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Manfred denies Wahoo conspiracy for All-Star bid

Posted at 7:08 PM, Jul 09, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-09 19:08:04-04

CLEVELAND — Commissioner Rob Manfred insists Major League Baseball did not make a deal with the Cleveland Indians about banning their contentious logo, Chief Wahoo.

The club agreed to remove the hotly debated, smiling caricature from its caps and jerseys starting this season, a decision that came after Cleveland was awarded the 2019 All-Star Game.

The timing was curious, but Manfred said there was no link between the two.

“The All-Star Game was awarded to Cleveland by Commissioner (Bud) Selig before I even had one conversation about Chief Wahoo,” Manfred said. “You can write that as fact.”

Although Wahoo, which has been around since the 1940s, is no longer on the field, the mascot is as popular as ever as fans continue to wear all kinds of merchandise bearing his image.

RELATED: End of an era: Indians loss means goodbye Chief Wahoo

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MLB All-Star Week Schedule

Click here for a detailed schedule with links for information.

Friday, July 5

10 a.m.: Play Ball Park opens. The interactive baseball theme park will be open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day of All-Star Week

6 p.m.: Gates open for the All-Star Concert Series featuring Twenty One Pilots

8 p.m.: Twenty One Pilots concert begins

Saturday, July 6

6 p.m.: Gates open for the All-Star Concert Series featuring The Killers

8 p.m.: The Killers concert begins

Sunday, July 7

8 a.m.: The Color Run MLB All-Star 5K begins – time subject to change.

3 p.m. Gates open for the MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game and All-Star Futures Game doubleheader at Progressive Field. Double-header will feature performances by Welshly Arms and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Following the games is the All-Star Rock 'n' Blast, a fireworks and multimedia show.

Monday, July 8

All-Star Workout Day

8 p.m. The T-Mobile Home Run Derby begins.

Tuesday, July 9

12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. The All-Star Parade begins.

7:30 p.m. The 90th annual Midsummer Classic MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard begins at Progressive Field.

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All-Star Game visitor's guide

Everything you need to know about the 2019 MLB All-Star Game