CLEVELAND — Streaks are a fundamental part of baseball. The Cleveland Guardians are continuing an impressive streak on Friday with their 33rd consecutive sold out home opener at Progressive Field.

That streak, though, has nothing on Edward Lachowski’s.

What You Need To Know

Edward Lachowski is attending his 72nd straight Cleveland baseball home opener on Friday

Lachowski’s streak started in 1955 when he attended the home opener at Cleveland Municipal Stadium after his shift as a scorecard seller

Lachowski recalls listening to the Cleveland Indians win the 1948 World Series and hopes to be there when the franchise wins its next World Series

The walls of Lachowski’s Macedonia home are filled with Cleveland baseball history. 

“In 1948, I was seven and my dad was listening to the World Series on the radio,” said Lachowski. “That’s when I kind of understood what baseball was all about.” 

Lachowski’s love for Cleveland baseball began listening to the team win its last championship 78 years ago. It hasn’t faded even though there’s been some heartbreak. 

“In 1954 they won 111 games,” Lachowski said. “They lost four in a row to the New York Giants in the World Series. You talk about people dying in the family and stuff, but that’s my worst thing.”

Born out of that heartbreak was something incredible, as Lachowski attended his first Cleveland home opener in 1955.

“I was a scorecard seller at Gate A at the old stadium,” Lachowski stated. “We were able to go anywhere and sit after our shift. That’s how it all started.”

Lachowski has attended every Cleveland home opener since. Friday’s home opener at Progressive Field will be the 72nd in a row that he’s attended. 

“I just want to keep it going,” he said. “Now that it’s so long. I often think about if I was sick in bed or something and I’d make the kids take me somehow. Maybe just for an hour, or an inning, or a batter. Anything just to keep it going.”

Like most long streaks, there have been some close calls along the way. 

In 1994, when Jacobs Field opened its doors. Lachowski and his son initially didn’t have tickets to the game. 

“We decided to try and keep my streak open,” said Lachowski. “I remember my son telling me to stand by the gate and that he’d be right back. He came back, and he had two tickets. It kept me going.” 

Not even the pandemic-shortened MLB season in 2020 could stop Lachowski from continuing his streak. 

“During the pandemic you weren’t allowed in the park,” Lachowski said. “They took me in a wheelchair. I sat right outside by the main gate with my hand inside the gate so that I was there.” 

Continuing the streak is something Lachowski couldn’t do without his family especially after losing mobility in his legs and right arm. 

“Kathy, my daughter Erin and my grandson Kyle take me,” he said. “That means a lot.”

Lachowski’s daughter, Kathy Martin, said seeing her dad’s streak continue means everything to the family. 

“It’s been amazing and hard,” said Martin. “We rearrange our lives for this. I’d like to keep it going until he can’t.”

Each Opening Day in Cleveland is a chance for Lachowski to relive great memories and make new ones.

“That’s the biggest day of the year for baseball in Cleveland,” he said. “It’s emotional. It’s been the biggest day ever since I was a kid.”

Lachowski said one of the best things about opening day is the hope it brings to the city of Cleveland. He hopes he’ll be able to see the team deliver its first championship since back when he was 7-years-old and listening on the radio with his father.

“I might have to live to be 100,” Lachowski stated. “I’m going to stay healthy enough. I’m going to be there.”

The Cleveland Guardians host the Chicago Cubs in this year’s home opener on Friday, April 3. First pitch at Progressive Field is set for 4:10 p.m.