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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

134/ In 2006, the team commissioned a plaque in honor of Sockalexis to hang in the Heritage Park section of Jacobs/Progressive Field, proclaiming that the team name had been "inspired by" Sockalexis.

Plaque in Monument Garden at Progressive Field (Cleveland, Ohio) Contains a bas relief portrait of Louis Sockalexis

Louis Francis Sockalexis
1897-1899

A Penobscot Indian from Old Town, Maine. Louis Sockalexis caused a nationwide sensation playing baseball in Cleveland in the Spring of 1897 as the first American Indian to play professional baseball. Sockalexis was considered one of the top collegiate baseball players of his day, earning Hall of Fame honors at Holy Cross. "Sock" was known for his powerful bat, swiftness on the base paths and his legendary long, accurate throws from the outfield. The Cleveland Indians organization is proud to acknowledge Louis Francis Sockalexis, a Native American who has left his mark on Amerca's National Pastime and inspired the nickname used to this very day.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

133/ The team has been backing off the story since 2000. (Plain Dealer 4/24/2000)

Item from Cleveland Plain Dealer (4/24/2000)

Indians revise history of their name

After 32 years, the Indians are no longer saying that the team was named in 1915 in a newspaper contest in which Cleveland fans voted.

In its 2000 media guide, the club states that the Cleveland sportswriters named the team after being asked to do so by owner Charles Somers. The team had been named the Naps in honor of Napoleon Lajoie until he was traded after the 1914 season.

The guide still contends that the writers named the team the Indians with Louis Sockalexis in mind, but back off slightly from the story that the team was named "in honor" of Sockalexis. The word "honor" has been eliminated in two of the the guide's new discussions of Sockalexis.

-- Bob Dolgan

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

126/ In 1978, the Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners proclaimed "Louis Sockalexis Day" going so far as to write to the Penobscot Nation asking them to develop "another Sockalexis." (Plain Dealer, 5/19/1978)

Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (5/19/1978) detailing Louis Sockalexis Day. Headline is "County to hail father of Tribe."

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

125/ By 1975, the Plain Dealer itself was debunking the story. (PD, 10/26/1975)

Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (10/26/1975):

When did the Cleveland Indians acquire that name? - W.D.T., Lakewood

Jan. 16, 1915. This was 10 days after the club owner, Charles Somers, traded Napoleon Lajoie to Philadelphia. The team's nickname, Naps, no longer fit so Somers asked the sports editors of Cleveland newspapers to suggest a new one and from the list Somers selected Indians. No mention at the time was made about honoring an 1897-1898 player for the nine, a Penobscot Indian, Louis F. Sockalexis, so that oft-repeated reason appears unfounded. The Jan 17, 1915, PD said a Cleveland professional team had been called Indians briefly "many years before." An afternoon paper had called for readers' suggestions; among issues we were able to research, "Indians" wasn't mentioned, but "Some Hams" was -- from the first four letters of Somers' name and the last three letters of the name of manager Joe Birmingham.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

124/ The first time the team publicly claimed Sockalexis as a namesake came in January 1972. It was a response to a lawsuit by a Native American group saying that the name and Chief Wahoo mascot were denigrating to Native Americans. (Plain Dealer 1/19/1972)

Excerpt from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/19/1972)

The Suit claims the use of the Chief Wahoo caricature induces a mocking scornful attitude o the part of the community towards the American Indians.

A spokesman for the baseball team said the name Cleveland Indians was adopted in 1915 in honor of Luis Francis Sockalexis, the first Indian to play for the ball club. He declined to comment on the suit.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

121/ The first evidence I found of the Sockalexis myth is from 1931 in the Plain Dealer. It bends the truth significantly. It took 16 years before anyone tried to make the connection. (PD, 1/1/1931)

Item from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/1/1931)

The current issue of the Holy Cross Alumnus contains a sentimental little story about Louis Sockalexis, a product of that institution back in the '90s, who might have been the greatest ball player in the world had his personal habits been on the same high plane as his ability.

Sox, as he was known was the first of the great Indian players. He was a member of Pat Tebeau's Cleveland Spiders in the old National League and, says the Holy Cross Alumnus, so great was his popularity that the team's name was changed to Indians and has remained Indians ever since.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

116/ In the combined archives of the Cleveland Press and the Plain Dealer over the next ten years, Sockalexis's name appeared three times, all in passing. This is odd given that in March 1915, a syndicated feature about Sockalexis was printed of dozens of U.S. newspapers. But not in Cleveland.

Syndicated feature from San Francisco Call Bulletin (3/9/1915)

Headline: Remember Sockalexis

Firewater Fixed Him

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

111/ And then there is the one mention of Sockalexis in this whole process. On January 18th, the Plain Dealer printed this article, which explicitly calls out Sockalexis. In the third paragraph, it brings up Patsy Tebeau.

Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/18/1915)

Many years ago there was an Indian named Sockalexis who was the star player of the Cleveland baseball club. As batter, fielder and base runner he was a marvel. Sockaleixs so far outshone hsi teammates that he naturally came to be regarded as the whole team. The "fans" throughout the country began to call the Clevalanders the "Indians" It was an honorable name and while it stuck the team made an excellent record.

It has now been decided to revive this name. The Clevealands of 1915 will be the "Indians." There will be no real red Indians on the roster but the name recall fine traditions. It is looking backward to a time when Cleveland had one of the most popular teams of the United States. It also serves to revive the memory of a single great player who has been gathered to his fathers in the happy hunting grounds of the Abreakis.

Even before the time of Sockalexis there was another great era of Cleveland baseball history. Patsy Tebeay, the Mugsy McGraw of his day, got together an aggregation of mediocre players, and by the sheet forcefulness of his personality made them a winning team. Never was there a baseball organization which fought so hard or so unscrupulously. There was nothing ladylike or Chesterfieldian in the Tebeau methods. But his team was liked, nevertheless for it won, and that is the main requirement in baseball. Tebeau called his team the "Spiders" and now it has been decided to revive the name and apply it to Cleveland's American Association team.

Rechristened "Indians" and "Spiders" Cleveland's two teams will have high traditions to live up to this season. Every baseball enthusiast of the Sixth City will hope that they may prove worthy of their namesakes.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

107/ If Rostock was trying to send Birmingham a message with the new temporary team name, it sort of worked. On April 21, the Plain Dealer published an article talking about the change in Birmingham, including a cartoon drawing of his "fighting face."

Article and cartoon from Cleveland Plain Dealer (4/21/1915)

The cartoon shows Brimingham's "Fighting Face" along with scenes of him feeding players "Ginger" and yelling from the dugout.

The accompanying article ends with "Yes, it's a wonderfully different manager Cleveland fans will be hold in Joe Birmingham than the chap they watched last year."

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

105/ "Fighters" doesn't sound like Birmingham's style. On January 31, the Plain Dealer printed a column written by Birmingham previewing the forthcoming season. He is politely effusive, apologizing for team's poor 1914, and then praises the players for not taking the game as just a "day's work."

Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/31/1915) written by Joe Birmingham, manager of the 1915 Cleveland Indians, prior to the season.

Birmingham begins with apologies for the poor showing of the team in 1914.

He then continues: "Now, so far as 1915 is concerned, I am well acquainted with all but three of the players who will make up our training squad of twenty-seven men at San Antonio. In the twenty-four men with whom I am acquainted, I know that I have a bunch of players who like to play baseball. There will not be a man on the squad who will go on the ball field with the spirit that it is merely the day's work. Every one of them will be out there because he enjoys being there and whenever you find that kind of a player you will find a winning player -- no matter what his individual averages may show.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

103/ The reference to Manager Joe Birmingham promising a "fighting" team, seems to come from an item in the Cleveland Press (1/7/1915), written by Sporting Editor Frank Rostock. This appeared on the very same page as the call for team name suggestion. Rostock was part of the naming committee.

Article from Cleveland Press (1/7/1915)

It's Up To Birmy!

By Frank W. Rostock
Sporting Editor of The Press

Vern Gregg is gone.
So is Ole Olson --
Also Larry.
Doc Johnston will be disposed of before another month has passed.

The disposal of these players, with whom manager Birmingham was unable to work in harmony is putting it squarely up to Birmy to deliver the goods next season -- and is putting it up to Joseph with a vengeance.

He wither will have to "show" next season or tread the same trail taken by Gregg, Olson, aand Larry, and which Doc Johnston is about to follow.

Birmingham will have only one alibi next season -- a gream team. Men pointed out by manager Joe as trouble-makers will not be on hand to bother him. He will have free rein with none to dispute his word.

A reliable informant told me the team did not hold team meetings to discuss plays and plan campaigns because of the ill-feeling several players bore toward the club manager.

It will now be up to Birmy to take his youngsters in hand, advise them and and convert them into a peppery, fighting ball club.

Cleveland will not expect him to finish first or second and perhaps not third, but every fan will expect to see a fighting ball club when he planks down his hard-earned coin in exchange for a ticket.

It's up to Birmy now. Let's see if the team will be any better off with Olson, Gregg, Larry, and Johnston gone.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

102/ But in Boston, they saw something different. The name was a tribute to the earlier days of the team when they were fighters, and that Cleveland manager Joe Birmingham was promising fans a "fighting" team. (Boston Globe, 1/18/1915)

Item from Boston Globe (1/17/1915)

The Naps Are Dead; Call Them Indians Hereafter

Cleveland, Jan 16 -- "The Naps are dead! Long live the Indians!" The Cleveland American League baseball club will in future be known as the "Indians." The team was given its new nickname by a committee of local sporting writers at a meeting this afternoon.

The name is a good one, in that it recalls the old fighting days ofthe early American League period, when the Cleveland players of those days were often referred to as the "Indians" in other cities of the circuit. And that's just what Manager Birmingham has promised the fans the forthcoming season -- a "fighting" team.

The old nickname "Naps" became obsolete when Napoleon Lajoie was sold to the Philadelphia Athletics.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

101/ At the end of February (2/28/1915), the Plain Dealer ran a small item seeming to confirm the theory.

Item from Cleveland Plain Dealer (2/28/1915)

Indians to Follow Example of Braves

Following the example of the Boston Braves, the management of the Cleveland Indians intends to have an Indian head on the left sleeve of each of the suits of the Cleveland American league club players. In this way, the officials hope to keep the Indians reminded of what the Braves did last year, jumping from last place to first.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

100/ In the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (1/18/1915) we see this commentary:

Item from St. Louis Post-Dispatch (1/18/1915)

Speaking about waking up, the Cleveland Naps have changed their name to the "Indians." Looks like Mr. Somers is after the scalp of the Braves.

Well, the Braves jumped fromt he cellear to the world's championship in one year and there are only about 25 or 30 reasons why the Cleveland Indians can't do the same thing.

However, we wish Mr. Somers the best of luck with his Indians. Winning clubs have ever borne formidable labels as witness the case of the Giants, Pirates, Tigers, and Elephants.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

97/ To give some idea of where we were as a culture in 1915 on the subject of Native Americans, this item from the Tennessean (1/18/1915) ought to clear things up.

Item from the Tennessean (1/18/1915)

Why did they name the Cleveland Americans the "Indians?" - S.O.T

Isn't there a saying to the effect that there's no such thing as a good Indian?"

(item continues to discuss franchise owner Charles Somers debt problems and the reduction in the team's scouting staff)

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

96/ National news coverage of the name change was fairly straightforward. Again, with no mention of Sockalexis. A version of this news item was found in a variety of papers. (Washington Post, 1/17/1915)

Item from Washington Post (1/17/1915)

Cleveland Players "Indians;" "Naps" Thrown Into Discard

Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 16 -- The Cleveland American League baseball team will hereafter be known as the "Indians," it was decided this afternoon at a meeting of club officials and baseball writers.

The name "Naps" became obsolete when Napoleon Lajoie went to the Philadelphia Americans.

It was also decided at a meeting to agree on "Spiders" as a name for the Cleveland American Association team.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

95/ The Cleveland Press didn't publish on January 17th (a Sunday), but had a small, easily missed comment on the 18th about the name change. Again, no mention of Sockalexis.

Item from Cleveland Press (1/18/1915)

Now that the Naps have been renicknamed the Indians, we hope they will become very Indian-like and wake up.

A series of real indian war dances is what the Cleveland fans want next season. Let's hope the team will be equal to the task, even if not equal to winning a pennant.

The Spiders are to remain the Spiders and with spidery Jack Knight at their head, out to show better than they did last season.

The Cleveland ball club was anxious to get a nickname that couldn't be converted into a joke. Indians delighted Vice President Barnard.

"They won't be able to poke fun at the Indians." said Barnsey

Oh no, but wait until they begin to lost and see how soon the fans will dub them the squaws.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

93/ The text report in the Plain Dealer was remarkably short and the last third of it dealt with (re?)re-naming the American Association team to Spiders. Sockalexis is not mentioned.

Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/17/1915).

Baseball Writers Select "Indians" As the Best Name to Apply to the Former Naps

With the going of Nap Lajoie to the Athletics, a new name had to be selected for the Cleveland American League club. President Somers invited that Cleveland baseball writers to make the selection. The title of Indians was their choice, it having been one of the names applied to the old National league club of Cleveland many years ago.

The nickname, however, is but temporarily bestowed, as the club may so conduct itself during the present season as to earn some other cognomen which may be more appropriate. The choice of a name that would be significant just now was rather difficult with the club itself anchored in last place.

While picking a name for the Cleveland Al team, the committee also agreed that the Cleveland AA team owned too many names, and that while they were at it, it might be well to agree on just one name for the erstwhile Bearcats. Consequently, the other old nicknames of the Cleveland National leaguers was adopted and henceforth all the local papers will call the AA club the Spiders.

So there you are -- Indians and Spiders

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

92/ The Plain Dealer coverage of the name change included... this. Once again, the amount of casual racism this indulges in -- and in the city's paper of record -- is appalling. This was not meant as an honor to anyone.

Editorial cartoon from Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1/17/1915

The cartoon was attached to coverage of the name change to Cleveland Indians

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

91/ The meeting might have been short. Somers was busy the next day with the legal case concerning the upstart Federal League. He had other things to tend to. In fact, in the Plain Dealer reported the name change on January 17, and the legal case got the banner headline on the sports section.

Picture of Cleveland Plain Dealer sports section, 1/17/1915

Banner headline reads: Organized Baseball Fires Broadside at the Federal League.

The name change to Cleveland Indians is reported below.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

90/ On January 15th, the Plain Dealer ran this notice. The writers were already talking about a merely temporary name. It seems that no grand gesture to honor anyone or anything was afoot.

Item from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/15/1915)

Baseball Writers to Rename Naps Today

President C. W. Somers has called a meeting of the baseball writers of Cleveland for 2:30 pm today for the purpose of selecting a new name for the Cleveland American League Club as obviously the title of Naps cannot be carried by it any longer.

It is quite possible that merely a temporary name be selected and that the club itself be forced to go out and make its own nickname.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

81/ Two days later, the Press published some of the suggestions they received. Notably missing among them was "Indians." Someone suggested "Some Hams." There is an oft-repeated story that the name was chosen because of this contest. This is not likely. (Cleveland Press, 1/9/1915)

Article from Cleveland Press (1/9/1915)

Fans Offer 'Scraps' As Team Name

Fans who have been rooting and expect to continue to root for the Cleveland ball club are sending in scores of suggestions for a new club nickname. Many of the fans take a wallop at the team because of the poor showing it made last season, but most of them are willing to forgive and forget.

One fan suggests the use of the first four letters of President Somes' name and the last four of Brmingham's -- Some Hams. Another suggests Wokeups or Wide-awakes.

"Call 'em the Scraps," writes one. "That's all that's left of 'em."

J.W. Nooks of 2280 E. 76th St wants the team called the Red Stockings and contracted to the Cleveland Reds.

E. H. Kramer says that because the Naps were napping most of last season they should be called the Sleepers in the future, for without Larry they surely will do a lot of sleeping.

Here are other nicknames suggested: Tip Tops, Original, Tumblers, Panthers, Leaders, Bruins, Vikings, Buckeyes, Liberal League, Settlers, Lakedgers, Vols, Generals.

A new nickname for the team will be selected next week. President Somers has appointed the sporting editor of The Press a member of a committee of sporting writers to pick the name. Suggestions made by fans will be submitted to the committee.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

80/ The Cleveland Press put out a call for names and noted that the sports editor of the paper was on the naming committee. (Keep that in mind.) (Cleveland Press, 1/7/1915)

Item from Cleveland Press (1/7/1915)

Fans Will Help Select New Nickname for Naps

When the Naps take the field in the first game of the coming season, they'll no longer be the Naps.

Now that Napoleon Lajoie, after whom the club was named, has been sold to the Athletics, the team is to have a new nickname.

President C. W. Somers of the Naps has appointed the sporting editor of The Press as a member of a committee of sport writers to select a new nickname for the team.

The sporting editor wants the fans to help name the team. If you have in mind what you think a suitable nickname for the club Mr. Fan or Miss Faness, send it to the nickname editor of The Press.

Nicknames suggested will be submitted to the committee.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

79/ By 1915, the team technically had a name (Molly McGuires) though McGuire was no longer the manager. One obvious option was to go back to Spiders, but it had been (sorta?) taken by the city's American Association team. We will see in a moment that this was disputed. (Cleveland Press, 2/21/1914)

Article from the Cleveland Press (2/21/1914)

Spiders is the New Nickname Selected By Fans as Lucky Monaker for Our American Association Team

The Spiders!

That's the new nickname of the team that is to represent Cleveland in the American Association this season, and which last year was called the Mud Hens while playing in Toledo.

It was selected out of scores of suggestions made by hundreds of double-dyed baseball fans by a committee consisting of Fred C. Caley, secretary of the Cleveland Automobile club; M. J. McGinty, city sport director, and Louie Franz, Cleveland's leading bowler. All are fans of the deepest dye.

Fans whose memories run back to the baseball days of some 12 and 15 years ago will recall that the Spiders was the monaker applied to the scrappy bunch of ball players headed by Patsy Tebeau and Jesse Burkett.

"The the new team shows as much fighting ability, baseball quality, hustle, pep and ginger as the old Spiders, it certainly ought to b a winner," declared all three of the judges.

Picking a nickname from a list of names such as was turned in by the fans wasn't a snap. The judges first of all eliminated all but these four: Spiders, Plovers, Kid-Naps and Invaders. The vote was unanimous for Spiders. It was the idea of half of a dozen fans, who still recall the old days.

"Of course they wouldn't stand for some of the stuff that was pulled by the old Spiders," said McGinty, "but still it's a mighty fine name. I remember in a game that the old Spiders played here with Louisville, a chap by the name of Dexter, playing with the visitors, and who was on first base, cut straight across through the pitcher's box for third base, when one of his team knocked an easy grounder.

"The umpire didn't see what happened. Such a howl went up from old Patsy Tebeau and Jesse Burkett! Then while the ump's back was turned, Burkett deliberately shoved Dexter 10 feet off third base and tagged him, while another Spider was hastily yanking the umpire around...

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

78/ There were 10(!) days between Lajoie's departure and the choice of the new name. Somers turned to the local baseball writers of the city, looking for "a name that will be short, expressive and appropriate." (Plain Dealer, 1/6/1915)

Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/6/1915).

Must Select New Name for Naps Now Larry's Out

Charley Somers Proposes Conference of Baseball Writers for Purpose.

Lajoie to Bat Fourth or Fifth for Athletics

Connie Mack Says Cleveland Has Best Training Camp in Land.

A new name must be selected for the Cleveland American league baseball club now, as with the going of Nap Lajoie, the name of Naps is a misnomer.

Tis fact was one of the first things that Charley Somers thought of after disposing of his star player to Philadelphia and he has announced that he intends calling a conference of the baseball writers of Cleveland to select a new name for the team, a name that will be short, expressive, and appropriate. Probably he will do this during the present week.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

76/ The team also had the lowest payroll in baseball. (Knoxville Sentinel, 2/4/1915)

Item from Knoxville Sentinel (2/4/1915)

More Than $1,000,00 Big League Salaries

Yankees Will Pull Down $60,000, Brooklyn WIll Pay Over $90,000

The Cleveland Indians, Formerly Naps, Lowest of All Major Clubs

New York, Feb. 4. -- The salary list of the Giants this year will exceed $100,000. There isn't a regular on the team who will draw less than $3,000, while half a dozen will receive more than $6,000.

Even the Yankees will taken down $60,000 before the end of the coming season. The Dodgers' pay roll will amount to $90,000. The Phillies and Athletics will draw $60,000.

The Red Sox have tied up President Lannin to the extent of $100,000 while the champion Braves are not far below their figures. In Chicago, the White Sox will try to earn $80,000 and the Cubs $70,000. The Pirates will collect $65,000, the Cincinnati Reds, $60,000; the Browns, $70,000; the Cardinals, $55,000; the Detroit Tigers, $70,000; the Washingtons, $70,000; and the Cleveland Indians, $50,000.

This means that the players in the town major leagues will cut up more than $1,000,000 in salaries.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

75/ The Naps would only carry two scouts in 1915, down from six the year before, in attempt to save money. (Plain Dealer, 1/14/1915)

Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1/14/1915

Somers Will Get Along With Only Two Scouts in '15

Policy of Economy Forces the Release of Four Others

Doyle and Frank are Pair to be Retained

Kentucky Collegian to Accompany Team on Training Trip.

By Henry P. Edwards

The system of retrenchment to be pursued in the management of C. W. Simers' affairs includes the release of the majority of the baseball scouts which were employed to dig up players for the Naps and Bearcats last summer. Six such agents were employed during the 1914 season but only two will be retained for the approaching campaign. The two to stick are Billy Doyle, discoverer of Pitchers Jones, Dillinger, Tedrow, and Carter of the Nap-Bearcats, and Baumgardners and Weilmean of the Browns, and Charley Frank, former manager of the New Orleans club.

Those who have been released from Cleveland service are Charley Hickman, Billy Reidy, McAllister and Bade Myers. Hickman trusts to become an umpire, McAllister may be appointed manager of the Columbus A. A. club, while Meyers probably will catch on as a manager in the minor leagues. Reidy, in addition to doing some scouting, also assisted in coaching the young pitchers, but with the appointment of Lee Fohl to such a post it was thought unnecessary to continue to employ Reidy.

By cutting down the list of scouts Cleveland will depend largely upon the advice of managers affiliated with the Naps in regard to promising young players. For instance, Walter McCredie of Portland will keep the Sixth City club posted on players in the Coast league, Johnny Dobbs of New Orleans will render the verdict on Southern leaguers, and the Bearcat manager will act in a similar capacity in judging of the ability of players in the A. A. This will give Somers expert opinions in three of the four larger minor leagues and leave his two scouts free to chase around the bushes for talent.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

74/ "Molly McGuires" never really caught on, but the issue of the team name came to a head on January 5th, 1915 when Lajoie's contract was remitted to Philadelphia. In retrospect, it was offloading an expensive, declining veteran to save money. And Somers had cash trouble (Plain Dealer 1/1/1915)

Headlines from Cleveland Plain Dealer (1/1/1915)

Somers Creditor Agree to Extend

Majority of Holders of Coal Man's Notes to Wait Year for Payment

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

70/ During Spring Training of 1910, the team split into two squads, one retaining the "Naps" name while the other went under the moniker "Molly McGuires." (The Journal, Meridien, CT, 1/17/1910)

Item from The Journal (Meridien, CT) 1/17/1910

Busy Trip for Naps M'Guire's Two Squads

Cleveland, Jan. 17 -- There will be mighty few idle moments for the Cleveland Naps when they are in Dixieland next spring. When the Molly McGuires aren't practicing or sleeping they will be playing exhibition games. The club will be divided into two squads, and each will have its work cut out for it. Team No. 4 will start playing exhibition games on March 14, while Combination No. 2 will begin its barnstorming operation four days later.

Manager McGuire will chaperone about thirty-five players south, the talent including four catchers, fifteen pitchers, eight infielders, and eight outfielders.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

69/ Lajoie even took a turn as player-manager from 1905-1909. Upon being relieved of management duties to focus on playing 1909, he was replaced by longtime player Jim "Deacon" McGuire. (Plain Dealer, 9/22/1909)

Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/22/1909

Headline:

Jim M'Guire Succeeds Nap Lajoie As Manager of the Clevelands

Veteran PlayerWho formerly Managed Boston Red Sox and Has Been Acting as Nap Scout, Takes Charge Monday

Is the Only Man Really Considered for the Position by the Cleveland Magnates -- Had Had Much Experience.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

68/ According to the Cleveland Leader, the name was the result of a fan vote, though looking through the newspaper archives, the Leader was the only one that used the name "Naps" for most of 1903. Team names were much more fluid at the time. (Cleveland Leader, 4/8/1903)

Article from Cleveland Leader (4/8/1903)

Will Be Made A Gala Event

Preparations for the Opening of the Baseball Season in Cleveland

Enthusiasm is Unbounded

Never Before Has So Much Interest Been Manifested in This Sport

Excursions from Many Ohio Towns

Napoleons Will be Given a Hearty Welcome by "Fandom" - St. Louis to Play in the First Game

Within three weeks of yesterday, the American League baseball season will be opened in Cleveland. With the opening just three weeks away, preparations for this gala event are now being made, and when completed the opening will remind one of the days when Baltimore and Cleveland were fighting it out for the Temple Cup championship and hundreds of people were unable to gain admission to the park. On April 28, the Cleveland club will make its initial bow to a Cleveland audience for the year of 1903, and "fandom" is only waiting for the players to give them the grandest welcome ever accorded to a baseball team

And why not? Cleveland has demonstrated that she will have one of the greatest aggregations of players ever placed together on one team. There is the leading pitcher of the business in Bernhard, and the three greatest hitters in the business in Lajoie, Hickman, and Bradley, besides not overlooking the giant twirling staff. The team has been named the "Napoleons" after a voting contest held by an afternoon paper, and that word fits in well. Cleveland has not only the Napoleon of baseball, but they have a galaxy of players that will follow their Napoleon to the bitter end and woe to a team that tries to stop the Cleveland's march for the pennant.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

64/ Tebeau was never again formally associated with the Cleveland team. He died by suicide in 1918. His obituary ran on the front page of the Cleveland Press (5/15/1918).

Obituary for Patsy Tebeau, Cleveland Press (5/15/1918)

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

63/ In 1913, the Cleveland Press ran an editorial penned by Tebeau (manager of the famous Cleveland Spiders) which praised "fighting" in baseball. (Cleveland Press, 7/2/1913)

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

62/ Ten days later, the Press had a dispatch from St. Louis from Tebeau himself with Tebeau, now a saloon owner, saying he would love to get back into the game. (Cleveland Press, 9/23/1904)

Article from Cleveland Press (9/23/1904)

Headline: Pat Tebeau Would Like to Get Back into the Game

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

61/ Meanwhile, Patsy Tebeau had a much different legacy in Cleveland. In 1904, he was mentioned as someone to fill the then-vacant manager's role for the new Cleveland team. (Cleveland Press, 9/13/1904)

Portion of an article from Cleveland Press (9/13/1904)

Scores of Fans Are Talking About Patsy Tebeau

They Wish the Old War Horse Could Take Hold of the Cleveland Team

Ever since the resignation of Manager Armour, gossip has been rige among local fans as to his probably successor at the head of the Cleveland team. The story from CHicago that the players were talking of Joe Cantillion as manager awakened much interest as Joe is known to be a fighter from the word go and just the kind of a man who ought to be able to inject the necessary life and ginger into the Cleveland bunch

***

Another man who has been much talked of among the "faithful" ever since Armour quit is Oliver Tebeau, more commonly known as "Patsy." There has been a warm spot for Tebeau in the hearts of Cleveland base ball followers ever since he made his famous campaigns with Frank Robison's old National League team back in the '90s. Pat had a bunch of ball players who could neither hit nor field, but oh how they did win games! Tebeay, McKean, Childs, McGarr, Blake, McAleer, Burkett, O'Connor, Zimmer. Remember that old line-up?

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

60/ Two days after Sockalexis's death, the Plain Dealer (12/26/1913) printed a tribute to Sockalexis which praised his natural talent, but lamented his unfulfilled promise. "He fell into bad habits and became utterly beyond the reach of discipline. He was only an Indian after all."

Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (12/28/1913) in tribute to the passing of Louis Sockalexis entitled "A Greatness Which Killed"

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

59/ In 1912, the Plain Dealer ran a "where are they now?" article entitled "Fat and Lazy is Sockalexis." The next time they mentioned him was in December, 1913 when they printed his obituary. This is everything of substance printed in Cleveland about Sockalexis from 1900-1913.

Article from Cleveland Plain Dealer (8/4/1912).

Headline is "Fat and Lazy is Sockalexis, The Famous Indians Baseball Player"

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

58/ In 1912, The Cleveland Leader reported that Sockalexis was running a ferry in Maine. The article states that, despite his exploits, Sockalexis was barely spoken of among baseball player or patrons of the game.

Item from Cleveland Leader (7/23/1912)

Sockalexis, Once Famous Ball Player, Running Ferry Now

Boston, Mass., July 22 -- On the Penobscot River near the village of Oldtown, Me., Sockalexis, one-time pride of all baseballdom, is running a little ferry.

The once great athlete was found there straining his eyes in the light of a full moon to read the account of a big league game in which Chief Myers had starred. He is not Sockalexis, the steel-thewed. His step is not firm, though there is still that hint of steel-spring muscles that gave him once the name of the "deerfoot of the diamond." Sockalexis, thirteen years ago, was a magic name, and the history of the great Cleveland player was common knowledge, but so quickly does fame pass today that it is seldom spoken among ballplayers or patrons of the game.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

57/ The next day, the Cleveland Press has this (potentially apocryphal) item about their sports columnist looking back on a time he found Sockalexis on the street and offered to buy him a new collar. Sockalexis demurred, asking instead for a drink. (Cleveland Press, 9/3/1908)

Item from Cleveland Press, 9/3/1908

The name of Louis Sockalexis, the big Indian, is intimately associated with the great players of the old days. One day -- after the redman had practically outlived his usefulness as a member of the Cleveland team and had surrendered completely to his appetite -- he met the L.O.M on the street. The Penobscot's raiment was shabby and his collar was limp and dust-begrimed from long wear.

"Come on" said the L.O.M., "I'll stake you to a new collar."

"Don't do it; don't do it," said old Sox, whimperingly and [obscured]. Give me the money please. It's a shame to think of them charging 15 cents for a little wisp of linen to go around your throat when you can get a great big drink for the same amount."

The Little Old Man

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

56/ In September 1908, the Cleveland Press mused about the possibility of a *Spiders* Old Timers' game and openly wondered about the availability of Sockalexis.

Item from Cleveland Press (9/2/1908)

A glance over the Spiders' roll shows that the team would be put on the field intact. Pitchers Powell and Young are in fine trim, and Cuppy could probably pitch one game. Zimmer and O'Connor are still good catchers. Tebeau would be willing to play first base for three days just for old times sake. Childs on second. McKean at short and Wallace or Geo. Davis on third should be easy to arrange and the outfield Burkett, McAleer, and Harry Blake would revive happy memories.

***

Perhaps poor Louis Sockalexis might be able to come on for a game. Such a series would be a memorable occasion for Cleveland. A similar one was brought off in Baltimore a year ago and proved a great success. Of course, the entire proceeds of the game should go to the players.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

55/ In November 1906, the Cleveland Press ran a column of old Sockalexis stories, focused partly on his drinking and partly on his ball playing.

Article from Cleveland Press (11/12/1906)

Headline "A Few Stories About Red Man Sockalexis"

The stories include Sockalexis receiving his first pay and drinking away most of the money, making an astonishing catch on a fly ball, getting a game winning hit off Hall of Famer Amos Rusie, staying out all night after receiving some "perfumed notes", and hitting a home run after a fan shouted that he never saw an Indian who could play ball.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

54/ In August 1906, Sockalexis was seen in downtown Cleveland, but he was just passing through. He did not maintain close contact with the city, but was still clearly a recognizable figure.

Selection from Cleveland Plain Dealer (8/24/1906):

Sockalexis in the City

A man representing himself as Louis Sockalexis, the once famous Indian ball player who played right field for the Cleveland team eleven years ago, created quite a stir down town last night among the baseball fans. In appearance and actions this man is a dead ringer for Sockalexis and he claimed that that was his right name and that he played with the Cleveland team under Pat Tebeau. While describing his mission here "Sock" said that he had come west to confer with a manager of one of the western teams and just stopped off over night.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

53/ Former Spider Ossee Schreckengost, who played with Sockalexis in 1898 and 1899 and came back to Cleveland in 1902, was quoted in 1904 talking about why he left Cleveland. They kept thinking he was Sockalexis and wanted payment on his bar tabs. (Cleveland Press, 6/13/1904)

"Cleveland people were might good to me when I played here." said Ossee Schreckengost Saturday, "and I really had only one reason for wanting to get away."

"What was that?" asked Seybold.

"Too many saloonkeepers coming up behind me and dunning me for the whisky bills of old Sockalexis" answered Schreck. "Folks couldn't tell me red man and me apart when our backs were toward them and I was taken for him so often I was glad to get into some other city."

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

52/ What is written about him in Cleveland isn't flattering. In 1904, an article about an end-of-year YMCA banquet quotes a speaker who talks about the distinction between Sockalexis and "carelessness in his personal habits" with the more exemplary Cy Young. Sockalexis is "forgotten."

Selection from Cleveland Plain Dealer (12/29/1904)

The relevant section reads:

"As an example of the quick effect on the physical make up of the man, I cite the examples in baseball of Sockalexis and 'Cy' Young. Sockalexis sprang int the favor of the local public by his excellent playing ability, but carelessness in personal habits worked quick and permanent disaster to him and today he is forgotten. But 'Cy' Young by his exemplary habits, has not only extended the time of his endurance as a professional player but has set an example of the propriety of right living that is known by every lover of clean sports.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

49/ In 1905, the Cleveland Leader (6/24/1905) reports on a joyous welcome home for the Naps and again references "Pat Tebeau and his wild Indians" in the context of their 1895 Temple Cup win.

Article from Cleveland Leader (6/24/1905)

Headline Cut Off

There were all of 40,000 of us at the Union station when they came. It was the glad come-home we gave 'em. It lay over the merry welcome we gave Cassie Chadwick when she came back to our midst. The joyous doings we framed up when Pat Tebeau and his wild Indians came back from Baltimore nine years ago with the Temple Cup in a gunny sack weren't a marker to this. It was a hot welcome, all right, and we were all crazy with the heat.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

48/ There's also a story (PD 1/19/1903) in which Hall of Fame manager John McGraw remembers the 1895 Temple Cup series against "Tebeau's Indians." The story is about the two managers drinking after the games and meeting a well-known boxer, and as the text points out, may not be true.

Section of a Plain Dealer story (1/19/1903):

The relevant piece reads:

"Johnny McGraw is "spelling" this tale, which tells of an amazing incident which happened when "Patsy" Tebeau met Pugilist Fitzsimmons:

"The old Baltimore National league champions were in Cleveland playing off the Temple Cup series with Pat Tebeau's Indians." said McGraw, "and let me go on record as stating that, bar the Orioles, a better team than those Indians were never got together."

The story continues to discuss the two men's friendship off the field and relates a story of Tebeau meeting a famous boxer. There is an addendum where the writer states that McGraw was not in town when Tebeau met Fitzsimmons, so it is not clear whether the story itself is true.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

47/ In 1902, we see this nugget about Brooklyn third baseman Ed Gremminger (Cleveland Leader, 4/7/1902). Gremminger is identified as one of "Pat Tebeau's pappooses." He played for the Spiders in 1895, two years before Sockalexis. www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gr...

Item from Cleveland Leader, 4/7/1902

Sammy Strang who skipped away from New York and Harry Wolverton, of Philadelphia, were the third bagmen to leave the Nationals. Five new regulars are listed for the position -- Harry Steinfeldt, of Cincinnati; Tommy Leach, of Pittsburgh; and Irwin of Brooklyn, being the trio to hold their jobs. Charley Dexter is to be given the place at Chicago. At Boston, Greminget, once one of Pat Tebeau's pappooses when he had the Cleveland Indians, will be found. Billy Hallman is listed at Philadelphia.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

46/ We see the same theme here in a recap of a winter "indoor baseball" game on December 28, 1901 (Plain Dealer) It calls out Pat Tebeau and his scrappy aggregation of Indians.

Excerpt from Cleveland Plain Dealer (12/28/1901)

The days when Pat Tebeau and his scrappy aggregation of Indians used to cavort about League Park and incidentally abuse the umpire were recalled at the Grays' armory last night when the Cleveland Wheel Club and Occidental Indoor baseball clubs me for the first time this season.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

45/ Again from from the Plain Dealer on May 9th, 1901 There's a callback to "Tebeau's Indians" because the players argued with the umpire.

From an article in Cleveland Plain Dealer (5/9/1901):

The early part of the game reminded one of the old times, when Tebeau's Indians used to argue with umpires and opponents. The Cleveland players were well entitled to the kicks that they registered, and the audience showed sympathy for them. Umpire Sheridan's eye seemed to be decidedly off. When Cleveland batted, he saw a plate about three feet wide, but when Hoffer attempted to put the ball over the plate shrunk until it only displayed a surface of a few inches. This caused many an argument, and finally LaChance was sent to the bench before he had a chance to bat.

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Russell A. Carleton @pizzacutter4.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

44/ Even when the Plain Dealer mentioned Sockalexis, they still referred to the former Cleveland team as Tebeau's Indians. (PD 5/6/1900)

Item from Cleveland Plain Dealer (5/6/1900)

Schreckengost is the first man to arouse the old Indian war cry from the bleachers. He was "Wow, wow, wowed" in a way that reminded one of Sockalexis. Schreck has not changed in the slightest degree since he was a Tebeau Indian.

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