Why are they called the Cleveland Indians?

LAST MODIFIED: July 10th, 2019

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

1. Entertainment icon Bob Hope was a part-owner of the Indians for many years, starting in 1946.
2. The 1989 movie, “Major League,” about the Cleveland Indians was not actually filmed in Cleveland. It was filmed in Milwaukee County Stadium.
3. 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

1. Cleveland.com – Why are the Cleveland Indians called the Indians?
2. MLB.com – Timeline
3. Chicago Tribune – 10 things to know about the Cleveland Indians