Former MLB player Jim Edmonds sparks controversy with comments on Guardians', Commanders' name changes

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Former MLB player Jim Edmonds was caught in the crossfire of fans on social media Thursday night when, during a live broadcast of a St. Louis Cardinals game, he said he was "shocked" that teams have opted to change their names, referencing the Cleveland Guardians and the Washington Commanders. 

Edmonds, 53, was in the booth for the Cardinals' game against the Houston Astros when, in the bottom of the seventh inning, he shared messages he has received on social media from fans over the recent push for teams to change their names for having Native American monikers.

The Cleveland Guardians logo on the jersey of Myles Straw during the third inning of game two of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field April 20, 2022, in Cleveland.  (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

"You know what’s really funny is when people reach out to you and say ‘Hey I’m from this area, and we really love our baseball here.' And somebody else will say, ‘Yeah, I wish they had the old names that they used to have.’ It’s just funny to hear everyone’s opinion," the Cardinals legend said. 

ESPN ANCHOR APOLOGIZES AFTER MOCKING INDIGENOUS NHL PLAYER'S NAME: ‘GREAT NAME IF YOU’RE A TOILET PAPER’

"I’m still shocked that we’ve changed so much as a whole that [we’re] not allowed to have the Cleveland Indians anymore — the Guardians. And I’m saying that too because my wife is partial Native American Indian. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"I always thought it was kind of a cool thing, not a bad thing, to have a team named after the Indians or vice versa, whatever, the Washington Redskins."

While some came to