Baseball is a game steeped in tradition, but some traditions are best left in the past. During a recent Mets-Guardians broadcast, New York color commentator Keith Hernandez sparked a debate by waxing nostalgic about a controversial piece of MLB history.
As the Mets faced Cleveland, Hernandez turned back the clock to the 1950s and '60s, when the Braves called Milwaukee home. He brought up the team's old "screaming Indian" logo, a design that has long been criticized for its racial insensitivity.
"Do you remember the old logo back in the '50s and early '60s of the Milwaukee Braves? The screaming Indian?" Hernandez asked. "That was a great logo."
Play-by-play man Gary Cohen was quick to push back. "Well, some people might not think so," he replied, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation.
Fortunately for Cohen, a double play on the field gave him an out. "Saves us from that awkward conversation," he remarked. But Hernandez wasn't ready to let it go. "Oh, it's not awkward at all," he insisted. "It's good conversation!"
The moment highlights a broader tension in sports: the push to modernize versus the pull of nostalgia. MLB and other leagues have distanced themselves from Native American imagery, leading to changes like the Indians becoming the Guardians in 2021 and the Washington Redskins rebranding to the Commanders. These shifts haven't come without resistance—just last summer, President Trump threatened to block the Commanders' stadium deal unless they reverted to their old name, though that effort appears to have fizzled.
Hernandez's comments come as the league continues to grapple with its history. While some fans might share his fondness for vintage logos, others see them as painful reminders of a less inclusive era. The Braves themselves have not embraced the old design, despite occasional fan campaigns.
For now, the debate lives on, both in the booth and in the stands. As for Hernandez, he seems happy to keep the conversation going, even if his broadcast partner would rather change the subject.
