Celebrating Black History Month: Highlighting Dickerson, Longmire & Neal
In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club. While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply
In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club.
While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers. Some were notable for their presence, both on and off the field.
And, in a few cases, some had that one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”
Over the month, we will highlight some of the best Black baseball players to ever suit up for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
In the past, we have featured greats like Marlon Anderson, Ryan Howard, Aaron Judge, Wendell Magee and Jimmy Rollins..
This month, we have focused on Tony Barron, DJ Mitchell and Floyd Rayford as well as Austin Jackson, Kevin Jordan and Billy McMillon.
Last week, Lou Collier, Jamie Westbrook and Mason Williams were highlighted.
Chris Dickerson
Dickerson was initially drafted by New York in 2000 but chose to attend the University of Nevada after high school. The Yankees would eventually bring him into the fold, acquiring the outfielder in 2011 in a trade with Milwaukee. Dickerson appeared in 126 games for the SWB/ Empire State Yankees between 2011 and 2012, batting .282 with nine home runs, 41 runs batted in and 35 stolen bases. He also appeared in 85 games for the Yankees those seasons. His professional career spanned 15 years and 1,001 games.
Tony Longmire
Longmire was selected in the 8th round of the 1986 First-Year Player Draft by Pittsburgh out of Logan High School in Vallejo, California, and was traded to Philadelphia at the end of the 1990 season. He started 1991 with Reading in Double-A but jumped to the Red Barons squad for 36 games, batting .261 to close the year. After missing the 1992 campaign, Longmire came back to SWB strong in 1993. The outfielder hit .304 over 120 games for skipper George Culver’s team. Longmire hit six home runs and drove in 67 while leading the team in hits and doubles. Longmire was inducted into the Vallejo Sports of Fame in 2020.
Thomas Neal
Neal was drafted by San Francisco, came up through the Giants organization and excelled most every step along the way. In 2013, he signed with the Yankees as a free agent and appeared in 72 games for Dave Miley’s first-ever RailRiders club. Neal hit .325 with 17 doubles, two home runs and 29 runs batted in. He closed out his playing days in 2015 but served as a hitting coach in the Giants Minor League system for years.
Offertunity Knocks: RailRiders announce two special deals
MOOSIC, PA (April 3, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced two special offers for the upcoming 2025 season. After popular runs in 2024, the College Rush ticket offer has returned for students and the Military Discount has been upgraded for active or
Second Too Much: Mets best RailRiders 7-4 Saturday
Syracuse, NY (April 5, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders dropped a 7-4 final to the Syracuse Mets at NBT Bank Stadium on Saturday. The Mets scored six runs in the second and limited the RailRiders to three home runs to secure the win. Box Score Syracuse jumped on RailRiders starter
Marathon Men: RailRiders storm past Mets late
Syracuse, NY (April 4, 2025) – On the strength of a six-run seventh inning, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders beat the Syracuse Mets 12-4 at NBT Bank Stadium on Friday. Jorbit Vivas and Braden Shewmake each hit home runs to back the RailRiders to their second straight win and third in four
Fun Incoming: 2025 promo slate announced!
MOOSIC, PA (March 4, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced their promotions, appearances, theme nights and giveaways for the 2025 campaign. The new season will showcase 11 fireworks dates, four Copa de la Diversión games, three new custom jerseys, appearances, unique giveaways
Get Right Night: Leibrandt and early runs pace win
Syracuse, NY (April 3, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders beat the Syracuse Mets 5-1 Thursday night at NBT Bank Stadium. The RailRiders offense opened an early lead and the pitching staff made it stick as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre leveled its record six games into the season. Box Score After being limited to
Stymied: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre falls 5-1 Wednesday
Syracuse, NY (April 2, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders fell 5-1 to the Syracuse Mets on Wednesday at NBT Bank Stadium. Three Mets pitchers limited the RailRiders to four hits and a total of seven base runners, three of which reached in the ninth. Box Score Syracuse tabbed a run
Debut Day: Initial RailRiders Roster Announced
MOOSIC, PA (March 28, 2025) – The New York Yankees have announced the Opening Day roster for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. The debut roster for Manager Shelley Duncan coming out of Spring Training features three of the Top-30 prospects in the Yankees farm system, four members of the 40-man roster and
Squid Game: Velazquez paces SWB in 6-2 win
Syracuse, NY (April 1, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders bested the Syracuse Mets 6-2 Tuesday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium. Andrew Velazquez drove in four to lead the RailRiders to their second straight win on this nine-game road trip to open the season. Box Score Scranton/Wilkes-Barre jumped to an early
More Like It: RailRiders topple IronPigs 14-3
Allentown, PA (March 30, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders throttled the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 14-3 at Coca-Cola Park Sunday afternoon. The RailRiders held a two-run lead heading into the top of the ninth and added nine runs to seal the series finale for their first win of the season. Box
One-Runned: RailRiders drop second straight 5-4 final
Allentown, PA (March 29, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders lost 5-4 to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Saturday at Coca-Cola Park. Lehigh Valley built a 5-0 lead and staved off a pair of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre comeback efforts to collect the series win with one game to go. Box Score The IronPigs
Best Days Ahead: RailRiders Daily Promotions Announced
MOOSIC, PA (February 27, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders have set their 2025 daily promotions and fireworks nights for the upcoming season. The RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, start their home schedule on April 8 against the Rochester Red Wings; the first of 75 home games at
Slow Go: RailRiders fall to IronPigs 5-4
Allentown, PA (March 28, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders fell 5-4 to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Friday evening at Coca-Cola Park. The IronPigs hit home runs in three consecutive innings to rally past the RailRiders on Opening Night. Box Score Scranton/Wilkes-Barre opened the scoring in the third inning against
New Preset: Fuzz 96.1 set as new radio flagship
MOOSIC, PA (February 25, 2025) – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders games will now be heard on Fuzz 96.1 after a radio rights agreement between the club and Times-Shamrock Media. All 150 RailRiders regular season games will be broadcast, as well as any potential playoff games for the Triple-A affiliate of the New
Season Loading: Family FunFest set for March 30
MOOSIC, PA (March 21, 2025) – Join us at PNC Field on Sunday, March 30, for our annual Family FunFest! Doors open at 12:30 with special offers, tours and plenty more! Beat-the-Clock “Beat the Clock” and save! Buy tickets for the April 8 home opener against Rochester at the PNC
On Sale Now! Single-Game Tickets for 2025
MOOSIC, PA (February 3, 2025) – Single-game tickets for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 2025 season are on sale now online at www.swbrailriders.com. The RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, play 75 home games at PNC Field this coming season, beginning on April 8. Since Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow
Celebrating Black History Month: Highlighting Kevin Thompson
In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club. While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply
Shining Moments: March Mania ticket promo returns in 2025
MOOSIC, PA (February 18, 2025) – College basketball’s big dance is almost here and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are excited to announce the return of their ticket promotion built around tourney time. Each year, the RailRiders give fans the opportunity to pair ticket packages purchased with teams from the NCAA men’s
Celebrating Black History Month: Highlighting Chuck McElroy
In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club. While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply
Celebrating Black History Month: Highlighting Zelous Wheeler
In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club. While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply
RailRiders University Community Series Returns
MOOSIC, PA (February 11, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce the schedule for the ninth annual RailRiders University Community Series, presented by Geisinger. Each year, the RailRiders welcome local high school teams and the Wyoming Valley Challenger League onto PNC Field to showcase their talents. 25 different
Celebrating Black History Month: Highlighting Leon Day
In celebration of Black History Month, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club. While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great
Conducting Roles: RailRiders Field Staff set for '25
MOOSIC, PA (January 24, 2025) – The New York Yankees have announced that Shelley Duncan will return to lead the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in 2025; his third straight season at the helm. Duncan paced the RailRiders to an 89-win campaign in 2024, finishing with the second-best overall mark in the International
Winning Time: SWB Football Squares back for 2025
MOOSIC, PA (January 13, 2025) – Super Bowl LIX is just weeks away and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are bringing back the Football Squares promotion to upgrade and reward new ticket package purchases with great prizes and experiences. Fans can purchase flex plans, partial, half or full-season memberships to get involved
Help Wanted: RailRiders hosting two game day job fairs in January
MOOSIC, PA (December 18, 2024) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders will hold two game day staff job fairs in January as they prepare for the 2025 season. The job fairs will be held in the club level at PNC Field on Wednesday, January 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M., and on
What a Season! RailRiders Record 89th win in 2024 Campaign
BOX SCORE | SWB 8, BUF 4 BUFFALO, NY (September 22, 2024) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders beat the Buffalo Bisons 8-4 in the season finale. Ben Rice smashed a grand slam to help the team total their 89th victory of the summer, their second most wins in a single-season in