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October 31, 2013What are the Cleveland Indians’ odds to win the 2014 World Series
October 31, 2013In a multiple part series, Rick and I, two of the bigger jersey junkies at the site, have been tackling our opinions on the Cleveland teams’ uniforms, logos, and color schemes. You can find our takes on the Cavaliers and Browns’ uniform schemes at the following links. Today, we’re discussing the Indians’ uniforms. Here’s a look at some of our favorites and ones we’d rather forget.
Rick: Ok. Maybe we should start by talking about the current set. What do you like and what don’t you like?
Kirk: Overall, I like the current set of uniforms for the Indians. The block C is winning me over. I love the “faux throwbacks” that they wear on Sundays and special occasions. I LOVE the road grays. I really enjoy the blue alternates (always have). My biggest beef is the piping that they took away two seasons ago. It looks strange without it.
Rick: If anyone has read my comments over the past few years, you know I really don’t care for the cream uniforms at all. I don’t like the cream color, I don’t like the font of the Indians on the chest, and I don’t like the extreme lack of blue in them.
Kirk: It’s an interesting debate. Is this franchise’s primary color red or blue? What should it be? In the ’90s, it was red. In the 2000s, it was primarily blue. Now, it seems they’re going back to red as the focus.
Rick: Primary is one thing, but even in the ’90s, blue was still a big part of the uniform. Even on the white uniforms with red script, socks, and undershirt, there was still blue piping and blue hats.
Kirk: Personally, I think the red is best. I’m guilty of being nostalgic toward the ’90s, but if those ’90s home uniforms weren’t the best uniforms in franchise history, I’ll eat my hat. I like the navy uniform tops a lot, but there’s something about the red sleeves and socks that do it for me.
Rick: I’m not against having one color dominant on one uniform and not the other, like the blue alternates, but those creams just drive me crazy.
Rick: I like the ’90s uniforms, and even the current renditions without piping I like.
Kirk: Back to the home alternate for a moment, the faux throwback is an interesting move to try to pull off. The Indians in essence manufactured a throwback-style uniform without names on the back and added the cream color which doesn’t gel with their historical choices. To me, it is aesthetically pleasing, though it DID take me a while to get used to the all-red hats. It’s a little bit like your dislike for the CAVS font on the home gold alternate, isn’t it? Too plain and no history there, am I right?
Rick: Somewhat similar. I am a complete font junkie. The font/color/style combo is so important, and on those two uniforms in particular I feel like the font was an afterthought. I’m not against a plain font per se. The script Cleveland on the road uniforms is pretty plain, but it works.
Kirk: I can agree with that. It’s not my favorite part of either uniform set. I like the elements external of the font for both. I think both could be improved with more popular typefaces from each team. Let’s talk about font though. Do you like the Indians cursive font? I’m a huge fan of it myself.
Rick: I do like it. Like the Cavaliers’ font, it is original. You don’t see that ‘I’ anywhere else. I’m actually one of the few people I think that don’t mind the use of the script I on the hats.
Kirk: Now that I don’t like. I think the cursive I isn’t strong enough to stand on its own. Cursive Indians is great, but I’d MUCH prefer the block C to any and all use of the cursive I alone. You look around and see Detroit’s distinct D, Boston’s B, and New York’s NY. I like having something to match up with those in a way.
Rick: I don’t feel strongly enough about the script I to fight for it, I suppose. Unlike the Cavaliers’ script. So fair enough.
Kirk: The Block C seemed too simple when I first saw it. But, it’s admittedly grown on me. It’s bold looking, and it has the distinct notch in it. It’s a unique shape for a C (not like the Cincinnati C that we wore during the ’40s and ’50s which I am NOT a fan of). It looks amazing on polos, hats, and shirts with a red C against a navy background.
Rick: Well, speaking of the C, that brings me to my favorite throwback uniforms, the old navy with the C. I love those.
Kirk: Those were really neat. I’ve written about this before that regardless of anything that happens with the team’s logos in respect to Wahoo, I would be all for having those throwbacks. The all-navy look pops, but the white numbers and belt are just enough that it doesn’t look like they’re wearing a onesie. The black socks look awesome with them too!
Rick: What would you think about the blue top with the white pinstripe pants or vice versa?
Kirk: If you went half and half, I think you’d have to go pinstripe pants with blue top. But, I’d prefer the all-navy look. It would be a very unique item to add to a uniform portfolio.
Rick: I would love to see those more than once a season. The all blue is a neat look, unlike the all red of the ’70s. That was a disaster.
Kirk: Yes, that gets the nod for the worst uniform in my book. Ugly, just ugly. And the C is second-worst on the hierarchy of C’s after the Reds-style C
Rick: So, if Wahoo was out of the picture, what look would you want to the team to go with instead?
Kirk: You mean when, right? If Wahoo was out of the picture, I think you could do it without changing the uniform set much at all. If I were calling the shots, I’d have a home uniform very similar to the ’90s with the white and red sleeves and socks, putting some piping back in. I’d keep the road grays (which we need to talk about, because they’re phenomenal) as is, and I’d have two alternates, one of which would be the all-navy look and one which would be the navy top look that they’ve consistently had since entering Jacobs Field, adding back the piping, of course. If we’re talking about what mascot/team name I’d change to, that is another can of worms.
Rick: I don’t have the desire to get into the new nickname discussion. I agree that very little would have to change in regards to the uniforms if there was a change made away from Wahoo. I would like to see the script I make some kind of return. I think though that a new logo would have to be designed. I don’t think the block C is strong enough to be the primary logo.
Kirk: I would tend to agree with you, except that this is an area where they would have to be very careful. I’m not crazy about having two of my three sports teams without a very exciting logo. However, look at the Tigers and how often they use the actual Tiger logo in their uniforms. Maybe a stylized feather would do it? I don’t know if there’s an easy answer. If they did change the name (something I don’t think will happen nor should it in my eyes), my first vote would probably be for Spiders, followed by Blues. Keep all the same colors and fonts as you can.
Let’s talk about the road grays, because they really are a great look. I like how they are almost identical to the look the team had in the 1948 era (see: Bearden pic). I didn’t even realize that until some months into the new look a few years ago. The Cleveland font is plain looking, but it is distinct enough for me.
Rick: I love the socks in that Bearden pic. Those should be brought back for the grays.
Kirk: Those are pretty nifty. I’m a high socks kind of guy when it comes to baseball uniforms.
Red on red with white stripes, THE HORROR, it’s a candycane disaster! The red’s too bright, and the navy is too dark. And of course, these happened to be a one-year tryout during the 1997 World Series run.
Rick: What drives me crazy is that most managers will wear the coats in the middle of August during a day game because they don’t like the fit or look of wearing the jersey. Just let them wear some kind of team gear.
Kirk: It is an interesting world we live in where managers have to dress like they could pinch-hit, NFL coaches can dress like a homeless person, and NBA coaches have to be in a suit.
Rick: Exactly.
Kirk: You’ll notice that Tito often wore the long sleeve shirt in both Boston and here in Cleveland instead of the jacket most of the season. He’s bucking your trend for you.
Rick: I’m all for bucking that trend.
Kirk: Can we bring these back for some good luck?
Rick: Yeah, that was pretty arrogant, huh?
Kirk: Hey, it’s not much different than the Heat uniforms Tuesday night 85 years later. I’ll finish by saying that even though the red/blue uniform combo is the most common duo in all of sports (and in baseball, there are 11 TEAMS with it!), I think the Indians make it their own with several different logos and styles, and I wouldn’t change it.
(Photo: JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
132 Comments
I actually did meet someone who’s actually Indian, as in from India, who was appalled at the name. If you want to make everyone happy you’ll have to change them name. Well everyone except a lot of people from Cleveland
Well I was born here, and I don’t think of myself that way.
I don’t think you have to blow the whole thing up necessarily, just because one aspect (logo) isn’t the most sensitive. Frankly, they could even rework the Chief for a more flattering depiction.
Also “Indians” is not objectively or subjectively offensive–at least in the present. Maybe in 2033 if the name is deemed insensitive, we could be the Eries or something.
f*&k off! 😉
Cleveland Blues, with this logo? SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!
I like Cleveland Fellers
(baseball is an old-timey sport anyway, so go fully with it)
Knew what you meant. Was just being ridiculous.
I could be sold on it; but it would be hard to sound like a WV hillbilly all the time – but, as long as Swisher’s on the team, why not?
That’s the Bay State spirit I’ve come to know and love! F’ing off as requested.
I say in the interest of going full-multicultural…we go with the Cleveland Camachos. (Note: I’m at work and don’t have access to a picture of me sitting on Ernie Camacho’s lap circa ’86, which I would love to post here).
Not only should you post it, but it should be the official logo.
Glad you could smell what the Rock was cookin’! Besides, I knew you’d like it.
Sick-o!
I had a picture with Super Joe Charboneau but I wasn’t sitting on his lap!
Ur a fart smella I mean smart fella!
boys … boys! C’mon, now.
Sham, the Sox’s trophy has as much to do with the fans as I had to do with LeBron’s dunks. Ease up on the puffchesting, no one wants to hear about how crazed ethnic Chechens inspired the biggest of big market teams. Turn off the cliche machine and realize how obnok that sounds around here.
Mr. C – whaddya doing? Plenty of Boston peeps with legs blown off are acting heroically on a daily and continuing basis.
If you guys have a beef we take care of ot the traditional WFNY commenter way, the only way – DANCE OFF.
My “favorite” part of this whole World Series run is the way everyone tried to force America to care that Boston hadn’t won a World Series IN BOSTON IN LIKE, TONS OF YEARS, OR SOMETHING!
Oh, boo hoo. Nobody cares, Boston. Nobody cares.
Can’t see your post, for some reason.
Guys, I know you’re just joking around, but please don’t do things to get around our language filter. It’s explicitly written in our Before You Comment section that this is not allowed. I know in this case you weren’t being malicious and that it’s harmless fun, but we need to be consistent in how the rules are applied. So just consider this a friendly reminder to please not do it in the future. Thanks guys.
A true Font Junkie would propose the Cleveland Futuras.
I hate PC America. I can follow the Chief Wahoo argument but how the hell is the name Indians offensive? Maybe Im missing something, but isnt this similar to the following:
If Indians is offensive to Native Americans then…
Vikings offensive to Nordic people
Spartans offensive to Greeks
Cowboys offensive to farmers/ranchers
Fighting Irish offensive to Irish
Yankees offensive to southerners
Blackhawks, Braves, Seminoles, Chiefs etc. also offensive to Native Americans
Patriots offensive to British
Saints offensive to non-Christians
Raiders offensive to (I dont know who Raiders “oppressed” by stealing and looting, but there has to be some victim)
Ole Miss Rebels offensive to African Americans/northerners?
This just seems ridiculous.
In the meantime, this will have to place hold. (Also, I’ve concluded parents in the 80’s apparently didn’t care about child safety)
Okay, Andrew, sorry. My bad.
But he started it. You know how those cod crunchers are.
I think you all have stepped out of bounds with some of these comments. Kind of ironic given the sensitivity Cleveland sports fans have these days.
“Plenty of Boston peeps with legs blown off are acting heroically on a daily and continuing basis,” is pretty low.
I’m done. My graciousness and sense of humor are gone now so congratulations.
at one point, my wife asked me puzzled about it. didn’t they already break the curse? what are they whining about this time?
Some of the comments that followed really have me fired up now. The joking tone is now gone but out of respect for WFNY I’ll let it go because it’s not worth it. But I’ll remember it believe that!
Sham, I think you misread what Harv said. That’s not low. He was paying the injured a compliment. And I agree with him.
it’s Halloween, it’s a ghost 🙂
(I rendered the image you requested above, but despite it showing up when I pasted it in the comment bar, Disqus spat it to the neverworld when submitting it. ah well)
Best one he’s ever made too!
I think she meant “what is all that winning about?”
Ah. Too bad. I’m going to uptick you 1, anyway.
ERMAHGERD, PERLITICL CERRECTNERS
she is from SoCal. cheers for USC(football), UCLA(basketball), Lakers, and Angels. She’s seen a bit of winning over the years.
There is (or should I say was) a city in Ohio named Blue Ball. Might cause some confusion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ball,_Ohio
“Blue Ball was annexed by nearby Middletown in 1993”
that sounds painful.
Sham, you read my comment exactly the opposite as intended. Calm down and we’ll see you tomorrow.
Yea, you don’t mess with Middletown.
I like this one a lot. I’m also into the block C, though.
Nice discussion. Since the authors did tend to point out the worst of the red unis, I would like to add my opinion that the red Sunday alternates for the Atlanta Braves are one of, if not the coolest uniforms in baseball. Without gratuitously copying it, I wish the Indians could create something along those lines…
I don’t dislike the creams, but would prefer if they employed the Feller/Lemon era script instead of block capital letters.
The ’54 hat with Wahoo inside the C is by far my favorite.
Whites and blues need the piping back…the jerseys look like they were purchased at Wal-Mart without it.
Adding blue pants for an occasional all-blue set would be a nice touch.
Guys, I’m all for having a little give in the discussion’s ability to deviate from the topic, but this was kind of ridiculous.
Tribe does NOT have to refer to a Native American group.
This had not crossed my mind, B-bo. A definite concern for this Buckeye.
“GO BLUEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAA!”
A great double meaning that I have thought of in the past as well.
Because the name was not chosen to honor American Indians, and in fact, at the time, it was chosen because American Indians were considered more of a mascot than a human. We should recognize that we no longer think like that.
Do we have to go through this part of the debate every single time?
That is SOOOOO offensive.
Conversely, though, imagine a beautiful world where “Go Blues” evokes only the thought of the Cleveland baseball team, and thoughts of cheering for those skunk badgers have faded into oblivion!
Apparently we have to have this debate every time, Steve. One SHOULD be able to have a debate about the pros and cons of certain uniform sets without having to get into the political debate on the appropriateness of Wahoo. Alas, you guys have proven time and time again that if an article even briefly references Wahoo, then we’ll dive head first into that debate and not let up.
I’m not even a little interested in debating the name or Wahoo, but that’s a pretty freaking cool logo. They would need to lose the 19, but they could put a C there instead. They should at least use it once a year on some date significant to Feller.