Fans of the Cleveland Indians appear nostalgic for the perennial competitiveness that marked the club's first decade of play in Jacobs Field — and it could be worth $600,000 to the franchise.
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| The set includes book, CD and DVDs. |
Commemorative box sets celebrating the ballpark's 10th anniversary went on sale at the end of November. Since then, 5,000 people have paid $80 apiece to relive the most memorable moments from a decade that included two World Series appearances, according to Jayne Churchmack, vice president of merchandising and food sales with the Indians.
The sets include a 128-page coffee table book titled "Memorable Moments — Highlights and Recollections," a set of five DVDs that features 10 years of season-in-review footage, and an audio CD with narration and play-by-play from Todd Hamilton, the team's radio voice.
Sales have exceeded expectations, said Churchmack, who added that the club determined it would need to sell just 7,500 sets to break even. With the team on pace to sell out its entire run of 15,000 sets by early May, the Indians stand to pocket about $600,000.
"Based on the response, we're really pleased that we made that plunge to [make] 15,000," said Churchmack, who noted that on the club's 100th anniversary a few years ago only 3,500 commemorative books were sold in the first six weeks. The club did ultimately sell all 15,000 of those books.
Churchmack said sales of the new book got a boost over the holidays when former manager Mike Hargrove and former Indians player Travis Fryman appeared locally to sign copies. The club plans to line up more player appearances for another sales push.
The sale of the limited-edition box sets is the beginning of a season-long celebration.
