The Double-A Binghamton Mets will drop the name of their major league parent club, the New York Mets, and will be taking on a new nickname next season.
There had been rumors that the team would relocate, but those have been squashed. Now, the team has allowed fans to submit suggestions as far as name changes go. Team president John Hughes said in a statement back in March that he wanted the fans to feel that the fans could call the team name their own:
“Since 1992, the Binghamton Mets and New York Mets have been proud affiliates — one of the longest affiliations in the Eastern League. We’re thrilled to be keeping Double-A, New York Mets baseball here in the community but with a new name that everyone in Binghamton can call its own. The new name will bring in a new era that proudly represents a crown jewel of the community.”
Tuesday, the team announced six names that were the finalists for the new nickname, and they all sound like amazing minor league team names.
Bullheads: A local inhabitant of the Susquehanna River, a Bullhead is a bullhead catfish. The bullhead displays a tough and resilient character such as the Binghamton community.
Gobblers: A symbol of the rich hunting culture of the area, the Gobblers honors the outdoorsman lifestyle and turkeys who call Binghamton home.
Rocking Horses: The Rocking Horses celebrates the Triple Cities’ rich history as the “Carousel Capital of the World.”
Rumble Ponies: A tribute to the Triple Cities’ rich carousel heritage, the Rumble Ponies is a herd of fierce horses that no carousel center pole can contain.
Stud Muffins: While tipping a cap to the players on the field, the Stud Muffins celebrates the collection of carousel horses belonging to Binghamtonians.
Timber Jockeys: Combining the fun of Minor League Baseball with the rich carousel history of the Triple Cities, the Timber Jockeys pays homage to everyone that rides the carousels.
Hughes sounded delighted with the submissions of the fans, and that they accurately reflect their community:
“The submissions from the citizens of Binghamton and surrounding area speaks volumes about the passion and boundless creativity of our fan base,” said B-Mets president John Hughes. “This really was a tough job. The spirit of the submissions only reaffirms the decision that the team name should be reflective of the community that we represent.”
If I’m in that community, I’m definitely voting for the Timber Jockeys. It rolls off the tongue, and is unique. It also pays homage to those that ride the carousels, and everybody likes carousels, so you’re covering everybody with that specific name.
In all honesty though, they really can’t go wrong. These are some great names, and we all might have a new favorite minor league team if you weren’t following one before.
[MiLB]
