CLEVELAND — Over a 162-game regular season, it is necessary to break up the grind and share some laughs amongst teammates, but the Cleveland Indians took it one step further prior to Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field.
The Indians took part in the FaceApp challenge and used the results on the videoboard during the introduction of the starting lineup and manager Terry Francona. They captured the reactions on camera and shared the video to their official Twitter account.
Second baseman Jason Kipnis served as the clean-up hitter, and while laughing at his image when it came up on the videoboard, he asked a simple question.
“Why’s mine white?” Kipnis said of his beard, which drew roaring laughter from teammates, including outfielder Jordan Luplow and reigning MLB All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber.
Infielders Jose Ramirez and Mike Freeman looked close to what they do now, while outfielder Tyler Naquin, like Kipnis, sported a Santa Claus-inspired white beard.
Starting pitcher Mike Clevinger was not spared the treatment either, as he was made to look like Don Henley of The Eagles and still sporting the same flowing long hair which earned him the nickname, “Sunshine,” a reference to quarterback Ronnie Bass in the movie, “Remember the Titans.”
All kidding aside, the Indians got down to business in short order after having a few laughs and won the game, 7-2, behind a 3-for-4 showing from Ramirez and a 12-strikeout performance from Clevinger.
By posting their third straight win in the series against the Tigers, the Indians cut down to four games the Minnesota Twins’ lead in the American League Central Division.
