The Cleveland 50: The Indians Become the Guardians

The Dolan family, who had purchased the team formerly called the Cleveland Indians in 2000, announced that, after decades of protest by Native American groups, the team would use a new name: the Guardians. The name is a nod to the uniting power of the Guardians of Traffic statues that usher cars across the Hope Memorial Bridge from the East Side to the West. 

Read more: The History Behind Cleveland’s Guardians Of Traffic

Read more: Cleveland's Baseball Team Officially Changes Name to Cleveland Guardians

Read more: Why Cleveland's Guardians of Traffic and Its Baseball Team Are Forever Linked

Revisit more of Cleveland’s 50 most impactful moments over the past 50 years.