HOME / NEWS / SPORTS

Is it going to be the Cleveland Spiders? Fans make their preference known as MLB team drops 'Indians' and Chief Wahoo

The team has been known as the Indians since the 1915 season but has faced severe criticism and backlash from Native American groups and those who claimed usage of Indigenous mascots and imagery for sports teams is racist and demeaning.

In what comes as a major development in Cleveland's MLB, the team has decided to change its name moving away from the moniker "Indians" that it has used for well over a century. According to CBS Sports, the news was confirmed on Sunday and the team will announce the new identity soon.

The team has been known as the Indians since the 1915 season but has faced severe criticism and backlash from Native American groups and those who claimed usage of Indigenous mascots and imagery for sports teams is racist and demeaning. The decision comes two years after the side looked to move away from the Chief Wahoo logo. The franchise, according to the site announced it would choose the best path forward regarding the name of the team. 

The move stirred a massive debate on Twitter. For some, it was just pure frustration. "Where does this stop? To Northerners the term “Yankee” is offensive so let’s change their name too," read one of the tweets soon after The New York Times broke the news. "How far is this gonna go? Changing names of towns, streets, mountains, regions? We just gonna erase all signs of Native Americans just like we did their population?" read another comment. "I believe the Minnesota Vikings should be forced to change their name as it is offensive to European Americans if the Cleveland Indians is offensive to people why would the Vikings not be it stereotypes Nordic people," opined one of the fans.

During its time in the MLB, the team has had three other names— The Naps, the Broncos, and the Blues. Fans though want the return of Spiders. "You keep franchise records as is but the Spiders logo is awesome, they should go with it. That’s merch that will sell," wrote one of the fans. "Dude, I don't even watch sports, and that logo with the colors is nice, I dig it." seconded another. Some wanted the Cleveland Infants. "That would be awesome, but my vote goes to resurrecting the name of a one-season-and-done team from 1890: the Cleveland Infants. I swear I’m not making that up," remarked a fan. Some bit of explaining from a fan. "The Cleveland Spiders were a different franchise, though. National League team. Defunct since 1890. The Indians have been called the Grand Rapids Rustlers, then the Cleveland Lake Shores, Bluebirds, Broncos, Naps, and finally the Indians since 1915."

While Cleveland seems to be progressing toward a name identity, there's no update if the Atlanta Braves will follow the same route. Atlanta has faced constant and increasing scrutiny in recent years for their promotion of the "Tomahawk Chop" gesture, according to CBS Sports.