Chief Wahoo: The History of a Controversial Icon

The Chief We’ve Come Expect

In 1951, Chief Wahoo was redesigned. The end result would become the version that is still in place today. While incorporating the same basic caricature design, the primary changes involved the skin color and size of the nose. Gone was the tannish-yellow skin. In its place a bright, fire engine red. As for the nose, no longer was it pointy and skinny. Instead, it was made to be shorter and more bulbous. While the good-natured intent of the logo remained, it was this overly stereotypical version that bordered on offensive that would eventually lead to a fire storm of criticism over the years.

It was also this version of the logo that would be used in the largest number of variations. The most notable of these variations would be the Chief Wahoo at bat logo. Adapted from the large neon sign that stood out in front of Gate D at the old municipal stadium, the at bat logo would become the team’s primary logo for a short period of time during the mid and late 70’s. While the logo made use of the previous Chief Wahoo logo, it depicted the chief as all white rather than as the red-skinned warrior fans had come to know and love.

During the 1980’s the Chief Wahoo at bat logo would be replaced by its predecessor, the red, smiling chief. The move was made primarily by the urging of the players. Joe Carter and Pat Tabler convinced then team president, Peter Bavasi, that Chief Wahoo should be added to the team’s hats. Other players shared the sentiment saying that hats with Chief Wahoo on them would be a hot item for fans. This would prove to be true. Thanks to the push towards the use of more historical logos, the reintroduction of the red chief was a smashing success. It was so successful that the logo has remained unchanged to this day.