If only to make fans and viewers squirm as they acknowledge the lingering question: Why is it that the Guardians changed their name with such ease, yet the Braves cling to their decidedly insensitive nickname and downright offensive chant?
Cleveland shifted from its Native American name and imagery after the 2021 season and contrary to some sentiment, the sky did not fall nor the river ignite in Cuyahoga County. The Guardians won the AL Central in 2022, swept the Rays in the wild-card series and won the division in four of their first five seasons.
Nor did ditching Chief Wahoo for good harm the #brand in any fashion: In 2024, the Guardians drew 2.06 million, 1 million more than their 2016 World Series season and about 10,000 more than their 2017 season, when gains from pennant-winning years are truly felt.
This year, they cracked the two million mark for the third consecutive year, which they hadn’t done since the glory days of Jacobs Field produced eight straight seasons of 2 to 3 million fans from 1995-2002.
Atlanta? They ignored the opportunity for a fresh start that a move to the suburbs and SunTrust/Truist Park offered. Instead, the Braves more or less doubled down on their outdated motif, dubbing a restaurant in right field the “Chop House,” in case anyone forgot.
7. New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies
A rematch of a pretty great 2009 World Series that saw Alex Rodriguez win his only championship, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera their last, and the Phillies mini-dynasty fall just short of a repeat.
Best part about it, though? Amtrak.
It’s just a hop and a jump from Manhattan’s Penn Station to 30th Street in Philly, an 88-minute jaunt — quicker if you take the Acela. Lock your price in now: The cheapest round-trip fares are $40. Forty bucks! With fuel prices these days, you probably couldn’t get from Paramus to Drexel Hill, say, so cheaply.