# 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:** 17
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/322 "2021-07-23T20:30:43Z")
It could have been “Rockers” or something else trying to connect to the Rock N Roll HoF. It’s a ridiculous image that I think certain elements of Cleveland want the rest of the country to think of them as, but no one does. I was really hoping for the Spiders nickname, but the Guardians is… fine. It’s not silly, and maybe the Dolans can spend the money they save on not having to replace the latter half of the sign above the gate in resigning Jose. ---
**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, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/323 "2021-07-23T20:46:07Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > I was really hoping for the Spiders nickname, but the Guardians is… fine. I think that covers my feelings as well. I do like that it has a name with meaning to the city and that they even combined some of the imagery of the Guardians of Traffic in one of their logos. So I’m warming to it more. My initial gut reaction to seeing that it was the Guardians was two-fold… “Oh crap, I liked the Spiders.” And, “Guardians, I guess that’s not awful.” ---
**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, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/324 "2021-07-23T21:00:32Z")
Would the Braves change their name? I’d expect the Braves and Chiefs would just abandon the native American motifs and have the words represent something else, much like the Golden State Warriors. ---
**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, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/325 "2021-07-23T21:04:50Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > I’d expect the Braves and Chiefs would just abandon the native American motifs and have the words represent something else, much like the Golden State Warriors. Hard to say; I think that, as nouns, both “Braves” and “Chiefs” are more tightly bound to Native Americans (at least in U.S. parlance) than “Warriors” is, and I could easily see an attempt by either team to keep the name while changing their logos coming across as whitewashing the original inspiration, and not ending 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, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/326 "2021-07-23T21:13:05Z")
Maybe. That would probably be easier for the Chiefs. They could even go with a whole firefighter theme (like a fire chief) and their existing colors would work well. Sort of like what the Arizona Hotshots did in the AAF football league. Huh, I did a search online and found that someone else made this suggestion in a [letter to the editor](https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article245722450.html) for the _Kansas City Star_. NPR also had an article about the idea: > **[Commentary: Reimagining Kansas City's Super Bowl Champions, The Chiefs](https://www.kcur.org/show/up-to-date/2020-02-25/commentary-reimagining-kansas-citys-super-bowl-champions-the-chiefs)** > > The Chiefs are champions, and fans are still flying high. But now that the confetti has settled it’s time to confront a difficult question: What’s in a… Someone even mocked up what that could look like (though I think it could be done better): > **[Kansas City Chiefs](https://unofficialathletic.com/portfolio_page/kansas-city-chiefs/)** > > While the Chiefs franchise was an original AFL member founded in 1960, they didn’t play their first snap in the Show Me State until 1963. During those first three seasons, they were the Dalla… Okay so clearly my idea isn’t that novel. I still think it would work. It’s more difficult for the Braves. Technically, the word can be used outside of the reference to Native Americans but it is very rarely used that way. In American English at least, it almost always applies to a Native American warrior. ---
**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, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/327 "2021-07-23T21:26:02Z")
The Chiefs could just lose the “i” and be the Chefs. Works well with the whole KC BBQ thing. Or, they could just remain the Chiefs, but change everything to be more corporate America (Chief Operational Officer, Chief Financial Officer, etc). ---
**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, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/328 "2021-07-23T21:27:52Z")
The Braves lost the alliteration when they moved out of Boston, so perhaps they can find a suitable name beginning with A. Atlanta Alligators? Atlanta Anacondas? ---
**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, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/329 "2021-07-23T21:36:00Z")
Alpacas or Antelopes. More seriously, the symbol of Atlanta is the phoenix, symbolizing their rise from the ashes after being burned in the Civil War during Sherman’s March. There is a monumental sculpture called [Atlanta from the Ashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_from_the_Ashes_(The_Phoenix)) that represents that idea. [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Atlanta_from_the_Ashes_in_Woodruff_Park.jpg/240px-Atlanta_from_the_Ashes_in_Woodruff_Park.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Atlanta_from_the_Ashes_in_Woodruff_Park.jpg/240px-Atlanta_from_the_Ashes_in_Woodruff_Park.jpg) So Atlanta Firebirds maybe? ---
**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, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/330 "2021-07-23T21:39:11Z")
They could be the only MLB team with an associated [opera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Firebird). Just think of the new audiences that would attract. ---
**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, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/331 "2021-07-23T21:57:40Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Alpacas or Antelopes. > > More seriously, the symbol of Atlanta is the phoenix, symbolizing their rise from the ashes after being burned in the Civil War during Sherman’s March. There is a monumental sculpture called [Atlanta from the Ashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_from_the_Ashes_(The_Phoenix)) that represents that idea > > [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Atlanta\_from\_the\_Ashes\_in\_Woodruff\_Park.jpg/240px-Atlanta\_from\_the\_Ashes\_in\_Woodruff\_Park.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Atlanta_from_the_Ashes_in_Woodruff_Park.jpg/240px-Atlanta_from_the_Ashes_in_Woodruff_Park.jpg) > > So Atlanta Firebirds maybe? We did something like that with [Blaze](https://images.app.goo.gl/mEUNz1cTf48uoRJk9), the mascot for the 1996 Paralympic Games. He was a phoenix, and infinitely better than Whatdafuqwazit? So Atlanta Firebirds or Phoenixes would be representative of the city; more so than “Braves”, which references the Boston Tea Party and is a relic of the team’s origin in Boston. “Firebirds” would also fit in with the avian theme of the city’s other teams, the Falcons and the Hawks. ---
**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, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/332 "2021-07-23T22:10:56Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > The Chiefs could just lose the “i” and be the Chefs. Great googly moogly! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Nmgice3ieZ4/hqdefault.jpg "Snickers Chefs") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmgice3ieZ4) ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/333 "2021-07-23T22:18:38Z")
Funny comment, but I feel compelled to point out the Firebird is a ballet, not an opera. ---
**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, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/334 "2021-07-23T22:28:08Z")
Ah, see I was confused because the premiere was at an opera house. But even better; can you imagine the intersection of ballet and baseball fans? They’ll have _so_ many new fans. ---
**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, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/335 "2021-07-23T22:35:48Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > But even better; can you imagine the intersection of ballet and baseball fans? Baseballet! That can be a whole new sport. Imagine fielding while _en pointe_, slippered feet moving furiously as you tip-toe to the warning track to catch a fly ball. Baserunners can simply leap over those trying to tag them out. Pitchers might _pirouette_ to get more velocity while tossing fastballs. Hand signals will be a lot more graceful. And the brawls… You’ll see a lot more jump-kicks from people charging the mound. I think you might be onto something! ETA: Oh crap I Googled it and it is sort of a thing already: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_MrKGQa4udo/hqdefault.jpg "BASEBALLET: Into the Game - OFFICIAL TRAILER") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MrKGQa4udo) ---
**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, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/336 "2021-07-23T22:38:16Z")
And remember that Stravinsky isn’t one of those sedate composers; they were rioting in the theater at the premiere of his Rite of Spring. ---
**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, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/337 "2021-07-23T23:32:16Z")
_The Rite of Spring Training_? By golly, boys, I think we’re on to something here! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2021, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/338 "2021-07-24T01:47:41Z")
Der World Series Ring Die Nibelungen ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2021, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/339 "2021-07-24T02:05:39Z")
The Batboy of Seville? ---
**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 24, 2021, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/340 "2021-07-24T05:11:00Z")
Cozy Baseball Fan Tootie (Thanks for that Snickers ad link, **kenobi** - one of my all-time favorite sports-related ads). ---
**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 24, 2021, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/341 "2021-07-24T13:13:50Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > More seriously, the symbol of Atlanta is the phoenix, symbolizing their rise from the ashes after being burned in the Civil War during Sherman’s March. There is a monumental sculpture called [Atlanta from the Ashes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_from_the_Ashes_(The_Phoenix)) that represents that idea. I think that you would want to be very careful about naming a team for Atlanta’s role in the Civil War. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323.md?page=18)