It's Obscene

I turned on the 2016 World Series tonight anticipating, in theory, the excitement of two teams that haven’t made it this far in many, many years, and particularly, the anticipation of Chicago Cubs fans, who I saw in action this spring when I visited the Wrigley Field hood. Then the reality of the Cleveland Indians logo hit me, right there on their caps. It’s obscene. The TV is off.

I grew up in the 1950s when the Yankees dominated baseball and I learned to love the underdog by betting against my father’s assured smirk when the Pirates or White Sox lost. During the tumultuous 60s I was too busy trying to save the world to follow sports—and didn’t own a TV—but in the mid 70s, when I settled in one place—and bought a TV—I was delighted to discover the Oakland A’s and their rebellious players—Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers, Vida Blue—flaunt baseball decorum with their long hair and mustaches. We watched Monday night baseball in the 80s, swinging babies in cradles hanging from the beams of our handmade house. I knew most of the players on the teams we followed into the nineties, and as life got more complicated, at least always watched the playoffs and the series. I loved Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum with his flowing locks and witnessed the deplorable end of Barry Bond's career at the Giants Stadium overlooking San Francisco Bay.

Now here we are in 2016, watching and supporting however we can the largest ever gathering of Native Americans at the North Dakota Access Pipeline encampment. Many previous protests have targeted the sports world, particularly the Washington Redskins football team, which refuses to change its racist name. But tonight, the Cleveland Indians continue to display this equally racist symbol and millions of baseball fans are watching and millions of dollars are generated through this symbol. We need to do more than just turn off the TV. This really is Unf*#!ing Believable.

Addendum:

I'm checking in every now and again and commiserating with the Cubs fans (it's game 5). If the Indians win, which looks likely, I hope the pressure builds up that our national championship team has got to consign Chief Wahoo to the dustbin of history. Here's a mainstream website that says as much: http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/cleveland-indians-logo-chief-wahoo-history-controversy-demotion-removal/jgmzjuy2j5g41uozaz6alcihy.

Postscript: The Cubs won!