The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Commissioner to meet with Dolan about Chief Wahoo
The public debate about the appropriateness of the Indians’ Chief Wahoo logo has been ongoing in Greater Cleveland for at least three decades.
Now, with the Indians in the World Series for the first time since 1997, the controversial depiction of a Native American chief is in the national spotlight.
On Oct. 26, prior to Game 2 of the World Series at Progressive Field, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred fielded a question seeking his position on the logo, which first appeared in 1932 and has been altered regularly in the ensuing years.
The latest version of Chief Wahoo, with its red facial coloring, ceremonial feather and outsized white teeth, appears on some of the team’s game uniforms and on officially licensed clothing items, baseball caps and other souvenirs The Hank Aaron Awards were presented before Game 2 of the World Series on Oct. 26. From left, NL winner Kris Bryant, Hank Aaron, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and AL winner David Ortiz.
sold in the team shop at Progressive Field and retail outlets throughout Northeast Ohio.
“I know this particular logo is offensive to some people,” Manfred said while fielding questions from reporters following the presentation of this season’s Hank Aaron Awards to Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs
and David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox.
“All of us at Major League Baseball understand that logos are primarily a local matter,” Manfred said. “Fans get attached to logos. They become part of a team’s history.”
Manfred said he has spoken to Indians owner Paul J. Dolan about the logo.
“We have agreed, away from the World Series and at an appropriate time, to meet and have a discussion about this logo,” Manfred said. hits in a 23-year playing career that ended in 1976. It was established in 1999 to honor the most outstanding offensive performances of the regular season. Voting is conducted by a panel of Hall of Fame players, fans and media members.
Aaron was in Cleveland for the presentation.
This year’s National League honoree was Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. He batted .292 with 39 home runs and 102 RBI.
“This is surreal to me. I feel like I should pinch myself,” Bryant said, glancing toward Aaron.
The American League honoree was David Ortiz, the 40-year-old designated hitter batted .315 with 38 home runs and 127 RBI in his final season. “He’s the same guy every day, no matter the situation, where we’re at, who we’re playing or if he’s getting a phone call that (Indians pitcher) Trevor Bauer cut his finger,” Allen said. “You’ll probably find him in his office playing cards with some of his players. Thirty minutes before the clinching game in Toronto, he’s in there trying to win money from guys playing cards.”
Miller cited Francona’s own story about glancing at the scoreboard in Toronto while walking to the mound to pull Bauer from Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. Bauer had faced four batters and was bleeding profusely from his injured pinky finger.
Francona said he saw the pot for that night’s 5050 drawing at Rogers Centre was above $80,000 and thought about buying a ticket.
“He sets the tone and it follows down the line,” Miller said.