Richard Jacobs

Richard E. "Dick" Jacobs (June 16, 1925 – June 5, 2009) was an American businessman and real estate developer who co-founded the Jacobs Entertainment, Inc., Richard E. Jacobs Group, and was owner of the Cleveland Indians from 1986 to 1999.

Biography Jacobs was born in 1925 in Akron, Ohio, In 1943, he served in the Army during World War II. Jacobs was also well known for owning the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1986 to 1999; after David's death in 1992, Richard operated the team on his own. In 1994, Jacobs Field would open as the new venue of the Indians in downtown Cleveland. The ballpark bore his family name from its opening in April 1994 until January 2008. Jacobs' tenure as Indians owner marked one of the team's most successful periods in franchise history the team went 1119-1080 during the regular season, and 25-22 during the postseason, reaching the World Series on two occasions (1995, and 1997), and winning American League Central Division championships in five consecutive seasons (1995-1999). Under Jacobs ownership the Indians also hosted the 1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the first held in Cleveland in sixteen years.

Jacobs was a co-owner with his son, Jeffery P. Jacobs, of Jacobs Entertainment, Inc., a casino and racetrack company after they merged companies in 2002.

Jacobs died on June 5, 2009, after a long illness at his Westlake home. The funeral was held at the Rocky River United Methodist Church. He was buried at Lakewood Park Cemetery in Rocky River, Ohio.

Awards and honors As Indians owner Two-time American League Champion 1995, 1997 Five-time American League Central Division Champion (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999) Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame (class of 2009)

As a businessman 2009 Downtown Cleveland Alliance Ruth Ratner Miller Award (for his contributions in developing the downtown area - awarded posthumously) The Cleveland Clinic branch in Avon, Ohio, named the Richard E. Jacobs Health Center Nautica Pavilion in Cleveland renamed Jacobs Pavilion (partially) in honor of Jacobs in 2011 following his death (as his son Jeff owns the facility).