Cleveland’s Major League Baseball team changed their name Friday for the first time since 1915: Saying goodbye to ‘The Indians’ and hello to ‘The Guardians.’
The decision was announced in a Twitter video voiced by actor Tom Hanks.
Together, we are all… pic.twitter.com/R5FnT4kv1I
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) July 23, 2021
“We are a city on the rise. Forging into the future from our ironed out past. We are a city of fire and water, trees and towers. Built through generations of blue collars and the brightest scholars,” said Hanks.
“We set our sights on tomorrow. This is our team. A team that’s seen its own progress and prosperity… Moments that span years. Moments that broke barriers and hearts… There’s always been Cleveland, that’s the best part of our name. Now it’s time to unite as one family,” states the Oscar-winning actor. “We are loyal and proud and resilient, we protect what we’ve earned… Together we are all Cleveland Guardians.”
“We are excited to usher in the next era of the deep history of baseball in Cleveland,” team owner and chairman Paul Dolan said in a news release. “Cleveland has and always will be the most important part of our identity. Therefore, we wanted a name that strongly represents the pride, resiliency and loyalty of Clevelanders.”
“’Guardians’ reflects those attributes that define us while drawing on the iconic Guardians of Traffic just outside the ballpark on the Hope Memorial Bridge,” Dolan told reporters. “It brings to life the pride Clevelanders take in our city and the way we fight together for all who choose to be part of the Cleveland baseball family.
The First Native American Cabinet Member hailed the decision as “necessary.”
“I am glad to see that the Cleveland baseball team is finally changing its name. The long practice of using Native American mascots and imagery in sports team has been harmful to Indigenous communities,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland posted on Twitter.
I am glad to see that the Cleveland baseball team is finally changing its name. The long practice of using Native American mascots and imagery in sports team has been harmful to Indigenous communities. This is a welcome and necessary change.
— Secretary Deb Haaland (@SecDebHaaland) July 23, 2021
“It is a major step towards righting the wrongs committed against Native peoples, and is one step towards justice,” added Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of IllumiNative.
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