Cleveland MLB fans push for Guardians of the Galaxy character ‘Groot’ to be new mascot as team reveals updated name

CLEVELAND baseball fans are rooting for Guardians of the Galaxy character Groot to become its MLB team’s new mascot after its updated name was revealed on Friday. 

The baseball team announced that it will no longer be known as the controversial Cleveland Indians but will become the Cleveland Guardians instead. 

It immediately caught the attention of Marvel fans who have linked the name to the popular movies. 

They took to social media to demand that fan-favorite character Groot now play a role at the Cleveland Guardians. 

"If Groot isn’t our mascot I will be disappointed," Cleveland pitcher Josh Wolf tweeted.

“Mascot is a raccoon and extra innings games are decided by dance-offs,” another person said. 

One fan changed the words to the baseball anthem “Take me Out to the Ball Game.”

“So lets Groot, Groot, Groot for the home team, if they don’t win it’s a shame,” they wrote. 

In December 2020, the Cleveland team announced that it would change its name for the first time since 1915, after years of backlash and recent pressure from the MLB.

Over the last several months, the Indians met with fans and community leaders, resulting in a list of nearly 1,200 potential names.

NAMED AFTER LOCAL STATUES

It finally announced the final decision this week as others argued that the Spiders was a better option. 

The choice of Guardians was confusing to some but it references the “Guardians of Traffic,” large statues near the downtown Cleveland ballpark. 

The well-known Art Deco statues are located on the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge, which spans the Cuyahoga River and connects downtown Cleveland to the city’s trendy Ohio City neighborhood.

“Cleveland has and always will be the most important part of our identity. Therefore, we wanted a name that strongly represents the pride, resiliency, and loyalty of Clevelanders,” team owner Paul Dolan said in a statement. 

“Guardians’ reflects those attributes that define us while drawing on the iconic Guardians of Traffic just outside the ballpark on the Hope Memorial Bridge. 

“It brings to life the pride Clevelanders take in our city, and the way we fight together for all who choose to be part of the Cleveland baseball family,” he added. 

“While ‘Indians’ will always be a part of our history, our new name will help unify our fans and city as we are all Cleveland Guardians.”

NEW NAME AFTER 2021 SEASON

The video announcing the name change did not say when it goes into effect, as the 2020-2021 MLB season is currently in play.

However, the MLB said that the new name would go into effect after the 2021 season.

The MLB's official Twitter page wrote: "Introducing the Cleveland Guardians! The name will go into effect after the 2021 season."

It follows a wave of sports teams changing names after the spike in Black Lives Matter protests and calls for racial justice last summer 

Last year, the NFL's Washington team dropped their former name, decried as demeaning to Native Americans.

The Washington Redskins officially changed their name to the Washington Football Team.

The franchise adopted the Washington Football Team temporarily, playing last season under that name.

It will continue to be known as the Washington Football Team for the upcoming 2021 campaign.

On July 10, NBC Sports reported that a new name and logo would be announced in early 2022.