Shortly after the Championship Celebration Luncheon began on Aug. 15 at Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights, Ara Bagdasarian – who co-founded Solon Community Living with his wife, Leslie, to provide housing for individuals with intellectual disabilities – received a note from a staff member.

“I was just informed that Jim Thome is going to be unable to join us on Zoom today, which I’m very sad about,” Bagdasarian told the crowd with a hint of disappointment in his voice. “So, I think we’re going to have to make a substitution. Please welcome our special guest.”

Bagdasarian pointed to the top of the banquet room staircase as a curtain opened to reveal Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Thome. The former Cleveland Guardians (then Indians) star, who played for the team from 1991 to 2002 and again in 201

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