MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred this morning said he and Indians Chair & CEO Paul Dolan have agreed to talk following the World Series "about what should happen" with the team's Chief Wahoo logo going forward. Appearing on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike," Manfred said, "I understand that that particular logo is offensive to some people, and I understand why. On the other side of the coin, you have a lot of fans that have history and are invested in the symbols of the Indians" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 10/25). In DC, John Cox noted Dolan last year announced the team's "Block C" mark would become its "primary logo, but the franchise has continued to use the tomato-red cartoon Native American on hats and uniforms while making millions in revenue from selling Wahoo gear to fans." Opponents of the logo "often compare it to the black Sambo and the caricatures Nazis used to dehumanize Jews" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/24).
STAY WITH WHAT GOT YOU HERE? ESPN.com's Paul Lukas noted despite efforts to move to the Block C logo, Chief Wahoo has been "ascendant during the postseason." The Indians "wore their Wahoo cap" for all three ALDS games against the Red Sox and all five ALCS games against the Blue Jays. Lukas: "Given how superstitious teams can be, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Indians keep wearing it in the Series" (ESPN.com, 10/24).
