“Cleveland Indians” will reportedly go the way of “Washington Redskins.”
The New York Times reported Sunday evening, citing “three people familiar with the decision” that the Indians could announce the change as early as this week, though the team plans to keep its current moniker for the 2021 season.
According to the Times, it wasn’t immediately clear what the team’s exact time frame and plans are.
One of the sources says the team plans to shift away from “Indians” for the 2022 season, because there are numerous logistical issues involving signage, sponsorships and uniforms.
Then there’s the team’s new name.
“One option that the team is considering, two of the people said, is moving forward without a replacement name — similar to how the Washington Football Team proceeded — then coming up with a new name in consultation with the public,” the Times wrote.
Cleveland’s American League team has been called the Indians since 1915. Prior to that, they had been the Cleveland Naps, after the team captain and sometime manager, future Hall-of-Famer Nap (Napoleon) Lajoie. He was traded away before the 1915 season.
The Indians for years used the cartoon “Chief Wahoo” as a mascot, which was considered particularly racist but was phased out for the 2019 season.
The team has been under pressure for decades to change the name of the team also, and Indians often protesting their games at the stadium.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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