Cleveland [+Akron], OH – The Cleveland Guardians and The Black Keys have partnered to create a limited edition ‘Erie Blue & Rust Belt Red’’ vinyl record pressing of the band’s forthcoming album, Ohio Players (out April 5 via Nonesuch/Warner Records). Fans of baseball and music alike will have the opportunity to pursue one of two methods to obtain a copy of the exclusive Cleveland Guardians vinyl color variant:

Beginning today, crate diggers can reserve their copy of Ohio Players on ‘Erie Blue & Rust Belt Red’ vinyl by purchasing a Special Ticket Package for Saturday, April 20 when the Cleveland Guardians take on the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. A limited number of ticket packages are on sale immediately, on a first-come-basis while supplies last, at www.CLEGuardians.com/specials (available online only).

In a parallel effort to support small businesses, the Cleveland Guardians and The Black Keys have also collaborated to make the remaining copies of the exclusive vinyl color variant available for purchase at select record stores across Northern and Central Ohio. These copies will be released at select locations on Monday, April 8 to celebrate the Guardians Home Opener at Progressive Field, which takes place the same day against the Chicago White Sox.

Ohio Players, a title inspired by the legendary Dayton, Ohio funk band of the same name, marks the 12th studio album for the Akron, Ohio duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, who formed The Black Keys in 2001. The 14-track full-length LP features contributions from other notable artists, including Beck, Dan “The Automator” Nakamura, Noel Gallagher and Alice Cooper, among others. Ohio Players was also influenced by The Black Keys “Record Hangs,” as Auerbach and Carney deejayed dance parties in cities around the world while making the album, spinning 45s from their own eclectic and growing collections.