Well-Worth Reading

Okay, since I had a baseball story this morning, I figure I might as well post this tonight.  It was sent to me by the inveterate Chris Dunn.  And though it sits in the world of baseball, it really transcends the sport.

A brief background.  After the All-Star Game, and before the "trade deadline" ends, it is not uncommon for teams that don't stand a chance of making the playoffs -- and who have a good player of value who's in the last year of his contract -- to trade that player so that they at least get something for him, before he becomes a free agent. 

Now, on to the story.

For the Cleveland Indians, such a player as I just described above is Mike Aviles.  He's playing under the last year of his contract, and would add a lot to another team that's in a playoff run.  And by all rights, the Indians should be shopping him around and happily fielding all the offers that they have been getting.  However, the team has let it be known that the will not trade Mike Aviles.  So, quit calling and don't ask.

Why not?

Because Aviles' daughter sadly has recently been diagnosed with leukemia, and she's getting treatment at a clinic in Cleveland.  So the team has said that they will do nothing that will not keep the family together.  Moreover, they say this about a player they haven't been using much this year, since they've granted him several extended family leaves.

Professional sports team aren't know for such actions.  So, hat's off to the Cleveland Indians.

Here's a much more detailed story about the situation.