THE CLEVELAND MUNICIPALS
After decades of controversy, Cleveland’s Major League Baseball team announced in July 2020 they were “strongly considering” moving on from the Indians name they had sported since 1915. Supportive of the potential change but concerned about what the new name would be, I suggested a new name in an op-ed that was published in the Plain Dealer the week following the announcement.
The name I proposed—the Cleveland Municipals, or Munis for short—was rooted in Cleveland’s sports and cultural history. The name was meant to authentically represent the city and its people and to honor our profound baseball history, while gracefully moving into a future where our team clearly represents all Clevelanders.
What followed was a year-long campaign consisting of a full brand build-out, uniform designs, essays, promotional products made in collaboration with Ebbets Field Flannels and Oxford Pennant, an official Munis beer distributed throughout Ohio, and conversations with the Cleveland Indians front office and Major League Baseball.
The team ultimately went a different direction, but the Munis won hearts and minds along the way. Explore the campaign website, social media accounts, logos, designs, articles, press, and more at clemunicipals.com
THE SOLUTION TO CLEVELAND BASEBALL’S NAME DILEMMA
First things first: Why Municipals?
DESIGNING THE CLEVELAND MUNICIPALS
Next: What would a new era of Cleveland baseball look like?
MUNIS BEER
Designing, producing, and distributing the official Munis beer to get our message in the hands of the people.
THE HAT
Working with vintage athletic apparel company Ebbets Field Flannels to produce a Munis hat worthy of the Major Leagues.
