Cleveland Indians players have shaved their heads in a show of support for the daughter of teammate Mike Aviles, who has leukemia.
Aviles’ 4-year-old daughter Adriana was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this month and will be undergoing chemotherapy soon, which will cause her to lose her hair. Aviles missed eight games after his daughter was diagnosed, so the players on the team decided to shave their heads to make him feel welcome when he returned to the squad.
“It’s a team thing,” said second baseman Jason Kipnis via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “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.”
Kipnis also called Aviles one of the best clubhouse guys in the league and said many players have told him they are there for him.
Re: new haircuts you've seen:
Our guys have shaved their heads to support Mike Aviles and his daughter, Adriana. pic.twitter.com/udYoObGBrW
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) May 27, 2015
Aviles has not been talking with the media about his daughter, but he did offer a few quotes to the Akron Beacon Journal’s Ryan Lewis.
“All of daddy’s friends did it too,” Aviles says he told his daughter.
“She’s going to fight and I’ll be right there with her and it’s good to know we have a lot of support on our side.”
Though he has a lot on his mind, Aviles has been playing well this season and is batting .310 with an .876. Hopefully he’s making his daughter proud with his play and helping her through the disease with his support.
Me and my mini me's dominated check e cheese!! #overmatchedandunderprepared pic.twitter.com/JXRPqNbzh2
— Mike Aviles (@Themikeaviles) October 18, 2014
Forearm bash to Big League Stew
