Sometimes the stories that are shared via Right Down Euclid have more to them after the fact. Every now and then, we'll update you the reader on what's the latest happenings on certain events in a Right Down Euclid Refresh. Today, we'll be updating everyone on the latest between the Cleveland Guardians and the Cleveland Guardians as well as the championship-winning Cleveland Crusaders.
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There are now two Cleveland Guardian clubs on the shores of Lake Erie
In late October, the Cleveland Guardians flat-track roller derby team, who has operated under the nickname for years and has also maintained a social media presence and also owns the Cleveland Guardians website, today filed a federal lawsuit in the Ohio Northern District Court seeking an injunction against the Cleveland Guardians Major League Baseball team, alleging the professional organization violated the rights of their squad with the team's name change.
"A Major League club cannot simply take a smaller team's name and use it for itself," the lawsuit said. "There cannot be two 'Cleveland Guardians' teams in Cleveland, and, to be blunt, Plaintiff was here first."
Today, the Cleveland Baseball Team has resolved a lawsuit filed by a local roller derby team over rights to the name Guardians, the final hurdle for the Major League Baseball team to continue its changeover. This news broke one day after the Baseball Team put a halt to all local retailers beginning the sale of merchandise featuring the new moniker.
The sides jointly announced an "amicable resolution", saying both organizations will continue to use Guardians. No other terms of the agreement were disclosed.
It should be noted that earlier this month, the baseball team began removing signage in and around Progressive Field, which is long overdue. But, it also signals that the team was going to move forward with the new nickname no matter what.
The legal kerfuffle had delayed the baseball club's transition to Guardians, which will soon become official. The American League franchise has been known as the Indians since 1915 and has featured numerous racist caricatures of indigenous persons throughout their history. Soon after the civil rights movement that began in response to George Floyd being brutally murdered, the baseball team decided that it was finally time to drop the racist nickname – despite many indigenous persons protesting the name before then.
The club next season will be called the Guardians, a name chosen after a year-long process that is inspired by the Guardians of Traffic on the Hope Memorial Bridge near Progressive Field. The Cleveland Baseball Team was hoping to have Guardians merchandise available to fans this month with the holidays approaching. Now it appears they'll get their wish as the fans who said they would never buy team apparel again after the name change can restock their entire wardrobe with new red, white and blue Guardians gear.
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The Cleveland Crusaders Rugby Club wins the Midwest Championship, will play for the national title in the spring
On a more positive note, the Cleveland Crusaders Rugby Club defeated the Green Bay Celtics 52-19 in Chicago to win the 2021 Midwest Championship. The Crusaders will now have an opportunity to compete for the national championship in the spring, something the club has yet to accomplish.
Established in 2015, this premier amateur rugby club finished with an overall regular season record of 7-1 heading into the playoffs. In the first round, the Crusaders vanquished the Chicago Blaze, their lone defeat of the regular season, to the tune of 41-22. All momentum was in Cleveland's favor as they headed to Chicago to take on the Celtics.
This Midwest Championship is the second in the club's nearly half-decade of history. Now, the team will look to secure their first National Championship, with the furthest they've gone being the quarterfinals. After an impressive season following the wake of the pandemic, the Crusaders are a team everyone in Cleveland should get behind.
The team encourages fans or those curious to come to watch them play on game day. For more information, visit their website and also follow them on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. The team is also always looking for sponsors who want to align themselves with a brand that represents Cleveland with great pride as well. The Club's sole purpose is to be the driving force of the Northeast Ohio rugby community. Now, more than ever, the Crusaders need the support and backing of every Cleveland fan possible.
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