Cleveland Indians players and coaches have shaved their heads to show support for Mike Aviles’ daughter, who is battling leukemia.
The utility man missed eight games earlier this month after her diagnosis.
“It’s a team thing,” said second baseman Jason Kipnis. “It started with Mike’s daughter because of what she’s going through. Unfortunately, she’s going to be losing her hair soon from chemotherapy and we all wanted to join in.”
“It started with a couple of guys and has spread throughout the whole clubhouse,” said Kipnis.
Kipnis said it’s easy to stand with Aviles because he’s a stand-up guy.
“Mike is one of the best clubhouse guys there is in this entire league,” said Kipnis. “He’s been a great person and a great teammate. I think all the guys have done a good job of stepping up to make him feel welcomed and back at home and that nothing has changed.
“Numerous guys have told him that if he needs anything at anytime that they’ll be there for him. I think baseball has been a good distraction for him.”
It’s great to see this type of solidarity in a clubhouse. In baseball especially, going to battle together for seven-plus months in a row really binds guys together.
[H/T: Cleveland.com]