This will be the two-fold - A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians ' first season as the RubberDucks . Before they pay court to puerility tub miniature , the team served as an affiliate for the Mariners , Pirates and Reds , partake those monikers with their Big League brethren . The squad also spent a few seasons as the Sailors and , most recently , the Aeros .
Tied to the opening of a novel stadium in 1996 , the then - Canton - Akron Indians changed their name to the Aeros to honor Ohio ’s tie to the sky as the home state of matter of the Wright Brothers and Neil Armstrong . The fans maturate attached to the alliteration , and in a2009 re - branding competition , 67 % vote to keep the name Aeros .
RubberDucks, You’re the One
But in 2013 , after a successful first time of year as team owner , Ken Babby decide it was time for a change . The four finalist from that 2009 contest were Rubber Ducks , Gum Dippers , Tire Jacks , and Vulcans . Babby announced on October 29 , 2013 , that Akron would launch the 2014 season as the RubberDucks .
“ It was crucial to us that the new name was tied to Akron ’s inheritance . The rubber industry has cryptical roots in this city , ” Akron RubberDucks world-wide manager Jim Pfander say at the time . “ We desire the Akron RubberDucks to mull over the urban center ’s proud account , but also a new propagation of fan with a new era of play at Canal Park . ”
Although the snarl duck face of the new logotype hold very little resemblance to placid toys bobbing in bathtubs around the humankind , a run of tire data track behind him recalls Akron ’s place as the home of caller like Goodyear and Bridgestone , which realise the metropolis the nickname " Rubber Capital of the World . "
The squad has yet to let out the corresponding new mascot , but we ’re all pretty excited to see a RubberDuck in action .
