Fansided

MLB wants Indians to leave Chief Wahoo behind

By Michael Matossian

Mar 19, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians fan Jon Brittan looks on before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians fan Jon Brittan looks on before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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MLB commissioner Rob Manfred wants to discontinue the Cleveland Indians’ Chief Wahoo logo after years of abstaining from the discussion.

Chief Wahoo is the grinning cartoon Indian that has been the logo for the Cleveland Indians since 1948. This figure has become increasingly controversial as many have fought to have this caricature removed permanently while die-hard Indians’ fans are deeply passionate about keeping the Chief around.

In the past, the MLB has been content to sit on the sidelines and let the organization take care of the PR and legal issues while quietly defending the right to use the logo.

Just last year, the MLB released a statement during the ALCS on the use of the controversial mascot.

"“Major League Baseball appreciates the concerns of those that find the name and logo of the Cleveland Indians to be offensive. We would welcome a thoughtful and inclusive dialogue to address these concerns outside the context of litigation. Given the demands for completing the League Championship Series in a timely manner, MLB will defend Cleveland’s right to use their name that has been in existence for more than 100 years.”"

It seems that there has been a change of heart during the offseason as in a statement with the New York Times, it has become clear that the MLB would like to take steps to transition away from Chief Wahoo; the first time the commissioner has taken a clear side on the issue.

In 2014, the Indians decided that their red block C would become their new primary logo, relegating Chief Wahoo to their alternate kits. This new pressure from the MLB could be the tipping point where we would see a complete removal of the Chief.

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It will be interesting to see where this goes from here as we still have franchises like the Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Braves, the Chicago Blackhawks, and Washington Redskins.

Would we wipe the sports world completely clean of American Indian culture? Should we? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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