Cleveland Indians fan John Adams beats a drum in the bleachers. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Black Keys drummer to replace beloved Cleveland fan for home opener

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Apr 2, 2021 2:14 PM ET

Those who have ever attended a Cleveland Indians game at Progressive Field or caught the Tribe playing a home matchup via television have likely heard superfan John Adams banging on his massive bass drum in the bleachers. As Mandy Bell explained for the MLB website last month, though, Adams will miss his first home opener since 1973 due to health issues and concerns linked with the COVID-19 pandemic when Cleveland welcomes the Kansas City Royals to town on Monday.

Never fear, though, as a local icon is stepping in to help fill a void.

Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Black Keys drummer and lifelong Cleveland fan Patrick Carney will take Adams' place and bang the drum for the home team on Monday afternoon.

We are excited to announce that Black Keys drummer and Akron native @patrickcarney will fill in for John Adams for the home opener. #OurCLE pic.twitter.com/yikSOQA79B
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) April 2, 2021

"When I found out that John Adams wouldn't be able to make Opening Day in Cleveland for the first time in almost 50 years, I reached out to the team," Carney said. "I share John's love of baseball and the Cleveland Indians franchise, and drumming for him during the home opener when he can't physically be there feels like a meaningful way to show John the love and respect he deserves.

"I want to be there for John."

Cleveland fell to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday to begin the season. The two sides meet again on Saturday.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

More must-reads: