I applaud Cleveland manager Terry Francona

[Ohiogal]

His comments in the Plain Dealer today on changing the name of the Cleveland Indians. (Note that Francona has ties to the city of Cleveland that go way back to when his Dad played there).

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In the past, whether he was being asked about the Indians name or the recently retired Chief Wahoo logo, Francona would demur with a response that never quite satisfied those seeking a change.

“I would usually answer and say I know that we’re never trying to be disrespectful,” Francona told reporters Sunday during a Zoom call from Progressive Field. “And I still feel that way. But I don’t think that’s a good enough answer today.”

Francona now recognizes that simply kicking the can down the road on the team’s name controversy will no longer suffice.

“I think it’s time to move forward,” Francona said.

The death of George Floyd, in which four Minnesota police officers have been arrested and charged with murder, has prompted a nationwide movement to eliminate symbols of racism and intolerance. The 61-year-old Tribe manager said even at his age, he wants to remain open to expanding his world view.

“You don’t want to be too old to learn or to realize that, maybe I’ve been ignorant of some things, and to be ashamed of it, and to try to be better,” Francona said.

https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2020/07/terry-francona-on-cleveland-indians-name-controversy-its-time-to-move-forward.html