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.
Sock Puppets Release 2023 Roster
Burlington, NC. The Burlington Sock Puppets unveiled their initial 2023 Summer Roster today, which looks to be loaded with high-potential talent. More talent is coming to Sockville coming off of a 38-win season in 2022 that saw the Sock Puppets win the East Division and finish runner-up in the MLB
Sock Puppets release 2023 promotional schedule
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The third year of the Burlington Sock Puppets, presented by visitalamance.com is shaping up to be special. Today, the club announced their featured promotions for the 2023 summer season. Promotions include four specialty jerseys, six firework shows, a second iteration of a Socksquatch Bobblehead, t-shirt giveaways and
Sock Puppets announce 2023 on-field staff
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- As the spring collegiate season is well underway, the Sock Puppets are gearing up for another championship run in 2023. The club announced its on-field staff that features four returning members, and one highly-exciting new addition. Anthony Essien, who was announced in February he was returning for
Appalachian League's 2023 managers set to take the helm
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Over the last several weeks, Appalachian League teams have announced their managers for the 2023 season. That group includes four brand-new faces with more than 150 years of combined experience in professional baseball. Former big league manager John McLaren, along with Dennis Cook, Bill Kinneberg and
Appalachian League participates in MLK Day of Service
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in the 28th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023, volunteering in nine communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil
Sock Puppets announce staff changes
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The Burlington Sock Puppets have a few familiar faces getting much-deserved promotions, and have made one new hire to the Front Office Staff. The 2022 Appalachian League Organization of the Year announced today that the once full-time staff count of two (in 2021) is now jumping to
Sock Puppets run it back with Essien as manager
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The 2022 season had a bunch of accolades for the Burlington Sock Puppets; won the Organization of the Year, hosted the MLB Network Televised All-Star Game, won the East Division and hosted the 2022 Championship Game, broke the single-game attendance record, to name just a few. Now,
Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service. The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10
Appalachian League elects two to Hall of Fame
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Appalachian League announced two new members have been elected to the Appalachian League Hall of Fame. The 2022 HOF Class included former Major League pitcher CC Sabathia and former Major League manager Jim Leyland. "It is truly an honor to announce our 2022 class of
Appy League adds Justin Morgenstern as director of player personnel
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Morgenstern as the new director of player personnel. Morgenstern joins the Appalachian League from the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was an area scout since 2016. Morgenstern spent his first three years with the organization covering
Burlington Sock Puppets named Appalachian League Organization of the Year
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that the Burlington Sock Puppets are the 2022 Organization of the Year. This award is given to the club that exemplifies the standards of the complete baseball franchise, based upon franchise stability, contributions to the league stability, contributions to baseball in the
Appalachian League announces Humanitarian of the Year nominees
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 10 nominees for its 2022 Humanitarian of the Year award. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through
2022 All-Appalachian League Team announced
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 2022 All-Appalachian League Team. The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The All-Appalachian League Team is highlighted by Bluefield’s Jackson Feltner, who was named Player of the Year, and Burlington’s Mason Ruh, who earned Pitcher of the
Ruh named Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that Burlington's Mason Ruh (Northern Illinois) was named the Pitcher of the Year. Ruh went 6-0 with one save in 18 appearances (four starts) for the Sock Puppets this summer. Ruh finished the season with a 2.66 ERA and 56 strikeouts in
Kingsport beats Burlington, claims 2022 Appy League title
BURLINGTON, N.C. — The Kingsport Axmen defeated the Burlington Sock Puppets, 5-2, on Monday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium to win the 2022 Appalachian League Championship. The Axmen built an early 5-0 lead and relied on pitchers Ryan Murphy (James Madison) and Andrew Lindsey (Tennessee) the rest of the way.
McCrystal, Tarbert earn final 2022 Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Burlington's Ryan McCrystal (East Carolina) and Greeneville's Roan Tarbert (East Georgia State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of August 1-6, respectively. McCrystal hit .550 with one home run and eight RBI in five games for the Burlington
McCrystal, Wohlgemuth earn Appalachian League monthly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Burlington's Ryan McCrystal (East Carolina) and Bluefield's Nate Wohlgemuth (Rogers State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Month of July, respectively. McCrystal hit .410 with three home runs and 31 RBI in 22 July games for the Burlington Sock
Johnson Jr. hits walk-off single, East tops West at 2022 Appy League All-Star Game
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr
Roster announced for 2022 Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance
The Appalachian League announced the rosters for the second Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance. The rosters will feature 44 of the league's top players from the East and West Divisions, as nominated and voted on by the league's managers. The Visit Alamance All-Star Game is scheduled to
Zaborowski, Cumming earn Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Pulaski's Ryland Zaborowski (Miami University) and Burlington's Dylan Cumming (Liberty) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of July 4-10, respectively. Zaborowski hit .538 (7-for-13) with three home runs and 12 RBI in four games played for the Pulaski
Visit Alamance presents the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The Burlington Sock Puppets will host the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star presented by Visit Alamance on July 25 and 26. The two-day event at Burlington Athletic Stadium will feature a Fan Fest and Skills Competition on Monday and the All-Star Game on Tuesday. The Visit Alamance All-Star
Owusu-Asiedu, Cumming earn Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Elizabethton's Avery Owusu-Asiedu (SIU Edwardsville) and Burlington's Dylan Cumming (Liberty) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of June 27-July 3, respectively. Owusu-Asiedu hit .500 (12-for-24) with two home runs and eight RBI in five games played for the
Feltner, Cooper claim Appalachian League monthly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield's Jackson Feltner (Morehead State) and Burlington's Trey Cooper (NC State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Month of June, respectively. Feltner hit .372 with four home runs and 22 RBI in 24 games played for the Bluefield Ridge
St. Laurent, Holmes earn Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Burlington's Austin St. Laurent (Appalachian State) and Elizabethton's Jackson Holmes (Saint Louis) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of June 20-26, respectively. St. Laurent hit .615 (8-for-13) with two home runs and nine RBI in four games played