Introducing your Binghamton Bronies? (No, Not Really)

We put this story out there in the world with the knowledge that most minor league baseball name-the-team contests are a total farce, and there’s a 95 percent chance that the Binghamton Mets already know what their team name is going to be next season, but the Double-A Binghamton Mets are holding a name-the-team contest!

One of Binghamton's many carousels. Photo by Ammodramus. — One of Binghamton’s many carousels. Photo by Ammodramus.

The team is considering six options, four of which pay homage to Binghamton, New York’s title as the Carousel Capital of the World. From the team’s website, where you can vote (and your vote will definitely matter!), here are the names up for voting:

Binghamton Bullheads
A local inhabitant of the Susquehanna River, a Bullhead is a bullhead catfish. The bullhead displays a tough and resilient character such as the Binghamton community.

Binghamton Gobblers
A symbol of the rich hunting culture of the area, the “Binghamton Gobblers” honors the outdoorsman lifestyle and turkeys who call Binghamton home.

Binghamton Rocking Horses
The “Binghamton Rocking Horses” celebrates the Triple Cities’ rich history as the “Carousel Capital of the World.”

Binghamton Rumble Ponies
A tribute to the Triple Cities’ carousel heritage, the “Binghamton Rumble Ponies” is a herd of fierce horses that no carousel center pole can contain.

Binghamton Stud Muffins
While tipping a cap to the players on the field, the “Stud Muffins” celebrates the collection of carousel horses belonging to Binghamtonians.

Binghamton Timber Jockeys
Combining the fun of Minor League Baseball with the rich carousel history of the Triple Cities, the “Binghamton Timber Jockeys” pays homage to everyone that rides the carousels.

Our vote is for Rumble Ponies, because while the name is ostensibly related to carousels, there’s no way it doesn’t get shortened to the Binghamton Bronies. (See our artistic rendering at the top of this post.)

We applaud the B-Mets for making the long-overdue decision to abandon their parent club’s name and adopt a unique identity. (Why are there teams left that still go by their parent club’s name?) And if the arc this story takes is like every other new minor league baseball logo, whatever the final result is, fans will hate it for three days, Twitter will explode with derision, and then everyone will come around and Binghamton will top the merchandise sales charts in 2017.