Aerial photo of Cleveland Municipal Stadium. 

Cleveland professional sports teams have been the butt of jokes for many years. Cleveland Municipal Stadium, former home of the NFL's Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians, was no different. The stadium was often dubbed the "Mistake by the Lake" by fans of other cities' teams. The Browns called Cleveland Municipal Stadium home from 1946 to 1955. The Indians played there from 1932 to 1993. The stadium's capacity fluctuated between 75,000 and 80,000 seats which is why Cleveland Indians home games felt so empty. 

The stadium hosted many memorable moments in professional sports history including "The Drive", "Red Right 88" and four Major League Baseball All Star Games. However, it was aging and very expensive for ownership to maintain. When the Indians bolted for their new home Progressive Field in 1994, Browns owner Art Modell also wanted the Browns to have their own stadium. A "sin tax" was proposed which would tax all cigarette and alcohol sales in the city to help pay for the stadium. The city's proposal to Modell wasn't good enough and wouldn't adequately cover the costs of a brand new stadium. Baltimore, Maryland was lobbying for an NFL franchise and made Modell an offer that he couldn't refuse. Not only would a brand new stadium be built in Baltimore for the Browns but Modell would pay no rent and profit from the parking, concessions and signage. M&T Bank Stadium as it is called today, came equipped with updated club seating and private suites that so many other stadiums and arenas had began implementing. Modell signed the Cleveland Browns away on the morning of October 27th, 1995 in a private jet at the International Airport in Baltimore. 

The final Cleveland Browns home game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium was played two months later on December 17th, 1995 vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns faithful was heartbroken and very emotional, after learning about the team's departure only a few weeks before. Many severed their seats and other pieces of the stadium and kept them as keepsakes. The final Cleveland Indians home game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium was played on October 3rd, 1993 vs. the Chicago White Sox. Our staff wanted to give Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians fans the opportunity to relive some of the old memories of Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Enjoy!

 

*FromThisSeat.com does not own any of the photos below. We will gladly remove any photo upon request.*

 

A Cleveland Browns fan with a message for Cleveland Browns owner in 1995.

The Cleveland Browns relocated to Baltimore and became the Ravens in 1996. 

Photo of a Cleveland sports fan protesting Art Modell.

 

 

"Red Right 88". A controversial playoff game between the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders.

 

 

 

Bernie Kosar with Browns teammates Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner. 

Photo of Bernie Kosar with Browns teammates Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner.

 

 

View of the playing field from behind home plate during a Cleveland Indians home game. 

Photo of the Cleveland Municipal Stadium playing field from behind home plate during a Cleveland Indians home game.

 

 

The movie "Major League" which documented the Cleveland Indians was actually filmed at Milwaukee County Stadium, former home of the Milwaukee Brewers.  

Photo of Charlie Sheen during the movie 'Major League'.

 

 

View of the playing field from the upper level during a Cleveland Browns home game. 

View of the playing field from the upper level of Cleveland Municipal Stadium during a Cleveland Browns home game.

 

 

An aerial view of Cleveland Municipal Stadium with Lake Erie in the background.

An aerial photo of Cleveland Municipal Stadium with Lake Erie in the background.

 

 

  

 

Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar with Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly. 

Photo of Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar with Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly.

 

 

Gate A at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. 

Photo of Gate A at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

 

 

Gate D at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. 

Photo of Gate D at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

 

 

The 1990's Cleveland Indians were some of the best in franchise history. 

Photo of Cleveland Indians players during the 1990's.

 

 

An aerial view of Cleveland Municipal Stadium during a Cleveland Indians game. 

An aerial photo of Cleveland Municipal Stadium during a Cleveland Indians game.

 

 

Indians pitcher Satchel Paige (right) was the oldest rookie of the year in MLB history.

Paige was 41 years old.

Photo of former Cleveland Indians pitcher Satchel Paige. 

 

 

The final out at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on October 3rd, 1993. Indians vs. the Chicago White Sox.

 

 

An exterior view of Cleveland Municipal Stadium from the railroad tracks. 

An exterior photo of Cleveland Municipal Stadium from the railroad tracks.

 

 

Indians home games often felt empty due to the monstrous size of Cleveland Municipal Stadium. The stadium had nearly 80,000 seats. 

Photo of an empty Cleveland Municipal Stadium during a Cleveland Indians home game.

 

 

Legendary Browns running back Jim Brown vs. the Detroit Lions. 

Photo of legendary Browns running back Jim Brown vs. the Detroit Lions.

 

 

Cleveland Indians fan John Adams banging his drum from the last row of the Cleveland Municipal Stadium bleachers.

Adams has been banging his bass drum at every Cleveland Indians home game since 1973.

Photo of Cleveland Indians fan John Adams banging his drum from the last row of the Cleveland Municipal Stadium bleachers.

 

  

 

The old time scoreboard in center field. 

Photo of the old time scoreboard in center field.

 

 

The 1981 MLB All Star Game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

 

 

Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox hitting a home run vs. the Cleveland Indians. 

Photo of Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox hitting a home run vs. the Cleveland Indians at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

 

 

A view of the playing field from the press box.

A view of the playing field from the Cleveland Municipal Stadium press box.

 

 

From left to right: Ty Cobb (Tigers), Babe Ruth (Yankees) and Tris Speaker (Indians). 

Black and white photo of legendary baseball players. From left to right: Ty Cobb (Tigers), Babe Ruth (Yankees) and Tris Speaker (Indians).

 

 

Otto Graham with teammates Len Ford and Tom James. 

Cleveland Browns players Otto Graham with teammates Len Ford and Tom James.

 

 

Former Indians third baseman Brook Jacoby. 

Photo of former Indians third baseman Brook Jacoby.

 

 

"The Drive". John Elway and the Denver Broncos pull off a 98 yard Touchdown drive vs. the Browns.

 

 

Browns running back Earnest Byner says goodbye to the "Dawg Pound" after the final game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. 

Photo of former Cleveland Browns running back Earnest Byner says goodbye to the "Dawg Pound" after the final game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

 

 

Cleveland Browns vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. The final Browns home game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

December 17th, 1995. 

 

 

 

Sandy Alomar of the Indians kicking Detroit Tigers pitcher John Doherty in 1992. 

This event took place at Tiger Stadium in Detroit but we just had to include it.

Photo of Sandy Alomar of the Indians kicking Detroit Tigers pitcher John Doherty in 1992.

 

 

Legendary Cleveland Indians infielder and designated hitter Jim Thome. 

Photo of legendary Cleveland Indians infielder and designated hitter Jim Thome.

 

 

Browns players Frank Minnifield and Hanford Dixon leaving the field in style. 

Photo of Cleveland Browns players Frank Minnifield and Hanford Dixon leaving the field in style.

 

 

Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals founder Paul Brown. 

Photo of Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals founder Paul Brown.

 

 

 

View of the playing field from the outfield of Cleveland Municipal Stadium. 

View of the playing field from the outfield of Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

 

 

Crowds entering Cleveland Municipal Stadium in 1959 for an Indians vs. New York Yankees game. 

Photo of crowds entering Cleveland Municipal Stadium in 1959 for an Indians vs. New York Yankees game.

 

 

A fan's visit to Cleveland Municipal Stadium in 1986.

Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees. 

 

 

The old Cleveland Indians neon mascot sign that hung above Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

It can be now found at the Cleveland History Center. 

Photo of the old Cleveland Indians neon mascot sign that hung above Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

 

 

A snowy Cleveland Browns home game in 1994. 

Photo of a snowy Cleveland Browns home game in 1994.

 

 

 An exterior view of Cleveland Municipal Stadium outside of Gate D.

 An exterior photo of Cleveland Municipal Stadium outside of Gate D.

 

 

An exterior view of Cleveland Municipal Stadium from Lake Erie.  

An exterior photo of Cleveland Municipal Stadium from Lake Erie.

 

 

An obstructed view of the playing field from the outfield of the upper level.

An obstructed view of the playing field at Cleveland Municipal Stadium from the outfield of the upper level.

 

 

The demolition of Cleveland Municipal Stadium began in 1996. 

Photo of the demolition at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in 1996.

 

 

 An interior view of the stadium's demolition. 

 An interior photo of Cleveland Municipal Stadium's demolition.

 

 

Cleveland Browns hosting the New England Patriots in 1994.

 

 

FirstEnergy Stadium. Current home of the Cleveland Browns. 

Photo of FirstEnergy Stadium. Current home of the Cleveland Browns.

 

 

Progressive Field. Current home of the Cleveland Indians. 

Photo of Progressive Field. Current home of the Cleveland Indians.

 

 

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