CLEVELAND — On Saturday, Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco confirmed that he had been diagnosed with leukemia, providing a heartbreaking answer to what the reported blood condition was that placed him on the injured list in early June. Within hours of his diagnosis being made public, the city of Cleveland came together to show their support.
The Indians shared a video of Carrasco Saturday afternoon in which the pitcher discussed his diagnosis.
"This is going to make me stronger than I've ever been,” Carrasco said in the video.
RELATED: Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco diagnosed with leukemia
Many around the city of Cleveland have since rallied around Carrasco, sending him well wishes, including the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns shared the Indians' video on Facebook, saying “Our whole city is behind you,” affirming the pitcher's support system here in Cleveland.
Our whole city is behind you, @Cookie_Carrasco ❤️ https://t.co/e4C2K6pomO
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 6, 2019
Following the report of Carrasco’s leukemia diagnosis, Indians fan Jeff Sustarsic took to Twitter to start a movement in support of Carrasco.
Sustaric tweeted “Petition for Carlos Carrasco to throw out the first pitch at the All Star Game... to show that this whole city and all of Major League Baseball are behind him in this,” which garnered the attention of thousands on the site.
Petition for Carlos Carrasco to throw out the first pitch at the All Star Game... to show that this whole city and all of Major League Baseball are behind him in this. #Indians
— Jeff Sustarsic (@JSustarsic) July 6, 2019
The post has been liked more than 2,000 times and caught the eye of Chris McNeil, a popular Cleveland personality on Twitter. McNeil then started an actual petition on Change.org, which has since received more than 2,500 signatures.
.@MLB @Indians https://t.co/1qZtEvt0ys
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) July 6, 2019
Hopefully, Carrasco knows the support he has here in Cleveland, among the league and now all over the world. If he needs a reminder, all he has to do is search the hashtag #CookieStrong and the tweets will speak volumes.
