CLEVELAND — The team currently known as the Cleveland Indians said they had 1,198 potential club nicknames to choose from. So why did choose to become the “Guardians” after the 2021 season?

The Guardians of Traffic statues along the Hope Memorial Bridge have long protected motorists coming to and from Cleveland's downtown. According to historians from Cleveland State University, the bridge was completed in 1932 after three years of planning followed by two years of construction.

“‘Guardians’ reflects those attributes that define us while drawing on the iconic Guardians of Traffic just outside the ballpark on the Hope Memorial Bridge,” team owner Paul Dolan said in a press release. “It brings to life the pride Clevelanders take in our city, and the way we fight together for all who choose to be part of the Cleveland baseball family. While ‘Indians’ will always be a part of our history, our new name will help unify our fans and city as we are all Cleveland Guardians.”

On Friday, the club hired Tom Hanks to announce the franchise’s new name on social media, which will go into effect at the end of the season.

The bridge was originally named the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge, but was later renamed after entertainer Bob Hope. According to the team, Hope’s father was a Cleveland-area stonemason. 

On the four corners of the bridge stand a pylon. Each pylon has two sculptured stylized figures, which symbolize the progress in transportation, according to CSU. 

The historians note that figures hold in their hands a hay rake, a covered wagon, a stagecoach, a passenger automobile and four types of trucks.

In 1976, the bridge was entered into the National Register of Historic Places. When the bridge was entered into the register, considerations were underway to widen the bridge, which would have required the removal of the pylons. 

The entry into the National Register noted, “Although the bridge is less than 50 years old at the time of this nomination, it is of exceptional significance because of the uniqueness of the sculptured pylons in Cleveland.”

The Indians said it will incorporate aspects of the bridge into two of the team’s logos. 

“The new C stands tall – just as the Guardians of Traffic stand watch over our ballpark and city – and draws from the ascending diamond motifs at the top of each Guardian pylon,” the team said about its stylized C logo. 

“The Guardian’s Fastball embodies what it means to be a Cleveland Guardian in its strong, yet simple design. It is inspired by the helmets and wings of the Hope Memorial Bridge’s Guardian statues and the G purposefully wraps around and guards the baseball. The split-finger design is a tribute to our strong pitching heritage,” the club added about its new logomark.

The Indians, which will remain the team's name through the 2021 season, said Guardians merchandise will not go on sale until after the end of this season.