The Cleveland Guardians: A Name Change that Left Many Feeling Canceled
In 2021, the Cleveland Indians rebranded themselves as the “Guardians,” a shift heralded as a step forward in cultural sensitivity. However, for many Native Americans, this change felt less like progress and more akin to erasure.
Recently, former President Donald Trump took to social media to voice support for the original name, calling for the team to revert to its historic title. On Truth Social, he stated, “Cleveland should do the same with the Cleveland Indians,” while also advocating for the restoration of the Washington Redskins name. Trump argued that team owner Matt Dolan’s political failures could be reversed by embracing the old name, suggesting that a return to the “Cleveland Indians” might lead to electoral success.
“Indians are being treated very unfairly,” he declared, proclaiming, “MAKE INDIANS GREAT AGAIN (MIGA)!”
The original title wasn’t just a catchy moniker; it held historical significance. It was a tribute to Louis Sockalexis, a Native American outfielder who played for the Cleveland Spiders in the late 1890s.
Sockalexis, a member of the Penobscot Nation, was the first Native American player to gain widespread recognition in professional baseball. In 1897, he boasted an impressive batting average of .338 and an OPS of .845 over 66 games, as reported by MLB.com.
The origin of the Cleveland Indians name lies in the Native American legend, Louis Sockalexis.
‘Deerfoot of the Diamond’ on ESPN+ ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/MdtZ2S8m5p
— 30 for 30 (@30for30) November 13, 2024
A 1915 edition of The Plain Dealer aptly captured Sockalexis’s impact: “Many years ago there was an Indian named Sockalexis who was the star player of the Cleveland baseball club. Sockalexis so far outshone his teammates that he naturally came to be regarded as the whole team.”
Subsequently, fans began referring to the team as the “Indians” in what was perceived as an honorable recognition of Sockalexis’s legacy. After star player Nap Lajoie departed in 1915, the team officially adopted “Indians” as its name, widely understood as a nod to Sockalexis.
Even after Sockalexis’s passing in 1913, his legacy resonated with fans and journalists alike. Yet, following the tumultuous events of the 2020 summer of social justice, activists—predominantly affluent white liberals—succeeded in rewriting this narrative, effectively sidelining Sockalexis from public consciousness.
These self-proclaimed saviors were not, in fact, helping Native Americans; rather, they were removing an important figure from history. Their efforts to ‘protect’ us resulted only in the erasure of a symbol of pride for many in the Native community.
For many, including sports enthusiasts like myself, being honored within American culture was not a source of offense. Sockalexis was no mere mascot; he was a trailblazer in sports.
His story deserves remembrance, not cancellation.
If anyone had bothered to consult the majority of Native Americans, they would have discovered that we take pride in our representation in sports. Instead, the coastal elites who fuel the progressive outrage machine spoke over us, effectively silencing a legend.
This article first appeared on The Western Journal.
