Cleveland Indians use scarlet and gray to lure free agent Nick Swisher

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Indians used a little scarlet and gray attack to lure former Ohio State baseball player Nick Swisher back to Ohio.

Swisher met with the Indians to tour the facility with his wife, actress Joanna García. The free agent outfielder met with owner Paul Dolan, president Mark Shapiro, and GM Chris Antonetti. The Indians also invited former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel and former Ohio State defensive back Dustin Fox to the meet and greet.

Swisher, who played at Ohio State, donated $500,000 to his old school for a turf field at Bill Davis Baseball stadium at Ohio State. The field is called "Nick Swisher field at Bill Davis Stadium."

Progressive Field was lit up the downtown Cleveland skyline Tuesday morning in preparation to show Swisher video messages from current Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer and basketball coach Thad Matta, who pushed Swisher to sign with the Tribe.

The Indians have a great relationship with Ohio State, so it's not odd to see an Ohio State football coach or basketball coach throwing out the first pitch before an Indians game at any time during the summer. The Indians also have a scholarship fund with Ohio State's medical training staff in the name of the Indians well loved trainer Jimmy Warfield, who passed away in 2002.

Swisher is going to command a big salary to play in Cleveland. He's expected to meet with other teams before making a decision.

Fox played on the 2002 national championship football team and serves as NewsChannel5's Ohio State football analyst and co-host the Bull and Fox show on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland.