Cleveland newspaper says it's time to get rid of Chief Wahoo

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's editorial board took a firm stand today in a piece suggesting that "it's time for a clean break" between the Cleveland Indians and the Chief Wahoo caricature.

The paper says the team should stop Wahoo-related promotions at the ballpark, remove the Chief Wahoo patches from sleeves and hats because it "represents a racially insensitive stereotype of Native Americans."

The bottom line is that having Wahoo on the roster won't provide the team with a right-handed power hitter, a shutdown closer or a third baseman who can hit. Wahoo contributes nothing to the performance of the Indians on the field, and makes the team seem hopelessly backward in the eyes of the world.

The paper also suggests the reason Chief Wahoo still exists is due to the city's sports teams' lack of success over the years, and that waiting for a championship should not be the launching pad of "decency and understanding within itself."

And, although it is the right thing to do, the Plain Dealer says it might be difficult for the fans to let go.

It implies that their affection for Wahoo was somehow impure. It taints their nostalgia. It creates a break from the past. For many, getting rid of Wahoo means giving into excessive political correctness.

The Plain Dealer would like to see the logo removed before the team starts  the regular season on March 31.

Ownership will ultimately make the final decision, but the team has been phasing Chief Wahoo out of their logo and other marketing materials for a few years now.