# 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:** 16
**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, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/302 "2021-07-23T15:40:45Z")
An older thread on the same topic: [Cleveland Indians considering a name change [Edit: It's "Guardians"]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change/914323) ---
**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, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/303 "2021-07-23T17:11:56Z")
[Moderating] I’ve merged a couple of threads on this topic. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/304 "2021-07-23T17:12:59Z")
I guess the Cleveland Native Americans just wasn’t catchy enough. ---
**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, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/305 "2021-07-23T17:18:51Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Spiders sounds like a XFL team. Oh you think the _Spiders_ sound like an XFL team?! The Guardians **are** an XFL team. > **[UFL - Teams](https://www.theufl.com/teams)** Or at least they were before it folded, not sure if they’ll still be around if The Rock brings the league back. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/306 "2021-07-23T17:26:30Z")
No more “Tribe”, eh? I am sensing a remake of _Major League_ now, since Hollywood is out of new ideas anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/307 "2021-07-23T17:52:30Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Oh you think the _Spiders_ sound like an XFL team?! > > The Guardians **are** an XFL team. Thanks. My ignorance is showing. But Spiders does sound like it’s trying to be edgy. Most of the teams made for animals are either pretty birds, or pretty fish, or baby bears. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/308 "2021-07-23T17:56:35Z")
So, as possibly the biggest Cleveland Baseball fan you know (currently sitting here in my block “C” tank top) I just want to let you guys know that I’m good with it. I was happy to get rid of Wahoo and happy to change the name away from “Indians”. The names had pretty much been a tossup between “Spiders” and “Guardians” for a long time. Someone on Reddit pointed out that the reason the full “Guardians” Logo looks wonky is that it’s “Marketing 101” to try to transition between two logos, not to just up and change to something completely new. I’m sure the similarity between the word “guardian” and “indian” had a lot to do with their choice over “Spiders.” I’m glad the choice has been made and now we can move on. I ditched all of my Wahoo gear years ago and still have a lot of red & blue. Now I just gotta upgrade to the new new C logo. And I’m totally ready to get my souvenir winged helmet! [![](https://www.syfy.com/sites/syfy/files/styles/1200x680_hero/public/wire/legacy/adventuresinbabysitting4.jpg) ](https://www.syfy.com/sites/syfy/files/styles/1200x680_hero/public/wire/legacy/adventuresinbabysitting4.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/309 "2021-07-23T18:09:36Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > > [@Atamasama](#): > > > > Oh you think the _Spiders_ sound like an XFL team?! > > > > The Guardians **are** an XFL team. > > Thanks. My ignorance is showing. But Spiders does sound like it’s trying to be edgy. Most of the teams made for animals are either pretty birds, or pretty fish, or baby bears The original [Cleveland Spiders](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Spiders) were an NL team, from 1887 to 1899. That’s one reason I was hoping the Indians would resurrect the name. The other reason is the [killer logo.](https://images.app.goo.gl/RoxXiZPfsPpAJ5WXA) ---
**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, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/310 "2021-07-23T18:26:29Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > The other reason is the [killer logo.](https://images.app.goo.gl/RoxXiZPfsPpAJ5WXA) Yeah that logo is so badass. ---
**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, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/311 "2021-07-23T18:53:01Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > 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… Maybe because they’re actually the Guardians of Traffic. 😉 And see: > **[WeBleedOhio - High quality, Ohio and sports themed tshirts and apparel](https://webleedohio.com/)** > > We Bleed Ohio provides extraordinary Ohio and sports themed designs emblazoned on quality, high-end t-shirts and apparel. All hand-printed out of Cleveland. [https://www.thatsclevelandbaby.com/tag/guardians-of-traffic/](https://www.thatsclevelandbaby.com/tag/guardians-of-traffic/) > **[Market Garden Brewery’s ‘Beer and the Shot’ promotion takes off across the...](https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/05/market-garden-brewerys-beer-and-the-shot-promotion-takes-off-across-the-country.html)** > > Market Garden Brewery’s fun promotion of offering beers for 10 cents for those who show proof of vaccination has spread across the nation. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/312 "2021-07-23T19:08:44Z")
To be the people saying “The name could be worse”, how can it be worse? Besides being another stereotype or being a one syllable word like “Cleveland Speed”? ---
**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, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/313 "2021-07-23T19:12:55Z")
Nationals, Athletics, both Sox, Phillies, Reds, Twins, those are all extremely generic names and definitely worse to me. And the Braves have another name I expect to eventually change. It’s definitely not a bad name and at least as good as most of the existing ones in the MLB, even if it’s not a particularly exciting one. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/314 "2021-07-23T19:14:29Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > To be the people saying “The name could be worse”, how can it be worse? I’m saying it’s not a bad name. It’s fine. It doesn’t give me goosebumps, but I’m not sure it needs to. It has meaning in the city, apparently. It’s harmless, lets the team keep the same “look” on its jerseys, and works for “Let’s Go Guardians!” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/315 "2021-07-23T19:20:07Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > To be the people saying “The name could be worse”, how can it be worse? Besides being another stereotype or being a one syllable word like “Cleveland Speed”? > **[Cleveland Indians say they have list of nearly 1,200 possible options for new...](https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/mlb/indians/cleveland-indians-list-nearly-1200-options-new-name/95-3ef0efb7-d614-4ed3-a68e-e4d706ce6ec5)** > > The team now plans to engage with fans, community leaders, and others to select what will ultimately be the new moniker. > **[Best of the rest: What are some of the other options for the Cleveland...](https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/mlb/indians/best-of-the-rest-other-options-cleveland-indians-new-name/95-81136921-8a94-4c0e-9402-508f0ccc35a3)** > > 'Blue Sox'? 'Buzzards'? 'Wild Things'?? Some fans are definitely getting creative! You just know somebody submitted a baseball version of “Boaty McBoatface”. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/316 "2021-07-23T19:51:37Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Nationals, Athletics, both Sox, Phillies, Reds, Twins, those are all extremely generic names and definitely worse to me. Twins, at least, has something relating to the city - the Twin Cities. Didn’t the Athletics start out in Cleveland? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/317 "2021-07-23T19:51:50Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > how can it be worse? It could be a boring generic animal like the Cleveland Wildcats, a non-plural collective concept with Fun\* spelling like the Cleveland Wylde, or a completely unrelated mascot like the Cleveland Knights (though that wouldn’t be all that bad, since the basketball team name is related). ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/318 "2021-07-23T19:53:44Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > Didn’t the Athletics start out in Cleveland? Philly to Kansas City to Oakland. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/319 "2021-07-23T19:53:54Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > Didn’t the Athletics start out in Cleveland? Philadelphia, with a stopover in Kansas City, on their way to Oakland. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/320 "2021-07-23T19:56:28Z")
Sorry - it was the RAMS that started out in Cleveland. Too many teams move. ---
**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, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/321 "2021-07-23T19:56:50Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > Twins, at least, has something relating to the city - the Twin Cities. As do the Phillies, but it’s still extremely generic. It’s pretty much what the cities are called. And are you saying that “Guardians” has nothing related to the city? They’re named after landmarks in the city, as has been repeated in this thread multiple times. I guess you can add “Mets” to this. Their name comes from the fact that they were previously called the New York Metropolitan Baseball Club. My point isn’t that these names are awful and need to change, but that there are existing names worse than “Guardians”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323.md?page=17)