The John Chapman brand

The Tin Caps as a name for a Fort Wayne baseball team isn't a bad choice in the universe of possible names that could have been chosen, I suppose.

It's unusual and distinctive, and that's good. Just ask the IPFW Mastodons.

It does pay homage to a figure in Fort Wayne history.  To the extent it leads people who otherwise wouldn't study Fort Wayne history to pay some attention to our rich historical legacy, that's a good thing, too.

That it's not historically accurate in terms of John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, is not necessarily a bad thing, either.  It just might lead to a discussion that helps young people understand how legendary images are created and how those images may not quite match up with what's historically known.  That sort of critical thinking is always in short supply.  Our current election season offers ample evidence of that.

There will be those who talk of how the name conjures up images of tinfoil hats, beggars with tin cups in hand and potheads. 

There will be time enough for those discussions.

But my thoughts today turned to John Chapman. He was popularized - and turned into a historical legend - largely as the result of magazine article in the latter 19th century.

That the name "Tin Caps" reinforces that Mr. Chapman had connections to Allen County, died and was buried here is not a bad thing.  It reinforces historical accuracy.  I have something of a special interest in that; my great great grandfather William Harper was acquainted with John Chapman.  The two owned farm properties near each other in eastern Allen County. It is matter of official documentation that my great great grandfather was one of three appraisers appointed by the Allen Circuit Court during the administration of John Chapman's estate.

Comments

[Jason Blosser]

"Stupid, idiotic, asinine" all come to mind.

Ed. note: Are you making reference to the team name or the public financing of the new facilities?

[Jeff Herr]

Mitch - Good effort, but even your brilliant writing skills can't change my mind on this one.

The PotHeads (as many have suggested they will be called) errr.... the Tin Caps name likely will take much longer to come to accept than the Wizards did.

The name selected doesn't help change the negative feelings about HS, just something else for folks to find negative about the entire project.

[Bob Gaul]

Yessir, that name sure puts the "STINK" in DISTINCTIVE all right...LOL!

;)

B.G.

[Andrew McNair]

It's too bad they missed an opportunity (again) to recognize a broader part of the area's history by naming the team the Kekiongas. That name is truly unique, individual and indisputably local.

[Paul Spoelhof]

It's a fun name. It's going to resonate with the target audience of young kids and their moms. That's because fairy tales and folklore provide a powerfull context for kids' interpretation of the world around them. I agree that hitorical accuracy in this case is toatlly overrated. The notion that Chapman would be embarased by the name of a ball team is beyond ridiculous. First of all, he's dead, embarassment is not realistic for him anymore. Secondly, he's dead, and when that happened he gave up control over any legacy fabricated by those who survived him. The fact is, Johnny Apleseed is a strong brand in Ft. Wayne and Tin Caps will capitalize on that.

That said, I may not be able to resist the temptation of statring a new fan-club of tie-die and birkenstock clad raggamuffins that hang out by the snack shop. I'll be the guy wearing the psychadelic Tin Caps jersey with the name SHAGGY on the back.

[Denise Hunter]

There is a darn good reason that no one has ever used that name and the apple as the logo and/or mascot, because it is lame. No one has a coffee table as mascot and/or logo either, does that make that idea good?!?!? (referring to Ben Smith's column)

Johnny Appleseed never married, so was he of the alternative life style, a religious man, or did he just like little kids? This is a genuine question.

[Robert E Pence]

Re: Denise Hunter's comment - John Chapman was indeed a religious man. His real work was as an itinerant teacher, spreading the ideas of Christian faith based upon the works of a Swedish scientist and philosopher, Emanual Swedenborg.

If you want to know more about that, Google "Swedenborgian".

He planted orchards and in doing so left a useful legacy, something that can't be said for a lot of today's preachers.

[john b. kalb]

Denise - John Chapman was a very religious man - a Swedenborgian. He often left pages from his Swedenborgian gospel books at places where he stayed the night. Check out John Chapman on Google and read about his preaching.

[MRev. Kenneth White, Jnr.]

Even though I am opposed to how Harrison Square is and has been created, there is a detailed explanation on my blog http://frfozybearftwin.blogspot.com/2008/10/where-did-i-put-my-wooden-spoon-to-bang.html, I actually like the name Tin Caps!

Whom hasn't played baseball with a stick and an apple? We did it all the time on the farm and at Boy Scout camp as a way to pass the time in the summer afternoon heat. It is historic and cute and leaves the marketing options wide open and the mascot choices as clear, as I wish our rivers were clean. Even with the ability for the name to be modified in a diminutive tone, it is still the best choice.

I wasnt going to comment until I saw that last comment filled with innuendos both towards Gays and Independent Catholics, and trying to loop them both in with pedophilia, that wasnt "genuine" it was ignorant and very disrespectful on all counts. I would strongly suggest a refresher course on his history and the teachings of Swedenborg it will resolve a lot of your concerns.

Not all virgin/unmarried male missionaries or clergy are pedophiles, some of us are just openly gay. Gay does NOT equal pedophile. And as far as being gay, your point would be what? That he has awesome pruning capabilities, since he obviously forbade himself from the popular fashion design side of culture.

Johnny Chapman was a missionary for the New Church or Church of New Jerusalem which follows a belief system guided by the writings of their founder Emanuel Swedenborg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Swedenborg. Swedenborgian theology is a mix somewhere between Unitarian, Quakerism, and Independent Catholicism, truly a blended spiritual practice of faith.There is a Swedenborg congregation in LaPorte, Indiana http://www.laportenewchurch.org/

BTW, Mitch, as I said on my blog, thank you for sharing your family generational connection to this piece of our local history, heroes, and lore.

[Toby Mac]

Mr Spoelhof,

Since you have been one of the founding fathers of the Harrison Square debacle. I want to know why your name isnt on one of the leases?

[Denise Hunter]

The point behind my question regarding alternative lifestyle was that would NOT be a good "family" oriented theme/idea--period. That should be self-explanatory. I mentioned NOTHING about Catholics--period. Also, according to the Bible, one cannot be a practicing homosexual, among other sins, and enter the kingdom of God. Nowhere did I say that homosexual and pedophiles were the same. Also, no true born again Christian is an active homosexual. As far as being a minister, preacher, pastor, etc. and being an active homosexual, I am sure God has a good opinion on that as well. The feeling can be there but NOT the actions. Read Romans 1:18-32 or 1 Timothy 1:8-11. I am not judging anyone; God is. Those are God's words not mine. Also, you seem to be the only one who took offense. I had a serious question, and was answered very kindly by two others. Typically, those most offended are the biggest offenders. Read the passages; God has spoken on the subject(s). Amen!
P.S. the new name for the baseball team and the mascot are LAME!!!!!

[Robert Enders]

To me, the name of the team is as relevant as the color of paint chosen for the Bridge to Nowhere. I really don't care.

[Denise Hunter, author]

This is just a note to let people know that the Denise Hunter who made the above comments are NOT by local author Denise Hunter--me!--who fully supports the Tin Caps, name and all!