MLB Shop removes hat with Chief Wahoo, Jackie Robinson Day patch following backlash
During Chief Wahoo's final season - after being officially discontinued following the 2018 campaign because it was deemed "no longer appropriate for on-field use" by commissioner Rob Manfred - Major League Baseball wants consumers to commemorate the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier by buying a Cleveland Indians hat with the controversial logo emblazoned on the front.
The hat appears to have been taken down from the MLB shop, though a jersey with Chief Wahoo's likeness on one shoulder and Robinson's patch on the other remains. No statements have been issued.
The juxtaposition of the insensitive logo embroidered in tandem with the "42" logo in Robinson's memory has caused quite a stir:
Nothing says Jackie Robinson Day like selling racism with the number 42 on it. Great job, MLB. pic.twitter.com/iWiDIV5QfL
— Nick Stellini (@StelliniTweets) April 15, 2018
With the recent decision by MLB and the Indians to chuck Wahoo, there isn't even a fig leaf of deniability anymore. The league has admitted Wahoo is a racist logo yet still slaps 42 on it. Underscores how misguided it was to let it go one more year. https://t.co/Oi5gAfEFFZ
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) April 15, 2018
The Cleveland MLB club is seriously selling #JackieRobinsonDay Wahoo hats. They doing it with a straight face or a Chief Wahoo sh t-eating grin?
— Morgan Campbell (@MorganPCampbell) April 15, 2018
This hat is the best argument against the Cleveland Indians logo I've ever seen. pic.twitter.com/sD2M9ieUW1
— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) April 15, 2018
Fantastic. Now we don't need to see you wear this despicably-racist caricature on your sleeves on a day the game celebrates its inclusiveness. Do the right thing, and make this go away. Forever. @mlb pic.twitter.com/fRRoRRIHEp
— Blue Jays Moves (@BlueJaysMoves) April 15, 2018