For my out of town friends who have been asking, “Why did Cleveland choose the name “Guardians” as the new name for the baseball team?”
The team plays at the ballpark that’s on the corner of Ontario and Carnegie Avenues. Outside the park is the Lorain Carnegie bridge. It’s one of the bridges that connects the east and west sides of Cleveland.
On that bridge are 4 statues called the Guardians of Transportation. They watch over the bridge to protect travelers and watch over our city. The new logo represents them with the winged helmet.
I’ll be honest when I say that this name change hurts me… but not in the ‘I’m offended’ sort of way that so many people have been bitching about on social media since the announcement. While I think it’s silly to be offended by the name Indians I can understand that it may have offended some. There were names thrown around that I would have preferred but I think Guardians is a pretty ‘safe’ pick. Let’s be honest, in the day and age we live in where everyone is worried about being cancelled, I can understand why they went this route.
I can’t say I’m in love with the logo but I’m sure it’ll grow on me and before too long I’ll get a hat, a jersey, etc. It pains me to say it but my beloved ‘Tribe’ is gone. Now it’s time for me to be a Guardians fan. I just sincerely hope this isn’t a precursor to the team I love being moved from the CLE.