President Trump weighed in on Sunday night with a statement that the Cleveland Indians were going to change the nickname they had had since 1915.
Trump’s tweet came just hours after The New York Times reported that Indians’ names were expected to change within the next week.
“Oh! What’s going on? This is not good news, even for “Indians”. Cancel culture at work! The president tweeted.
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Before adopting the current name in 1915, Indians – formerly known as Wildcats, Spiders, Bluebirds, Broncos and Knobs – could have kept their name and uniform for the 2021 season, but the New York Times quoted a source as saying that “by 2022 it will be gone.”
Another option Cleveland could take is an approach similar to what the Washington football team did before the start of this NFL season. Following the 2021 baseball season, Cleveland will create a new name before it is announced to the public, the newspaper said.
Cleveland’s baseball team to drop nickname ‘Indians’: Report
Indians appeared following a recent shift in professional sports away from Native American monikers.
The NFL ‘s Washington football team dropped the “Redskins” from their name several years later. The Indians, who have already removed Chief Wahoo as their symbol, said they would consider changing the name in July.
File – This July 10, 2020, Cleveland Indians’ Francisco Lindor runs the bases after scoring a home run during a simulated game on the progressive field in Cleveland. (AP Photo / David Termer, file)
“We are continuously discussing these issues institutionally,” the Indians said at the time. “The recent social unrest in our community and in our country underscores the need to continue to advance as an organization on issues of social justice.”
The Indians at the time said, “They are determined to involve our community and the appropriate partners to determine the best path for our team’s name.”
Earlier, Indian owner Paul Dolan said he and MLP Commissioner Rob Manfred wanted to name the Indians, Cleveland.com reported.
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“As the focus of the baseball world shifts to the unprecedented excitement of the 2020 season, we recognize our unique place in the community and are committed to listening, learning and acting in a way that promotes our city and all together. Who supports our team,” the team said.
Kansas City leaders, the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Blackhawks, are on the team with his American-type nicknames.
Don Kanova of Fox News contributed to this report