INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – An adopted favorite son will be in the central Indiana spotlight for an entire weekend as the Indianapolis Indians use the final home games of the season to honor Razor Shines.

The events include standard events like giveaways, autographs and first pitches, but the clear highlight is something that has never been done before: The team is retiring the number of one of its former players for the first time in its history. The front office promises that no Indian will ever wear the “3” again.

“I think it’s the greatest honor,” Shines said in a conversation on Daybreak on WISH-TV, quickly reminding viewers that the number “42” is no longer used in professional baseball to honor a man who never played for the Indians but reshaped the game. “My number that I wore will be hanging next to Jackie Robinson’s number! I can’t tell you what that means to me.”

Shines starred for nine seasons on the field at Bush Stadium, the predecessor to Victory Field on the west side. Shines played nearly every position during his career, leading the Indians to multiple AAA titles and capturing the hearts of baseball fans across the city in the process.

Our interview included a look at a 1984 home run from Shines’ first year with the Tribe, when he was a rising star in the Montreal Expos organization.

“At the time, I thought Indianapolis was just going to be a place where I would play for a year, and then I would play in Major League Baseball for about 10 more years. That’s the way you think as a young player.”

Nine championship-filled seasons later, Shines had only briefly returned to the major leagues, but instead had built a smile-inducing success story that made him a full-time folk hero here. Shines tells us the accolades have inspired him to give back to his new community.

“I wanted to go to what we used to call ‘Knot Hole’ (the team’s still active kids’ club) and the Little League fields and just be the voice of the Indians and try to make things right,” he explained.

He also reflected on the sound that is still remembered by fans who saw Shines at Bush Stadium: former stadium announcer Kurt Hunt’s iconic, drawn-out introduction, “Rrrrazor Shiiines!”

“When I first heard that, it scared me a little bit, you know, and then I promptly hit a double. The next time I heard it, the crowd was screaming and that just kept me going and motivated me.”

The Razor Shines weekend at Victory Field lasts three nights.

Friday, September 13th:

• The first 1,000 fans will receive a set of baseball cards
• Razor Shines throws ceremonial first pitch
• Autographs before the game and in the 4th-6th inning
• Fireworks

Saturday, September 14th:

• The first 1,000 fans will receive Razor Shines bobbleheads featuring Kurt Hunt’s “Rrrrrazor Shines” introduction
• Farewell ceremony before game no. 3
• Razor Shines throws the ceremonial first pitch.
• Fireworks

Sunday, September 15:

• The first 1,000 fans aged 14 and under will receive a Razor Shines T-shirt
• Razor Shines throws ceremonial first pitch
• Autographs before the game and in the 2nd-4th inning

Visit the Indians website to learn more or purchase tickets.