Podcast - @CleGuardians VP of Communications and Community Impact on Kenny & JT Show

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Time to join the flow. This is the day we're doing it, folks. You better be listening.

Kenny, I can't imagine anyone who's more excited for opening day than our next guest and I'll tell you exactly why.

It's been a tough off season for our next guest because his daughter's dormitory flooded down a

deal. Ohio State University had to move her a couple of different times.

So now he can really settle in and just worry about baseball by his president,

communications, community impact. Once again, it's baseball time with Curtis,

Dan Burr, Curtis. How are you, brother?

Hey, man, JT. Hey, man.

We're ready for baseball. What's the off season and everything that transpired by us and move forward?

Oh, that's fantastic. Curtis, thanks for joining us.

Happy opening day, 10, 10 tonight, first pitch right here on WHBC,

Guardians at Seattle, Tanner Bible against Logan Gilbert.

That's the way to start things off on the road.

But then a week from today, home opener against the Chicago Cubs Curtis.

And that's always the first big game on the schedule for fans to come and see the

Guardians followed by many promotions again this year, right?

Yeah, I mean, as all of you know, opening day and downtown Cleveland is pretty

special. It's a local holiday and we're looking forward to bringing our fans back.

And although the M will be official schedulers into do with any favors,

10th anniversary of the World Series.

And we have to open up against the Cubs and bring up that wound.

But we'll still make the best of it. Hopefully you can retaliate and take it out

on the Cubs this year. Curtis, let's just start right here.

You know, I'll do respect that a Cavalier is Kenny and I go up there a couple

of times a month.

And the first thing that hits me is, man, I'm looking into that stadium, man.

I watch going on a progressive field.

Everything looks outstanding.

The seats are done.

What other changes can we expect this season at the ballpark?

Yeah, I mean, the the major changes you mentioned the seats finally after three

years is a three phase approach.

So it's all blue.

It looks really, really good.

But we also address them in the concession stand.

So on the third base side, there's going to be a new area called the landing.

It won't be completely done by opening day.

But the weather is just so bad this winter.

But probably by mid to late April will be up for running.

Then there's a new concessions area on the right on the right first base side

on your right field.

And then one in the upper deck.

So some new food and beverage amenities for our fans.

Yeah, that's outstanding.

Always, you know, updating things, freshening up things if you will for fans

that come to the ballpark.

But Curtis, there is something about all the seats looking the same, right?

I peaked my head in the other day before the cabs game and took a photo.

And you talk about giving a place of facelift.

It really does add something to the ballpark, doesn't it?

It does.

It looks spectacular and it's amazing.

You know, cleaning it up officially.

I mean, it looked great last year.

But you still have those green seats in the upper deck corners.

It really makes progressive field look pretty spectacular.

Curtis, we're so happy to be the home for Guardians baseball here in

Stark County tonight.

We are too.

Thank you so much.

I mean, it means the world to us at 935's our pregame 1010 first pitch tonight.

The opener.

That's really late, by the way.

I know it is, but you know what?

That's the beautiful thing about being on the air from three to seven.

We have time for a nap in between.

How do you deal with a late night's start like this?

I'm going to mix a nap into it's the only way I'm going to make it.

Got to.

It's opening night.

Man, you get some leftovers.

Heat them up in the microwave or grab a bowl of captain crunch and sit there and watch

tonight and hope to chase the lottery.

You know, in his first game as a Cleveland Guardian in the regular season, right?

Making impact along with some of the other guys that have made this team Curtis.

And I want to go right there with, you know, not a lot of moves this off season.

As far as the offense goes, but there are some young guys that the team is counting on,

right, that they feel could step up and provide that offense to improve the team from last year.

Yeah, and I think the learning was last year.

And in Chris Anthony, I might turn off and talk about it that, you know,

the best time we played last year is when we actually turned the keys over to the young players

and said, go, and that was the September to remember for us.

And I think they went into the off season thinking, you know what?

Let's see what we have first before we add to it.

And I know everybody wants to see us spend money in the off season.

The big, big news, obviously, was extending Hosey, which was great.

It's like given these guys, these young guys a chance.

And what I think the highlighted spring training was seeing the guys that are just below

the surface, you know, your Travis Bazanas and your on-hell Hanoz

that are ready at Ralphie Velasquez that are ready to come and have phenomenal springs.

It's probably the best young talent of hitters that we've had since that 90s group.

So, very excited to see how this transitions into the regular season from spring.

But let's keep Chase healthy. That's the key.

Yeah, first and foremost.

Curtis, Debra, vice president of communications, community impact.

Community impact. When I think about it, we're not too different, you and I.

We both grew up as Indians fans, now guardians fans, happy to be that.

And I think about spring training.

When Kenny and I used to go out, you guys always treated us top notch.

But one thing is different now.

And I always text you and I'd probably drive you nuts when you were out in spring training.

You're running the Tito frame, Kona.

What's it like when you see him and now he's wearing the other team's colors?

It's fun. I mean, I got to see him opening day when we played him, went down there and talked for

a few minutes and they know it's still, Tito is still the same, whether he's wearing a

red uniform or an Indian's uniform.

He's still the character.

He's still all about the game of baseball and it's fun to see him still doing it.

You know, I love telling the story about last year's first year of the Reds manager.

He was on his scooter and he rolled in, pulled into our complex versus

continuing to go down the Reds complex and then we always have a good laugh.

So he's going to be always such an important part of our organization.

But we're certainly it's fun to see him out and spring training.

We'll see him come in May.

It's one of the exciting things of the seasons.

We talked about the 10th anniversary of that 2016 team.

We're going to honor that team when the Reds are in town.

So we can include Tito and Mike Napoli.

Nice. Well done there.

And Tito with a four o'clock start today with the Reds.

So that'll get him home in time to watch Arizona.

Don't they play tonight or do they play tomorrow tonight?

There tonight.

Yeah.

I think maybe you know, he probably had something to do with the schedule

makers just to make that happen.

Yeah, no doubt.

Oh man.

So a lot of things on this promotional schedule to talk about here, Curtis.

So let's start with the first couple of months.

Since we're just getting the season underway tonight.

What can you tell our listeners out there about promotional events?

I think the two biggest ones again.

We're going to roll out our normal, you know, Friday fireworks and our dollar

dogs and our two dollar beers.

But a couple of the ones that jump out to me early in the season.

The Kalman Zardo, Manza Lorri and Bobblehead.

In early May with the May the fourth be with you, right?

Right.

So we're going to have a lot of fun with that.

I mentioned that the 16 celebration we're doing a Roger Davis Bobblehead

on that Saturday, the 16th.

And he has him pointing like he was remember when he was running around

first base after that infamous homer.

Then we move to the summer.

We've talked about this.

Kenny, I know you love your Hawaiian shirt.

But I learned something.

If you don't have the flowery print on it, you can't call it a Hawaiian shirt.

So it's called a camp shirt.

So we have a whole year of camp shirt that looks like a Hawaiian shirt.

It has Jose space all over it.

So that's going to be a fun fun one in July.

And again, a lot of other great promotions, jerseys and Bobbleheads that will be showcasing.

The 19 of 1936 anniversary of for Bob Sellers.

We're doing a giveaway for Feller to commemorate that.

So again, a lot of fun playing for this season.

And of course, tickets always available.

CLEGuardians.com Curtis.

I was looking at some of these other outstanding promotions.

And we're happy.

Once again on the Kenny and JT show to be teaming up with Sugardale hot dogs.

And you guys have a Sugardale hot dog golf cover in April.

What is this?

So I think that's one of the special ticket packages that you buy a ticket

and buy that package.

You get a special promo item.

So that's a fun one.

I'm pretty sure that's not an all-gate giveaway.

I think that's one of those special ticket packages.

But it'll be very cool.

Where can people find out for sure, Curtis?

What's the best way to buy tickets to get all this information?

No one, all the promos are, and all of that.

CLEGuardians.com back-flash tickets.

And click on.

You'll see their special ticket packages.

You'll see promotions.

Everything's listed there.

And I'm out there right now.

If I can get there, everybody can get there.

So boom, go check it out.

And yeah, all these great promotions on top of the ballpark

looking like it does.

And a team that's one back-to-back AL Central Division.

Kenny, guess what I saw in there?

You're going to love, too.

What have a hockey sweater?

What do you do?

And it's going fast.

It is awesome.

I've got to check this thing out.

A hockey sweater.

What's that, Curtis?

It's a city connect hockey sweater.

Hey, let's let me ask you about the city connect again.

That's one of the hottest jerseys that we've had.

Are there any other tweaks?

Because I also saw a black and white jersey.

Is that something that the team will wear?

Is that just available?

I think that's probably just the merch back item.

So we'll continue our city connect at least through this year.

It was initially a three-year program.

We might push it to a fourth year because of how popular it's been.

But rest assured, you're going to see that again this year.

Yeah, all kind of great stuff on here.

And just go to the website, check it out.

They have it month by month.

A lot of nice hats that they'll be giving away this year

as part of the promotional package.

You know, everything along those lines.

Curtis, the other thing, and we had Matt Underwood on yesterday

talking, you know, Guardians baseball and where you can find things TV-wise.

Share with our listeners who maybe still aren't sure.

How do I make sure I get tonight's game?

Where can I watch the Guardians all season long?

How can they do that?

The good news is if you watched us and you had it last year,

either on cable or streaming, it's the exact same process.

So they didn't change the channels.

If you have us on Spectrum or you have direct TV stream,

like it's the same channel numbers.

And if you didn't have us, we'd love to have you.

Whether you join in cable, we just added FUBO for the year,

or else you can do the streaming package for $9.999

for the entire season if you have a smart TV at home.

So again, we had such a huge successful run last year.

And they added a bunch of new teams.

We added nine teams to that MLB model this year from last year.

Which is going to be a lot of fun and I think as we move forward,

it's going to allow us to do a lot more things.

All right, here they are.

I just pulled this up courtesy of Al Polowsky on Twitter.

ATT Uverse 736, 1736, Cox cable 80, direct TV,

JT that's U662.

You mentioned now on FUBO, it's available.

Spectrum, several locations, greater Cleveland,

and most of Ohio is 306 or 1306.

The national channel is 447.

So there's your ways to watch Guardian Spaceball.

And again, the streaming product, there's no more blackouts.

You know, as long as you have a smart TV or tablet or your phone,

you can get that package.

And I mean, over the course of you're going to get about 145 games for $9.999.

It breaks out to be a pretty good deal.

Curtis Danberg, vice president, communications,

community impact with your Cleveland Guardians.

All right, Curtis, home, opener, Friday, April 3rd.

As you mentioned, versus the Cubs.

A couple of years ago, you guys scheduled an eclipse,

a couple of weeks ago, we had meteors all over the place.

In fact, wait a minute.

The Superman game last year.

That's right.

Where are the Guardians turned into the meteors?

We were the meteors.

There we go.

So what do we have in store for the home open?

Come on.

Well, hopefully not a meteor blast again.

I experienced that in my backyard.

That was something.

But we're going to be announcing our festivities here pretty soon.

And we have a lot of exciting things.

Again, this is 125th anniversary of our organization.

So we're going to be leaning into that as it relates to the opening day.

And there's a couple of promotions tied to that throughout the year.

But the gates open at 2 o'clock.

We're sold out.

The only way you can get access right now is we have a few more of those ballpark

passes from the month of April.

That's your best way of getting access to the opener at this point.

All right.

I'm also looking at this, JT.

And you and I might have to do this, JT.

I'm seeing a couple of these bark in the park presented by milk.

You know what my dogs anywhere in here.

They're in their own place.

Curtis, you don't want my French bulldogs anywhere near a baseball.

Trust me.

I appreciate you looking out for everybody.

Curtis, tell everybody about this because I did this when I was doing

monsters games on TV.

You know, it was pucks and paws night at the monsters game.

So share with our listeners out there who a lot of them have

furry little friends.

What this is all about.

Yeah, we started this, I think it was last year.

And it might be actually two years ago with the Paul Davis pennant district

up there in right field.

And we basically open it up and we have a relief area for your pups.

And we have a one year old puppy and many burn and doodle.

That's probably going to make her debut to progress in field this year.

So it's a fun way to, you know, bring some dogs to the ballpark and have a lot of fun.

Awesome.

Curtis, three different times.

Curtis left field upper deck.

Is that the blue moon district?

What is isn't, is that still the same?

Did that change at all?

Nope, that's the same.

And again, we learned in our, the right below that, the terrace hall.

We learned for our kind of serving that only about 18% of the fans made their way

up there over the course of the season last year.

If you've not been, if you were in that percentile that you have not,

make sure people go check that out.

It's such a unique area where if you're in the seating bowl,

it's like this little sliver.

You don't eat don't really and even know what's there.

But you go there at Spectacular.

There's great food and beverage offerings.

There's a nice kind of patio terrace.

It's a great view of the ballpark.

And you've got a brand new bathrooms.

It's a great spot, especially for those ballpark pass holders.

That's the place to go.

So that's not a specific ticket.

Once we're in the gate, we can go to that.

Because we thought we were speaking, oh man, that's why we missed out on it.

Curtis, we thought we would be sneaking into there.

Now, below that, the North Coast Social,

keeping North Coast Social Area, that you need a special ticket for.

But the terrace hall right above that and right below the Blue Moon terrace.

Okay.

That's open to anybody.

It's a great spot.

It really, Kenny, it's so nice.

You feel like you're not allowed in there.

Yeah, really?

Yeah.

Oh, okay.

Well, then we probably should go.

I'm trying to pass it in for Greg to feel.

Here you go, see?

JT, that's not for us, though.

Hey, Curtis, I put your mugs, you know, outside the terrace hall.

Perfect.

So they know they're not letting you in.

Listen, we got to do a game the other night.

We did our show before the game.

I should say at the Cavaliers and we had Rafa there.

Will Rafa be at the ballpark doing the games in Spanish this year?

He is.

Yeah, we got to get him in.

Rafa and Carlos and just Davo.

So yeah, they do such a great job and supported by Mike Pika.

You know, the believe me, I talked to Carlos yesterday.

He's fired up and ready to go.

No, yeah.

What do you tell about Kenny?

What did he tell about his walk up music?

Oh, I was telling Rafa that during that 95 run, the macarena.

That's the first time I ever heard it was when Carlos was playing it all the time, right?

Yeah, but how about those songs?

We had two of Jetta quit and we had Jim Tomey.

Was that Jim Tomey or whatever to the rescue?

There's classic songs.

This is how we do it.

Montel Jordan courtesy of Kenny Rafa.

Yeah, oh, yeah, all those great two-nage.

Wait, we need to do a 1995 two-nage night at the ballpark.

That's and we'll let Carlos be the DJ Curtis.

What do you think?

I think he'd be up for that.

What do you think?

Can you imagine him?

Oh, my gosh.

For 2016, the Friday Night Fireworks, we're actually going to do it to the 2016 team walk-up song.

So we're going to we'll have to do that for the 95 group, too.

Absolutely outstanding.

Curtis, we always appreciate the time and everything.

We're looking forward to coming down doing some games again this year with our pre-game show

and all of that.

Thanks so much for everything that you do for it.

Do you move out of the ballpark yet?

Are you back into the offices so we can have our booth back?

We're back in the offices, but you're always welcome.

I'm still up there, but I'm not in there like I was two years ago.

So yeah, you're welcome and moved for it.

Curtis, thanks so much.

We'll see you at the ballpark real soon and good luck staying up tonight.

All right.

Hey, you too.

Appreciate the support.

Go, guys.

Go, guys.

There he is.

Go, guards.

Curtis, Danburg, VP, communications, community impact.

Go ahead, JT.

Guardians of one on opening day and back-to-back season.

They used to always wait for that because you know, it's just you got to win the first one

to go undefeated, don't you?

They last won three straight openers.

How about this?

61 through 1963.

Damn.

All right.

Let's see what we can do tonight.

First pitch right here on WHBC.

Guardians at Seattle, 10-10-PM.