All Things Bubba

...is no more. The new name is the Scranton/Wilkes/Barre RailRiders.

The announcement was made at a "Big Reveal" party tonight. There was free food (ballpark fare: hot dogs, nachos, chicken tenders, pretzels, popcorn, Cracker Jack, soda), along with games, face painters, and other entertainment for the kids. The Red Cross was also there, taking donations for Hurricane Sandy relief (cash and canned goods).

Yankees GM Brian Cashman was not there, but he recorded a short video that was played for the crowd. After the new name was announced, the merchandise tables near the front door were uncovered, revealing t-shirts, sweatshirts, souvenir bats, caps, tote bags, and more, all with the name or logos.

The colors harken back to the Red Barons (as the team was known before it became a Yankees affiliate), as does the intertwined SWB logo. The home uniform has Yankee pinstripes, there's a Yankees patch on one sleeve, and the batting practice jersey has a bat with a conductor's cap on it, reminiscent of the famous Yankees top hat and bat logo.

I guess they did a pretty good job, though perhaps they should have done it when they first moved to Scranton. Better the RailRiders than the Blast, Black Diamond Bears, Porcupines, Trolley Frogs or Fireflies.