Francona, Indians to play charity bartenders

CLEVELAND -- The Indians will host a celebrity bartending event on Wednesday in their newly renovated Right Field District at Progressive Field. The event will benefit VeloSano, a fundraising initiative that raises money for cancer research at the Cleveland Clinic through cycling events.

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Following the scheduled 12:10 p.m. ET game against the division-rival Detroit Tigers, Indians manager Terry Francona will serve as a celebrity bartender, and will be joined by president Mark Shapiro, GM Chris Antonetti, and several players, including Jason Kipnis, Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Bryan Shaw, Marc Rzepczynski, Francisco Lindor and Giovanny Urshela.

"It's for a good cause," Francona said. "I don't think I want to be a bartender, though some people probably think I should be. Any time you do something for charity that is helping some other cause or people, it's not that much to ask. I'm sure we'll have fun with it."

Tips and 20 percent of all proceeds will go directly to VeloSano. Additional money will be raised through a silent auction.

Fans who didn't attend the game will still be able to attend the event through the right-field gate on East 9th Street 30 minutes following the last out of the game. The event is expected to conclude approximately three and a half hours following the last out.

A similar event was held in downtown Cleveland last year, where Francona gained a reputation as a heavy-handed bartender.

"I think the people who ordered from me, I know they kept coming back," Francona said. "If they give you a nice hello, I'd give them more."