Every once in a while, a sports team rebrands and lets fans vote on the team name. Nowadays, teams have learned to limit the name to a few options so that there isn’t a Boaty McBoatface situation but there can sometimes be a hilarious option.

For the current Mobile BayBears, the Angels AA franchise is rebranding the team by moving to Madison, Alabama and is changing their name to something that is a bit more appropriate to north Alabama.

Each of the five choices are unique and some are more conventional than others. The five names are as follows:

Comet Jockeys – “Rocket City” was put on the map for its cutting-edge aerospace development. Comet Jockeys is a celebration of our brave astronauts who explore outer space.

Moon Possums – A scavenger at heart, these local critters are known for hanging around and having a good time with their family – just like going to ballgame!

Space Chimps – A tribute to Miss Baker, one of the first animals safely launched into space. She is buried on the grounds at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

ThunderSharks – Mix the powerful thunder of North Alabama’s storms with the ultra-strong, sleek determination of the shark and you end up with the personality of our community: willing to attack any problem. Visiting teams won’t mess with our ThunderSharks.

Trash Pandas – (Slang for raccoon) Our community is known for engineering, and no creature in our galaxy is as smart, creative, determined and ingenious a problem solver – dedicated to the challenge at hand – as our local raccoons!

Okay, “Trash Pandas” sounds like the best/worst name for a sports team ever. I’m not sure people will understand what the name means but it’ll be an interesting conversation starter when you say you’re a Trash Pandas fan.

If Trash Pandas doesn’t get picked, I’m impartial to the Space Chimps. The name honors the local space and aeronautical industry. Plus, chimps are rather smart creatures. The winner is supposed to be announced September 5.

[MiLB/Photo: WAFF]

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

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1 thought on “Angels minor league team is having a vote on their new name and ‘Trash Pandas’ is an option

  1. either space chimps or trash pandas would be great it beats our local team name in Wenatchee WA the “Apple Sox”

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