Story by
Meet the Cleveland Guardians fan, 84, who celebrated his 71st home opener on Tuesday
- Story by
- Meet the Cleveland Guardians fan, 84, who celebrated his 71st home opener on Tuesday
For this year's Cleveland Guardians home opener , many fans celebrated their first time attending an opener. For some, they've been doing this for a quite a few years.
But for Edward Lachowski, who sat in section 130 on Tuesday afternoon, it was his 71st consecutive home opener (excluding 2020 when no fans were allowed in the stadium because of COVID-19).
Advertisement
Lachowski, 84, of Macedonia, grew up around southeast Cleveland area as a scorecard seller.
His home opener tradition began when he was 14.
Edward Lachowski of Macedonia watches his 71st consecutive opening day during the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Progressive Field on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
"All of the memories here are great," Lachowski said.
He always told his workplace that he needed off the day of the home opener and his job always gave him that request, as long as he didn't tell anyone.
"It was a lot of fun trying to fool everybody," Lachowski said.
His go-to ballpark food item is very traditional, a hot dog with a diet coke.
He used to have a 20-game package for regular-season games but about two years ago he lost mobility in his leg and right arm so he couldn't drive anymore.
Advertisement
So, either his kids or wife drive him to games when they can.
Although the weather was in the low 30s Tuesday, Lachowski was bundled up in his Cavs blanket and was joined by his two daughters, Erin and Kathy, and his grandson, Kyle.
"Being 84 years old I feel that the Lord gave me time to be here," Lachowski said. "And I feel great about it. The cold ones, I don't care about too much, like today because it's really rough on me, body wise. But I'll keep coming as long as I'm around."
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians home opener marks 71st for 84-year-old fan
