Carrasco, Bauer create mini Indians roster out of baseballs
#MiniTeamCLE2017 @MLB @MLBStatoftheDay @Cut4 @IndiansBeisbol @Indians @IntentionalTalk pic.twitter.com/7dQrVqeEgW
— Carlos Carrasco (@Cookie_Carrasco) September 18, 2017
Between Carlos Carrasco's 30 impressive starts this season, over which he posted a 3.48 ERA and 3.26 FIP, he was working on a side project with another Cleveland Indians pitcher: making baseballs look like mini versions of his teammates.
A day after Cleveland celebrated clinching the division, the 30-year-old Carrasco tweeted out a picture showing his entire roster of baseballs Monday. He worked on them with Trevor Bauer, depicting 26 players in total. From left to right, the 2017 Cleveland Indians Baseballs are:
Back row: Dan Otero, Brandon Guyer, Tyler Olson, Edwin Encarnacion, Jay Bruce, Michael Brantley, Carlos Santana, Danny Salazar, Austin Jackson, Bradley Zimmer, Zach McAllister
Middle row: Roberto Perez, Andrew Miller, Francisco Lindor, Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, Jose Ramirez, Corey Kluber, Cody Allen, Jason Kipnis
Front row: Josh Tomlin, Yan Gomes, Bryan Shaw, Mike Clevinger, Joe Smith, Yandy Diaz
Bauer explained to FOX Sports Ohio that they wanted to create something the whole team could rally behind - like the Cleveland Cavaliers did with "Lil' Kev," the team's unofficial mascot during the 2016 playoffs.
Not all of the baseballs seemed well received, though. Jose Ramirez appears to have felt mixed emotions when he saw his likeness back in June:
.@MrLapara's replica baseball is complete and he seems into it.#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/CxS6UlGZmv
— SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio) June 15, 2017