Toronto Blue Jays voice won’t say “Indians” when calling ALCS

Long-time Blue Jays voice Jerry Howarth won’t be saying “Indians” when Toronto and Cleveland meet in the American League Championship Series starting on Friday. Howarth says he made the decision not to say the Cleveland team name more than two decades ago because he finds it offensive to aboriginal Americans or First Nations people.

Howarth told a Toronto radio show he also doesn’t use “Braves” for Atlanta or phrases like “a pow wow on the mound” for meetings between coaches and pitchers. He said he had made the decision after the 1992 World Series when the Blue Jays beat the Braves.

Howarth says he received a letter from a member of an indigenous tribe and said he had found Indian team names and terms offensive:

“He just wrote it in such a loving, kind way,” Howarth said.

“He touched my heart,” Howarth said.

…

“For the rest of my career I will not say ‘Indian’ or ‘Brave’ and if I was in the NFL I would not say ‘Redskins,’” Howarth said, referring to the Washington football team.

Howarth has been praised for his stance by listeners and fellow broadcasters alike:

Like Jerry Howarth, I will attempt to avoid using the name of Cleveland's baseball team during our broadcasts. #NotYourMascot

— Jamie Campbell (@SNETCampbell) October 11, 2016

I respect Jerry Howarth. https://t.co/01BjZs3xBJ

— blue•since•november (@cutthebluewire) October 11, 2016

Yet another reason Jerry Howarth is a legend and complete class act….https://t.co/jVCLE3vsuf #BlueJays#OurMoment #ALCS

— Darryl Smart (@DarrylSmart1) October 11, 2016

One more reason why Jerry Howarth is amazing. #GoJaysGo https://t.co/1pHp7rlMty

— John Montgomery (@_JohnMontgomery) October 11, 2016

Add my voice to the chorus praising #BlueJays radio man Jerry Howarth for his refusal to use Cleveland's team name: https://t.co/ASKwXvaYvl

— Paolo Pietropaolo (@paolopp) October 11, 2016

Much respect to the jays play by play announcer for deciding not to use Clevelands team name or Atlantas. Jerry Howarth @BlueJays since 92'

— Danton (@Danton97) October 11, 2016

Jerry Howarth always has, and continues to be, the best. #NotYourMascot

— Joshua Nicholas (@josh1day) October 11, 2016

There have been some tweets accusing Howarth of being too PC or too sensitive, but this isn’t a new stand, something he’s done since the 1993 so some could say he’s been ahead of the curve by not saying the Atlanta or Cleveland team names.

[Toronto Star]