Fans in this Minor League town are hungry for ... the Spicy Meatballs?!?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
When we last checked in with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the New York Mets’ Double-A affiliate had just released their Bathtub Donkeys alternate identity. This tribute to an archaic and perhaps apocryphal state law will be complemented on the team’s 2025 promotional calendar by another, perhaps even more absurd, alter-ego:
The Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs.
"The primary logo features a meatball portrayed as an Italian gondolier on a bed of pasta making its way through a river of sauce with a baseball bat fork," wrote the Rumble Ponies in their press release, providing a perfect example of how, in Minor League Baseball, even straightforward descriptions carry a strong whiff of the whimsical. "The secondary logo features the baseball bat fork of the meatball bat gondolier with spaghetti noodles wrapped around the utensil."
That’s what the Spicy Meatballs look like, but why do they exist in the first place?
There is a significant Italian population throughout central New York’s Southern Tier region, of which Binghamton is a part. The Rumble Ponies specifically single out nearby Endicott as an epicenter of Italian heritage; this locale, along with Binghamton and Johnson City, makes up the Southern Tier’s “Triple Cities” metropolitan area. (From 1923-68, Binghamton’s Minor League team was known as the Triplets, a reference to the Triple Cities.)
"In the early days of Endicott, N.Y., an area known as the North Side was huge with Italian roots," according to the press release. "Many of the Italian immigrants moving to the region worked at the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, Inc. However, many property owners would not sell land to Italian immigrants, so Endicott-Johnson purchased properties for their employees and along the cobblestone streets of Endicott grew the vibrant community of Little Italy..."
The Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, established in 1899, was for a time the largest manufacturer of footwear in the nation. Company president George Johnson, known for his philanthropy and generally enlightened approach to labor relations, bestowed the region with six carousels between 1919 and 1934. These carousels, still operating, inspired the Binghamton Mets to change their name from the Mets to the Rumble Ponies in 2016. A Rumble Pony, you see, is a slang for a carousel horse.
Despite the influence of the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company within the Southern Tier region, the Rumble Ponies have yet to unveil a footwear-themed alternate identity. For an example of such, one doesn’t have to leave the state of New York, or the Mets' farm system. In 2018, the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (now known as the Mets) played as the Devices, an homage to the ubiquitous Brannock Device foot measuring tool that was invented in Syracuse.
As for the Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs, the aforementioned meatball gondolier will be depicted within a uniform featuring a green, red and white color scheme (in a nod to the Italian flag). The Rumble Ponies will adopt this identity from Aug. 14-16, in conjunction with the annual bazaar staged by the nearby St. Mary of the Assumption church.
Though it remains to be seen how the Spicy Meatballs will fare on the field, their mere existence has already generated plenty of online enthusiasm. No less an entity than the State of New York was moved to weigh in, simply tweeting, "This eats."
Mangia, mangia!
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
Shellenback shined during lengthy PCL career
A host of players have piled up astonishing accomplishments over long professional careers on the diamond without making a lasting impression on the game's most celebrated stage. Monsters of the Minors, presented by Uncle Ray's, provides introductions to Minor League legends sometimes overlooked by fans of baseball history.
Fresno's Young motivated to empower others
During Minor League Baseball’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and #ForTheLoveOfBéisbol from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Más Allá del Diamante will feature a Hispanic, Latino, Latina and Latinxs leader from an MiLB community. In this edition, we visit with Jazzmine Young, partnership services manager for the Fresno Grizzlies (Fresno
Fun facts about Triple-A championships
A championship by any other name would still be as sweet to win. And at the Triple-A level, there have been a lot of names. From the first Little World Series in 1904 to the Triple-A National Championship Game fans know today, hundreds of prospects and farmhands have played for
Welcome, citizens: I-Cubs tradition carries on
A pandemic, social upheaval and myriad natural disasters during a tumultuous presidential election cycle may obscure the point, but nonetheless: The United States of America is a desirable place to live. Every year, the Triple-A Iowa Cubs stage a unique ballpark event that makes this sentiment abundantly clear. Since 2009,
El Paso's Rodriguez a model of success, inspiration
As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Lunes de Legacy, presented by Nationwide, shines a spotlight on Hispanic, Latino, Latina and Latinx stories throughout MiLB of those who have forged an impressive path and left a legacy in their wake. These individuals have inspired a new generation, currently writing their own
El Paso continues to honor innovative Diablos
When it launched fully in 2018, Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión initiative was based on a mission of community service, inclusiveness and engagement with Latinx fans across the MiLB landscape. In some markets, that’s been a critical thread in franchise identities for decades. In the Southwest, teams have
5-7-5: River Cats' broadcaster pens book of haiku
This past March, Johnny Doskow's long-established baseball routines were completely upended by COVID-19. This was the case for everyone, of course, but Doskow used his newfound free time in a particularly unique manner. The longtime voice of the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats penned and summarily self-published his debut book of
Jolley gave smiles to generations of PCL fans
A host of players have piled up astonishing accomplishments over long professional careers on the diamond without making a lasting impression on the game's most celebrated stage. Monsters of the Minors, presented by Uncle Ray's, provides introductions to Minor League legends sometimes overlooked by fans of baseball history.
Chihuahuas help local food bank achieve mission
The El Paso Chihuahuas have partnered with El Pasoans Fighting Hunger for as long as the team has been an existence, establishing ties with the nearby food bank during the team's inaugural season of 2014. From hosting staff volunteer events to conducting food drives at the ballpark, the Chihuahuas have
2020 Minor League Baseball season shelved
Statement from Pacific Coast League President Branch Rickey “Today is a momentous day. The first season cancellation in the 118-year history of the Pacific Coast League. But there is some good to be gleaned from what is obviously an overall very disappointing announcement. “The good that comes to my mind,
Toolshed: Recent noteworthy PCL seasons
This space started honoring the short-season leagues after their respective campaigns were delayed in June. Now following the cancellation of all Minor League Baseball in 2020, we're turning it into an appreciation of the full-season circuits as well. In the coming weeks, Toolshed is revisiting the 10 most notable individual
Chihuahuas lend hand to El Paso nonprofits
Brad Taylor was not worried about a lack of responsiveness when he asked his fellow El Paso Chihuahuas employees to volunteer for the community during this pandemic. No, he knew that they were hankering to pitch in however they could. "They jumped at the opportunity to help and realized it
A's deal speedster Mateo to Padres
In the first move since the Major League roster freeze was lifted last week, the A's shipped their No. 7 prospect, infielder Jorge Mateo, to the Padres for a player to be named or cash considerations. The native of the Dominican Republic is coming off a season in which he
Did you know? Pacific Coast League edition
When it comes to size, scope and longevity, few, if any, sporting bodies can rival Minor League Baseball. With 160 teams in nearly as many markets, there are innumerable nooks and crannies to explore. This marks the second installment in a series dedicated to such explorations, providing one unique, weird,
Mask-making operation is all Aces for Reno
Eric Edelstein had the impulse to pitch in but wasn't exactly sure how."The idea came from trying to do the most good in this time," the Reno Aces president said. "And the two things that I was bouncing against my thought process was supporting our health care workers -- understanding
For nearly 80 years, Arlett's power stood unmatched
A host of players have piled up astonishing accomplishments over long professional careers on the diamond without making a lasting impression on the game's most celebrated stage. This series, Monsters of the Minors, provides introductions to Minor League legends sometimes overlooked by fans of baseball history. In baseball, two-way talents
Sounds good: Nashville embraces rich heritage
With so much focus year after year on the newest and wildest rebranding projects in Minor League Baseball, MiLB.com takes a look at the flip side. This spring and summer, we will be profiling teams with some of the longest continually used nicknames in each league. Next up: the Pacific
Marlins option Harrison, Neidert to Triple-A
Two of the Marlins' top 10 prospects are heading to Triple-A Wichita.Outfielder Monte Harrison, ranked ninth in the system, and right-hander Nick Neidert (No. 10) have been optioned to the Pacific Coast League, the team announced Saturday.
Top prospects among Marlins re-assignments
The Marlins got an excellent look at the future of the franchise during the first month of Spring Training. But the time has come for some potential stars of tomorrow to head back to the Minor League incubator.Top 100 prospects JJ Bleday, Jazz Chisholm and Jesús Sánchez headline a group
Marlins option Sanchez in first wave of cuts
Sixto Sanchez has a bright future ahead, but he'll have to wait a bit to make his first pitch for the Marlins.Miami's top prospect was optioned to Triple-A Wichita along with 19th-ranked Jorge Guzman on Friday as the club made its first 10 roster cuts of Spring Training. Fifth-ranked Edward Cabrera
Adell, Marsh heading back to Angels camp
A preview of the Angels' outfield of the future could be on display when Cactus League games start in three weeks.Los Angeles on Friday extended Spring Training invitations to 19 non-roster players, including top prospects Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh. It will be the second year in a row the
D-backs acquire Beasley from Angels
The D-backs acquired Angels No. 18 prospectJeremy Beasley in exchange for Major League right-hander Matt Andriese on Tuesday. Los Angeles designated Minor League right-hander Luis Madero for assignment to make room for Andriese on its 40-man roster.Beasley posted a 4.06 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 102 strikeouts over 108 2/3 innings
Cardinals deal for Rays lefty Liberatore
It may be the middle of winter, but the hot stove has reignited.In the first major trade of the calendar year, the Cardinals acquired 2018 first-rounder Matthew Liberatore from the Rays. Catching prospect Edgardo Rodriguez and a Competitive Balance Round B selection (66th overall) also will head to St. Louis,
Simmons sped through Minors before Hall
SAN DIEGO -- Ted Simmons learned a lesson pretty quickly at the start of his professional baseball career. It's a lesson prospects such as Wander Franco, Luis Robert and another switch-handed catcher in Adley Rutschman pick up to this day.In the Minor Leagues, have bat, will travel. Simmons' next stop: