Now that the 2016 season is in the books, the Binghamton Mets (Class AA; Eastern League) are closer to beginning a new era.
Monday’s finale marked the franchise’s last game as the Mets, the name it is has had since relocating from Williamsport, PA before the 1992 season. Lasting 25 seasons, the moniker certainly had its staying power, but earlier this season the B-Mets signaled that they wanted to move in a new direction, announcing finalists for a name-the-team contest.
This period of transition began last winter, when John Hughes purchased the franchise from Binghamton Mets Baseball Club. Upon purchasing the franchise, Hughes made it clear that he wanted to keep the team in Binghamton, and later stated that a new name would help enhance the team’s relationship to Binghamton. “I am a proud owner of the Binghamton franchise, and keeping and maintaining our relationship with the New York Mets is paramount,” he said in an earlier interview with Ballpark Digest. “In tying this team to the community, it’s really going to make a big difference going forward.”
Finalists for a new name were announced in May. That began a process in which fans could select from one of six possible monikers, including Bullheads, Gobblers, Rocking Horses, Rumble Ponies, Stud Muffins, or Timber Jockeys.
The B-Mets have previously stated that the new name will be revealed in October. That timeline is still in place, according to the Press & Sun-Bulletin.
Among other squads who are set to change their name, the New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) had their finale rained out, while the Staten Island Yankees are moving on to the New-York Penn League playoffs. The Brevard County Manatees (High A; Florida State League) played their last game at Space Coast Stadium, as the team will relocate to Osceola County Stadium and rebrand before the 2017 season.