MLB playoffs 2016: LeBron James hypes up crowd prior to Indians game

Bill Bender

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MLB playoffs 2016: LeBron James hypes up crowd prior to Indians game image

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians had a hype man for Game 2 of the American League Division Series. 

It just happened to be the reigning NBA Finals MVP LeBron James — dressed in a vintage blue Indians jersey. He addressed the crowd at Progressive Field from behind home plate before the start of Friday’s games against the Boston Red Sox. 

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James — who is known for wearing New York Yankees gear — also wore a red hat while pumping up the crowd. James led the Cavaliers to a NBA championship last season, which broke the city’s 56-year championship drought. He didn’t throw the first pitch. 

Len Barker, who threw a perfect game for the Indians in 1981, had that honor before Game 2.

Bill Bender

Bill Bender Photo

Bill Bender graduated from Ohio University in 2002 and started at The Sporting News as a fantasy football writer in 2007. He has covered the College Football Playoff, NBA Finals and World Series for SN. Bender enjoys story-telling, awesomely-bad 80s movies and coaching youth sports.