Browns fans can teach Indians fans about keeping teams in Cleveland

The Dolans want it to work, so make it work.

Although the situation is a bit worrisome, Paul Dolan has made it clear that his family intends to keep the team in Cleveland, though the name of the team will change.

Not everyone wants the name of the team to change, but if renaming the team is too traumatic, well, they might succeed in running the team out of the city. That’s not the right solution.

Keep the ball club in Cleveland. That’s the number one goal, not the nickname of the team. Just as long as it is not the Cleveland Modells, I’m sure the Dolans will come up with a great nickname.

"“As a fifth-generation Clevelander, I understand the historic impact and importance of this decision. Like many of you, I grew up with this name and have many great memories of past Indians teams: the World Series appearances, Cy Young winners, the longest win streak in MLB history, and countless other unforgettable moments that brought our team, fans, and community together. These memories will forever stay in our hearts, minds, and record books, and we will continue to recognize our ball club’s remarkable legacy. While I have often associated these unforgettable memories with the name Indians, I sincerely believe Cleveland is the most important part of our team name.” — Paul Dolan, in a letter to season ticket holders, December 14, 2020"

The Dolans have not expressed an interest in selling the team. However, observers cannot help noticing that this might be a good time to sell the franchise, with a new stadium deal and a new name for the team. In addition, is some justification for worrying that investors may be out there offering the Dolans huge amounts of money to sell out Greater Cleveland altogether.

Jeff Schudel wrote a brilliant analysis in the News-Herald explaining how the current situation is a favorable one for selling the team to outside investors. This should put the fear of God into all of us. As a minimum, recognize that the Dolans are likely to be using the situation as a means to obtain leverage to extract favorable terms for a new lease, in this writer’s opinion.

So, face it, it is probably appropriate to determine how to create reasonably favorable terms for a new lease, recognizing the leverage that the ball club has. It is, after all, hardball.

This fan was a bit rude, I confess, to a fellow fan in a Facebook forum who was lecturing me that “nothing can be done to prevent the Cleveland Indians from moving.” Frankly, however, I was not nearly rude enough. Please insert about a dozen choice expletives to express my heartfelt emotions to react to this thought.

Yes, we can do quite a bit to help Major League Baseball stay in Cleveland where it belongs.

One is that we can promise to support the team no matter what the name is. We can understand Mr. Dolan’s reasoning that the time is right. Many people do not find the name “Indians” offensive, but others do.

It’s his team and he would like to find a name that does not get people riled up. If we’re going to have protests if the name stays the same, and more protests if the name changes, then the team is going to move to Nashville before you know it. So let’s not abandon the team if the team abandons the nickname, or the team may abandon us. Like Mr. Dolan says, CLEVELAND is the most important part of the team name.

The Dolans want it to work, so make it work!  As long as the situation is murky, there are not going to be long-term free agent signings, and it is going to be tough to retain veterans, even if they love it here. An uncertain lease is bad for business, bad for the ball club, bad for the city, bad for ownership, and bad for the fans.

The most alarming thing about the entire process is nothing that the Dolans have said or done, but the lack of any reassuring words from the mayor’s office, nothing on the CIty of Cleveland website to make us feel that our government is working diligently to make sure that Major League Baseball stays at Progressive Field.

There is no option for the local government to do nothing and maintain the status quo.