Bid on Indians items for Stand Up To Cancer
Fans can take part in batting practice, first pitch at Progressive Field
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Indians have once again joined the rest of Major League Baseball in offering unique experiences to fans for a good cause.
As part of the fourth annual Winter Meetings charity auction, MLB, MLB Advanced Media, MLB Network and all 30 teams are putting a long list of items and events up for bidding. The Indians have three packages as part of this year's auction, which runs through 9 p.m. ET on Thursday on MLB.com and will help benefit cancer research.
This auction initiative has raised nearly $500,000 since its inception four years ago and a significant portion of the proceeds from this year's event will go to Stand Up To Cancer, a longtime partner of Major League Baseball, its founding donor in 2008.
In addition, this year's auction will benefit Do It For Durrett, in honor of the late Texas Rangers ESPN.com reporter Richard Durrett, who died suddenly last year, and the YouCaring page established for Miami Marlins Sun Sentinel beat writer Juan C. Rodriguez, who is currently battling a brain tumor.
The first package offering is an opportunity for a fan to take batting practice at Progressive Field before an Indians home game. The winner of the experience will also get a tour of the team's clubhouse, four lower box tickets to that day's game and the chance to meet manager Terry Francona and outfielder Michael Brantley.
Cleveland also has another game day experience up for auction. The winner will have the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the Tribe's July 9 game against the Yankees. Also included in the package is the chance to watch batting practice on the field, a clubhouse tour and seats in the press box to watch the game.
The third item up for auction gives fans the chance to use Francona's Cavaliers basketball tickets for the March 23 NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The seats (section 33, row 2, seats 7-8) are located four rows from the floor and near the Cavs' bench, and come with access to the Platinum Lounge at Quicken Loans Arena.
Other interesting auction items around MLB include: a Spring Training fishing trip with Rays manager Kevin Cash and his coaching staff; the chance to watch a Giants spring game from the dugout; brewing beer with Twins closer Glen Perkins; a hike up Camelback Mountain in Arizona with D-backs outfielder A.J. Pollock; golf with Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer; and a behind-the-scenes All-Star experience at Petco Park, among other packages.