OPENER FACTS: The Indians will open the 2011 Championship Season on Friday against the Chicago White Sox in Progressive Field... The Indians are currently 57-53 (.518) all-time on Opening Day... Tribe is 4-7 in their last 11 openers... 2011 will mark just the 3rd time in the last 10 years since 2001 that the Indians have opened at home... The last two times ('01 & '08) the Indians have opened at home have come against the White Sox... Indians and Sox have locked horns on Opening Day 6 times in the last 7 years (CLE 2-4) and this year will mark the 29th time ever the two teams have met on Opening Day as the Indians are 15-13 in those contests.

OPENING DAY STARTER: RHP FAUSTO CARMONA will be the Tribe's Opening Day starter on Friday, April 1 st as the Indians take on the Chicago White Sox in Progressive Field... It will mark his 1st career Opening Day start... Carmona will be the 56th different pitcher to start an opener in Indians history with former Tribe great BOB FELLER holding the club record for Opening Day starts with 7... This spring Carmona went 5-2 with a 3.72 ERA (29.0IP, 32H, 13R/12ER, 8BB, 24K) in 7 starts... His 5 spring wins lead all Major League pitchers and he also ranks 1st among AL pitchers in innings (29.0) and 2nd in strikeouts (24)... Since September 10, 2007, Carmona is 7-0 with a 2.82 ERA (44.2IP, 29H, 15R/14ER, 20BB, 26K) in 7 starts against the White Sox.

The 2011 Cleveland Indians Home Opener on Friday, April 1 at 3:05PM against the Chicago White Sox is SOLD OUT. This marks the 18th consecutive home opener sellout for the Indians at Progressive Field since the ballpark opened in 1994.

Opening Day will feature a special tribute to the life of Indians great Bob Feller who passed away this past offseason on December 15, 2010 including:
• Video Tribute
• Special Banner Presentation
• Anne Feller will present the Ceremonial First Pitch
• Players will all wear #19 jersey's during pregame introductions
• #19 on back of Pitcher's Mound

The Indians will also honor Bob Feller during the 2011 season in the following manner:

• Special uniform patches commemorating famous leg kick windup and #19 on all game uniforms
• #19 patch on Batting Practice Jerseys
• July 4 celebration including Replica Bronze Feller Statue giveaway, courtesy of KeyBank (all fans)
• Signage at Gate C near Bob Feller statue
• Black band above retired number
• Street Pole Banners
• Heritage Park Mural
• Upper Deck Seating Bowl Mural
• Memorial Press Box Seat
• Covers of 2011 Yearbook and 2011 Information & Record Book

The tradition and pageantry of Opening Day in Cleveland, including the giant flag in the shape of the Continental United States, balloons, special video presentations, and starting lineups, will also be featured once again as the Indians usher in another season at Progressive Field. The giant flag will be unfurled and presented by 200 Progressive employees who have been selected in an essay contest.

The National Anthem will be performed by the Massillon High School Choir and the Play Ball Kid will be Jack Wessel on Broadview Heights, an active member of the KeyBank High Achievers Kids Club.

Gates will open at 1:00PM, with ALL FANS receiving a 2011 Indians Magnet Schedule and Car Magnet, courtesy of Progressive Insurance.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.