Too…much…happening…
November 19, 2007Doin’ Time
November 20, 20072008 Brings New Alternative Uniforms
Even if the Tribe fields almost the same team in ’08, they will still look different, yet familiar, on the field. The Indians unveiled their new alternative uniforms for 2008, as they have dropped the old vest look and have moved to a retro, throw-back style uniform.
Call me crazy, but I kinda like them. There was a lot of talk about the offensive (depending on who you ask) nature of Chief Wahoo in the days leading up to the conclusion of the ALCS. I have pretty much come to terms with the fact that the Indians will probably do away with Chief Wahoo sometime in my lifetime. I think using a retro look is a nice way to embrace the history of the team without using Chief Wahoo.
The vest look that the Indians brought out in 2002 was a designed step in the team distancing itself from the Wahoo logo. I personally don’t know how I feel about it. I think it seems a little excessively ‘PC’ and I don’t think the logo is so inherently and overtly racist that it MUST go (although I will admit, the bright red skin of the logo is of questionable taste). Regardless, I don’t want this to be a political blog. My whole point in bringing this up is that I think the team is definitely searching for alternatives to using the Wahoo logo, and I think these retro uniforms are a nice start.
The new uniforms are described as:
“A crème-colored tone, block “Indians” lettering on the front chest, Chief Wahoo logo on the left sleeve and dark navy blue cap with a vintage block “C” highlight the new uniform.
The block lettering harkens back to the 1960s, the coloring is similar to that of the late 1940s and the block “C” is reminiscent of the early 1900s.
And in keeping with the old-school approach, the alternate uniforms will not include a player’s name on the back.”
One interesting thing to note is that Mark Shapiro evidently had a hand in the design, and was involved in the decision to go without a name on the back. For his part, Shapiro said of the new uniforms,
“They are uniforms we think are reflective of our team’s personality. They are throwback uniforms, and we have a throwback team, to some extent.”
The alternative jerseys will be worn on opening day, home weekend games (Saturdays and Sundays), and home holiday games. The Indians regular jerseys, including the Chief Wahoo logo, will continue to be used on all other days.
4 Comments
I liked the vests. And I thought those were supposed to be a sort of ‘throwback’ look. Old idea with a new style anyway. These new uniforms are beyond vanilla. They are uninspired and boring. Maybe I can get a vest half price now.
I liked the vests, too, but I didn’t like the script ‘I’ hat.
Regarding the new ones, I guess I’m sort of a ‘less is more’ type of person when it comes to uniforms. I like simple, classic looks, similar to the OSU uniforms, to be honest.
I was always so-so on Wahoo, until I saw the guys dressed up in the red paint during the playoffs. That just did not look good.
Part of me understands the argument “whats the big deal, it’s a sports logo”. I get that. There are bigger problems in the world. But, at the same time… exactly, it’s a sports logo, do we really care that much if we change it?
As for the new ones, I like ’em, but I also liked the vests a lot.
It’s obviously a very polarizing subject, especially for Indians fans who have grown up with Chief Wahoo in our homes. I think we’re all a bit desensitized to the possibility of the imagery being racist. But that being said, even Native American players such as Joba Chamberlain and Jacoby Ellsbury have said that they have no problem with the mascot. And that’s what makes it so tricky. If it’s not singularly offensive to all native americans, does that somehow make it ok for Cleveland to keep using it? Perhaps. I really don’t know, and don’t particularly care either way. I like Chief Wahoo, and am not personally offended by it and would like to see him stay, but if the organization were to get rid of him, I would understand why and I wouldn’t really care. It’s just an issue that’s not all that important to me.