Former Mets President, Chaplain, And Ex-pitcher Join Baseball Shrine

Monday, August 31, 2026, information was released by the Binghamton Rumble Ponies that three members will be inducted into the Binghamton Baseball Shrine.

This 30th induction class includes former Binghamton Mets team president Michael Urda, team chaplain Tom O'Connor, and former Major League pitcher and Windsor High School baseball coach Joel Bennett.

The three inductees will be celebrated on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Mirabito Stadium on Henry Street, Binghamton, just before the Rumble Ponies game versus the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

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Rumble Ponies officials ask that fans be in their seats by 5:20 p.m. to see the pregame induction ceremonies, which will be emceed by WNBF Radio's legendary broadcaster Roger Neel.

Some information on the three inductees, according to the announcement from the Binghamton Rumble Ponies:

Michael Urda

Urda served as the primary owner of the Binghamton Mets from 1994 through December 2015, as part of the Binghamton Mets Baseball Club ownership group, alongside George Scherer, Bill Maines, and David Maines.

A Binghamton native and graduate of Binghamton Central High School, Urda was a successful local businessman who operated Elliott Manufacturing before purchasing the Binghamton Mets. During his ownership, the Binghamton Mets captured Eastern League championships in 1994 and 2014.

Urda also oversaw several improvements to the ballpark, including the installation of a digital video scoreboard in 2007, and played a pivotal role in keeping the franchise in Binghamton amid relocation discussions over the years.

Tom O'Connor

O'Connor has served as the team chaplain since 2003 and continues in that role today with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.

A former athletic director at Davis College in New York, O'Connor provided spiritual and emotional support to players, coaches, and staff. Throughout his 20+ years as the team chaplain with Double-A Binghamton, he has developed countless lifelong relationships while serving generations of players as they pursued their professional baseball careers.

Joel Bennett

A Binghamton native and Windsor Central High School graduate, Bennett was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 21st round of the 1991 MLB Draft out of East Stroudsburg University.

His professional playing career spanned 17 seasons. Bennett led all of Minor League Baseball with 221 strikeouts in 1993 before making his Major League debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 1998. He also spent time with the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

Since 2002, Bennett has been a physical education teacher in the Windsor Central School District and has dedicated more than 20 years to coaching middle school and high school baseball. He was inducted into the Greater Binghamton Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.

The Binghamton Baseball Shrine has been honoring sports figures who have made significant contributions to baseball in the Greater Binghamton community since 1993.

For more information, visit the BInghamton Rumble Ponies website.

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