Big League Stew - MLB

Major League Baseball is rolling out a new round of Stars and Stripes caps for Memorial Day and it appears that they designed the lids with some common sense this time around.

Please remember last season, when the first round of special hats included a stars-and-stripes emblazoned version of Chief Wahoo on Cleveland's cap. A mini-controversy erupted with most people agreeing that it probably wasn't a good idea to endorse the logo with the elements of the American flag and the ideals that it represents.

This year, MLB is avoiding the firestorm completely and opting for the alternative that I suggested, opting to modify the block 'C' cap Bill Clinton wore when throwing out the first pitch at Progressive Field in 1994.

So is progress being made? Yes, but only slowly ... MLB.com still sells the '08 version and New Era sells the red version on its website (though not on MLB.com).

To check out the new '09 red caps and some other Stars and Stripes wear, click here.

The caps cost $36.99 this year (up $2 from '08) and sales will benefit the Welcome Back Veterans fund. Thankfully, MLB has finally somewhat defined the amount it's donating from each hat instead of leaving us completely in the dark like they did last year:

"Major League Baseball Properties, Inc will donate all of the proceeds it receives from the sale of the caps to Welcome Back Veterans. In addition, MLB.com will donate an additional $1 to Welcome Back Veterans for each cap purchased through www.mlb.com."

Here's a big BLS head nod to progress.

To follow Big League Stew on Twitter, click here.

digg delicious
more

3156 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Shaun T
    1. Posted by Shaun T Wed May 20, 2009 11:09 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Although not as offensive as "Redskins" they should just do away with the whole Indians moniker. Dropping the Chief is only the first step.
  2. eight inches
    2. Posted by eight inches Wed May 20, 2009 11:22 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Why should the Redskins, Indians or Braves have to change their names or moniker? For generations it didn't bother anybody, now all of a sudden it does. People need to lighten up.
  3. Ceno h
    3. Posted by Ceno h Wed May 20, 2009 11:30 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I wish ppl stop knocking the Indians for there name ... there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
    If during the 7th inning a Cowboy would come shoot down Chief Wahoo or have a general come tell him to leave Progressive Field and push him out west... yes that maybe offensive....But the Indians do nothing to offend Native Americans in anyway.
  4. scott g
    4. Posted by scott g Wed May 20, 2009 11:34 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Still though.. I think anyone has to agree that the Redskins is somewhat racist.. I mean, come on! Hahaha..
  5. Tommy BLEEP*ing Lasorda
    5. Posted by Tommy BLEEP*ing Lasorda Wed May 20, 2009 11:41 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Chief Yahoo es mas macho!
    GO BLUE
  6. felonious_hex
    6. Posted by felonious_hex Wed May 20, 2009 11:41 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    who cares?
  7. Mickey D.
    7. Posted by Mickey D. Wed May 20, 2009 11:47 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I still think the Wahoo one looks like he's in blackface. (see old post)
  8. tonyarob
    8. Posted by tonyarob Wed May 20, 2009 11:51 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    What's next? Do away with the Marlins or Orioles logo because it might offend some jackass at PETA?
  9. Jessiye
    9. Posted by Jessiye Wed May 20, 2009 11:54 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Finally !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope to see Wahoo gone in the next couple years. I love my tribe to no end even after Kerry Wood violated me yesterday. But I won't wear Wahoo, my great-grandmother was a full blooded Cherokee and it's just not right to make caricatures in these modern times. How can we have Jackie Robinson Day and Chief Wahoo?
  10. Mat M
    10. Posted by Mat M Wed May 20, 2009 12:15 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    @Rexdeaz: Yes, Chief Wahoo, Chief Knock-a-homer, and the Redskins are reminders of Native American history. They would be a footnote without these wonderful reminders, especially since they pulled those Bugs Bunny episodes that were wonder reminders of times past. And sports teams should always serve as as reminders of genocides. wow
    @8 inches:"Why should the Redskins, Indians or Braves have to change their names or moniker? For generations it didn't bother anybody, now all of a sudden it does. People need to lighten up."
    Yeah, right on. no one cared for decades. Except the Golden State Warriors removed an offensive cartoon depiction of Native Americans 45 years ago. Oh, and Stanford changed mascots completely due to complaints. Oh yeah, and an Illiini student can no longer wear red-face. But yeah, why the sudden concern?
  11. Tut
    11. Posted by Tut Wed May 20, 2009 1:24 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    i hate both caps. really, dude, only homers would buy these.
  12. Igrill88
    12. Posted by Igrill88 Wed May 20, 2009 1:55 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    the stars and stripes chief wahoo rulez!
    totally gonna buy one.
  13. BT
    13. Posted by BT Wed May 20, 2009 1:56 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Comparing 'Fighting Illini' or 'Irish' to something as disparaging as the 'Chief Wahoo' logo and 'Redskins' is missing the point by a mile.
  14. PeterN
    14. Posted by PeterN Wed May 20, 2009 2:27 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Chief Wahoo's the worst. For a true reminder of history, Google "Cleveland Indians logo" and look over the entire sequence of logos, going back decades. Also, read up on the differing accounts on picking the name "Indians" itself.
  15. eight inches
    15. Posted by eight inches Wed May 20, 2009 3:29 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Mat M: Your post smacks of sarcasm. I'm simply saying that everyone, all of a sudden, wants to be politically correct. If changes are made to just one team then any or all teams would be subject to changing their logos or mascots. Would the Padres be next because it may offend Christians? What about the San Diego State Aztecs or the Florida St. Seminoles? Do you see where I'm going with this? It gets out of hand. People need to chill.
  16. Shaun T
    16. Posted by Shaun T Wed May 20, 2009 3:41 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Remember the "Redmen" of St Johns? Renamed the Red Storm, sure not a good name but they got it right by changing their team moniker away from something that IS indeed offensive. Make no mistake, naming your team the Indians, then having a mascot / logo that is a caricature of that race, bringing out certain traditions and attributes and making light of them stems from an offensive place. The name Indians itself is not as offensive as Redskin / Redman, but that doesn’t make it benign.
  17. sdjerk
    17. Posted by sdjerk Wed May 20, 2009 5:03 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Only homers wear caps that still have stickers/tags still on them. I don't need to know what size your melon is...
    #16, SDSU Aztecs got rid of their mascot warrior about three years ago(?) because it was 'too fierce and a misreprestation of the Aztecs'. But the mascot never did kill anybody at any of the events I went to be it a basketball or football game.
  18. sdjerk
    18. Posted by sdjerk Wed May 20, 2009 5:09 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The name change should be Cleveland Ohioans and their logo should be Lebron James. And make it a caricature. Or the Cleveland Christians and their logo could be a Cross. Or the Cleveland Popsicles and their logo could be a popsicle because that wouldn't be offensive. But popsicles might not like that. Or they could be the Cleveland Rocks and their logo could be a rock or a bunch of musical notes.
  19. John S
    19. Posted by John S Wed May 20, 2009 5:25 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    How is the logo even remotely an offensive character? Granted the name might offend eight or nine people, but since when is a huge smile and big eyes an offensive native american sterotype?
  20. Odysseus Homer
    20. Posted by Odysseus Homer Wed May 20, 2009 5:35 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    My dad (a lifelong Tribe fan that had tickets to game 5 of the 1956 world series) several years ago explained to me that the origin of the name "indians" came from the fact that one of the original players was a native american. That being said, I feel that it is high time that the cleveland baseball team change their name. Times and social conscience has changed, and if native americans and others say that the name is offensive, then really, what is the Big Deal about changing/not changing the name? I would float the idea that the Cleveland Tribe be the new name, with a baseball that has a band around it with a feather be the new name and cap symbol, but I would consult with representatives of the native tribes and ask for their input, including suggestions from them about what they think the name should be. Cleveland does not have a lot of natural features to point to - there are a lot of storms coming off the lake, especially in the spring and summer, but names like lightning, thunder, storm, etc have gotten snatched up by other teams. You know just like the cleveland browns became the baltimore ravens (and then won the superbowl, art modell roast in hell) the "new" browns kept the team history etc, a newly named cleveland baseball team could keep the Indian's history and records, etc. It's the right thing to do, so just do it.
  21. j
    21. Posted by j Wed May 20, 2009 5:37 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Ok, Lets see Why should cleveland change there name for, Lets look at this crazy situation ok, You complain about the redskins, But yet you have the cleveland browns ? And you have the red sox, white sox, Now dont you think thats being unfair to green sox, black sox, or another color ? You have the Blue jays, but no robins, you have the cardinals, but no crows ? You have the Yankees but yet no Rebels...You have the Angels but no Devils isnt this mixing religion with sports ? But yet you can have the Twins, isnt that a lil-sexual ? So if redskins is so offensive what about the Reds ? Then you have the Pirates~and by the way they have been playing, if i was a pirate i would definetly protest, laughing...You have the Diamondbacks isnt that being unfair to other snake types also ? You have the Giants isnt that insulting to midgets ? You have the Braves isnt that offensive to scary cats ? You have the cubs but no bears ? You have the Athletics-isnt that offensive to those who are not Athletic ? Sure this post is stupid maybe a lil-funny, strange.....BUT SO IS all this stupid talk, crap about teams using the word Indians, redskins, so on, Its not to pay any disrespect to them, but more to honor them. You can take any nic-name of any team and in some twisted way find it insulting to some one.. GET OVER IT.
  22. Odysseus Homer
    22. Posted by Odysseus Homer Wed May 20, 2009 5:51 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    jw, and others, really, if you're going to post at least show a basic level of intelligence. by the way the Devil Rays DID drop the "Devil". We're not talking about green sox or crows, we're talking about people that have a political and cultural character, and their wishes should be listened to, considered, and acknowledged. Maybe the reason why the Tribe is so CURSED is because of their name. I for one would love to see a new name and a fresh approach. someone above said something similar to big deal so america did a few bad things - DUDE, it was not a few bad things. Try small pox in blankets, full scale military operations killing women and children indescriminately, wholesale moving of groups of people away from native lands to harsh conditions, repeated violations of treaties - all summed up in 1 word: Genocide. Yes, the american government committed GENOCIDE against all native groups in the US territory. Take me out to the ball game? What's the big deal? Please.
    Go Tribe. Go my favorite baseball team the Cleveland (whatevers it doesn't matter I still want them to succeed and win a world series). And Go Cavs. And go Browns. You know, MANY Cleveland fans were offended when LeBron wore that frickin Yankees cap to the Tribe v. Red Sox playoff game. Fans shouting "Take it off". How does it feel to be SO OFFENDED? Ya, a Yankees fan wouldn't agree or understand, but that doesn't change how offended people from Cleveland were. How did it feel? How do you think it feels? Just get a better name, get the bull pen fixed and start winning some games!
  23. T.J.
    23. Posted by T.J. Wed May 20, 2009 5:55 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Gotta get one of those 08 hats before there all gone, man thats sweet!
    The cheif is here to stay, get over it!
  24. j
    24. Posted by j Wed May 20, 2009 6:17 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Well number (23) Odysseus Homer , You can say what you want, But dont you think also that there are several other nic-name of teams that could also be offensive to people, Such as the word Yankees, Browns, Angels, Toss in Atlanta Braves also, National could be offensive to some, Pirates also, When and where was it ever stated that the word Indians, or chief Wahoo was used to insult any culture or any one...They named Cleveland the Indians due to the fact of the History of the Indians living in the area, as in away to honor them, the history of cleveland. I think we have alot bigger concerns in this country then wasting time arguing, fighting over a nic-name of a pro-team. So Lebron wore a N.Y. Hat, Big Deal, Who hes playing for. Wheres his loyalty at. Every ones differant in who they like cheer for, Yes im a Indians fan, been one since 1953, And just because im a indian fan, doesnt mean i hate every other pro team or dont cheer for another pro baseball team also. Heres a great new Nic-Name for Cleveland, Laughing,,,How this the Cleveland Steinbrenners~~~Hes from Cleveland, We could use a Huge money bag as our new logo...Go with Green Uniforms with Dollar signs on them. (oh wait George Steinbrenner might be affended by that)~~but who cares he hates cleveland any way...laughing
  25. atthehop
    25. Posted by atthehop Wed May 20, 2009 6:40 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    go und fighting sioux...

Big League Stew

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

'Duk

Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]

Related Photo Gallery

Y! Sports Blogs

Big League Stew Recent Readers