Guardians' High-A affiliate sets sail with new logos - MLB
The Guardians play in "The Land," but their nearby High-A affiliate represents the water. On Tuesday that team, the Lake County Captains, unveiled a refreshed C-worthy look for 2025 and beyond.
The Captains are based in the Cleveland suburb of Eastlake, their nautical identity a reference, in part, to the close proximity of Lake Erie. The Midwest League team's previous primary logo featured the Captains' wordmark imposed over a ship's steering wheel, but now the captain has resumed command. This salty soldier of the seas has been part of Lake County's branding since its 2003 inception, with the new mark incorporating aspects of previous iterations while adding new elements.
"We started this process two years ago, did a great deep dive into the Lake County community and Cleveland community. Talking to fans, to understand what they've always liked and how we can integrate it more," said Alan Miller, Captains owner and president. "We're bringing out the best of the past into a phenomenal new brand moving forward."
Changes to Lake County's Captain include a more expressive face, bushier mustache, a baseball sleeve cuff and a team-branded cap nestled atop his weather brow. That hat features the team's new "C" logo, which, in standalone form, features an anchor embedded within.
"It speaks to who we want the captain to be, the attitude and the person," said Miller, adding that, for now, the Captain doesn't have a name. "We just call him the Captain. Let it evolve organically." The "C" logo, as well as the Captains and Lake County wordmarks, are modeled after the "caveman font" utilized by the 1970s-era Cleveland Indians.
"We have a lot of love for that era, wanted to pay respects," Miller said. "We did that last year, won the [Midwest League] championship wearing throwback red jerseys. ... The road jerseys have 'Lake County' in block letters across the front. When we show up in other cities, people will know who we're affiliated with and that we're representing that history."