Cleveland Indians Jim Thome makes his logo preference known

Cleveland Indians great Jim Thome will be heading into the Hall of Fame in a few short months. If he has his way, the Hall of Famer knows what logo he wants on his hat.

There was absolutely no question that Jim Thome would enter the MLB Hall of Fame as a member of the Cleveland Indians. He spent 13 of his 22 years in the majors with the Tribe, with three All Star nods and three finishes in the top ten of the MVP award. His .287/.414/.566 batting line and 337 homers made him a Cleveland legend.

The only real question involved the logo that would be on his hat. Chief Wahoo has been under fire lately, and is being put aside beginning in 2019. That means that Thome may end up as one of the last players to be inducted with that old logo on his hat. If he has his way, it is an honor that Thome would rather avoid, preferring to use the block ‘C’ logo instead.

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Thome’s decision is something that will be remembered for generations. Fans of the game, both from the present and future, will be looking upon his plaque, marveling at his accomplishments. While the logo he displays will not be the first thing that is noticed, the smiling face of Chief Wahoo would eventually attract attention, and potential commentary about its former place in the game.

Naturally, there has been debate as to the origins of Chief Wahoo. It has been said that the image, much like the team name, is in homage to Louis Sockalexis, the first Native American to appear in the majors. Sockalexis had passed away in December 1913, and in 1915, with the Naps looking for a new name, he was honored in tribute to the excitement of his rookie season.

Whether or not the image was meant as an honor to their former player, it has taken on a new meaning as the years passed. It is now viewed as a caricature, an insensitive image that is making fun of Native Americans. Given that shift, Thome does not want to be associated with those negative feelings. The block ‘C’ is the right call.

Next: Indians to abandon Chief Wahoo

Jim Thome will be enshrined in the MLB Hall of Fame as a member of the Cleveland Indians. If he has his way, he will be wearing the C when he is immortalized.