MLB’s Cleveland Indians Changes Name to the Guardians

By Teddy Grant Published: July 23, 2021

MLB’s Cleveland Indians Changes Name to the Guardians

FILE - Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor runs after hitting a double against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, in this Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, file photo. The Cleveland Indians have agreed to trade four-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco to the New York Mets, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Cleveland’s Major League Baseball team has changed its name from the controversial Cleveland Indians to the Guardians.

The organization announced the news in a tweet on Friday, which praised the city and the baseball team.

“There’s always been Cleveland; that’s the best part of our name,” a voiceover said in the video. “And now it’s time to unite as one family, one community to build the next era for this team and this city.”

Critics have blasted the team for using the term “Indians,” which they said is offensive to Native Americans.

Together, we are all… pic.twitter.com/R5FnT4kv1I

— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) July 23, 2021

According to CNBC, the new name is a reference to the Art Deco statues, known as the “Guardians of Traffic,” that’s located on the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge.

This isn’t the first time a major sports team has changed its name due to racist connotations. Last year, The NFL’s Washington Football Team changed its name from the “Redskins,” which Native Americans and activists deemed offensive.

According to the MLB, the name will go into effect following the 2021 season.