Intentions were honorable

I read a letter recently that was criticizing the use of Indian names as a team logo and nickname. The author picked on the Cleveland Indians baseball team in particular for its use of a smiling red man as its symbol.

According to Mark Charlton, author of a trivia book called “The Great American Bathroom Reader,” the final name came about after a variety of nicknames had been used.

“Lou Sockalexis, a Penobscot Indian from Maine, is credited with being the first Native American to play in the majors. He was educated at Notre Dame and Holy Cross, signed with the Cleveland team in 1897 and was instantly popular with the fans. Several years later, a Cleveland newspaper sponsored a contest to rename the team, and the Indians, in honor of Sockalexis, was the winner.”

At least in this instance, I want the record to show that even before the age of political correctness there was honor among men.

Joe Kramarz

Spokane