Spiders and frogs? 5 names Cleveland’s MLB team should consider

Cleveland’s Major League Baseball franchise confirmed Monday that it will drop the Indians moniker and adopt a new name.

Until the organization agrees on an appropriate appellation, the club will keep its 100-year-old nickname during the 2021 season, as opposed to using an interim name, such as The Cleveland Baseball Team.

There has been rampant speculation on what the organization should call itself, but it may be some time until the front office makes its final ruling.

Until then, let’s examine some of the most popular nickname choices among baseball fans and offer a few more ideas for Cleveland to consider.  

Cleveland Spiders

Cleveland’s MLB team allegedly found the inspiration for the Indians moniker from Louis Sockalexis, a Native American who played for the Cleveland Spiders.

That connection has led many to suggest Cleveland should rename its team after the former club based in the city from 1887 to 1899.

Inspired by the black and gray uniforms and a roster filled with long-limbed players, the Spiders name was born from a joke made by team executive Frank Brunell.

Legendary pitcher Cy Young played for the Spiders, as did Hall of Fame outfielder Jesse Burkett. The team also has the distinction of the worst single-season record in MLB history. In 1899, the Spiders went 20-134 (.130 win percentage).

Cleveland Rockers

This proposed nickname pays homage to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland museum opened in 1995.

It is also the nickname of a defunct WNBA team, which operated in Ohio from 1997-2003.

Should there be any issue with sharing the name, the MLB club could simply go by the Cleveland Rocks. The title would still hold significance to the city, as a song by the same name served as the opening to “The Drew Carey Show,” which was set in C-town.

Cleveland Sixers

Speaking of basketball nicknames, Cleveland could steal a note from Philadelphia and call itself the Sixers.

Back in the early 1900s, Cleveland earned the label as the “Sixth City,” as it was the sixth largest in the nation at the time.

Today, the city's population isn’t even ranked in the top 50, so it’s a bit of a stretch. But the sobriquet has been ingrained in Cleveland culture, as many stores and businesses incorporate “Sixth City” into their branding.

Just look to Sixth City Distribution, Sixth City Sailors Club, and Sixth City CPA.

Cleveland Dobys

Before they were the Indians, Cleveland obtained its team nickname, the Naps, from second baseman Nap Lajoie.

While the club could return to the old eponym, some fans have proposed the franchise look to another former player for inspiration.

The Cleveland Dobys is one such option and would honor outfielder Larry Doby, who became the first black player in the American League. The Hall of Famer and World Series champion competed with Cleveland from 1947-1955, and for one season in 1958.

The Fellers, for pitcher Bob Feller, has been tossed around, too.

For those who adored Cleveland’s all-time home run leader, Jim Thome, the Cleveland Thomes doesn’t quite have the same ring, but why not put it on the table?

And should the team go the route of the Cleveland Lindors, it might be able to lure a sponsorship deal with Lindt’s Lindor chocolates. It's a win-win — unless, of course, Cleveland trades away its star shortstop. 

Cleveland Bullfrogs

Just as Baltimore got its Orioles nickname from Maryland’s state bird, Cleveland could look to its state symbols for name ideas.  

Ohio’s bird, the cardinal, is already taken, but the state frog is up for grabs!

The bullfrog became an Ohio state symbol in 2010 and is known for its deep, resonating call that can be heard from a mile away. 

The name is definitely more intimidating than the Cleveland Red Carnations (Ohio’s state flower), the Cleveland Ladybugs (state insect), and the Cleveland White-Tailed Deer (state mammal).

MLB already has reptiles (Diamondbacks), fish (Marlins), birds (Blue Jays), and mammals (Tigers), but there is no amphibian to be found. Cleveland could set itself apart by adding a froggy nickname to the mix.