Hockey hero Edwards will throw ceremonial first pitch

CLEVELAND — The Guardians will mark the 125th year of Cleveland baseball when they host the Cubs for their home opener Friday at Progressive Field. Pregame ceremonies are set for at 3:30 p.m. with first pitch scheduled for 4:10. Cleveland's 33rd home opener at Progressive Field kicks off a milestone season with a theme of "Unforgettable Moments" — a tribute to barrier breakers, championship runs and generations of fans who have shaped the club's history. Olympic gold medalist Laila Edwards will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Edwards is a Cleveland Heights native who made history at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games as the first black woman on the United States Olympic hockey team. The 22-year-old University of Wisconsin player recorded two goals and six assists in the tournament, including an assist on the game-tying goal in the gold-medal match. Edwards started her hockey career in Cleveland playing for youth teams. Akron native Jon Lampley will perform the national anthem, "God Bless America" and "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." The Ohio State University graduate who tours nationally with the rock group O.A.R is a fixture in Stephen Colbert's Late Night band. Military members from multiple branches will present the colors, followed by a flyover of four F-16 jets from the 180th Fighter Wing based in Toledo. KeyBank employees will hold an American flag in the outfield during the anthem. The pregame ceremony will include six long-tenured season ticket members who will help raise the AL Central Champions flag. Face painters, glitter tattoo artists and airbrush artists will be stationed on Gateway Plaza from 1 to 3 p.m., along with photo opportunities. The team opened the season by going 2-2 in Seattle and opened a three-game series late Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Guardians are off Thursday ahead of Friday's home opener. The early forecast shows a 50 percent chance of rain throughout the afternoon, but temperatures reaching 63 degrees during the day. That will be a far cry from the 2025 win over the Chicago White Sox, which saw the first-pitch temperature of 34 degrees.