105 years. We'd have to go back to 1915 (and you taking a look at the video above) to understand where the logo and the "Chief Wahoo" name came from.

Following the decision of the NFL's Washington franchise to drop its nickname and ultimately rebrand as the Washington Football Team, Cleveland announced it planned to undertake a thorough review of the Indians name, which it adopted in 1915. The Indians have played upward of 17,000 games with the nickname and won two World Series -- the last coming in 1948. (ESPN)

"105 years of tradition" is what folks are clamoring about. Throwing it all away. Bowing to cancel culture. Bending the knee. "It's not offensive, it's tradition."

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Yup. See also confederate flag.

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So what's next?

Do they go the way of The Washington Football Team?

Or do they embrace the name change and move forward with something new, different, and exciting?

I've taken a look at a couple of fan sites and surveys and there are a couple of names that keep showing up.

The Cleveland Naps (no not like sleeping but a throwback to an old player by the name of Nap Lajoie)

The Cleveland Rockers (see Drew Carey song, see also home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

And one that keeps showing up and I would love to see it take over...

The Cleveland Spiders This one has historical meaning and even a nod Native American culture.

For years the Cleveland Indians have claimed Spiders outfielder Louis Sockalexis as the inspiration for the team's name, which dates to 1915. Sockalexis played three seasons for the Cleveland Spiders, from 1897 to 1899, and is often credited as the first Native American to play professional baseball at the major league level. During his time with the Spiders, the press often referred to the team as the Indians or "Tebeau's Indians".[6] (Wikipedia)

 

That's exactly what some people like Mitchell want to hear, and are hoping the team doesn't simply erase the moniker as if it never existed, but rather make sure that Cleveland's and the National League's first known Native American player, Louis Sockalexis, of the Penobscot Nation, is adequately remembered. (NBC News)

For my money, we don't have a professional team named The Spiders ANYWHERE that I know of. New name, historical ties, a tip of the hat to the Native American culture that has been trying to get the name changed but still honors them in some way, and I think folks would buy the merchandise up like crazy!

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