Frederick Keys

15

NOTE: This review incorporates text from the review for a previous incarnation of the Frederick Keys, which was posted on 2018 July 19.

Frederick Keys is a name that seems really stupid but actually gets clever when you stop and think about it.

First of all, let's talk about the origin of the name. The team is named after Francis Scott Key. Key was, of course, the writer of the poem Defence of Fort M'Henry, better known as the words to the American national anthem. Key was born in Frederick,* but is best known for the time he spent in Baltimore. And since the Keys are the Orioles' affiliate, starting in Frederick and making a name for themselves in Baltimore is exactly what the players on the Frederick Keys are hoping to do. So even if keys aren't exactly the most intimidating thing in the world, the name makes sense. And keys aren't any less intimidating than socks, are they? At least you get upset when you lose a key.

But there's also an elegance to the name that has nothing to do with the meaning. Before I explain let me make a detour into the world of logos. Can you explain to me the meaning behind the logo for Mercedes-Benz? Or Nike? Probably not. But it doesn't matter. If I ask you to picture either of those logos you can do so immediately, and if you see either of those logos you recognize them instantly. And the reason is they're simple.

Well, some team names work that way as well. Cubs isn't really a great name, but it's short, easy to pronounce, and memorable. The same goes for names like Reds, Bills, Knicks, and Crew. None of these make for an intimidating image, but the names just work because of their elegance. Keys works for the same reason. The combination of sounds is compelling, even if the word isn't. Add to that the hidden Frederick-to-Baltimore suggestion in the name, and what you get is a name that's actually good.

I do wish I had a way to explain how the logo is similarly clever in a way that sort of sneaks up on you, but if it is then that cleverness it hasn't sneaked up on me yet. It's so sneaky that it sneaked right by. It's just your typical baseball script, with a couple of keys hanging off the underline. Meh.

I did find a logo online (presumably used on a special occasion, but I couldn't find any details) that I think would make a better logo. It basically turns the key into a flagpole, which works great with the whole Star-Spangled Banner idea. You'd want to tweak the colors to fit the team's orange-and-black color scheme, but wouldn't this be a lot better?

Oh well, at least the name is still clever.

*	Well, sort of. He was actually born on a plantation that's about twenty miles/thirty kilometers from Frederick. But Frederick was the closest town when he was born, so close enough.

Final Score: 15 points.
Penalties: Script, 7 pts; Letter, 24 pts.
Bonuses: Name, -10 pts; Local, -6 pts.