CLEVELAND — On July 3, the Cleveland Indians released a statement announcing they were having ongoing discussions that could ultimately result in the franchise changing its name.
With that in mind, we're spending this week taking a look at potential new names for Cleveland's professional baseball team, which has been called the Indians since 1915.
Up next is an examination of one of the more unique replacements that's been tossed around for the Indians' name: the Cleveland Baseball Club. Check out our previous entries in this week's series in the links below:
The case for the Cleveland Baseball Club
With many struggling to find a suitable replacement for the Indians' nickname, why not keep it simple? Considering the Indians' history in Cleveland, any new name is going to feel like a rebrand. Cleveland Baseball Club, however, could allow the team to both move forward from its old name while maintaining a semblance of continuity into its next era.
Naming a sports franchise after the city it plays in may not be a common practice in the MLB, NBA or NFL, but it is in soccer, with many clubs attaching a generic synonym for "team" to their city's name. Furthermore, the Indians could keep -- or update -- their Block C logo and use the "CLEVELAND" font that has adorned its road uniforms for the last handful of years.
"Cleveland Baseball Club" is admittedly an untraditional pick. But it would be tough to deny the traction it's gained on social media, with many fans drawn to its simplistic approach.
The case against the Cleveland Baseball Club
As previously noted, Cleveland Baseball Club would be an unconventional name and perhaps for good reason. While some may appreciate its simplicity, others would argue that it's too dry.
Not adopting an official mascot or nickname would also admittedly leave a lot of marketing and merchandising opportunities on the table. All things considered, there's likely a reason it hasn't been listed on any betting odds sites as an option.
Verdict
While the betting odds don't tell the whole story, the lack of "Cleveland Baseball Club" as a candidate has likely left it as a social media movement and nothing more. That's not to say it might not gain momentum in the next few months and perhaps become a more viable option. But without more steam, it will more than likely wind up lost in the shuffle.