MLBBy Sean Keeley on

It’s official. The Cleveland Indians are no more. The Cleveland Guardians are here to stay.

Cleveland’s Major League Baseball franchise officially changed their name on Friday, a move that was originally announced back in July. The name is inspired by the “Guardians of Traffic” on the city’s Hope Memorial Bridge

The team released a new video to celebrate the name change on Twitter, tying together the franchise’s history to its newly named future.

For many Cleveland fans, it’s a moment of mixed emotions. They grew up rooting for the Indians and will have a place in their hearts for what that franchise means. But given the connotations that came with the name, not to mention the offensive logo, it was more than time to move forward and find a new identity to build memories around. Emotions and thoughts like these were a big part of the reaction on Twitter after the announcement was made.

Things didn’t get off the smoothest start possible, as the Guardians logo that was placed on the team shop fell down and broke this morning.

But hey, it’s just Day 1 of being the Guardians. Plenty of time, and scotch tape, to get things right.

[Cleveland Guardians]

Load more

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

View all posts by Sean Keeley