Results tagged ‘ Nick Swisher ’
Nick Swisher donates $25,000 to FBI Citizens Academy for Child ID Kit efforts
The Cleveland FBI Citizens Academy Foundation (FBICAF) is pleased to announce the donation of $25,000 from Cleveland Indians player, Nick Swisher. The funds will be used to purchase Child Identification kits for distribution at the Indians/Tigers game on May 22nd and in the Greater Cleveland area throughout the year. Child ID kits will be distributed throughout the Cleveland community by the FBICAF, FBI, and partnering organizations.
“We are extremely grateful for Nick’s commitment to the Cleveland community and his partnership with the FBICAF,” says Steve Williger, Chairman of the Board of the FBICAF. “Through his efforts, many local families will have the assurance of knowing they have vital information they can provide to law enforcement authorities should anything happen to their child.”
Nick Swisher says, “Being involved with the Child ID program was a no-brainer for me. Protecting and helping children is something that’s just instinctive – but now that I’m about to be a Dad for the first time, it takes on a whole new meaning. I am proud to be a part of this.”
The FBICAF and FBI will recognize Swisher on Wednesday, May 22nd at the Indians/Tigers game in a pre-game ceremony for his commitment to protect Cleveland area children. An award will be presented to him recognizing his community service and partnership from the FBICAF, FBI and AFCA.
“The AFCA/FBI National Child ID Program is grateful for Nick’s commitment to help protect the children of Northeastern Ohio,” said Bret Phillips, VP of Government Relations of the AFCA/FBI National Child ID Program. “Nick Swisher is a professional athlete who understands the importance of investing back in the community. Because of his generous support, parents in Northeastern Ohio will have a Child ID Kit that law enforcement can use in case of an emergency.”
Each Identification kit is comprised of an inkless fingerprinting card, a DNA collection envelope, and a cut-out wallet card. The entire fingerprinting process lasts approximately five minutes. If ever needed, the completed identification kit can immediately give authorities the vital information they need to assist them in their efforts to locate a missing child.
The FBI Citizens’ Academy Foundation of Cleveland was formed in December, 2004 and is a nonprofit public service organization with the goal of promoting safer communities in the greater Cleveland metropolitan area. The members believe this can be accomplished by improving understanding and encouraging appreciation of law enforcement among the citizenry and community leaders.
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) created the National Child Identification Program in 1997 to provide parents/guardians with a kit that records their children’s physical characteristics, fingerprints and DNA and is kept at home with the parent. If ever needed, the Child ID Kit gives authorities vital information to assist their efforts to locate a missing child. In December 2001, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) joined in partnership with the AFCA to help increase child safety awareness. To date more than 30 million Child ID Kits have been distributed, making the National Child Identification Program the LARGEST child identification effort ever conducted.
Batting practice photos: May 17 vs. Seattle
The guys are glad to be back in Cleveland — and in first place! Enjoy this photo slideshow from Friday batting practice.
–Kyle Emery photos
Indians Batting Practice: May 6, with a special visitor
Today’s BP session featured a visit from Nick Leyto, who for the last three months has been getting cancer treatments at Cleveland Clinic. He’s home now for two weeks before returning to the Clinic for more chemo.
–Photos by Kyle Emery
Indians Batting Practice Photos: May 3
Think these guys are having fun?
–Photos by TribeVibe contributor Kyle Emery
Full slate of 2013 Opening Day festivities scheduled for Progressive Field on April 8
Committed to providing fans the best fan experience possible at Progressive Field, the Cleveland Indians have a full schedule of pregame festivities planned for their Home Opener, April 8 at 4:05 p.m.
The game, the Tribe’s 20th Home Opener at Progressive Field, marks the 113th as a charter member of the American League, and the 21st consecutive Home Opener sellout dating back to the team’s final year at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. This year’s game, sold out in 6 minutes on Feb. 25.
This year’s Opening Day will feature a “Traditions” theme, with videos and presentations that will honor the team’s rich history. The first of 17 scheduled Rally Alleys presented by RTA in 2013 will get things started at 1:30 p.m., featuring a festival atmosphere with live music, various other performers, and discounted food and beverage options. In addition, on the Gateway Plaza, Budweiser will operate a bar between Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena.
Progressive Field gates will open at 2 p.m., and the Indians encourage fans to be in their seats by 3:25 p.m. to enjoy a bevy of pregame ceremonies the team has planned. They include videos tracing the history of the ballparks at which the Indians have played, team broadcasters, uniforms, and fathers and sons who have played the game. The fathers of Indians players Nick Swisher (Steve), Michael Brantley (Mickey), Zach McAllister (Steve), along with bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. (Sandy Sr.) and manager Terry Francona (Tito), will throw ceremonial first pitches to their sons.
The team also will honor all branches of the United States military, as members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard will present the colors, while an oversized American flag will be presented by 200 employees of Progressive Insurance, the Presenting Partner of the Opening Series.
The GeezeCats then will perform the Star Spangled Banner for the 28th consecutive season at Progressive Field.
Opening Day Event Timeline
1:30 PM-4PM: Fans can enjoy Rally Alley presented by RTA on Larry Doby Way, directly behind the bleachers
Beginning at 3:25 PM:
- Pregame ceremonies begin with a video welcoming fans to Progressive Field
- History of Progressive Field video
- Game preview and pitching matchups, followed by team introductions
- History of Indians Broadcasters video
- History of uniforms worn by Indians organization
- Colors presented by United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard
- Star Spangled Banner performed by The GeezeCats
- Fathers and Sons Traditions video
- Simultaneous first pitches thrown by father-son duos Steve/Nick Swisher, Mickey/Michael Brantley, Steve/Zach McAllister, Sandy Alomar Sr./Sandy Alomar Jr. and Tito/Terry Francona
4:05 PM: Official game time
In-game Traditions recognition:
- John Adams’ 40th year as Indians unofficial drummer
- Carlos Baerga recognition; Baerga will be inducted into Indians Hall of Fame June 22
Need advice? Have a pressing question? Ask TERRi!
First, he rode a scooter all over Goodyear.
Then, he kicked off our “Harlem Shake” video with his, uh, best dance moves.
Now, Terry Francona has broadened his horizons into the counseling field, offering players Nick Swisher, Jason Kipnis, Vinnie Pestano and others advice on very serious matters.
It’s Ask TERRi. Enjoy.
Indians GM Chris Antonetti talks with Fan Correspondent @ClevelandChick: Part II
Our Spring Training Fan Correspondent @ClevelandChick had the chance to sit down with Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti and throw a few questions from Twitter at this Tribe legend. There were so many great questions from you and responses from Chris that it became a two-parter! For Part I of our Fan Correspondent’s interview with Indians general manager Chris Antonetti, click here.
Cleveland Chick: How do you feel Ubaldo Jimenez is going to perform this season? I want to believe in him, but my husband says I’m wasting my time. (question from Kim on Twitter)
Chris Antonetti: I wish I knew with a high degree of confidence. What I know for certain is how hard Ubaldo and (pitching coach) Mickey Callaway have worked to put him in a better position to be successful. I’m confident he’ll be a lot better than he was last year, and I know Ubaldo is confident because of the work he’s put in.
Mickey went and visited with him a couple of times, and actually (manager) Terry (Francona) went on one of the visits, to visit with Ubaldo in the Dominican Republic this winter. Once Ubaldo started his throwing program, Mickey was there with him to make sure he was on the right path. Since reporting to Goodyear, Mickey and Ubaldo have worked really hard to put him in a position to be successful. For Ubaldo, that all starts with executing his delivery consistently. He still has a lot of potential; we just now need to see that potential turn into consistent performance.
CC: Is this year’s free agent spending spree the new norm, or a one-year wonder?
CA: What I would say is that we had a great opportunity this winter, where we had financial resources available to invest back into the team, and there were the right players that were the right fit for us. So we not only signed one prominent free agent, but we were actually able to sign a couple. Ownership extended far beyond probably what we could’ve reasonably expected.
We thought in a lot ways, that we would be done after signing Nick Swisher– and the other free agents that we signed (Mark Reynolds, Brett Myers) – because that was a very significant investment. But there was another opportunity to bring in a very talented player, Michael Bourn, on a deal that made sense for us, not only for this year, but for the next few years. Ownership really stepped out and pushed the envelope in terms of what we were able to do. It was a combination of a lot of things coming together: this being the right opportunity for us, with the right players, at the right cost, to make those investments.
I’m confident as we move forward, if we have opportunities and there are the right players that are the right fits for us, we have resources available, that ownership will again make those investments.
Ownership has always tried to invest back into the organization, throughout their time, (even in) their early years where we tried to maintain top-level payrolls despite not having the revenue to support it. Every dollar that is at their disposal they’ve invested back into team, whether that’s at the Major League level, or in player development or in scouting.
Obviously in this offseason, there was the potential for some new revenue streams to come down the line. What our ownership was going to do was not only spend revenues they had available, but revenues they were hoping to have available at a later date. So the philosophy has actually been mostly consistent: continuing to reinvest with the team. I’m confident as we have additional revenues, whether from increased attendance or increased ballpark revenue, that anything we have, ownership will continue to invest back in the team as they always have done.
Harlem Shake: Bring your own costume Monday!
According to Nick Swisher, Monday’s filming of the Tribe’s Harlem Shake video was “Bring your own costume Monday!” And boy did he and his teammates ever. Here is the roster of the downright ridiculous costumes on display in the Tribe Town 216 edition.
Parrot: Jason Kipnis (costume courtesy of Vinnie Pestano)
Ohio State football star: Nick Swisher
Green man: Jason Giambi
Big baby: Terry Francona
Prisoner: Sandy Alomar, Jr.
Camo man: Mark Reynolds
Human bear: Justin Masterson
Lloyd Christmas & Harry Dunne (from “Dumb and Dumber”): David Huff & Chris Perez
Mario: Lonnie Chisenhall
Two Luigis: Mike Sarbaugh & Brian Jeroloman
Nerd: Michael Brantley
Flamingo wrangler: Cody Allen
Reno 911! cop: Ubaldo Jimenez
Hot dog with beard: Nick Hagadone
Disco man: Carlos Carrasco
Ironman: Drew Stubbs
Scarecrow: Trevor Bauer
Mummies: Juan Diaz & Michael Bourn
WWE wrestler: Brett Myers
Two Gumbies: Mike McDade & Scott Barnes
Two Easter bunnies: Rich Hill & Lou Marson
Three penguins: Matt Capps, Matt Langwell & Zach McAllister
Egyptian Pharaoh: Danny Salazar
Hula dancer: Cord Phelps
Spiderman: Joe Martinez
Gene Simmons: Mickey Callaway
Waldo: Matt Carson
Angry Birds: Scott Kazmir and Bryan Shaw
And in case you missed it, here’s the video again:
Harlem Shake: Tribe Town 216 edition
Yes, we’re a little behind on the craze. Sue us. We’ve been a little busy, you know, with Spring Training and all.
We think, though, that the Harlem Shake: Tribe Town 216 edition is worth the wait. On Monday, we teased it with a partial roster; today, we bring you the full video, with, in our humble opinion, the best “Shake” intro of them all.
Hope you enjoy.
–TribeVibe contributor Joel Hammond
