Goodbye, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Hello ... well, we don't know yet.
The AAA New York Yankees affiliate based in Moosic will have a new identity for the 2027 season, with more information to be announced "soon" and plans for a full brand unveiling in November.
Team President and General Manager Shawn Reilly said in a release issued Tuesday that the rebrand is "about building an identity that our community can rally around for generations to come."
RailRiders communications director Adam Marco on Tuesday said the new name has already been chosen, and it was not something that was "done lightly or on a whim."
“This is something that's been in the planning phases for actually probably well over a year at this stage in time," Marco said. "From just the initial discussions, conversations, both internally with our corporate owners, Diamond Baseball Holdings, local community leaders that have been involved in this process as well."
The release said "the new identity will celebrate the region’s beauty, heritage, and outdoor legacy while strengthening the connection between the club, its community, and one of the most iconic franchises in professional sports."
So, why now?
Marco noted the change comes at a time when the team has seen attendance trending up and increasing interest in family-friendly events, such as fireworks, Cosmic Baseball and more.
"Well, it's an exciting period for our franchise, and most notably fans need to know that we're still playing at PNC Field. The team is not moving. We are still a Yankees AAA affiliate. None of that changes," he said. "This is just a chance to embrace a new identity, and you're not given these opportunities all that often in the grand scheme.”
The team was launched in 1989 as the Red Barons, then an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. It became a Yankees affiliate in 2007 and was renamed the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. The team was renamed the RailRiders in 2013.
What will be changing along with the new name?
"It's big things like the uniform ... the team store will get a facelift ... some hospitality areas," Marco said. "The game day program, for example, is called 'The Guide Rail.' So that will have a new name. There will be a full concept from the minute you drive up to the minute you leave," Marco said.
"Everywhere you go, the goal is to make it more of an immersive experience," he said.
What else won't be changing?
Champ, the team's mascot, is stayng put, Marco said.
"We are going to add a mascot as well, maybe more. We'll see where things take us," he said.
