Advertisement

Dedicated Indians fan surprises team with generous handmade gift

Mark Townsend
·Yahoo Sports Contributor
Every Indians player, coach and television broadcaster received a hand-crocheted afghan with the team's colors. (Indians on Twitter)
Every Indians player, coach and television broadcaster received a hand-crocheted afghan with the team’s colors. (Indians on Twitter)

Every team in Major League Baseball has its share of dedicated fans. Some teams have more than others, of course, but the number doesn’t really matter when the fans are as dedicated as Jacque Mazey.

According to the Cleveland Indians, the 67-year-old fan from Perrysburg, Ohio took her dedication to the next level by hand-crocheting an afghan for each player, coach, and television broadcaster with the team. The package containing over 40 afghans arrived at Progressive Field on Wednesday afternoon.

Is that not the coolest gesture ever?

It’s also noted that each package included a personalized letter to its intended recipient. Here’s the letter to injured Indians star Michael Brantley.

(Indians on Twitter)
(Indians on Twitter)

It reads:

Hello Michael,

I crocheted this afghan for you using the Cleveland Indians colors. I hope you like it and it comes as a surprise.

Afghan facts: takes 3 1/2 to 4 weeks to complete, 7 1/2 feet long, over one million stitches in each.

I made one for the entire team, Tito, the coaches and also for the T.V. announcers. I’ve been busy!!! It is to show my support and appreciation for all of you. I’ve been an Indians fan my entire life. I tell my friends that watching all of you is the best reality T.V. ever.

I really missed you Michael. I hope your shoulder feels normal real soon. You’re in my prayers.

I enclosed directions how to care for your new afghan. Enjoy!

As she writes, each afghan took nearly a month to complete and over one million stitches. The time and effort alone that’s required to undertake a project this immense is remarkable. Mazey didn’t ask for anything in return either. She just wanted to show her support, which was appreciated by manager Terry Francona.

The first-place Indians haven’t needed a lot of help this season. Knowing there are fans like Jacque Mazey though may only fuel their fire more to bring the first World Series championship to Cleveland since 1948.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

– – – – – – –

Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!