MLB, Indians in talks to pull smiling logo

Daniel Snyder may want to pay attention to this. There is talk between the Cleveland Indians owners and Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred to “transition away from the Chief Wahoo logo.”

“We have specific steps in an identified process and are making progress,” an MLB spokesman told the New York Times. “We are confident that a positive resolution will be reached that will be good for the game and the club.”

The Chief Wahoo logo has been under fire for being viewed as offensive and dated; it is a smiling caricature with big white teeth that has long been a part of the Indians uniforms.

There are fans who adore the logo and don’t want to see it removed, while there are others who protest outside Indians home games for its removal. The football team in Washington has been under fire for ages for its team nickname. Many have pushed for Washington to change the team name but Snyder, the team owner, hasn’t budged.

In recent years, the Indians have put more emphasis on the block C logo on their hats and uniforms. Although the team has used this logo more, Chief Wahoo can still be found on uniforms through the season.

The Indians said in a statement Wednesday afternoon: “We fully expect to work with the Commissioner throughout the remainder of this season on finding a solution that is good for the game and our organization. Our primary focus right now is on the team and our pursuit of returning to the postseason.”

— Brett Bodner

BIG ‘O’ HONORS WESTBROOK

Russell Westbrook soaked in all he had accomplished this season, with a little help from Oscar Robertson. Westbrook broke Robertson’s singleseason record for triple-doubles by getting his 42nd on Sunday against the Nuggets. Robertson attended Wednesday’s game between Oklahoma City and Denver to help honor Westbrook for his record-setting season. Robertson congratulated Westbrook, and at the end of a short speech, he got the crowd fired up with an endorsement. “I only have one more thing to say: M-V-P!!” Robertson said, triggering a loud ovation. Westbrook only played the first half of Oklahoma City’s 111-105 loss. l Gerald Green scored 18 points, 10 of them in a 25-2 fourth-quarter run, and the host Celtics beat the resting Bucks, 112-94, in the regular-season finale to claim the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Celtics were assured of home-court advantage through the conference finals when Cleveland, resting its stars, lost to Toronto minutes before the game ended.

l Paul George scored 32 points as the host Pacers clinched a playoff spot with a 104-86 victory over the Hawks. The Pacers completed the regular season on a five-game winning streak to earn the Eastern Conference’s No. 7 seed. They will face Cleveland in the opening round.

BRUINS TOP SENATORS

Brad Marchand broke a tie with 2:33 left and the visiting Bruins — held without a shot in the second period — held on to beat the Senators 2-1 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

l Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 31 shots in a surprise start in place of injured Matt Murray and the host Penguins opened their Stanley Cup title defense with a 3-1 victory over the Blue Jackets.