Class and Loyalty aren't Dead Yet in Sports

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, teams have shown some interest in Cleveland Indians utility man, Mike Aviles...The guy has played 2B, 3B, SS, and OF, and he plays well when he gets in there...But in a rare show of class and loyalty to a player and his family the Cleveland Indians have decided that they will not move Aviles since his 4 year old daughter is going through cancer treatment...

Adriana was diagnosed in May, and the organization has been very supportive of the Aviles family's needs...Twice he has been placed on the Family Medical Emergency List, and once on the Restricted List so that he could be with his daughter through these tough times...

When word got out in May of Adriana's diagnosis, Indians players, coaches, and the owner got together and shaved their heads in support of her...

Here they are rocking their Team Adriana shirts!

Thursday manager Terry Francona confirmed that even if teams are targeting Aviles, who will be w free agent after this season, that the Indians won't put him and his family in that type of difficult situation...

“We’re trying to be pretty respectful to Mike and his family stuff. We haven't spoken too much about it other than just to kind of maybe explain why he hasn't been here and stuff like that. ... I don't think, because of the situation Mike's in, because of his family situation that [general manager Chris Antonetti] would ever do that.”

In today's sports world, when so many athletes seem to be just out for themselves, following an example often set by owners and league officials, it's quite refreshing to see this type of example being set by the Indians...Yes, I wish they were having a better season...But how they have treated the Aviles family shows that they get it...There are things more important then the business of Baseball.

Trevor Bauer's Multiple Batting Stances...And a Question

Friday night the Cleveland Indians began a weekend stand in Pittsburgh, which means the Tribe pitchers get to pretend to be hitters...And in the 7th inning started Trevor Bauer had a little fun at the expense of a few of his teammates and their unique batting stances...

The video won't embed because MLB.com sucks...So here is a LINK

It's just under 4 minutes long, but worth a watch...

....

After the walk, Bauer stayed active on the base-paths...Taking a good lead, and when Pirates reliever, Bastardo bounced one infront of the plate, Bauer jumped out for an extended lead towards second...Cervelli picked it, and cocked back to throw...Bauer dove back to first, covering himself in mud, since it was pouring rain the whole game...As Cervelli came forward and then pulled the throw down, you could see him laughing under his mask...

I have to say, I loved seeing this young kid having fun out there...I loved seeing him working the count, fouls off balls, earning a walk...I loved seeing his energy and taking that big lead, then diving back to first...I can't tell you the last time I've seen a pitcher dive back to a bag...If all pitchers had fun with it like Bauer did, and if they all actually got into game and played like he was on the base-paths, I'd be all for doing away with the DH, league wide...But most pitchers don't put in the time and effort...It bothers me that in 2015 there is still a level of surprise when a pitcher gets a couple hits in a game...When he does more then bunt a runner over...When we aren't saying, 'It's just the pitcher, I'm going for a piss and another beer.'

Besides eliminating fan voting for the All-Star Game, I've always felt, that if I was the Supreme Ruler of Baseball, I'd put the DH in, league wide...But Bauer may be pushing me the other way...Maybe mandatory BP and base-runningdrills for all pitchers and get rid of the DH....

What do you think?

 PS: the Indians and Bauer won 5-2