access to quality baseball facilities.
The golf outing featured a format where each foursome was paired with a "celebrity golfer" from the alumni group, giving participants a unique opportunity to play alongside former Cleveland baseball stars.
Thursday's golf event serves as just the beginning of what promises to be one of the organization's most significant alumni weekends in recent memory. Friday will feature an exclusive Q&A forum limited to 100 attendees in the new Terrace Hall beer garden at Progressive Field.
Several members of the 1995 club, including Thome, Kenny Lofton and manager Mike Hargrove, will participate in a roundtable discussion moderated by Hall of Fame broadcaster Tom Hamilton before Friday's series opener.
Following the session, the weekend celebration continues with pregame ceremonies where fans will have the opportunity to see their favorite players from the '95 team back on the field.
The ceremonies will include special moments like Charles Nagy throwing a ceremonial first pitch to his former battery mate Sandy Alomar Jr.
Adding to the nostalgic atmosphere, former manager Mike Hargrove will participate in the pregame lineup card exchange, reminiscent of his role during the team's dominant run in the 1990s.
The 1995 Cleveland team holds a special place in franchise history, finishing the regular season with an American League-best 100-44 record in the strike-shortened season before advancing to the World Series. That team featured a legendary lineup including Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, and Eddie Murray alongside Lofton, Baerga, and Alomar.
This weekend's events provide fans with multiple opportunities to connect with the players who created lasting memories during one of the most exciting periods in franchise history, while simultaneously supporting youth baseball initiatives that aim to develop the next generation of Cleveland baseball talent.
Both Friday and Saturday's games will be capped off by legendary postgame Rock 'N Blast fireworks displays set to a 1990s theme.