Chief Wahoo (1947-2018) Officially Passed Away Yesterday
A contentious logo for some, and a beloved symbol by others, Major League Baseball and the Cleveland Indians decided that 2018 would be the last year for Chief Wahoo. With the Astros 11-3 drubbing of the Indians yesterday to complete a 3-0 series sweep in the ALDS, Chief Wahoo officially passed away, on Indigenous Peoples Day. What an ironic ending.
Depending on who you ask, Chief Wahoo either originated in 1932 or 1947. The Cleveland Indians name dates back to 1915, when the Cleveland Naps were forced to change their name due to their star player, Nap Lajoie, leaving. The new nickname decision was left up to the baseball writers, and Indians won out. In 1932, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland’s newspaper, ran strips called “The Little Indian” based on the result’s of the previous day’s game. The logo of the Indians changed multiple times of the next few years.
In 1947, Chief Wahoo officially appeared for the first time. Indians owner Bill Veeck hired a 17-year-old artist named Walter Goldbach to design a logo. Goldbach designed this Indian face, which began being referred to as Chief Wahoo in 1950.
In 1951, the logo got redesigned to more of what we are accustomed to seeing today.
In 1973, a full-body version of the Chief made it’s way onto jerseys, lasting until 1979.
In 1980, aside from simple changes like outline colors, Chief Wahoo became exactly what we see him as today.
And now, with the departure of the Chief, the Indians have turned to a Block C as their official, primary logo.
The Chief has been there through both the ups and downs of the franchise, establishing himself as a part of the long line of Cleveland sports history. In just his 2nd year as the logo, the Indians won their 2nd ever, and last, World Series title, defeating the Boston Braves in 6 games.
From 1960 to 1993, the Chief watched the Indians 33 year slump, where they didn’t finish better than 3rd (1968) or 4th (six times) for those three and half decades. Some blame this on the curse of Rocky Colavito, the 1959 AL home run champion that we sent to Detroit for the current AL batting champion, Harvey Kuenn. Colavito went on to make 3 all-star teams and hit 30 home runs four times, and Keunn played only one season in Cleveland.
The Chief was there in 1994, when Jacobs Field opened in Cleveland.
He was there in 1995, as the Indians clinched their 1st AL pennant since 1954.
The Chief was around in 1997, as Cleveland’s heart broke in a 9th inning collapse in the World Series vs. the Florida Marlins.
From there, the Indians rebuilt until their return to the biggest stage in 2016. In that year, the Indians blew a 3-1 series lead to the Cubs. The loss hurt, but it also included my favorite moment in Indians history, Rajai Davis’ game tying home run in Game 7 off Aroldis Chapman.
Chief was also along for the ride in 2017, when the Indians rattled off 22 straight wins, the longest run in American league history.
And finally, Chief was here this year. He sat through the Astros complete and utter beatdown of the Tribe, sending him off into the sunset. Alex Bregman is listed as the official cause of death.
Whatever side of the fence you are on about his exit, there is no denying that Chief Wahoo was an important part of Cleveland baseball history. Farewell, Chief. I just wish we could have given you a better goodbye.
