LAST UPDATED: July 10, 2019 by Ryan M
The Cleveland Indians are named after former player Louis Sockalexis, a Penobscot Indian so respected, that one year after his passing, Cleveland took the name “Indians” to commemorate him.
From 1903-1914, the Indians were called the “Naps,” named after player-manager Napoleon Lajoie. In 1915, Lajoie left to play in Philadelphia so the team needed a new name. Baseball writers made the decision on renaming the team to the Indians.
INTERESTING FACTS
- Entertainment icon Bob Hope was a part-owner of the Indians for many years, starting in 1946.
- The 1989 movie, “Major League,” about the Cleveland Indians was not actually filmed in Cleveland. It was filmed in Milwaukee County Stadium.
- In 1994, current Indians manager Terry Francona was the manager for the White Sox Double-A Birmingham Barons team when Michael Jordan played there.
INTERESTING VIDEO
INTERESTING REFERENCES
- Cleveland.com – Why are the Cleveland Indians called the Indians?
- MLB.com – Timeline
- Chicago Tribune – 10 things to know about the Cleveland Indians
