Cleveland Indians: Five potential name changes
By David Hill
Cleveland Blues
For one year, the first in Cleveland Indians franchise history, the team was known as the Blues.
The Blues were also another early major league franchise in Cleveland, existing from 1879 through 1884. Like the others that came afterwards, they did not have much success. Although they were over .500 in three of their six seasons, the Blues never finished better than third in the NL, and were never finished closer than 7.5 games out of first. Jim McCormick was the star of the franchise, an excellent pitcher who also spent time in the outfield.
That name was resurrected for 1901, when the Indians franchise began as a charter member of the American League. Again, they did not have much success, finishing 54-82-2, 29 games out of first. Earl Moore was easily the best pitcher on that team, the only one to have a record above .500 that season.
The Blues, or a name like the Blue Sox, would work. Blue is still a prominent color in the Indians’ uniform, making it a workable name. It would also be a throwback to the early days of major league baseball in the city, a name that could be used for some interesting throwback uniforms.
The Cleveland Blues, or Cleveland Blue Sox, could work. And, there was another team known as the Blue Stockings in the majors, hailing from Toledo in 1884.