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JoAnna Garcia and Nick Swisher: “We’re So Excited to Be Parents”

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Before giving birth to a baby girl on May 21, JoAnna Garcia joined husband Nick Swisher for a joint interview with MLB.com about parenthood and life in Ohio.

It's been a busy six months for JoAnna Garcia and Nick Swisher, who welcomed their firstborn daughter on Tuesday, May 21. In December 2012, the Cleveland Indians signed Swisher to a four-year, $56 million contract, meaning the New York-based couple would be raising their family in Swisher's native Ohio.

"It really felt like the common theme was family," Garcia told MLB.com on May 10. "I really felt that. It was always my first choice to be here."

As Swisher explained, "We had to take in all factors. . . We've never had a major decision like this before."

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According to the athlete, the Cleveland Indians' "family atmosphere" was a strong selling point. "We've got a beautiful home here. Our neighborhood is amazing," Swisher, 32, added. "Everyone here has been so nice to us. It's been so great."

Swisher was born in nearby Columbus, where he lived until he moved to West Virginia at age 11. He went on to play baseball at Ohio State University before being drafted by the Oakland A's in 2004.

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"I knew we were coming home in a sense for Nick," said Garcia, best known for her roles on The CW's Reba and ABC's Better With You. "And that felt really warm and lovely. And I've never felt so incredibly embraced and taken care of, from the organization to the incredible wives to Nick being embraced by all of his teammates. It's really been this theme here about family, and it couldn't be more fitting at this special moment in our lives."

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The TV star added that she's looking forward to bringing their firstborn to a home game this July. "I think the Swisher jersey is going to have to be broken out on family day," said 33-year-old Garcia, who wed Swisher in December 2010 after one year of dating.

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