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What’s better than a hard-fought victory on the diamond? Putting one on your loved one’s finger, if you ask Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges.
Hedges not only helped the Guardians defeat the Baltimore Orioles, 8-4, on Sunday — he got engaged to his girlfriend, Lexi Dickson, at Progressive Field.
Hedges dropped to one knee on the grass as a message flashed across the Jumbotron at Cleveland Stadium as his teammates watched. Shocked and emotional, Dickson finally told Hedges, “Yes!” before you hear cheers from those watching.
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Austin Hedges and his girlfriend Lexi Dickinson celebrate their engagement after the Cleveland Guardians’ 8-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on April 19, 2026. (Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Hedges told reporters he’s had the ring for his girlfriend of nearly two years since spring training, but he didn’t have this plan until “just a few weeks ago.”
“I really hoped we won the game,” he told Cleveland.com. “I was going to do it regardless, but I really wanted to win that game to make it extra special.”
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The message on the video board read, “Lexi, will you marry me?” causing Hedges to drop to one knee.
“There were a lot of nerves, a lot of nerves,” explained Hedges, 33. “I’m always nervous for baseball games … and just trying to stay present, knowing there were some activities after. But it’s a special day. Special to be able to soak it all in.”
Dickson, wearing a black, custom-designed jacket with Hedges’ number and pictures of his now-fiancé on the back, flashed his ring around to Guardians players and friends and family taking photos on the pitch.
Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges proposed to his fiancee Lexi Dickinson on the field after a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on April 19, 2026. (David Dermer/Imagn Images)
It wasn’t the best of days for Hedges at the plate, as he went 0-for-4, although he did score a run. But a win to move to 13-10 on the season is all that matters to him at the end of the day.
As for the after-party, Hedges and Dickson planned a low-key Sunday night to decompress after such an adrenaline-filled afternoon.
“Go to dinner and then just have an evening to ourselves and enjoy it,” Hedges said the plan was.
Austin Hedges of the Cleveland Guardians proposes to his girlfriend Lexi Dickinson after the team’s 8-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on April 19, 2026. (Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
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It’s probably the right move for Hedges, who has the Houston Astros heading to town to start a three-game series at Progressive Field on Monday night.
But he and Dickson get a chance to enjoy their first night as an engaged couple in the next chapter of their baseball love story.
