Indians Inching Closer to Rebrand

Shortly after yet another movement surfaced to get the NFL’s Washington Redskins to drop its offensive moniker and logo from use, attentions turned towards the Cleveland Indians franchise.

The Indians organization has previously taken steps to move away from some of its ties to questionable displays by removing Chief Wahoo from the hats, helmets, and jerseys of the players and the signage at Progressive Field last season in a move that seemed directly linked to the team being able to host the 2019 All-Star Game in Cleveland (it remains on select merchandise sold by the club due to copyright issues). That effort has not been enough, however, as the team released a statement on Saturday night acknowledging that it was aware of the need to be sensitive of the feelings of others during a period welcoming and encouraging necessary social change and that internal discussions had again occurred revolving around the team’s often criticized nickname.

“We are committed to making a positive impact in our community and embrace our responsibility to advance social justice and equality. Our organization fully recognizes our team name is among the most visible ways in which we connect with the community,” the statement read. “We have had ongoing discussions organizationally on these issues. The recent social unrest in our community and our country has only underscored the need for us to keep improving as an organization on issues of social justice. With that in mind, we are committed to engaging our community and appropriate stakeholders to determine the best path forward with regard to our team name. While the focus of the baseball world shifts to the excitement of an unprecedented 2020 season, we recognize our unique place in the community and are committed to listening, learning, and acting in the manner that can best unite and inspire our city and all those who support our team.” Read More

Today in Tribe History: July 6, 1997

Indians catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. extends his hitting streak to 30 games with a second inning single as Cleveland defeats the Kansas City Royals, 8-7, in front of a packed house at Jacobs Field. Read More

Today in Tribe History: July 5, 1947

Two days after purchasing his contract from the Newark Eagles, Larry Doby makes his Major League debut with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first black player in the American League. Read More

Today in Tribe History: July 4, 1954

Despite having to patch together their pitching staff after a quick exit from starter Mike Garcia, the Cleveland Indians come just one out away from their first combined no-hitter as they hold off the Chicago White Sox, 2-1, in front of a holiday crowd of 26,842 at Cleveland Stadium. Read More

Today in Tribe History: July 3, 2002

Tribe slugger Jim Thome homers for the seventh consecutive game as the Indians fall again to the New York Yankees, 11-8. Read More

A Good Day to Go Cycling

For whatever reason, be it a couple of months of practicing and playing under the belt, better weather, or reasons unknown, July 2 has been a good day for cycles in the history of the Cleveland Indians organization.

Two of the nine cycles hit by members of the Cleveland franchise over its 119 completed seasons of Major League play have landed on the second day of July, with the first of them coming 50 years ago today.

Tony Horton’s time in Cleveland and in Major League Baseball came to a very unexpected halt during the 1970 season, but before his playing career ended, he accomplished one of the rare feats possible for a baseball player. Read More

Today in Tribe History: July 2, 2016

Outfielder Rajai Davis has a day for the record books as he hits for the eighth cycle in Cleveland history as the Indians fall to the Toronto Blue Jays by a 9-6 final. Read More

Today in Tribe History: July 1, 1951

Bob Feller ends the Cleveland Indians’ no-hitter drought at three years and one day as he tosses the third and final no-no of his career in a 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Stadium in game one of a Sunday doubleheader. Read More

Breakout 1948 Season for Lemon Included a No-Hitter

The 1948 season for the Cleveland Indians had a little bit of everything. It had struggles. It had turmoil and tragedy. It had a photo-finish pennant race and Major League Baseball’s first play-in game to decide a league champion. It also had breakout seasons, monster home runs, a triple play, and even a no-hitter.

Just a few years earlier (and to be fair, even just a year prior), pitching a no-hitter would have been the least likely of things that Bob Lemon would have thought about doing while wearing a big league uniform. Yet on June 30, 1948, he did just that as his professional trajectory continued a turn that ultimately took Lemon to the Hall of Fame and a long career affiliated with the Major League game. Read More

Today in Tribe History: June 30, 1948

Bob Lemon throws the ninth no-hitter in franchise history as the Cleveland Indians defeat the Detroit Tigers, 2-0, at Briggs Stadium. Read More

Today in Tribe History: June 29, 1990

Former Indians first round pick of the 1988 draft, Charles Nagy, makes his Major League debut for Cleveland in a loss to the California Angels. Read More

Today in Tribe History: June 28, 1935

A familiar name usually penciled in on the Cleveland Indians scorecard is notably absent for the first time in 673 games, as outfielder Earl Averill misses the day’s game after being injured by fireworks in a pre-Fourth of July celebration. Read More