It's a point of contention, but changing it would be a disaster. It's actually a point of honor:
In its early years, the team now known as the Cleveland Indians had been known by several different names: the "Spiders", the "Naps", the "Blues", and the "Bronchos." The team received its final name in 1915 in a contest to determine its moniker. According to the Cleveland Indians' management, Chief Wahoo is meant to be a tribute to Louis Francis Sockalexis, a member of the Penobscot tribe who was the first Native American to play professional baseball. Team officials have insisted that Chief Wahoo is only a caricature not meant to demean Native Americans and that they have gone through great lengths not to associate the mascot with insensitive images such as tomahawks, teepees, and horsebacked warriors.
We actually did cheer on the Tribe in person one day this summer. My husband and I attended a Cleveland Indians vs NY Yankees game on Saturday, July 9 at Yankee Stadium. (There was a Yankees "Old-Timers" game before the CLE game.) We were heading back from Sean Hannity's Freedom concert in NJ, so we figured it would be nice to stop at Yankee Stadium and see a game on the way home. The Tribe won that day 8-7!
You'll have to forgive us: We couldn't bring ourselves to cheer for Aaron Boone... ;-)
Sockalexis came up in 1897 and triggered a sensation similar to that around Ichiro four years ago. He hit .338 that year, but his career was quickly derailed by alcoholism and injury. One of the great tragedies of the sport.
Like a certain team (who once played in Boston and later Milwaukee) with a tired chant (apologies to any Braves fans, but at least I find it tired...)
FUN WITH TED AND JANE
(couldn't find the famous shot of Ted and Jane dozing off at Braves playoff game)