Road Trips 2017 Part IV: Binghamton Rumble Ponies

• Part I - Pittsburgh Pirates,   Pittsburgh Part II: Forbes Field,   Philadelphia
• Part II - Baltimore Orioles,  Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Part III - Hartford Yard Goats

I'm glad to finally present you with Road Trips, Part IV.  This chronicles my Labor Day weekend adventure through my home state of New York.  The wife and I made stops in Hudson Valley/Fishkill, Troy/Tri-City, Cooperstown, and Binghamton.  I took 1,062 pictures, so it took some time for me to get them properly filed way.

If you've been following along, the wife and I fled the city and headed straight for Dutchess Stadium where we watched the Hudson Valley Renegades defeat the Vermont Lake Monsters.  We then continued our drive up to Cooperstown and finally checked-in ending day one.  After spending the next half day touring the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, it was off to Troy where I first stopped to visit a monument commemorating the 19th century Troy Haymakers BBC, and Troy baseball history.  We capped off the evening a few miles up the road watching the Tri-City Valley Cats hosting the Aberdeen Ironbirds, followed by an easy drive back to Cooperstown ending day two.

After a fine breakfast, the hotel accommodated us with a late check-out, allowing us to spend another half-day in the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and still have time for freshening up before leaving.  We sat for lunch along Main Street, checked out, then hit the road in time to catch an early evening game in Binghamton.

Ninety minutes and 82 miles later, I pull up to NYSEG Stadium only to find out, to my dismay, that evening's game against the Hartford Yard Goats has been called (which is nothing new in Binghamton).  The decision to postpone the game came somewhere around 2pm, but who knew.

It made little difference, though.  My plan was to catch that evening's game, stay overnight in Binghamton, then stop in Trenton on Labor Day (Monday) for the final leg home.  We went out for dinner instead, watched baseball at the hotel bar, caught Sunday's 2pm game, then drove straight home ending another great trip.

NOTE:  I've been withholding Cooperstown for last.  There's obviously a ton of items worthy of show and tell.  Make sure to check back soon.


Part IV 

• Hudson Valley Renegades
• Troy Haymakers
• Tri-City Valley Cats

BINGHAMTON RUMBLE PONIES

Double-A Affiliate of the New York Mets

*

EASTERN LEAGUE

Established in Binghamton 1992

Formerly affiliated with the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners, the team was originally founded in 1987 as the Williamsport Bills.  The team was purchased by the Mets and relocated to Binghamton in 1992 where they've served as an affiliate for the last 26 years.  The club has since changed hands several times, and at one point almost relocated to Delaware.

NYSEG STADIUM

Opened 1992

SUNDAY: GAME CALLED

The team was previously known as the

Binghamton Mets / B-Mets / Binghamton Bees

Upon purchasing ownership of the club in 2015, John Hughes recommitted the team to the city of Binghamton, and in 2016 initiated a re-branding, along with refurbishments to NYSE Stadium.  After a fan vote, the name Rumble Ponies won out, commemorating the local area's carousel history.

I arrived early for Monday's game, and was allowed to 

wander freely throughout the park for about 40-minutes or so.

LABOR DAY

Hartford Yard Goats

vs.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies

I was hoping to see Mets third base prospect David Thompson. but that line-up (left) got scrubbed due to Sunday's rain-out.  I had no problem, however, settling for Monday's line-up (right) featuring first base prospect Peter Alonso.

1B - Peter Alonso

Despite a stellar 85-54 record, Binghamton finished the 2017 regular season in second place behind the Trenton Thunder.  The two teams then faced off in the Eastern Division playoffs.  Binghamton took the series opener, but Threnton reeled off three straight victories to take the series.  After posting the Eastern League's best regular season record, however, the Thunder were swept in the Eastern League championship series in three straight by the Altoona Curve.

After capturing championships in 1992 and 1994, Binghamton went 20 years without winning another, until finally clinching their third Eastern League title in 2014.

N.J. Devils: Look Who's Number One

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY STYX

Newark Youth Gone Wild

NEW JERSEY DEVILS: Naysayers Be Damned..!

If you didn't know, the rebuilding New Jersey Devils are off to their best start in franchise history.

With Wednesday evening's 2-0 whitewashing of the Canucks in Vancouver, the Devils remain unbeaten through five games on the road, and improved to 9-2-0 overall.

For the moment, they lead the Metropolitan Division by a point over the Pittsburgh Penguins, while their 18 points are second in the Eastern Conference behind the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This all somewhat unexpected, but not that far fetched.

The Devils went 28-40-14 last season, which earned them the number one overall pick in the 2017 entry draft.  The real question is how far away were they away from converting some of last year's 14 overtime losses, which ranked third most in the league?

Between Oct. 17 through the 27th, three of the Devils four games exceeded regulation time.  They emerged victorious in a shoot-out victory over Tampa Bay, then defeated Ottawa two nights later in overtime.  After falling 3-0 to the San Jose Sharks, the Devils took the rematch over the Senators, winning 5-4 in their second shoot-out of the season.

The Devils are presently fifth in the league in scoring.  Their +11 goal differential is likewise second only to Tampa in the conference, and fourth best in the league.

Perhaps, that's the part no one saw coming.

For the moment, all eyes are on 19-year old Jesper Bratt.  The 162nd overall selection in the 2016 draft, the Devils rookie winger has ten points (4 goals, 6 assists) in his first 11 games.

As the number one overall pick of the 2010 draft, Edmonton Oilers fans might have felt shortchanged by winger Taylor Hall, who perhaps did leave something to be desired.  Now in his second season with New Jersey, though, he presently leads the Devils with 15 points.

Circling back to New Jersey's number one overall pick ... centerman Nico Hischier has a pair of goals and five assists in 11 games.  Center Adam Henrique, meanwhile, could possibly be heading towards his first career 60 point season.  And, no, I have no explanation for Brian Gibbons' team leading five goals.

However, I do know defense is really leading the New Jersey Devils' way.  Their 31 goals against are presently second fewest in the conference.

Drafted by Ray Shero in the second round of the 2012 entry draft, and now entering his fourth season, 23-year old Damon Severson is listed at 6'2", 205 lbs.  Shero then selected Steven Santini in the second round of the 2013 draft.  He is 22-years old, similarly listed at 6"2", and 205lbs., and now working full-time after appearing in 38 games last season.

In June of this year, Shero traded the Devils second and fourth round picks to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Mirco Mueller and a fifth round pick.  He is 22-years old, and listed at a somewhat larger 6'3", 210lbs.  In August, Shero then signed 22-year old Will Butcher to an entry level deal.  Somewhat smallish by comparison, he more closely resembles Andy Greene, listed at 5'10", and 199lbs.  Yet, he is second on the Devils with 11 assists so far this season, with seven coming on the power play.

Otherwise, Newark's blueliners come replete with stabilizing veterans.  Senior Devil Andy Greene is now in his 12th season with the club.  Signed as a free agent, the locally familiar John Moore was one of Ray Shero's first transactions after taking over for Lou Lamoriello as general manager.  Moore, listed at 6'3" 200lbs., posted a career high 10 goals, and 22 points last season.  Ben Lovejoy, now in year two of a three-year free agent deal, also brought size (6'1", 205lbs.) and Stanley Cup experience to the fold.

Surely, then, early season victories against Colorado, Toronto, the New York Rangers, Tampa Bay, Ottawa, and Vancouver, must count for something.

Have some courtesy ... give John Hynes and the Devils their due.

Road Trips 2017 Part IV: Tri-City Valley Cats

• Part I - Pittsburgh Pirates,   Pittsburgh Part II: Forbes Field,   Philadelphia
• Part II - Baltimore Orioles,  Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Part III - Hartford Yard Goats

I'm glad to finally present you with Road Trips, Part IV.  This chronicles my Labor Day weekend adventure through my home state of New York.  The wife and I made stops in Hudson Valley/Fishkill, Troy/Tri-City, Cooperstown, and Binghamton.  I took 1,062 pictures, so it took some time for me to get them properly filed way.

We fled the city and headed straight for Dutchess Stadium where we watched the Hudson Valley Renegades defeat the Vermont Lake Monsters.  We then continued our drive up to Cooperstown and finally checked-in ending day one.  After spending the next half day touring the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, it was off to Troy where I first stopped to visit the monument commemorating the 19th century Troy Haymakers BBC, and Troy baseball history.  We capped off the night a few miles up the road watching the Tri-City Valley Cats hosting the Aberdeen Ironbirds, followed by an easy drive back to Cooperstown ending day two.

NOTE: I'm leaving Cooperstown for last.  Lots-o-stuff to cover.

But let me tell you something about Joseph Bruno Stadium.  They have great freakin food!  Lots of different kinds of great food, and it's a nice place too.  A good crowd on hand also made for a lively night at the ballpark.  Excellent job by them!

Part IV - Hudson Valley Renegades,  Troy Haymakers

TRI-CITY VALLEY CATS

AFFILIATE of the HOUSTON ASTROS

*

New York-Penn League

Established in Troy 2002

The Valley Cats were originally founded in 1977 as the Little Falls Mets, and remained affiliated with the New York Mets for their first 24 years of existence until relocating to Troy.  The Mets established the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2001, and the Valley Cats have been affiliated with the Houston Astros ever since.

Joseph L. Bruno Stadium

The Tr-City Valley Cats swept my beloved Brooklyn Cyclones 

in capturing the 2010 New York-Penn League Championship.

N.Y. Islanders: Prime Time For John Tavares

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

4-0-1 At Home To Start Season

New York Islanders: Each John Tavares Goal Nudges New Ownership Another Two Minutes Closer To Midnight.

Don't take your eyes off John Tavares.

I say that for a few reasons.

As a 27-year old, he's only now entering his athletic prime.  I admit it's a little early for this, but something special may be unfolding before our eyes.

The first overall pick of the 2009 entry draft, Tavares is already well on his way towards a career season.  The only question is, how far can he take this?

His slash presently reads 11 goals, 4 assists, 15 points, in just 12 games.

Entering this season, Tavares has topped 30 goals three times in eight campaigns.  To date, his 38 goals in 2014-15 are his career best.  He finished just one point shy of equaling his total games played in each of the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.  His points then exceeded games played by seven in 2014-15, and by four the following season.

Tavares scored his first two goals of this season against the Buffalo Sabres in the Islanders second game of the season, but then went pointless in his next five games.  He finally netted his third goal of the season on Oct. 21, against San Jose.  Then unleashed fury with a pair of hat tricks against Arizona and Nashville, followed by another pair of goals against the expansion Vegas Golden Knights Monday night at Barclays Center, giving him nine goals in his last five games.

It just so happens John Tavares is also in his contract year.

Therefore, the Islanders are facing two choices: Pay him his worth and lock him up long term.  Or, try and maximize a trade by the deadline.

With regards to the latter, trading John Tavares would be a complete disaster.  So would letting him walk away as a free agent, for that matter.  The Islanders can not allow, nor afford, letting either scenario playing out.  Not after what the fans have been made to endure over the last two decades.

John Tavares is the franchise.  There's no way of overstating that fact.  He has been the Captain since 2013, and is clearly among the NHL's elite centers.  Between 1992 and 2001, the Islanders retired six jerseys belonging to members of the dynasty teams of the early 1980s.  None have gone up since.  There are some arguments to be made for other players.  Retiring Tavares' number, however, is becoming more of a certainty with each passing year.

If you're John Tavares, of course you want to get paid fair market value.  And even if the Islanders meet his price, will new ownership continue elevating the talent around him?  Make no mistake, parting ways with Kyle Okposo did not sit well with Tavares.  These may be new owners, but things like that remain in players' minds.  This is, after all, a business.

That being said, I'm sure missing the playoffs last season certainly didn't help the situation.  This is his ninth season with the organization, and the Islanders have only qualified for the post-season just three times since his arrival, with only one series victory to show.

One must also consider how Barclays Center fails as a viable NHL arena, and the continuing uncertainty regarding a potential arena next to Belmont Park.  Ownership has already stated the Islanders will be playing in Brooklyn through next season regardless.

All things considered, one has to wonder whether John Tavares will even want to continue playing with the Islanders.

It will be interesting, to say the least, watching Scott Malkin and Jonathan Ledecky negotiate a new home for the Islanders in Belmont (because I do not believe there is a Plan-B in place), and a new deal for one of the league's premier players at the same time.

One has absolutely everything to do with the other.  Tavares sells tickets.  Without him, the dominoes begin to fall.  Fans become disinterested.  That translates into empty seats in a potential new arena.  And before you know it, another decade of bad hockey has gone by.

Unfortunately, the Islanders do not have the luxury of wooing a new market starved for NHL hockey.  This is the same market, and the same increasingly disaffected fans who for long have been numbed by organizational inefficiencies and inadequacies.

*

The Islanders have won five of their last six games, and with their 6-3 victory over Vegas, improved to 4-0-1 at home.  They end the month of October 7-4-1, and just one point behind the first place New Jersey Devils in the Metropolitan Division standings.

Next on the docket: Thursday night against the Capitals in Washington.