Lindor in favor of changing Cleveland's nickname: 'Society is shifting'

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 04: In this handout image provided by the Cleveland Indians, Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians looks on during a summer workout in preparation for a shortened MLB season due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic at Progressive Field on July 04, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Handout / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor is the latest to throw his support toward changing the team's longstanding nickname.

"(If) it's going to bring more love, peace, and happiness," Lindor said, according to Zack Meisel of The Athletic. "Society is shifting and we're due for some change."

The name has been in use since 1915 and has long been decried as an offensive and racist emblem to Native Americans.

Though the team ceased using the "Chief Wahoo" logo on its uniform ahead of the 2019 season, merchandise featuring the image has remained in circulation at Progressive Field.

On Sunday, manager Terry Francona said he feels it's time the team made the change.

The club released a statement Friday, saying it's "committed to engaging our community and appropriate stakeholders to determine the best path forward with regard to our team name."

Lindor, a four-time All-Star and the face of the franchise, has spent his entire career with Cleveland after being selected eighth overall in the 2011 draft.

XRedditFacebookWhatsAppEmailSMS

More Stories