After more than 100 years, Cleveland’s pro baseball team will get a new name.
In a statement released Sunday night, the Oneida Nation of New York, which is behind the Change the Mascot Movement, said “This is the culmination of decades of work...social science has made clear these names are harmful and Cleveland got out in front of it.”
Two years ago the franchise distanced itself from its mascot, Chief Wahoo. The “Wahoo” logo was replaced with a block-style letter “C” on team jerseys, caps and signage on Progressive Field, their home ballpark.
The team’s name was last changed from the “Naps” (after former manager Nap Lajoie) to the “Indians” in 1915. It’s not clear what Cleveland’s new team name will be.