So, what’s it gonna be?
Tribe?
Spiders?
Guardians?
If the National Congress of American Indians is okay with it (there’s no mention in Webster’s of an affiliation), I’m voting Tribe.
Having said that, if it’s a whole new direction, my money is on Spiders.
Spiders were a forerunner of the Indians, a National League team from the 1890s. So that would tie into team history.
I want to go unique if we are changing the name.
I vote for the Cleveland Cuyahogas. Cuyahoga means "Crooked River". That surely fits.
Erie, Cuyahoga, etc all have Indian origins. Is any Indian reference off the board? Not that I agree, but it seems like it is.
Oh, and hello Indianapolis Indiana, whatcha up to?
I'm actually really excited for this rebrand. The possibilities really are endless for a modern major league baseball franchise. (Before I get into the fun stuff, let me just get this disclaimer out of the way: even though "Indians" isn't nearly as bad as "Redskins", the writing has been on the wall ever since the colleges self-banned mascots and team names based on ethnic stereotypes. I have truly hated Wahoo since high school and my then-girlfriend-now-wife even had an original Tribe hat made for me based on my own design: a C with a feather. But once I was old enough for rational thought, around 16, I stopped buying "Indians" merchandise and started saying "Tribe". I haven't worn Wahoo since 1993 or so. These days, I'm a White Sox fan, mostly because of my wife, and about 10% because I'm a branding nerd and the Sox have a cooler logo. True story.) If I was part of this redesign, I'd want two main things: 1. Something completely, totally different from any Indians/Tribe/Native American connotations. A totally fresh start. 2. Something 100% unique to baseball and Cleveland. With those two criteria in mind, I like these two best: Guardians - Based on the famous Art Deco statues on a bridge in Cleveland, the "Guardians of Transportation", this name is truly unique and the branding elements using Art Deco inspiration could be off-the-charts cool. Captains - A local single A affiliate of the CLE MLB team, the Lake County Captains, uses this name and has excellent branding and logos. I don't know if an MLB team has ever taken a MiLB team name but this name really has potential: unique, fun, solid, strong and community-based with lake/CLE themes baked right in. Two other options I came up with, soccer-style: United - Typical in soccer, a "united" brand/mark in baseball would be an attention-grabber, and this particular name/mark fits CLE so well, given the spirit of Cleveland sports teams and fans. Further, sending a message with the brand that is literally calling on fans to be "united" would be savvy marketing. And by going with a completely blank canvas, the team can evolve the brand over time, by adding elements, new logos, new hats and merch, etc. Plus Cleveland United looks and feels pretty damn badass, and imagine the hats/merch! CU. CLEU. Slogans: "Can't spell Cleveland without U". "We R CU CLE". This would be a brand/mark for all-time because NO ONE in Cleveland could argue "that's not my team!" for long with a name like "United". It calls out to Cleveland fans. This brand idea would keep the traditional red/blue/white color scheme but would add a new touch to signify the unity: a gold element, to unite the brand with the Cavs, and an orange element, to unite the brand with the Browns. It could be a link element, like a chain, or bricks, or steel-girders. Just a little something that shows CLEVELAND UNITED. Blades - A play off of the "city theme" concept like ATL with its birds and PIT/NYC with its colors, "blades" can refer to swords, a link to the Cavs, but also airplanes (CLE Air Show is famous), and ships (propellers). "Blades" literally has an edge to it, and it evokes Cleveland as it is now: on the cutting edge of medicine and service industries, on the edge of a new decade, always on the edge of something new. This names lends itself to a true city theme: go with a maroon/gold/white/blue look that makes "wine and gold" a true CLE look. Imagine maroon top with gold piping, white pants with blue piping, gold stirrups, white socks? A maroon hat with gold CB logo trimmed in white? Whew. Hot. Basically like USC but with a CLE twist. I know some folks who claim to be CLE MLB fans are hung up on "Indians" but to me, you're telling on yourself when you argue the name "can't change". Those of us who pay attention know exactly how the CLE MLB team got its name, and what that name and mascot evoked for people of that era. It's time for CLE MLB to be more than name and a red face.
The Spiders were called the 'Spiders' because of the skinny players on the squad...and they sucked. It's going the wrong way with history and is just flat out awful.
The Tribe would have the same issues as Indians currently has. Changing one American Native name for another doesn't solve any problems.
Guardians is OK...I guess.
The correct answer and potential biggest money maker for the Dolans is very, very simple. Change the name to the "Buckeyes" and merchandise flies off the shelf and they don't skip a beat.
Please no on the Buckeyes. Most of Ohio likes them, but much of Ohio is toxic on them too.
I’m trying to get there on Spiders, but it’s taking some work.
I’m wondering if the Dolans will just do it, or if it’ll be a fan vote thing?
Toxic on the Buckeyes? That’s the first I’ve heard or read about that.
It’s a thing. They’re polarizing in that you love them, or you’re sick of hearing about them. Sure most like them, but state wide, to have Cleveland also use the name, wouldn’t go over well even for the faithful. “There’s only one real Buckeyes team” yada yada.
Reading now name change wont be until 2022, but may be announced sooner.
Guardians is easily my favorite, but it really feels like they're gonna go with Spiders. Probably because it's easy and unique. I think any Native American affiliation is out, which is unfortunate because I would've liked to have just gone with Tribe, but that would involve working with a local Native tribe... which there are none. Wouldn't mind something tied to the Rock N Roll hall of fame, but Rockers is awful. Also, too close to Rockies. I like the idea of something affiliated with the lake, though I'd rather not rip Captains away from Lake County. Skippers? Bass? Perch? Carp? Anglers? Waves? I dunno, just spitballin'. Buckeyes is too close to Ohio State. Would not be a fan. Ohio State would surely have something to say about it as well, though I don't know what they could do legally. Probably nothing. tl;dr I like Guardians
Guardians would be my vote.