After seven games on the West Coast to start the season, the Cleveland Guardians return home Friday to face the Chicago Cubs, their 33rd consecutive home opener sellout at Progressive Field.

Ideastream Public Media sports commentator Terry Pluto says the home opener carries a unique energy.

“Whether you’re talking about the NBA or you’re talking even about the NFL or the National Hockey League, there doesn’t seem to be the same excitement, almost frenzy of getting Opening Day tickets,” Pluto said.

He says Cleveland has long been an “Opening Day town,” dating back to packed crowds at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

“In the old days, like when I was growing up, they’d draw 60,000 or more for opening day,” Pluto said. “In game two, they would draw 5,000. I remember my father letting me stay home from school and he would skip work and take me to Opening Day at the old Cleveland Stadium. I still get emails of fans doing that.”

This year’s game will feature Cleveland Heights native and U.S. women’s hockey Olympic gold medalist Laila Edwards throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, continuing a long tradition of notable guests.

“Like in 1910, President William Howard Taft went to a Washington Senators game and threw out the first pitch,” Pluto said. “1994 opening day at what was then Jacobs Field, the first game in the new stadium, President Bill Clinton threw out first ball.”

Pluto also pointed to a historic feat that may never be repeated: Bob Feller’s 1940 Opening Day no-hitter.

“That’s a record I think will stand forever because (in) these times of guys on pitch counts and everything else,” Pluto said. “Even if a guy (had) a no-hitter going after seven innings, they’d probably take them out because they’re worried about them throwing too many pitches in cold weather.”

Beyond baseball, Pluto says Opening Day signals the start of something bigger.

“It’s the beginning of like a six month, it’s like an ultra-marathon,” Pluto said. “It seems to go on and on and baseball every day.”

Even unpredictable weather is part of the tradition.

“In 1907, the New York Giants played a home opener against the Phillies,” Pluto said. “It had snowed that day, and the fans in New York got mad at the umpires (and) kept pelting them with snowballs. Finally, the umpires got mad… and the New York Giants forfeited nine to nothing to the Phillies.”

Months of spring training and anticipation also build excitement, especially with young talent emerging. Pluto compared current buzz around rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter to past fan favorites.

“Like when I first became the baseball writer in Cleveland in 1980, we had a phenom, his name was Joe Charbonneau,” Pluto said. “I ended up hyping up Joe Charbonneau a lot that spring training. He was a guy who had some pretty good minor league stats hitting. The team generally wasn’t very good back then. In fact, I nicknamed him Super Joe. On opening day, 1980, Super Joe went three for three with a homerun, a double, two RBIs and they beat Toronto eight to one in front of 61,753 fans. And the sun was even out. It was 59 degrees.”

For fans, Pluto says, Opening Day always brings hope.

“There is reason to be optimistic about the Guardians… they consistently find a way to put a good product on the field.”

First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. Friday at Progressive Field.