CLEVELAND — Guardians pitchers Gavin Williams and Matthew Boyd each bought 40 to 50 Diamond Deli gift cards for Akron RubberDucks players and coaches while they were on rehab assignments this past summer.
The good deeds shine a light on the camaraderie members of the Guardians organization have developed with one another and the synergy some Cleveland baseball players have established with Diamond Deli , a popular eatery on South Main Street less than two blocks away from the Double-A RubberDucks' home at Canal Park .
On Wednesday, Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie visited Diamond Deli , where a sandwich special is named in honor of Cleveland All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan .
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McKenzie FaceTimed with Kwan from the sandwich shop they both frequented as RubberDucks players. McKenzie then showed his phone to Diamond Deli co-owner Brett Magilavy, whereupon Kwan thanked Magilavy for featuring him with the "Hit The Kwan" sandwich (pastrami, cheddar cheese, onion, sweet pickle relish and Cleveland ballpark mustard on grilled Italian bread).
"We've always enjoyed the players, but the last I would say two years, especially this year, I've never met a nicer group of kids in my life," Magilavy said. "They're so respectful to us. They treat us like royalty.
"What's cool to us is how much they appreciate us. They come in here and treat us like we're the big timers, like we're someone to come in to see, when in reality we're looking up to them."
Diamond Deli's crew is planning to gather and watch the Guardians in the MLB playoffs , said Magilavy, who owns the restaurant with his younger brother and fellow Stow High School graduate, Chad.
After capturing the American League Central crown and the AL's No. 2 seed, the Guardians will host the No. 6 Detroit Tigers in the AL Division Series . Game 1 of the best-of-five series is scheduled to begin at 1:08 p.m. Saturday at Progressive Field. The Tigers advanced to the ALDS by defeating the No. 3 Houston Astros 2-0 in a best-of-three wild-card series.
Although Williams' spot on the ALDS playoff roster isn't considered a lock, Boyd is widely expected to be in the starting rotation.
Either way, Diamond Deli hopes to send some good corned beef karma their way.
"I freaking love Diamond Deli," Williams said.
Williams became a Diamond Deli regular in 2022 after he was promoted to the RubberDucks and fellow pitcher Tanner Burns took him there. Williams ordered the "Amy's Sound of Music" sandwich (smoked turkey, muenster cheese and honey mustard on grilled Italian bread).
"I haven't looked back since," Williams said. "I haven't had anything else. That's my go-to."
Williams explained he got the idea to buy Diamond Deli gift cards for the RubberDucks because he received one two years ago when outfielder George Valera purchased them for Akron players. Magilavy said injured Guardians ace Shane Bieber also shared the wealth in the form of Diamond Deli currency a few years ago.
"When you go on a rehab assignment, the thing is to get some of the minor-league guys something like a meal," Williams said.
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Boyd followed suit, even though he said he has yet to try Diamond Deli's food. Boyd bought the gift cards on Kwan's recommendation.
"You always want to take care of the guys when you come down there, because when you come down there, you change the day to day," Boyd said. "Unfortunately, it becomes very much about the guy rehabbing. So you just want to show your gratitude."
Sharing meals with teammates is a staple of clubhouse culture, and Boyd is encouraged by the Guardians' chemistry heading into Game 1.
"There's really good people here, and when you have good people that care about each other, it leads to a lot of selflessness, a lot of people pulling the rope in the same direction," Boyd said. "It makes it easy to accomplish what our collective goal is when guys put their ego aside and they say, 'Hey, however the best way to win is, let's go do it.'"
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians supported by Akron eatery Diamond Deli
