CLEVELAND – For their first delayed home game, the Indians chose to wear their blue road shirts with “Cleveland” on the front as a unified statement of solidarity for minorities as the team contemplates a name change.
Owner Paul Dolan recently announced that the franchise is considering changing its Indians name, which has been the club’s nickname since 1915. The team typically wears white shirts with “Indians” across the chest at home.
All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor said the players decided on the change after meeting earlier this week with Dolan to discuss the possible name change, as well as race relations and social justice.
Lindor, the face of the franchise that is only under contract until 2021, emphasized that the move was not motivated by politics. He said it was meant to be a recognition for all minorities.
“We know the change is due and it is time,” Lindor said before the Indians hosted the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. “But I think positive change can happen. Enlightening minorities and the people who need it is extremely important.”
“That is what we are doing out there: putting the spotlight on those people, the minorities who need the spotlight to make their voices heard. Positive changes can occur. We are bound to do so.”
Manager Terry Francona praised his players for doing something special for the first game and for doing something they believed in.
“The idea is not to be disrespectful, the idea is to make a point and I think this is a good way to do it,” said Francona, adding that league rules may prohibit Indians from wearing the shirts again at home.
The Indians announced earlier this month that they are considering a name change for the team, which has been called the Indians for 105 years. On Thursday, Dolan elaborated on the team’s future process and said he intends to meet with groups of Native Americans for comment.
Before the first pitch, a group protested in the streets surrounding the stadium to ask the team to change its name and remove all the images of the Native Americans.
Even if wearing the blue shirts at home is only one thing, Lindor said the gesture can have an impact.
“It is a good start,” he said. “It can only give us hope that a change will be made. We can only change things by having people recognize and educate themselves that the change is due and that they recognize that there are certain areas in life that are not right and wrong. where they should be.
“It’s a great statement. I support my teammates. I support minorities and people who need care. We are there. It is a lifestyle. This is something that is not just today. We want to continue doing it all year and next year and the rest of our lives.
“We are not fighting the fight for us. We are fighting the fight for our future.”
Before the game, the Indians wore black T-shirts that said “End Racism” on the front and “Equality” on the back.
Lindor said the team is taking the opportunity to draw attention to social problems.
“As a team, the great platform that we all have, we are responsible for raising awareness and letting the world know that we have to end racism,” he said. “We have a great focus of attention to bring that awareness to the world. We don’t have to go out and fight, but nonviolent protests like this are huge, to be able to fight the fight without bringing violence and just express our feelings, it’s a big part of what we do. “
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