There have been many memorable moments at Victory Field since it opened on July 11, 1996. Enjoy the timeline below as we reflect on 25 of The Vic's greatest memories.
A New Beginning
The Indians hosted Oklahoma City in the first game ever played at Victory Field, with 14,667 fans in attendance.
Governors’ Cup Clincher
The Indians topped Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 6-1 in Game 5 of the Governors’ Cup finals to seal Indy’s second championship in the International League and first since 1963.
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star
Five years to the day of hosting its first Indians game, Victory Field played host to the Triple-A All-Star Game. The Pacific Coast League All-Stars won 9-5 over the International League All-Stars, and the game featured many future big leaguers including Adam Dunn, Eric Byrnes, Juan Uribe and Joe Crede, among others.
Thrice is Nice
Micah Franklin became the first and only Indians player in the Victory Field era to smash three home runs in a single game, doing so against Toledo at The Vic.
Conti Cycles
Jason Conti recorded the first cycle by an Indians player at Victory Field. He finished 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored against Norfolk.
Snell Tosses a No-No
Ian Snell became the first Indians pitcher to throw a no-hitter at Victory Field with a dazzling performance against Norfolk. He issued just one walk and fanned nine batters in the 4-0 triumph.
Bye Bye Bleachers, Hello Patio
Following the 2006 season, renovations began beyond the right field foul pole at Victory Field with the ballpark’s first premier seating space replacing a large set of bleacher seats. The Coors Light Patio (known today as the Corona Premier Patio) was unveiled in time for the 2007 campaign and has been a popular destination for fans ever since.
An MVP in the Making
Promoted to Triple-A in mid-August, Andrew McCutchen made his Victory Field debut with the Indians against Toledo. McCutchen went on to earn five consecutive National League All-Star bids (2011-15) and the 2013 NL MVP with Pittsburgh.
Snell’s 17 Strikeouts
Already the owner of Victory Field’s only 9.0-inning no-hitter, Ian Snell put his name in the record books once again with 17 strikeouts over 7.0 innings against the Mud Hens at The Vic, a record that still stands today.
Find Comfort in The Cove
Thanks to the success of Victory Field’s seating patio in right field, the organization saw a similar opportunity for the left field corner and added the Captain Morgan Cove (known today as The Yuengling Landing) to The Vic’s premier seating options. Game day features in The Landing include wait service, specialty menus, and open seating at the bar, pub tables and drink rail.
Super Bowl Bubble
With Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Victory Field participated in the festivities by hosting DirecTV’s Celebrity Beach Bowl and Super Bowl Saturday Night, a daylong event that featured pop band The Fray and singer-songwriter Katy Perry.
Winners of the Wild, Wild West
The Indians clinched the International League West title for the first time since 2000 when they defeated Louisville, 6-1.
Varsity Performance vs. JV
On a Sunday afternoon at Victory Field, 2011 American League Cy Young and MVP winner Justin Verlander made a rehab start for visiting Toledo. The Indians touched up the right-hander for three runs on six hits, two walks and a hit batter in his 2.2 innings pitched.
Super Hero Saturday
The first Super Hero Night at Victory Field debuts with an appearance by The Dark Knight.
Ring the Bell
Down 4-1 in the bottom of the eighth, the Indians rallied with four unanswered runs – three coming in the ninth – to force a winner-take-all Game 5 against Columbus in the Governors’ Cup finals. Josh Bell homered for Indy’s first run and capped a brilliant 4-for-4 performance with a walk-off single.
Welcome to The Show
Victory Field hosted its first MLB exhibition game with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds squaring off in front of 14,352 fans.
Hi-Def Ballpark Experience
The Indians announced plans to install a new 35-by-50-foot HD video board in right field ahead of the 2017 season. The organization added two ribbon boards as well, both 135 feet long, which are on the façade of the upper deck down each baseline. Other upgrades that offseason included the ability to broadcast games in HD for the first time, the center field marquee transitioning to a full-color display, and all audio systems in the ballpark going from analog to digital technology.
Howard Hits 6,000
After a lengthy rain delay, the ‘Voice of the Indians’ Howard Kellman called his 6,000th game for the Tribe.
Hall of Fame Recognition
After 60 years of devoted work with the Indianapolis Indians, Chairman Emeritus Max Schumacher was inducted into the International League Hall of Fame.
A Suite Makeover
Renovations began on the Impact Suite Level as 30-plus suites were outfitted with new amenities including heat induction warmers in the countertops, furniture, big-screen TVs and retro jerseys honoring famous former Indians. The lobbies were adorned with new furniture and large-scale photos of former Indians players, and the first-base suite hallway features a historical timeline dating back to the early 1930s.
The Ultimate Competitor
Known for his drive to win at all costs, Lance Stephenson pulled off a hidden ball trick in the annual charity softball game that included media members and players from the Pacers and Colts.
The Bi-Cycle
Kevin Newman and Jacob Stallings each hit for the cycle in an Indianapolis 12-5 win over Lehigh Valley. The duo both finished off their respective cycles in the eighth inning, with Newman’s home run and Stallings’ triple separated by only three at-bats.
Circle City Indians
The Indians debuted their Circle City concept with new on-field jerseys and merchandise.
Oh, You Fancy
Renovations began on the Elements Financial Club behind home plate, Victory Field’s newest premium seating area. The spacious EFC features new furniture, big-screen TVs, a full-service bar in the shape of a home plate, a 37-foot retractable glass wall system, and outdoor seating including 10 private four-person loge boxes.
A Summer Unlike Any Other
Without an Indians baseball season, Victory Field remained active by hosting numerous community and public events. Victory Field’s 2020 schedule included a blood drive, ice cream social, three Grand Park College Summer League baseball games, a Grand Slam Auto Show, three movie nights, two weekends of golf and many private events.
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