Still in Cleveland. But there is much excitement here about the Tribe's home opener against Detroit. Even though the weather sucks and they scheduled a Cavs game to start right when the ballgame is letting out. So in case you are reading this and have moved away from here. Rest assured the weather nor the city planning have changed much.
Every baseball season I think about the people who are up in arms about Chief Wahoo. Yes it is a pretty offensive Native American caricature. He has changed over the years to be less offensive. Back in the day he had yellow skin and a big nose. But he is part of my childhood. Should we change it as fast as we changed Jacobs Field to Progressive Field? That to me is offensive. I think if you had enough money you could name a field anything. "Welcome to Ben Wa Balls Stadium! Bottoms Up!"
I'm on the fence about what to do about stuff like this. A theatre professor of mine from Kent State University always wore a retro Wahoo jacket. He lived in it. He, I would vouch my life on, is not a racist. To him it is s symbol of his favorite ball team and home town. He is not looking to exploit a native people. Or how about the guy in Washington who has collected Redskins jerseys every year since 1932? Should he burn them? I say not as long as there are still Hooter shirts around. Google the Mad Men era sexists ads than ran. You will be amazed.
My opinion is to live and move on. We have evolved and we can let these symbols bug us and waste our time. Or we can learn from them. So leave Wahoo alone. Just resist the urge to make another one.