That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies won’t be seeing anymore of Chief Wahoo in Cleveland

By George Stockburger

28 Feb 2002: A picture of the Cleveland Indians logo printed on a bag during the spring training game between the Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Florida. The Twins won 6-4. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: M. David Leeds/Getty Images
28 Feb 2002: A picture of the Cleveland Indians logo printed on a bag during the spring training game between the Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Florida. The Twins won 6-4. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: M. David Leeds/Getty Images /
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Cleveland was the second team to make a mascot change on Monday

Cleveland Indians mascot Chief Wahoo will officially be fazed out of the organization’s uniforms, gear, and at Progressive Field starting in 2019. No change to the team name is expected at this point in time.

Chief Wahoo, a characteristic image of a Native American, has been a controversial figure in sports since his official creation in 1946, but his presence has down anger in more recent years.

The Indians decided in 2014 to change their main logo to a Block C displayed on their hats and helmets but kept Wahoo on their jerseys and alternative hats. Limited merchandise featuring Chief Wahoo will continue being sold in the Cleveland area and at their spring training facility in order to retain the copyrights to the logo.
The Indians decided in 2014 to change their main logo to a Block C displayed on their hats and helmets but kept Wahoo on their jerseys and alternative hats. Limited merchandise featuring Chief Wahoo will continue being sold in the Cleveland area and at their spring training facility in order to retain the copyrights to the logo. /

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has been a proponent of eliminating Chief Wahoo since being named Commissioner in 2015. As Jordan Bastian of MLB.com notes, the total removal of Chief Wahoo coincides with the Indians hosting the 2019 All-Star game.

Philadelphia and Cleveland haven’t played since the 2016 season when the Phillies swept a three-games series, which included a Ryan Howard walk-off home run in the 11th inning of the series opener.

Cleveland was the second team to announce a new mascot this week after the Atlanta Braves unveiled “Blooper,” who looks like a Phillie Phanatic and Orbit of the Houston Astros lovechild.

Needless to say, the Braves attempt at finding a new kid-friendly mascot to watch their horrid team was a real blooper.

Atlanta has also moved away from their traditional logos featuring Native Americans, but the Tomahawk Chop and other remembrances remain in the National League East.

Next: 5 Phillies prospects who could break out in 2018

Several franchises across the sports landscape continue to feature controversial mascots similar to Chief Wahoo. A well known-Philadelphia rival Washington Redskins team has fought against the changing of their name. In the NHL the Chicago Blackhawks and their logo remain in mass circulation.

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