The Rumble Ponies: A Name That Stuck in Binghamton

Back in 1992, Binghamton welcomed a baseball team that quickly became part of our identity. For 24 years, they were the Binghamton Mets, or the B-Mets as we fondly called them.

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The Surprise That Rocked the Town

Then came 2016. Out of nowhere, the news dropped that our team would be changing its name. To say people were shocked would be an understatement. From May 17 to June 1, a name the team contest was launched, and the suggestions ranged from quirky to downright bizarre. Among the options? The Bullheads, the Stud Muffins, the Rocking Horses, and believe it or not, the Rumble Ponies.

The Birth of the Rumble Ponies

By November of 2016, the decision was official: the Binghamton Mets would become the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. The backlash was immediate. Local fans weren’t happy, and even national outlets couldn’t resist poking fun. USA Today ran a feature in March of 2017 calling the Rumble Ponies one of the “10 weirdest minor league baseball team names,” ranking it at number six.

A Name That Made Headlines

USA Today didn’t hold back in its critique, joking that the name was “a quirky moniker named after horses on a merry-go-round.” And while it stung to see our hometown team become the butt of jokes, at least we didn’t land in the number one spot. That dubious honor went to the New Orleans Baby Cakes. Can you even imagine cheering for the Baby Cakes?

From Mockery to Local Pride

Over time, something shifted. The name that once felt silly began to feel like ours. Slowly but surely, the Rumble Ponies grew on the community. And we’re grateful they did because in 2019, when Major League Baseball announced it would be cutting ties with 42 minor league teams, the New York Mets stepped in to keep their affiliation with Binghamton.

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Holding On to What Matters

Our team may have been reorganized into the Double A Northeast, but the important part remains: Binghamton still has baseball. We still have summer nights at the ballpark, the crack of the bat, and the chance to make memories with our families. The name might have changed, but the heart of Binghamton baseball is still beating strong.