Cleveland Indians: Five potential name changes

The Cleveland Indians announced that they are considering changing their name. If they take that route, let’s look at five possible options.

After years of uproar, the Cleveland Indians are finally doing something about their name. The name, and Chief Wahoo, had been hotly debated for years, with the team refusing to do anything about either for the longest time. Eventually, ownership caved when it came to their mascot, with the caricature of Chief Wahoo being retired for good following the Indians’ loss to the Astros in the 2018 postseason.

Now, that topic has come back to their name. Instead of ignoring the petitions and protestors, ownership has agreed to re-evaluate the name of the team, recognizing the current political and social environment. Even though the name purports to honor the memory of Louis Sockalexis, it is time for a change.

This would not be the first name change in franchise history. In fact, the Indians had three other names – the Blues, Bronchos, and the Naps in honor of Nap Lajoie – before settling upon the current name. It is possible that history repeats itself with one of those names, or another from back in the early days of major league baseball in Cleveland.

Let’s take a look at five possible options for the Cleveland Indians’ new name.

Cleveland Spiders

Back before the current Cleveland Indians franchise, there were other major league franchises in the city.

One of those, the Cleveland Spiders, existed for 13 years, spending the first two as a part of the American Association before joining the National League. The team had some success, finishing second in the NL three times. They even were a part of the 1892 World Series, falling to the Boston Beaneaters 5-0-1.

The franchise was home to several Hall of Fame players as well. Cy Young had his longest stint with any franchise as part of the Spiders, amassing 240 wins over his nine seasons. The likes of John Clarkson, Jesse Burkett, and Bobby Wallace also called Cleveland home during those days, with the Spiders a stop along their Hall of Fame careers.

However, the Spiders’ name is now synonymous with failure. After the owners of the team also bought the St. Louis Perfectos, they sent all their top talent to St. Louis, leaving the Spiders cupboard bare for 1899. That year, they posted a horrendous 20-134 record, finishing 84 games out of first and drawing just over 6000 fans. The Spiders were contracted following the season, setting the stage for the American league to swoop in.

The Spiders have a proud history, but it is lost to that one year. Maybe it is time for the Cleveland Indians to bring honor to that name once more.

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.

Cleveland Buckeyes

The Buckeyes are known as a college name, but there are ties not only to Ohio, but Cleveland as well.

From 1942 through 1950, the Cleveland Buckeyes were a part of the Negro Leagues, although they were not always in the city. During their inaugural season, the Buckeyes were based in Cincinnati, and later relocated to Louisville in 1949. However, the majority of their history was spent in Cleveland.

The Buckeyes also had a run of success. In 1945 and 1947, they won the Negro American League title, and took home the Negro World Series in that first year. They took down the powerhouse Homestead Greys that first year before losing to the New York Cubans.

Over the years, the Indians have honored the Buckeyes. On May 20, 2006, the Pirates and Indians both honored the Negro Leagues, with Cleveland wearing throwback uniforms of the Buckeyes. They did so again in 2015 and 2017, providing the fanbase with some familiarity with the name.

If the Cleveland Indians want to move away from the racist consultations of their current name, there may not be a better way to do so than to honor the Negro Leagues.

Cleveland Rockers

While a lot of team names tend to be on the boring side, the Cleveland Indians could shake things up a bit and pay homage to the city.

While Cleveland is known for many things, it is also home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Opened in 1995, the museum is dedicated to the history of Rock and Roll, regardless of whether or not the artists have been inducted.

There is an overlap between that genre and baseball. Rush bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee is a huge baseball fan, and donated a large collection of autographed baseballs to the Negro League Museum. Songs such as ‘Centerfield’ and ‘Glory Days’ are staples at the ballpark. Catfish Hunter, Bill Lee, and Mark Fidrych were the subjects of their own songs, while players like Joe DiMaggio and Rod Carew have been referenced in lyrics.

This name could lead to promotional tie-ins with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, potential concerts, and maybe another smaller wing at the stadium. This was also the name of Cleveland’s WNBA franchise from 1997 through 2003, so there is a bit more history there as well.

Eventually, the Cleveland Indians will find a new name. Any of these ideas could work moving forward.