Cleveland Indians: 3 name changes that embrace the city
By Chad Porto
The Cleveland Indians are more than likely getting a new name, and here are three Cleveland-specific names for the club to consider.
We get it, some of you aren’t fans of a name change. There isn’t anything we can do about it other than accept it. The name is outdated, it is geographically inaccurate and there is no way the story of the team naming itself after Louis Sockalexis is true. Mostly due to the racism he faced at the time and the fact he was an awful ballplayer.
A name change is needed, it’s warranted and many welcome it. A person’s fandom for the team goes beyond a silly nickname and a racist caricature. It’s Jim Thome going opposite every night it felt like. It’s Corey Kluber putting together the greatest five-year stretch a pitcher has ever had in Cleveland. It’s three World Series chases that despite falling short were absolute magic. It’s Joba Chamberlain being eaten alive by midges and never being seen again.
It’s endless amounts of trips to the ballpark with family, friends, and loved ones. It’s the heckling of Mike Aviles all game long only for him to hit a walk-off shot that sent the crowd into a frenzy. It’s watching a game in the nose-bleeds into the 13th inning when the Indians finally pulled off a miracle win with a walk-off balk.
It’s watching Bill Selby end the dominance of Mariano Rivera on a walk-off grand slam. It’s baseball in Cleveland. Not a logo. Not a name. Things change. Memories shouldn’t. If the only reason you care about this team is because of its name, you were never a real fan in the first place.
Cleveland is baseball. That’s why when they change their name, something that happened often back in the day mind you, they should pick something that captures the essence of the city.