# 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:** 23
**Author:** ![smilingbandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@smilingbandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smilingbandit)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/442 "2021-08-20T00:30:10Z")
As a nickname for raccoons, it goes back to a long time before the Guardians 2 movie. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2021, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/443 "2021-08-20T00:52:15Z")
Not that long, it was credited to a Redditor who coined the term in January 2014. > **[Know What a Trash Panda Is?](https://frontlineanimalremoval.com/what-is-a-trash-panda/)** > > Do you know what a trash panda is?  We only found out recently but the term is growing on us.  From a seemingly casual mention on Reddit, we trace the term. > **[Reddit is suddenly obsessed with raccoons, which they have named ‘trash pandas'](https://www.businessinsider.com/trash-panda-subreddit-raccoon-pictures-2015-9)** > > You can't unhear it. > **[This years-old 'trash panda' meme got a shout out in 'Guardians of the Galaxy...](https://www.insider.com/what-is-a-trash-panda-raccoon-meme-2017-5)** > > Raccoons are nothing more than tiny little trash pandas on Reddit, and Chris Pratt's character in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" even referenced this meme. The first time I’d heard the term was the film, and I think that was the case for a lot of other peope. ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/444 "2021-08-20T04:23:16Z")
An article on the company that makes the logo (among other logos): > **[Sod Poodles, Yard Goats and Trash Pandas, Oh My (Published 2021)](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/10/sports/baseball/brandiose-trash-pandas.html)** > > As Brandiose worked to create memorable mascots for minor league baseball teams, it found a tried and true recipe for success. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2021, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/445 "2021-08-20T12:37:28Z")
Yeah, the Rocket City Trash Pandas were uninfluenced by Guardians of the Galaxy in the same way that the Baby Ruth candy bar was uninfluenced by the baseball player. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2021, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/446 "2021-08-20T14:31:20Z")
Trash Pandas! I love it. ---
**Author:** ![smilingbandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@smilingbandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smilingbandit)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/447 "2021-08-21T15:20:41Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Yeah, the Rocket City Trash Pandas were uninfluenced by Guardians of the Galaxy in the same way that the Baby Ruth candy bar was uninfluenced by the baseball player. It’s reasonable to guess they totally picked it because of the movie. The meme just happens to be older. ---
**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:** [August 21, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/448 "2021-08-21T15:29:27Z")
> [@smilingbandit](#): > > It’s reasonable to guess they totally picked it because of the movie. Yeah, having both “Rocket” and “trash panda” in the name of the team makes it blatant, especially given the timing of everything. But the organization is wise to distance themselves from it and claim that there’s no connection given Disney’s reputation. > **[Did Disney Demand the Removal of Cartoon Murals from Daycare Center Walls?](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/daycare-center-murals/)** > > Did Disney insist upon the removal of their cartoon figures from the walls of day care centers? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/449 "2021-11-17T20:32:51Z")
It’s about that time. [https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2021/11/17/22787940/the-cleveland-guardians-era-officially-begins-on-friday](https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2021/11/17/22787940/the-cleveland-guardians-era-officially-begins-on-friday) ---
**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:** [November 17, 2021, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/450 "2021-11-17T20:36:36Z")
As noted in that article, the baseball team reached a legal agreement with the roller derby team yesterday, in which both teams will be able to use the Guardians name, and which allows the baseball Guardians to proceed with official usage of it (including selling merchandise). > **[Cleveland Guardians reach resolution with Cleveland Guardians](https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2021/11/16/22785055/cleveland-guardians-reach-resolution-with-cleveland-guardians)** > > Now we wait for the merchandise to drop ---
**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:** [November 17, 2021, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/451 "2021-11-17T21:46:04Z")
I’m looking forward to seeing the Guardians in MLB. I assume by the time spring training starts they’ll be wearing new uniforms. ---
**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:** [November 17, 2021, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/452 "2021-11-17T21:49:56Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I assume by the time spring training starts they’ll be wearing new uniforms. That would be my guess. They revealed their new logos, etc., when they made the announcement of the new name last summer; at that point, they also unveiled some mock-ups of what the new uniforms will look like. [![](https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/White-Jersey-visualization-1-d7355c3f-1dd6-4e68-b55f-9f29e5e7c126.png) ](https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/White-Jersey-visualization-1-d7355c3f-1dd6-4e68-b55f-9f29e5e7c126.png) [https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/mlb/indians/cleveland-guardians-uniforms-mockup/95-466687dc-bcfd-417d-8830-e2b6007167bf](https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/mlb/indians/cleveland-guardians-uniforms-mockup/95-466687dc-bcfd-417d-8830-e2b6007167bf) ---
**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:** [November 19, 2021, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/453 "2021-11-19T14:31:25Z")
The sponsor logos will be a bit smaller. And they’ll have _In Loco Parentis_ shoulder patches. ---
**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:** [November 19, 2021, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/454 "2021-11-19T22:26:37Z")
In what I am sure the Guardians hope to not be a “sign” of things to come…while fans were in the team’s store at Progressive Field this morning, purchasing new team merchandise, a sign outside the store broke free from its mounting and crashed to the sidewalk. Thankfully, no one was injured. > **[Guardians' launch starts with store sign falling](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32667138/cleveland-guardians-launch-starts-store-sign-crashing-sidewalk)** > > As fans were buying the first available Guardians merchandise on Friday as the team officially transitioned from Indians after 106 years, a sign installed outside the team store at Progressive Field broke free from its mount and crashed to the... ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2021, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/455 "2021-11-19T22:28:16Z")
Well as someone on reddit said, it is built on top of an Indians burial ground 😉 ---
**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:** [November 19, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/456 "2021-11-19T22:29:32Z")
Nice! A quote from the ESPN article: > [@](#): > > "Well, that’s an ominous sign,‘’ yelled one onlooker. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2021, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/457 "2021-11-20T00:08:25Z")
Anyone else see that “Guardians” logo and think parody team from Bedrock? ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/458 "2021-11-27T20:32:59Z")
Keeping that same Indians script font makes it seem they’re insincere/disingenuous about entirely moving away from the past (offensive) branding. They could have come up with something more art deco to match the winged logo / guardian statues. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/459 "2021-11-27T20:52:07Z")
> [@NetTrekker](#): > > Keeping that same Indians script font makes it seem they’re insincere/disingenuous about entirely moving away from the past (offensive) branding. There’s nothing racially offensive about the font, though. The franchise is 120 years old, I can understand wanting SOME connection to its history. ---
**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:** [November 27, 2021, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/460 "2021-11-27T23:47:18Z")
Exactly. This isn’t a case where they need to “nuke it from orbit, it’s the only way to be sure”. Their organization had some branding which was racially insensitive, and so they’ve moved away from those aspects as they should have. What else should they change? The colors? Do they need to move out of Cleveland? Do they need to demolish their stadium? Those are silly suggestions, as is the suggestion that somehow their font is racially insensitive in some way. ---
**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:** [November 27, 2021, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/461 "2021-11-27T23:50:44Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > > [@NetTrekker](#): > > > > Keeping that same Indians script font makes it seem they’re insincere/disingenuous about entirely moving away from the past (offensive) branding. > > There’s nothing racially offensive about the font, though. The franchise is 120 years old, I can understand wanting SOME connection to its history. - Then they should have gone with “Spiders”. 🕷 :scuttles away: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323.md?page=24)