Editor’s note: The following press release was written by Tim Heiman.
BINGHAMTON,NY – The Binghamton Mets and New York Mets today announced a four-year extension of their Player Development Contract, securing the B-Mets as NewYork’s Double-A affiliate through the 2016 season. The Binghamton Mets have been affiliated with New York for the past 21 seasons.
“We are pleased to continue our affiliation agreement with the New York Mets and as this season draws to a close, we look forward to our 22nd year as a New York Mets affiliate in 2013,” said team owner Mike Urda.
Founded in 1992, after the New York Mets moved the Williamsport Bills to the Southern Tier, the Binghamton Mets have been a proud affiliate since day one. In their 21-year history they have garnered two Eastern League titles and produced a long list of notable alumni.
The Binghamton Mets open their 2013 home schedule against the New Hampshire FisherCats on Thursday, April 11 at 6:35 PM.
Long ago and far away I spent some childhood development years in Bingo…1968-72. It was clearly a Mets town then. My dad and grandpa and their friends regularly chartered a bus from Binghamton for Saturday day Mets games. Even with the smoking and drinking and cursing to and from NYC, I was permitted to go along, and to share in their love of the Mets—which became mine. I loved Helmet Day. It took me til I was a teenager before I knew we went to Shea Stadium, as for quite a few years I thought it was named Shake Stadium from all the fans cheering and the planes coming and going. To this day, my ’69 WS pennant hangs in my office at home.
Well done Binghamton! Im glad you still are a Mets town!!
I still remember earlier in the year when reports were saying that they were ending their affiliation. Anyways, the more important team is the AAA team, because you would like it to be close so that you can call up someone quickly. If the Mets are forced to move to someplace like Las Vegas, it would mean that calling someone up would take at least 16-20 hours to get someone here, and you would be dependent on a flight. God forbid if there was any inclement weather.