# Cleveland Indians considering a name change \[Edit: It's "Guardians"\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [July 4, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323 "2020-07-04T20:53:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/222 "2021-07-23T15:01:05Z")
I like the Guardians, and think this is a change for the better. The bridge statues are close by Progressive Field, and are indeed iconic in the city and beyond. Here’s more on them: > **[10 Things You Should Know About the Guardians of Traffic Statues, Since You...](https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/10-things-you-should-know-about-the-guardians-of-traffic-statues-since-you-now-root-for-the-cleveland-guardians-baseball-team/Slideshow/38344403)** > > The Cleveland Indians today announced they'll officially become the Cleveland Guardians. In preparation for rooting for your new hometown team, it's time to read up on the history of the Guardians of Traffic so that you can feel all nice and... Tom Hanks narrates the announcement blurb here: > **[Cleveland Indians choose Guardians as new team name](https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2021/07/cleveland-indians-choose-guardians-as-new-team-name.html)** > > Cleveland Indians announce new name on Twitter. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/223 "2021-07-23T15:01:14Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I agree that it was a missed opportunity, “Spiders” was such a cool name, has a historical reference, and there are many branding opportunities. I would’ve totally bought Spiders merch. Guardians? Not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/224 "2021-07-23T15:03:00Z")
There’s still time for them to create a cool logo and other artwork that will make for merchandisable souvenirs. That’s a huge consideration nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/225 "2021-07-23T15:09:55Z")
You can see the new logo and typeface at the end of the short film in my second link above. I suspect the new team merch is going to sell pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/226 "2021-07-23T15:16:56Z")
Some logos: [![](https://news.sportslogos.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/cleveland-guardians-logos-new-indians-2022-mlb-baseball-logos-uniforms-sportslogosnet-750x944.png) ](https://news.sportslogos.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/cleveland-guardians-logos-new-indians-2022-mlb-baseball-logos-uniforms-sportslogosnet-750x944.png) Here is a tweet from team owner Paul Dolan on the name: > [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6_MNt6XEAEWo7q.jpg) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6_MNt6XEAEWo7q.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/227 "2021-07-23T15:20:47Z")
Bleah. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/228 "2021-07-23T15:23:54Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Bleah. - x2. , ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/229 "2021-07-23T15:33:16Z")
I’ll point out that the new Guardians logo looks exactly like the Cubs logo except angular. [![](https://www.wane.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2019/09/Cubs-750x456.jpg) ](https://www.wane.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2019/09/Cubs-750x456.jpg) [https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2SRzc0TC3HmYea5wM0EaFalUyGY=/0x0:1999x1124/920x613/filters:focal(841x403:1159x721):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus\_image/image/69622163/E6\_DHCHXEAIMtIS.0.jpg](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2SRzc0TC3HmYea5wM0EaFalUyGY=/0x0:1999x1124/920x613/filters:focal(841x403:1159x721):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69622163/E6_DHCHXEAIMtIS.0.jpg) They could have at least changed one of the colors. At least the Cs are different enough. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/230 "2021-07-23T15:35:23Z")
The new Cleveland name is supposed to honor the Guardians of Traffic statues adorning entry to the Hope Memorial Bridge. From Wikipedia: “Pairs of statues designed by sculptor [Henry Hering](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Hering) and architect [Frank Walker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walker_and_Weeks) – officially named the “Guardians of Traffic”[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_Memorial_Bridge#cite_note-3) – stand on pylons at each end of the [viaduct](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viaduct), symbolizing progress in transportation.” I’ll root until I die for a baseball team that symbolizes progress in transportation. Next up: the Yankees change their name to the N.Y. Subway Rats. \*there’s precedent involving one of their minor league teams: [![](https://ballparkdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Staten-Island-Pizza-Rats-logo-768x768.png) ](https://ballparkdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Staten-Island-Pizza-Rats-logo-768x768.png) ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/231 "2021-07-23T15:38:51Z")
I can only speculate, but I imagine the fact that “Guardians” is syllabically similar to “Indians” may have been a factor as well. That is, it rolls off the tongue in an identical way to the old name. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/232 "2021-07-23T15:39:14Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > The new Cleveland name is supposed to honor the Guardians of Traffic statues adorning entry to the Hope Memorial Bridge. Yeah, I quoted the team owner saying that explicitly in a tweet. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/233 "2021-07-23T15:39:31Z")
Here’s more on the statues: > **[Guardians Of Cleveland Baseball Inspired By Iconic Guardians Of Traffic](https://www.ideastream.org/news/exploring-the-history-and-popularity-of-cleveland-s-guardians-of-traffic)** > > The bridge’s guardians are icons for the city, imagined nearly a century ago, when Cleveland was the fifth largest city. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/234 "2021-07-23T15:46:00Z")
I stand corrected. Those logos are so obviously not Disney level of quality. I’m not too sure you could get a Disney job as Marketing Assistant 1 with that baseball monstrosity in your portfolio. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/235 "2021-07-23T15:48:49Z")
The baseball logo is kind of neat at least. The wings look very much like the ones on the Guardians of Traffic. [![](https://www.cleveland.com/resizer/jYScvUI_Lkk7q0pkA-W6PsgBglU=/1280x0/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/advancelocal/CUZW3KI4I5G6ZGS4DNN2QLFBY4.jpg) ](https://www.cleveland.com/resizer/jYScvUI_Lkk7q0pkA-W6PsgBglU=/1280x0/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/advancelocal/CUZW3KI4I5G6ZGS4DNN2QLFBY4.jpg) [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6_QCm7WYAM-udS.jpg) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6_QCm7WYAM-udS.jpg) The others are as boring as most MLB logos. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/236 "2021-07-23T16:00:46Z")
Ahhh, thanks for that. I stand corrected. (Still not a fan of it, though. Eh, maybe it’ll grow on me.) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/237 "2021-07-23T16:01:59Z")
I’m sure the merch will sell fine; I think Spiders merch would’ve sold better. (At the very least, the latter would have been one I’d purchase, but not the former.) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/238 "2021-07-23T16:06:09Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > I can only speculate, but I imagine the fact that “Guardians” is syllabically similar to “Indians” may have been a factor as well. Oh, I clearly think that is part of the reason, and the design of the team name can echo the Cleveland Indians design pretty easily, as they both end in -dians. The 3D-ish basball design – I’m not sure what to make of it; part of me wants to totally hate it (I hate 3D renderings in logos), but it’s kind of an Art Deco Steam Punk-ish vibe to it that I kind of enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/239 "2021-07-23T16:09:49Z")
The Guardians of Transportation are indeed iconic, in their appearance, and are often used as symbolic of Cleveland. But I’ll bet you that, at this moment, not one Clevelander in ten could tell you that that’s what they’re called. Which is still a higher percentage than those who call the bridge they’re on the “Hope Memorial Bridge”. That bridge is “the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge”, from the names of the streets it’s on (the few streets in Cleveland that cross the river all change names when they do so), just like the one north of it is “the Detroit-Superior Bridge”, and the one south of it is “the Harvard-Denison Bridge”. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/240 "2021-07-23T16:11:21Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Art Deco Steam Punk-ish vibe I like it for the same reason. [Streamline Moderne](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streamline_Moderne) doesn’t get nearly enough love and respect. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/241 "2021-07-23T16:21:01Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Guardians? Ugh. How boring. _Stolen from Facebook, where it was stolen from Twitter:_ MLB currently has two teams named after socks, so… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323.md?page=13)