New song honors alumnus John Adams, drummer of CLE baseball

"So take him home, Coach, John's coming back home to play," croons Cleveland singer Colin Dussault in his song "Left Centerfield."

"Take him home Coach, John's coming home to stay."

The song—a creative cover of John's Foggerty's "Centerfield"—is a fitting tribute to alumnus John Adams, who died in January.

John was the longtime drummer for Cleveland baseball games, an unofficial job he started at the age of 21. The beating of his drum became as iconic as Cleveland Municipal Stadium and, then, Progressive Field themselves. Fans clapped in sync with his rhythm, rising in the stands, swelling with hometown pride.

And to some, he was just as important as the team.

"John was like meeting a player. Someone you heard on the radio in the middle of the night as a child, and someone you saw on tv every single home game," Cleveland baseball fan Eric Shanteau wrote on Facebook as tributes rolled in.

"I will remember John as a hero during my youth. Today, as a grown man, I’ll remember him as one of the kindest human beings I’ve ever met. I hope I can be like that some day."

John's legacy also extends beyond baseball and into the Cleveland music scene, where he was an occasional musician, but constant supporter.

Dussalt's song tweaks the lyrics of Foggerty's classic to remember John as a Cleveland staple, one who provided a heartbeat to generations of Cleveland baseball fans.

John Adams played so fine
Through all those die-hard times
Banging on his rally drum
The losin' teams never seemed to get our hero down
From Charlie Spikes to Tito's scooter bike
Back when the Indians looked like bums
You could always count on that Muni bass drum sound

 "Left Centerfield" is available for purchase at colindussault.com. Proceeds will benefit the John Adams Scholarship Fund, which will provide financial support for students, individuals and organizations in the arts, including music, dance, visual and industrial art.

Listen to the song below.