The first time I wrote about this obviously offensive logo was in 1998 – and no, I can’t find it dammit! Regardless, it was a hot button issue back then and twenty years later, the Chief Wahoo logo is finally being removed from the Cleveland Indians’ uniform next year.

Not this year. Next year. Why a whole year? Because the Indians organization are looking forward to being talked about for a full year debating this undebatable issue. Used in various expressions by the team since 1947, Chief Wahoo is being retired to be replaced with a logo yet to be revealed.

“Major League Baseball is committed to building a culture of diversity and inclusion throughout the game,” MLB Commissioner Manfred said in a statement. “Over the past year, we encouraged dialogue with the Indians organization about the club’s use of the Chief Wahoo logo. During our constructive conversations, Paul Dolan made clear that there are fans who have a longstanding attachment to the logo and its place in the history of the team.

“Nonetheless, the club ultimately agreed with my position that the logo is no longer appropriate for on-field use in Major League Baseball, and I appreciate Mr. Dolan’s acknowledgement that removing it from the on-field uniform by the start of the 2019 season is the right course.”

Under continuing pressure, the club has been transitioning away from the logo in recent years. The Indians introduced a block “C” insignia on some of their caps and have removed signs with the Wahoo logo in and around Progressive Field, the team’s downtown ballpark.

National criticism and scrutiny about the Indians’ allegiance to Chief Wahoo grew in 2016, when the Indians made the World Series and Manfred expressed his desire to have the team eradicate the symbol. Earlier in that post-season, a lawsuit was filed while the club was playing in Toronto to have the logo and team name banned from appearing on Canadian TV. That court case was dismissed by a judge.

The Indians’ bid to host the 2019 All-Star Game, which it was ultimately awarded, further heightened debate over Wahoo.

“We have consistently maintained that we are cognizant and sensitive to both sides of the discussion,” Dolan said. “While we recognize many of our fans have a long-standing attachment to Chief Wahoo, I’m ultimately in agreement with Commissioner Manfred’s desire to remove the logo from our uniforms in 2019.”

Every year, groups of Native Americans and their supporters have protested outside the stadium before the home opener in hopes of not only getting the team to abolish Chief Wahoo but to change the Indians’ nickname, which they feel is an offensive depiction of their race.

Those dissenting voices have been met with fans devoted to preserving Chief Wahoo’s place in team history. Their outrage is pictured below: