HASN’T GONE AWAY

Controversial mascot stills plays in Cleveland, just not between the lines

ness to be manufactured and sold on merchandise — was seen by critics as a concession by the Indians, who were perhaps afraid of losing their All-Star bid by being defiant.

Both sides claimed the decision had no impact on Cleveland’s choice to host the event, but it would be hard to imagine the Indians keeping it if they had refused Manfred’s request.

There are still fans angry the Indians buckled. They feel part of their past has been stolen.

“I miss him because he was an icon,” said Kristi Upperman of Lake Milton, Ohio, sporting a blue “Wahoo True ‘Til The Day I’m Through” T-shirt while waiting in a concession line. “I think the world is too sensitive. It’s not derogatory to any race or any nation or any ethnic group. It’s a baseball mascot. And I think that nowadays everybody is too sensitive and taking things a little bit too far. Everything is too politically correct and it’s driving me crazy.” She’s not alone.

“It’s just the way society is,” said Jesse Stevens, a red-billed Wahoo cap perched on his head. “Wahoo’s still out there. But MLB forcing it out, I think is stupid.”

That kind of talk pains Yenyo. For the past 25 years, he and other protesters have gathered on opening day outside Progressive Field, demanding the team change a logo and nickname they find demoralizing.

Yenyo said the move to take Wahoo away was a “positive step, but not enough.”

“We’re still hoping for more,” said Yenyo, adding protesters have been subjected to more hostility the past two years. “People feel like we’ve taken away part of their childhood, part of their memories. But if your memories are wrapped around a racist symbol, what kind of memories are those?”

An Indians spokesman said the organization is not considering a change of the team’s nickname. There will not be any protests during All-Star events next week because Yenyo and others in his movement will be out of town taking part in various American Indian ceremonies across the country.

One day, he hopes to meet Manfred, who he said hasn’t returned any calls or emails.

“I just hope I could sit down with him and talk about this like adults,” he said. “We can resolve this.”