The Future of Cleveland "Indians"

[Steve_424]

Let me preface this by saying I do NOT want to start a political firestorm here, rather I'm interested to see where people land on this....

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Mod Edit
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With that said, where are you at on a possible name change?

A few options that have been brought up in the past:

The Cleveland Buckeyes - The Cleveland Negro League team was the "Buckeyes", we live in the "Buckeye State", and the "Buckeyes" nickname is already popular in Ohio from Ohio State. Would it be an issue having two in-state "Buckeyes" teams though?

The Cleveland Guardians - Cleveland has the historic "Guardian" statues and this could be a cool nickname to work with in general.

The Cleveland Spiders - This was a past name the franchise used, no other major professional sports team has the name, which makes it a bit unique, and there are some pretty awesome branding possibilities.

The Cleveland Tribe - *** Mod Edit *** "Tribe" is already part of the history of the team so this would be the easiest way to change the name without really causing a major disturbance.

The Cleveland Bluebirds - This was the original franchise name - probably too similar to the Blue Jays though.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

Tribe would be an interesting compromise. Maybe go the extra mile and name it after an actual native tribe.

I think the Buckeyes or Spiders is likely, IMO. And I do think it'll change. Especially with the DC team changing it's name finally likely.

 

[Hurl Bruce]

I'd like the Buckeyes. Alter the color scheme so I don't have to buy any new shirts.

 

[Steve_424]

The question was IF the Indians do change their name, what should it be?

 

[Steve_424]

Tribe would be an interesting compromise. Maybe go the extra mile and name it after an actual native tribe.

I think the Buckeyes or Spiders is likely, IMO. And I do think it'll change. Especially with the DC team changing it's name finally likely.

Tribe is my favorite option. It maintains a connection to the past but makes a solid enough change. Buckeyes would be my #2 - the Negro League throwbacks they've worn are incredible.

 

[JDailey23]

The Tribe.
I’m good with that.
Not the Spiders

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

This discussion is fine if it stays confined to a discussion of new names rather than whether the name should be changed at all.

I did some cleanup to remove other references

 

[macbdog]

My favs:

Guardians
Spiders
Buckeyes
Steamers
River Fires
Racial Strife
Francisco Lindors (it worked once before)

'Tribe' changes nothing namewise and will remain a target. You don't go through the effort of a rebrand and let the issue remain.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

My favs:

Guardians
Spiders
Buckeyes
Steamers
River Fires
Racial Strife
Francisco Lindors (it worked once before)

There was a pretty good period from the 70's through early 90's when that would have been perfect.

 

[Lee]

Well looks like the name Redskins might become available soon if we want to add that to the list

 

[mrWalrus]

I like Timbers, but that's taken. What else is Portland known for?

 

[Steve_424]

My favs:

Guardians
Spiders
Buckeyes
Steamers
River Fires
Racial Strife
Francisco Lindors (it worked once before)

'Tribe' changes nothing namewise and will remain a target. You don't go through the effort of a rebrand and let the issue remain.

William and Mary College changed from Indians to Tribe so there's precedent to this.

 

[N7RobBob]

Bring on the change, full change. Any half measures and this wont go away.

Of course Indians isn't racist like the Redskins that was a derogatory slang for indians, but we then do stupid stuff that insults the culture. IE red face, using headdresses and costumes that defile 9r mock sacred traditions of native Americans, and wahoo is a racist character that if Tribe became the new name people would still use it.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Bring on the change, full change. Any half measures and this wont go away.

Of course Indians isn't racist like the Redskins that was a derogatory slang for indians, but we then do stupid stuff that insults the culture. IE red face, using headdresses and costumes that defile 9r mock sacred traditions of native Americans, and wahoo is a racist character that if Tribe became the new name people would still use it.

There's always one guy who doesn't get the memo, and because I'm not inclined to spend the rest of my day as a recess monitor....

Thread closed.