CLEVELAND — The Cleveland baseball team has been known as the Indians for more than 100 years, and for many of those years, Marvin and Donna Cooper have been cheering for them. 

What You Need To Know

  • Cleveland’s baseball team took to Progressive Field on Monday as the Cleveland Indians for the last time

  • The name change has drawn both criticism and support. Many fans said the team has their support no matter the name

  • Indians representatives said Guardians merchandise will be available for fans around the holidays and changes to Progressive Field will take place right before next year’s season

“We started coming in '94. When they opened the new park,” Donna Cooper said.

The end of this season marks the beginning of a new chapter.

The Indians will soon become the Cleveland Guardians, a name inspired by the large landmark stone statues referred to as Guardians of Traffic in downtown Cleveland.

It’s a change that has many people, especially Cleveland baseball fans, have been vocal about. Some support the move, and others have been critical.

The Coopers aren’t particularly happy with any change when it comes to their beloved Indians, but to them, the team itself is more important than the name. 

“We are fans of baseball, we support the team, we support the players,” Donna Cooper said. 

Marvin and Donna have been season ticket holders for 20 years. Last season looked much different due the coronavirus pandemic. 

“It was tough standing home just watching them on TV,” Marvin Cooper said.

The couple said they haven’t missed a home game this season and they definitely weren’t going to miss an opportunity to come to Progressive Field and root for the Indians one last time. 

“We just want to soak up the atmosphere for the last game this season as the Indians,” Donna Cooper said. ​

The Indians won their final game at Progressive Field, 8-3, against the Kansas City Royals in a makeup game from Sept. 22.