Anwar Ali

Identity Overhaul

Cleveland Spiders

After more than a century with the same moniker, Major League Baseball's Cleveland franchise is embarking on an unprecedented identity overhaul.

Never before has a team at the highest level of professional sports responded to public discourse with such a dramatic change vis-à-vis its image.

The Spiders (formerly the Indians) had the conviction to retire an antiquated name that no longer reflected modern societal views. The team's former identity was a lightning rod for controversy and, quite simply, a distraction from its success on the field. The first step was saying goodbye to Chief Wahoo as an official logo and mascot after seven decades as the face of the franchise. Chief Wahoo, to many, was a demeaning stereotype of First Nations people.

But fans were still divided between those who want to preserve the Indians name for its historical merit and others who believe it was outdated and racially insensitive.

It was not an easy decision to make. Baseball has a long legacy in Cleveland. The Ohio city has hosted a professional team for 150 years and an American League franchise since 1901.

Fortunately, there is a way for Cleveland to show respect for the sensibilities of First Nations people and still leverage the franchise's legacy.

In the late 19th century before joining the American League, the team was briefly known as the Spiders. In 1895, that team won the Temple Cup (that era's version of the World Series) and featured future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young.