The death of Hank Aaron on Friday promotes the call for the Atlanta Braves to change their name in his honor.
Because Aaron became known as’ Hammerin ‘Hank’ when he hit slingshots during his illustrious career, fans appealed to the Braves to change their name to the Hammers.
An online petition on Change.org began spreading online after Aaron’s death.
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“The renaming serves two important purposes: 1) It honors an icon that has represented our city for more than half a century with grace and dignity, and 2) It removes the stain on the city to have a team name that is indigenous and “Indigenous people, especially given one of the greatest tragedies in American history, the Trail of Tears, began in the region the team calls home,” the petition reads.
The petition was closer to 100 signatures from Saturday night.
The MLB team has been called upon to change their name – a Native American monk – in light of the change of the Washington Football Team last summer and the forthcoming change of the Indians in Cleveland.
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“There’s no better time to take this action, given the trend started by The Washington Football Team, the soon-to-be renamed Cleveland Indians, and with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game coming to Atlanta later this year. Please change the name is a person and player that Atlantans and Americans can be proud of, ‘the petition said.
There was no indication that the name would change. The Braves have been around for over 100 years.
“We are so proud of the name of our team, and our expectation is that we will always be the Atlanta Braves,” Braves chairman Terry McGuirk told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in December.
“I would say unequivocally that the name Atlanta Braves will remain the Atlanta Braves. We come to the position because of … many listen to our fans, to the Indian community. We have been trying for the past six months to make sure we are grounded. is on everything we say going forward, so I will answer the question again: Yes, we will be the Atlanta Braves. ‘
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The Braves have said over the summer that they want to distance themselves from the “tomahawk chop” movement and the singing used by spectators when fans are allowed back into their stadium.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.