MLB in Cleveland to drop "Indians" name used for over a century (Columbus: home, promotional)

[Tyryztoll]

I know there are more pressing issues facing us all currently, but still wanted to see the locals reaction to this. Personally, I think we can always find something to be offended by if we look hard enough, but that's just me. I always saw teams using Indian nicknames as a compliment rather than a slight, but again, that's just me. Either way, I'm a huge fan of sports and the history involved, so I'm sad to see this happen and am skeptical about how it actually improves our society. I just think it sets a precedent where some (many) will think they need to call for change over any and everything just for the sake of doing so. Where does it all end, ya know?
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/c...han-a-century/

[WRnative]

If the Cleveland franchise becomes the "Rockers," I'll be thrilled.

"Cleveland Rocks" can become the team's theme song.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKDjis1fg8E

The "Tribe" can become the "Band." Headline writers will approve of that.

A stage can be built on the home run porch to allow performers to entertain fans. It may become a destination for any group, including top acts.

The possibilities for mascots are fabulous.

The franchise will love the merchandise possibilities. E.g., the uniform variations would be endless, perhaps featuring Rock HOF inductees, especially when they make an appearance on the Home Run Porch Stage!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_...Columbus%20Day.

Finally, another neon character above Progressive Field can lighten the night following the "retirement" of "Chief Wahoo" when Municipal Stadium was demolished in 1994. When I was a kid, a highlight of any trip down the Shoreway was spotting Chief Wahoo. Imagine with 21st century technology (a hologram with a baseball-themed guitar or a cool mechatronic mascot with a many different dance steps?), what could be done to enrapture travelers on the Innerbelt hopefully without creating a traffic hazard!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwJVbe1CvqE

Fans will go to the games just for the heightened experience!!! I believe the "Rockers" name would reenergize the franchise.

And certainly, the "Rockers" nickname would complement and boost Cleveland's modern icon -- the Rock and Roll Hallf of Fame and Museum, and hopefully mark a great path forward from the COVID epidemic that has devastated the city.

https://www.koaa.com/rock-roll-hall-...ction-ceremony

If the franchise goes with any other name, such as the proposed "Spiders," I'll be crestfallen.

[SonySegaTendo617]

I've kept thinking that Tribe would be the best new name(and long standing nickname), for the Indians to change their name to. But what do I know? Rockers might be a good name too, to reference the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I honestly wish Indians didn't change their name to another one, but Tribe or Rockers sound like the best 2 name ideas I can think of.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by SonySegaTendo617

I've kept thinking that Tribe would be the best new name(and long standing nickname), for the Indians to change their name to. But what do I know? Rockers might be a good name too, to reference the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I honestly wish Indians didn't change their name to another one, but Tribe or Rockers sound like the best 2 name ideas I can think of.

"Rockers" is actually an excellent suggestion.....even though I'm from Detroit and have always insisted the R&RHOF should have been built there.

[Cleveland_Collector]

The Rockers were once a WNBA franchise. I can only imagine the trolling level if that's their choice.

Memphis insisted the R&RHOF should be built there too. Y'all should've lobbied a bit harder for it. Cleveland stepped up big time on that one when nobody else did.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by Cleveland_Collector

The Rockers were once a WNBA franchise. I can only imagine the trolling level if that's their choice.

Memphis insisted the R&RHOF should be built there too. Y'all should've lobbied a bit harder for it. Cleveland stepped up big time on that one when nobody else did.

Ya got me there. Detroit isn’t exactly known for stepping up....unless it involves setting a new precedent for corruption, of course.

[SlideRules99]

“Rockers” would be awesome! IMO, 18 years is sufficient time elapsed to recycle the name from a former WNBA team. Agree the sky is the limit on promotional opportunities, and it is both relevant and upbeat. “Spiders” would be a major miss!

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by SlideRules99

“Rockers” would be awesome! IMO, 18 years is sufficient time elapsed to recycle the name from a former WNBA team. Agree the sky is the limit on promotional opportunities, and it is both relevant and upbeat. “Spiders” would be a major miss!

This would be a bad choice imo. It's such a dated name. Both as a former WNBA team but also, nobody really listens to Rock music anyway in the culture at large. In 20 years, there really wont be much "rocking" at all. It just feels very boomer. This would be really bad marketing for a sport that already is declining severely in popularity. Names should be timeless.

[bjimmy24]

Cleveland Grays would be the best choice. Historic, classic sounding, the armory mere blocks away. But I'm almost positive it won't happen.

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

This would singularly be the worst possible choice. It's such a dated name. Both as a former WNBA team but also, nobody really listens to Rock music anyway in the culture at large. In 20 years, there really wont be much "rocking" at all. It just feels very boomer. This would be really bad marketing for a sport that already is declining severely in popularity. Names should be timeless.

Few persons remember or care about "Rockers" being a former WNBA team.

Your concern that "Rockers" is dated and not a name that would appeal to younger persons is much more pertinent. Unless the Cleveland franchise is inept, they should do surveys among younger persons to see if your argument has sufficient merit.

My counter arguments would be:

1) Should a franchise name be timeless, as with "Yankees," "Giants," Sox of various colors, or a name with potential merchandising opportunities, energy, and even historical identity. If your argument is correct, we should consider "Eagles," as we have bald eagles and no baseball franchise has taken the name. However, I equate "timeless" with bland -- a mere brand offering no interactive energy potential, badly needed in pro baseball today. At least with "Eagles," we could steal Auburn's "War Eagle Flight" ceremony. Persons go to Auburn games just to experience its war eagle circling the stadium above the crowd, just as I know persons who only attend Ohio State football games to enjoy TBDBITL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW_KfAyQhyI

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Eagle

2) The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has encompassed other genres of music, whether they are considered classic rock or not. E.g., rappers Run DMC were inducted into the HOF over a decade ago. If I were running the Cleveland franchise, similarly, I wouldn't restrict music performances to just classical rock. Reflecting Cleveland history, it would be great if Opening Day for the "Rockers" featured members of the Cleveland Orchestra playing a newly arranged "Rock Symphony" which would feature all types of music that have appealed to young Americans over Cleveland's past century. Singers and dancers would provide the excitement. Performers could perform atop dug-outs between innings.

3) "Rockers" isn't just a music term. It's a great double entendre for baseball aspirational dominance, certainly drawing on the excellence of great Indians teams of the past. Rock music, such as Queen's "We Will Rock You," is pervasive in sports venues throughout the U.S.

https://entertainment.expertscolumn....rts-motivation

4) "Rockers" uniquely complements an element of Cleveland's identity -- the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Unless you believe the Rock Hall is doomed, an outcome contradicted by record pre-COVID attendance in 2019, Rockers reinforces an identity that Cleveland has cultivated. If the Rock Hall does collapse in the post-COVID economy that may suppress tourism, and popular music returns to 19th century ballads, nothing prevents another name change.

https://www.cleveland.com/arts/2020/...king-2019.html

BTW, most baseball fans are older. Appealing to them, having them bring their children and grandchildren to games and creating future fans, is not a bad marketing policy.

5) I can't think of another name that offers so much merchandising potential. This is important to the Cleveland franchise, as Chief Wahoo was a money-making caricature for the franchise in years past as the Indians often were in the top ranks of MLB merchandisers.

6) There's an element of American and Cleveland history embedded in the name "Rockers." Youth certainly can be energized by some exciting culture that entertained their parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc., even if not part of their immediate peer culture. Wouldn't a "Beach Boys Day" be perfect for a hot August day, with Lake Erie so nearby? The video screens could show Greater Cleveland beaches as a complement to the music.

7) Any brand must be dynamic in order to flourish and survive. If the Cleveland franchise can't manage this, as is a necessity with any minor league franchise, any franchise name will be irrelevant. I still believe that "Rockers" offers a myriad of potentially popular crowd appeal activities for baseball fans of all ages. The "Rockers" with each passing season will create their own identity.