After decades of protests from fans, Native American and civil rights groups, Washington’s NFL team finally changed its name this season to the Washington Football Team.
And according to a report from The New York Times, Cleveland is going to be the next MLB franchise to move on from a Native American mascot.
On Sunday, The Times reported that MLB’s Cleveland Indians had decided to change their name for the first time in 105 years. The Cleveland baseball franchise had faced plenty of scrutiny in recent years over both its name and racist “Chief Wahoo” logo. The team phased out the logo in 2019, and evidently the name is next. The team did not comment to The Times.
But given the growing popularity of the Washington Football Team’s delightfully generic name, you probably could have guessed what MLB fans suggested for Cleveland in light of the news:
CLEVELAND BASEBALL TEAM.
The Cleveland Indians will be changing their name.
A new name has not been decided on.
However, a trademark application for "CLEVELAND BASEBALL TEAM" was filed by a Georgia man back in July.#ClevelandBaseballTeam pic.twitter.com/2FxhLOnNDC
— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) December 14, 2020
Cleveland Baseball Team?
“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” https://t.co/61qMAjYgKZ
— Jordan Fabian (@Jordanfabian) December 14, 2020
Say hello to the Cleveland Baseball Team pic.twitter.com/VJ0vFGpQ2L
— Alex 🎁 (@BumboHarper) December 14, 2020
BREAKING: The Cleveland Indians have settled on their new name, the Cleveland Baseball Team#cleveland #indians #mlb pic.twitter.com/4Wb2AmICom
— The Tailgate Talk (@TheTailgateTlk) December 14, 2020
Cleveland Baseball Team? https://t.co/b9XxO8tpD6
— WASHINGTON FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) December 14, 2020
Soooo…. The Cleveland Baseball Team??? @Indians #MLB
— KeeLoSki (@KeeLoSki) December 14, 2020
So I guess the @Indians will be called the Cleveland Baseball Team in 2021? I think they should just go with the Spiders to make it old school but that’s just me
— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) December 14, 2020
If it’s not Cleveland Baseball Team I’m going to be so disappointed
— Ben (@bcrocker39) December 14, 2020
Mannnnnnnnnnn, we’re about to be called the Cleveland baseball team pic.twitter.com/RajbBis3lT
— #NorthWheezr 5’7⛩ (@wheeezr) December 14, 2020
“Presenting: the Cleveland Baseball Team!” pic.twitter.com/xjxEd4UJVY
— Tentin Quarantino (@TentyQuarantino) December 14, 2020
I'm going all-in on: Cleveland "Baseball Team". Now who's with me!!!?#Indians pic.twitter.com/TmEoeZ5T5l
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) December 14, 2020
Do it, Cleveland. Baseball needs the Baseball Team.
