October 12, 1948

Cleveland’s official civic welcome to its returning baseball champions, a parade of open cars bearing team members and officials from Union Terminal to University Circle along Euclid Avenue, will begin about 8:30 this morning.

This triumphant homecoming celebration will be simple and swift, according to Mayor Thomas A. Burke, out of deference to wishes of the team, but he expressed the hope that what the parade lacked in elaborateness would be made up by the enthusiasm of onlookers.

The train from Boston with the team aboard is expected to arrive in Cleveland shortly before 8:30. An area of the terminal concourse will be roped off to permit a quick exit to 20 open cars in Public Square.

There will be no speeches before the parade, the mayor said.

Traffic Chief John R. Sammon will deploy about 150 policemen along the parade route. A squad of motorcycle patrolemen will lead the parade, followed by a car carrying Police Chief George J. Matowitz.

Music will be supplied by the Parmadale Band, which will ride in a truck behind Matowitz’ car.

In the first automobile behind the band will be Lou Boudreau, Indians manager; Bill Veeck, club president; and Mayor Burke. Allen J. Lowe, head of the mayor’s civic reception committee, will drive the leading car.

It is planned to have the second car carry Gene Bearden and Hank Greenberg and other club officials. The rest of the Indians squad will be in following vehicles.

Parochial Schools will be closed today and tomorrow to honor the team today and Columbus Day tomorrow. Cleveland Public Schools will remain open, but students attending today’s parade will be excused.

At University Circle the parade will disband.

Photo: Cleveland Memory Project