# 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:** 24
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2021, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/462 "2021-11-28T02:09:02Z")
> [@NetTrekker](#): > > 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 On the contrary, I think they balanced it just right. Get rid of the actual offensive elements, but keep what is fine. There’s nothing offensive about the script (“script font” is redundant in this case). If everything about the team is tainted, then all of Major League Baseball and indeed professional sports generally should be tainted for many many decades of horrible activity. Certainly, actual segregation should then permanently taint every team’s symbols if that’s the case. ---
**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 28, 2021, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/463 "2021-11-28T02:32:34Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Then they should have gone with “Spiders”. 🕷 > :scuttles away: I really, really liked the Spiders for a lot of reasons, not least of which is that it is a callback to an old team. But the Guardians are a name that has meaning in the city and has a tradition too. I like that they went for something both new _and_ traditional simultaneously, rather than just something old and traditional. (I still maintain that “Spiders” is pretty bad-ass though.) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2021, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/464 "2021-11-28T09:00:04Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Then they should have gone with “Spiders” Oh, I sure agree with THAT. Spiders would have been such a fucking awesome name. ---
**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:** [November 28, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/465 "2021-11-28T18:28:45Z")
I think that “Spiders” would still be my first choice. But I’m happy with “Guardians”. ---
**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 28, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/466 "2021-11-28T18:36:07Z")
Especially when fans break into the chant, “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?” \*That inane canned urging over the loudspeakers at some ballparks, “Everybody clap your hands! clap clap clap clap clap clap clap”, should be replaced in the pandemic era with “Everybody wash your hands!” drip drip drip drip drip drip drip. ---
**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:** [November 29, 2021, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/467 "2021-11-29T20:24:25Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I think that “Spiders” would still be my first choice. But I’m happy with “Guardians”. Likewise. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2021, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/468 "2021-12-01T19:22:01Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I think that “Spiders” would still be my first choice. But I’m happy with “Guardians”. Agreed. Looking forward to our new t-shirts showing up (supposedly not until mid-December, though). ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/469 "2021-12-01T19:36:34Z")
2022: Baseball season in Cleveland opens without the usual rancorous debate about the racist mascot. But all is not well. Cleveland fans fail to form a bond with the whatever the “Guardian” mascot is supposed to be. They begin to draw associations with “Guardians of the Galaxy”. To management’s horror, fans begin to display raccoon iconography including slogans with some very unfortunate abbreviations. The Atlanta Braves breathe a sigh of relief for at least one more year. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/470 "2021-12-01T20:59:05Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Cleveland fans fail to form a bond with the whatever the “Guardian” mascot is supposed to be. It’s this though: [![](https://clevelandmagazine.azureedge.net/sitefinity/images/default-source/archive/the-guardians-of-trafficec5f75b7-3e10-47b8-af46-195846135fb0.jpg) ](https://clevelandmagazine.azureedge.net/sitefinity/images/default-source/archive/the-guardians-of-trafficec5f75b7-3e10-47b8-af46-195846135fb0.jpg) It’s a Cleveland landmark. If by “mascot” you mean the guy in a costume, that’s not changing. [https://www.wkyc.com/amp/article/sports/mlb/indians/cleveland-indians-mascot-slider-staying-cleveland-guardians-name-change/95-8387beab-da2b-4efd-b841-c312d38f006d](https://www.wkyc.com/amp/article/sports/mlb/indians/cleveland-indians-mascot-slider-staying-cleveland-guardians-name-change/95-8387beab-da2b-4efd-b841-c312d38f006d) ---
**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:** [December 1, 2021, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/471 "2021-12-01T21:27:51Z")
Yeah, the reason “Guardians” works at all is because we’ve already formed a bond with them. Most Clevelanders might not have known what those statues were called, prior to this name change, but we all recognized them. Besides, “Trash Pandas” is already taken. ---
**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:** [March 30, 2022, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/472 "2022-03-30T19:32:06Z")
Update: now they have a song. Can’t say I’m wowed. > **[Local Musicians Collaborate on New Cleveland Guardians Theme Song](https://www.clevescene.com/music/local-musicians-collaborate-on-new-cleveland-guardians-theme-song-38640134)** > > The Cleveland Guardians just introduced “We Are Cleveland,” a team song written and recorded locally in Cleveland. The baseball team has released a YouTube video... ---
**Author:** ![Workingdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f17d59/32.png) [@Workingdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Workingdude)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/473 "2022-07-05T02:07:52Z")
I hate this disturbing world we live in today. I thought the name Indians was boss. That was such a cool name! I understand why they decided to go with the name Guardians as the last 5 letters are the same but that is such a horrible name for a professional sports team IMO. I feel bad for the Cleveland fans that are despising this name change. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/474 "2022-07-05T02:12:52Z")
Maybe think about some other people whose feelings you might sympathize with. ---
**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 5, 2022, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/475 "2022-07-05T02:18:20Z")
We were just at a Guardians game and fans seem cool with the change. Lots of them wearing the new hats and T-shirts, although I still saw some in the old Tribe gear, too. ---
**Author:** ![Workingdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f17d59/32.png) [@Workingdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Workingdude)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/476 "2022-07-05T02:40:34Z")
Just like the name Kraken . That is a stupid name IMO. Making is seem less interesting of appeal to the eye just like these crazy neon and fluorescent colors that some teams like the Sea Hawks are utilizing in their uniform color schemes. Ugly. ---
**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 5, 2022, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/477 "2022-07-05T02:54:30Z")
> [@Workingdude](#): > > I feel bad for the Cleveland fans that are despising this name change. I probably would, too, if I ever met any. I haven’t. The worst opinions I’ve seen of the name have been merely ambivalent. Nobody seems to despise the change. ---
**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:** [July 5, 2022, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/478 "2022-07-05T03:06:06Z")
I’m a Kraken fan. I love the name, the aesthetic, and the uniforms. The dark blue with two lighter blues and a bright red accent is a genius color pallet. A mascot that’s a hidden, greater threat than anything you’ve seen until it’s too late? Powerful imagery. The Guardians have a color scheme that works, a name that can be synonymous with good things. With a good team, they should be able to market some positive imagery around that. ---
**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 5, 2022, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/479 "2022-07-05T04:57:01Z")
> [@Workingdude](#): > > Just like the name Kraken . That is a stupid name IMO. So you love awful and racist names for sports teams, and despise awesome ones. Noted. ---
**Author:** ![Workingdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f17d59/32.png) [@Workingdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Workingdude)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/480 "2022-07-05T05:30:14Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > So you love awful and racist names for sports teams, and despise awesome ones. Noted. Hmm. I don’t understand what you are saying. Indians is a really cool name just like Pirates Vikings Canadians and Giants. It is not a racist name. It’s a cool name just like Pirates, Vikings, Canadians, Giants and Islanders. ---
**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 5, 2022, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323/481 "2022-07-05T05:41:07Z")
> [@Workingdude](#): > > Hmm. I don’t understand what you are saying. Stunning. I’m guessing you don’t even know what the Guardians name represents, [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleveland-indians-considering-a-name-change-edit-its-guardians/914323.md?page=25)