Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
{{Short description|Minor League Baseball team in Moosic, Pennsylvania}}
{{Redirect|RailRiders|the former British Rail railroad enthusiasts fan club|Rail Riders}}
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
| name = Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
| founded = 1989
| city = Moosic, Pennsylvania
| misc =
| logo = SWB RailRiders logo.svg
| uniformlogo = SWBRailRiderscap.PNG
| class level = Triple-A (1989–present)
| current league = International League (1989–present)
| conference =
| division = East Division
| past league =
| majorleague = New York Yankees (2007–present)
| pastmajorleague = Philadelphia Phillies (1989–2006)
| colors = Navy blue, cranberry, gold, white
{{color box|#003366}} {{color box|#840026}} {{color box|#D4AF37}} {{color box|white}}
| nickname = Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (2013–present)
| pastnames = {{plainlist|
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (2007–2012)
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (1989–2006)
}}
| ballpark = PNC Field (2013–present)
| pastparks = {{plainlist|
- Multiple locations (2012)
- PNC Field (1989–2011)
}}
| classnum = 1
| classchamps = {{hlist|2016}}
| leaguenum = 2
| leaguechamps = {{hlist|2008|2016}}
| divnum = 13
| divisionchamps = {{hlist|1992|1999|2002|2006|2007|2008|2009|2010|2012|2015|2016|2017|2019}}
| wildcardnum = 3
| wildcardberths = {{hlist|2000|2001|2018}}
| owner = Diamond Baseball Holdings
| manager = Shelley Duncan
| website = {{URL|https://www.milb.com/scranton-wb|milb.com/scranton-wb}}
}}
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, often abbreviated to SWB RailRiders, are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They are located in Moosic, Pennsylvania, in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, and are named in reference to Northeastern Pennsylvania being home to the first trolley system in the United States. The RailRiders have played their home games at PNC Field since its opening in 1989.
Founded as members of the International League in 1989, the team was known as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons during their affiliation with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1989 to 2006. They became known as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in 2007 after affiliating with the New York Yankees. They rebranded as the RailRiders in 2013. The RailRiders became members of the Triple-A East in 2021, but this league was renamed the International League in 2022.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has won two International League championships (2008 and 2016) and one Triple-A National Championship (2016).
History
= Prior professional baseball in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area =
Professional baseball teams first played in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (SWB) area of Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. In Scranton, the predominant moniker of these teams was the Scranton Miners, who originated in 1886 as the Scranton Indians, though they were also known as Coal Heavers and Red Sox throughout their history.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Scranton&state=PA&country=US|title=Scranton, Pennsylvania Encyclopedia|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=September 10, 2022}} The Miners' last season was in 1953 as members of the Eastern League. The franchise was surrendered to the league after it was unable to secure backing by a Major League Baseball team for 1954.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83041355/el-to-operate-without-scranton/|via=Newspapers.com|title=EL to Operate Without Scranton; Allentown In|work=The Evening Times|location=Sayre|date=December 15, 1953|page=13}} In Wilkes-Barre, the Wilkes-Barre Barons, originally the Coal Barons, who were established in 1886, played their last season in the Eastern League in 1955.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Wilkes-Barre&state=PA&country=US|title=Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Encyclopedia|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=August 8, 2021}} Financial problems resulted in the relocation of the franchise to Johnstown during the 1955 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83042630/johnstown-gets-eastern-berth/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Johnstown Gets Eastern Berth|work=Latrobe Bulletin|location=Latrobe|date=June 27, 1955|page=20}}
= Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (1989–2006) =
Over three decades after Minor League Baseball left the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, the Maine Phillies were relocated from Old Orchard Beach, Maine, to Lackawanna County in 1989.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109286555/guides-bid-adieu-to-maine-become-red/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Guides Bid Adieu to Maine, Become Red Barons in '89|work=Citizens' Voice|location=Wilkes-Barre|date=September 2, 1988|page=66}} A group from Scranton, called Northeast Baseball, Inc. (NBI), purchased the team in 1987. The previous owner tried to renege on the sale, but after a lengthy court battle, NBI won control of the franchise and moved forward with its relocation. The team was renamed the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons in reference to the Scranton Red Sox and the Wilkes-Barre Barons, who had preceded them. They were to play in the International League (IL) as the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, as had the franchise in Maine. Their home ballpark was the newly-constructed Lackawanna County Stadium, later renamed PNC Field, located in nearby Moosic, Pennsylvania.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/venues/v-2493|title=PNC Field|website=Stats Crew|access-date=September 10, 2022}}
File:PNC Field right field.jpg, formerly Lackawanna County Stadium, since 1989.]]
The Red Barons struggled in their early years, finishing under .500 in their first three seasons. In 1992, manager Lee Elia led SWB to an 84–58 record and the Eastern Division title.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/t-sb14479/y-1992|title=1992 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons Statistics|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-1992|title=1992 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} In the playoffs, they defeated the Pawtucket Red Sox in the semifinals but lost the league championship versus the Columbus Clippers. The Red Barons posted losing records for the next six seasons.
Marc Bombard took over as manager in 1997 and led the club to four consecutive postseason appearances from 1999 to 2002.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/c-89c0965c|title=Marc Bombard Minor League Baseball Coaching Records|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} The 1999 Northern Division champion Red Barons were eliminated from the playoffs in the semifinals by the Charlotte Knights.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-1999|title=1999 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} In 2000, the team missed winning the division but qualified for the IL wild card spot. They defeated the Buffalo Bisons in the semifinals but fell to the Indianapolis Indians in the championship round. {{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2000|title=2000 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} Another wild card berth in 2001 sent SWB back to the playoffs. They won the semifinals over Buffalo, 3–2, and advanced to face the Louisville RiverBats for the league title.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2001|title=2001 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} After losing Game One of the series, the postseason came to abrupt end when it was cancelled in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.{{cite news|last=Bennett|first=Brian|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102833459/international-league-rules-playoffs-over/|via=Newspapers.com|title=International League Rules Playoffs Over|work=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville|date=September 13, 2001|page=E1}} Louisville, with a 1–0 series lead, was declared the champion. The Red Barons returned to the playoffs in 2002 with the Northern Division title but were eliminated by Buffalo in the semifinals.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2002|title=2002 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} They made one more postseason appearance as the Red Barons and as a Phillies affiliate in 2006 via a division title win, but the Rochester Red Wings ended their championship hopes in the semifinals.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2006|title=2006 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}}
Following the 2006 season, the Philadelphia Phillies ended their affiliation with the Red Barons and signed a player development contract with the Ottawa Lynx in anticipation of that team's move to Allentown's new Coca-Cola Park as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for the 2008 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109470501/red-barons-are-now-yankees/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Red Barons are Now Yankees|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia|date=December 14, 2006|page=D8}}
= Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (2007–2012) =
File:Scranton Yankees BP allentown.jpg before a game in 2009]]
In 2007, the club became the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees and rebranded as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. In terms of regular-season records and championships, the Yankees affiliation has been more successful than that with the Phillies. From 2007 to 2009, the SWB Yankees made four consecutive trips to the postseason, all by virtue of winning the Northern Division title. The 2007 team was eliminated in the semifinal round by the Richmond Braves.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2007|title=2007 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} In 2008, the Yankees won another division title with an 88–56 record behind manager Dave Miley.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2008|title=2008 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/c-9bcd3c96|title=Dave Miley
|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} After defeating Pawtucket in the semifinals, 3–1, the Yankees beat the Durham Bulls, 3–1, in the final round to earn the Governors' Cup, their first IL championship. This qualified them for the Bricktown Showdown, a single game against the Pacific Coast League's champion to determine an overall champion of the Triple-A classification. They lost the Triple-A championship versus the Sacramento River Cats by a score of 4–1.{{Cite web|url=http://www.triple-abaseball.com/2008btsdbox.pdf|title=Sacramento River Cats (84-61) 4, Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees (88-57) 1|publisher=Triple-A Baseball|access-date=August 17, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130233258/https://www.triple-abaseball.com/2008btsdbox.pdf|archive-date=November 30, 2020}} SWB won the 2009 semifinals over the Gwinnett Braves, 3–1, but were swept by Durham in the finals, 3–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2009|title=2009 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} The 2010 team was eliminated by Columbus in the semifinals.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2010|title=2010 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}}
In November 2010, the Lackawanna County Multipurpose Stadium Authority voted to sell the SWB Yankees to Mandalay Baseball Properties, which planned a $40-million renovation of PNC Field.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-16049838 |title=SWB Yankees, LLC Welcome Stadium Authority Decision on Renovation |website=Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=November 10, 2010 |access-date=September 15, 2022}} However, negotiations stalled the actual sale for over a year.{{cite web|last=Reichard |first=Kevin |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/201202274544/minor-league-baseball/news/sale-still-pending-for-swb-yankees |title=Sale Still Pending for SWB Yankees; Could Team Depart |website=Ballpark Digest |date=February 27, 2012 |access-date=September 15, 2022}} The sale was finalized on April 26, 2012, with the franchise being sold to SWB Yankees LLC, an ownership entity that was a joint venture between the New York Yankees and Mandalay.{{cite web|last=Reichard |first=Kevin |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/201204264789/minor-league-baseball/news/swb-yankees-sold |title=SWB Yankees Sold |website=Ballpark Digest |date=April 26, 2012 |access-date=September 15, 2022}}
==Empire State Yankees==
The SWB Yankees chose to temporarily relocate their operations for the 2012 season to allow major renovations to PNC Field to be completed in one season, rather than being spread over two to three years. The team based itself in Rochester, New York, at Frontier Field, home of Red Wings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/rochester/news/gcs-25398076|title=Red Wings to Host SWB Yankees Games in '12|website=Rochester Red Wings|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=September 30, 2011|access-date=September 15, 2012}} They played their entire schedule on the road, often being designated as the home team at an opponent's ballpark. In addition to Frontier Field, the Yankees also played home games at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia, New York; Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse, New York; Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, New York; Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania; and McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.{{cite web|url=http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/documents/2011/09/30/25401780/1/SWB_Yannkees_announce_home_sites_for_2012.pdf|title=SWB Yankees Announce Home Sites for 2012|website=Minor League Baseball|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919210343/http://www.milb.com/documents/2011/09/30/25401780/1/SWB_Yannkees_announce_home_sites_for_2012.pdf|archive-date=September 19, 2012}} The team was known as the Empire State Yankees in the 2012 season for promotional purposes, though it retained its official SWB Yankees moniker.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-27061090|title=Empire State Yankees Name, Logos Revealed|website=Rochester Red Wings |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=March 6, 2012 |access-date=September 15, 2022}} After missing the playoffs in 2011, the Yankees returned in 2012 by winning the Northern Division title, but they were eliminated by Pawtucket in the semifinals.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2012|title=2012 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}}
= Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (2013–present) =
In anticipation of their return to the renovated PNC Field in 2013, a name-the-team contest was launched to select a new moniker for the SWB franchise. Among the finalists were "Blast", "Black Diamond Bears", "Fireflies", "Porcupines", and "Trolley Frogs".{{cite web|last=Reichard |first=Kevin |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/201208105342/minor-league-baseball/features/trolley-frogs-blast-porcupines-highlight-potential-new-swb-yankees-names |title=Trolley Frogs, Blast, Porcupines Highlight Potential New SWB Yankees Names |website=Ballpark Digest |date=August 10, 2012 |access-date=September 16, 2022}} The chosen name, "RailRiders", is in reference to Northeastern Pennsylvania being home to the first trolley system in the United States.{{cite web|last=Reichard |first=Kevin |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/201211155848/minor-league-baseball/news/new-for-2013-scrantonwilkes-barre-railriders |title=New for 2013: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders |website=Ballpark Digest |date=November 15, 2012 |access-date=September 16, 2022}} Although RailRiders received the most first-place votes by fans, Porcupines received the most overall fan votes on the ballots ranked one through three. As a result, a porcupine was incorporated in the RailRiders' logos.{{Cite web|title=Rail Celebration|url=https://www.timesleader.com/archive/68492/stories-rail-celebration229716|website=Times Leader|date=November 15, 2012|access-date=September 16, 2022}}
The 2013 and 2014 RailRiders finished under .500 and did not qualify for the postseason. In September 2014, Mandalay Baseball Properties sold its 50% interest in the team to SWB Investors LLC, a group consisting of David Abrams, David Blitzer, Grant Cagle, and Michael Hisler, for approximately $14 million.{{cite web|last=Reichard|first=Kevin|title=RailRiders Interest Sold to Investment Group|url=http://ballparkdigest.com/201409037665/minor-league-baseball/news/railriders-interest-sold-to-investment-group|work=Ballpark Digest|date=September 3, 2014|access-date=September 17, 2022}} The RailRiders returned to the playoffs in 2015 with a Northern Division title win, but they were swept out of the semifinals by Indianapolis.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2015|title=2015 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} After nine seasons, six division titles, and one league championship, the 2015 season was the last for Dave Miley as the team's manager.
File:RailRiders celebrate championship game 2016.jpg]]
Al Pedrique was hired to lead the team in 2016.{{cite web|title=Pedrique Headlines SWB Field Staff Changes|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-161148738|website=Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=January 6, 2016|access-date=September 17, 2022}} SWB finished with a league-best 91–52 record and another Northern Division title. They swept Lehigh Valley, 3–0, in the semifinals and won their second Governors' Cup over Gwinnett, 3–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2016|title=2016 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} The IL championship qualified them for the Triple-A National Championship Game versus the El Paso Chihuahuas, where they won, 3–1, claiming their second Triple-A championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/gameday/chihuahuas-vs-railriders/2016/09/20/474555|title=Chihuahuas 1, RailRiders 3 (Final Score) on Gameday|website=Minor League Baseball|date=September 20, 2016|access-date=June 14, 2022}}
The 2017 RailRiders won the division title and defeated Lehigh Valley in the semifinals but lost the IL championship to Durham.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2017|title=2017 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} The 2018 club made another postseason run via a wild card berth. Like in the previous season, they advanced to the finals by beating Lehigh Valley but again lost in the finals to Durham.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2018|title=2018 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}} The RailRiders finished the 2019 season tied for first place with the Syracuse Mets, each with a 75–65 record. On September 3, SWB defeated Syracuse in a one-game playoff, 14–13, to win the Northern Division title.{{cite news |title=Syracuse Mets End Season With Heartbreaking 14-13 Loss to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in One-Game Playoff|url=https://www.milb.com/news/syracuse-mets-end-season-with-heartbreaking-14-13-loss-to-scranton-wil-312292224|website=Minor League Baseball|date=September 3, 2019|access-date=August 8, 2021}} They were, however, swept in the playoff semifinals by Durham.{{cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-IL/y-2019|title=2019 International League|website=Stats Crew|access-date=July 31, 2021}}
The start of the 2020 season was initially postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being cancelled altogether.{{cite news|title=A Message From Pat O'Conner|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/message-from-minor-league-baseball-president-ceo-pat-o-conner-313052288|website=Minor League Baseball|date=March 13, 2020|access-date=May 5, 2020|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102184027/https://www.milb.com/milb/news/message-from-minor-league-baseball-president-ceo-pat-o-conner-313052288|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved|url=https://www.milb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-shelved|website=Minor League Baseball|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=July 1, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112074110/https://www.milb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-shelved|url-status=live}}
In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the RailRiders were organized into the Triple-A East.{{cite web|last=Mayo|first=Jonathan|title=MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/new-minor-league-baseball-structure|website=Major League Baseball|date=February 12, 2021|access-date=February 12, 2021}} No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner.{{cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/triple-a-classification-to-add-10-games-to-2021-schedule |title=MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021 |website=Minor League Baseball |date=July 14, 2021 |access-date=July 16, 2021}} SWB placed third in the league standings with a 68–49 record under manager Doug Davis, who had been with the club as a coach since 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/standings/2021?standingsType=firstHalf&standingsView=division|title=2021 Triple-A East Standings|website=Minor League Baseball|access-date=October 3, 2021}}{{cite web|title=Doug Davis Minor Leagues Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=davis-004dou|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=December 3, 2022}} However, 10 games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage. The RailRiders finished the tournament in sixth place with a 7–3 record.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/standings|title=2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings|website=Minor League Baseball|access-date=October 3, 2021}}
In December 2021, SWB Investors sold their 50% stake in the club to Diamond Baseball Holdings.{{cite web |title=RailRiders Join Newly Formed Organization Diamond Baseball Holdings |url=https://www.milb.com/news/railriders-join-newly-formed-organization-diamond-baseball-holdings |website=Minor League Baseball |access-date=19 June 2023}} In 2022, the Triple-A East became known as the International League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/minor-league-baseball-historical-league-names-to-return-in-2022|title=Historical League Names to Return in 2022|website=Minor League Baseball|date=March 16, 2022|access-date=March 16, 2022}} Davis returned to the club for his second season as manager, leading the team to an 83–67 record, finishing second in the ten-team East Division.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=e42854f1|title=2022 International League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=September 28, 2022}}
Season-by-season records
{{Main|List of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders seasons}}
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|+Season-by-season records (last five seasons) !rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#003366 5px solid; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|Season !rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#003366 5px solid; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|League !colspan="5" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#003366 5px solid; color:#000000"|Regular-season !colspan="3" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#003366 5px solid; color:#000000"|Postseason !rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#003366 5px solid; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|MLB affiliate !class="unsortable" rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#003366 5px solid; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000C"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|Record
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|Win % !scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|League !scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|Division !scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|{{Abbr|GB|Games behind}} !scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|Record !scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|Win % !class="unsortable" rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|Result |
|---|
| scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2020
| IL | colspan="8"|Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic) |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2021
| AAAE | 75–52{{refn|group=n|In 2021, the team with the best record at the end of the regular-season was declared the International League champion.{{cite news |title=Triple-A classification to add 10 games to 2021 schedule |url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/triple-a-classification-to-add-10-games-to-2021-schedule |access-date=25 March 2025 |work=Minor League Baseball |date=July 14, 2021}} Scranton/Wilkes-Barre had a 68–49 (.581) record, 3 games behind first place, which put them third in the league and second in their division.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/standings/2021?standingsType=firstHalf&standingsView=division|title=2021 Triple-A East Standings|website=Minor League Baseball|access-date=October 3, 2021|archive-date=October 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003183739/https://www.milb.com/standings/2021?standingsType=firstHalf&standingsView=division|url-status=live}} The regular-season was followed by the Triple-A Final Stretch, a 10-game postseason tournament in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre finished the tournament tied for sixth place with a 7–3 (.700) record.{{cite web |title=2021 MILB Final Stretch Standings |url=https://www.milb.com/standings/second-half/2021 |website=milb.com |access-date=25 March 2025}}}} | .591 | {{sort|03.0|3rd}} | {{sort|02.0|2nd}} | {{sort|04.5|{{frac|4|1|2}}}} | — | — | — |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2022
| IL | 83–67 | .553 | {{sort|05.0|5th}} | {{sort|02.0|2nd}} | {{sort|03.0|3}} | {{sort|00.0|—}} | {{sort|00.0|—}} | {{sort|00.0|—}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2023
| IL | 73–75 | .493 | {{sort|10.0|10th}} | {{sort|06.0|6th}} | {{sort|16.5|{{frac|16|1|2}}}} | {{sort|00.0|—}} | {{sort|00.0|—}} | {{sort|00.0|—}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2024
| IL | 89–60 | .597 | {{sort|02.0|2nd}} | {{sort|01.0|1st}} | {{sort|00.0|—}} | {{sort|00.0|—}} | {{sort|00.0|—}} | {{sort|00.0|—}} |
| class="sortbottom"
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|Totals ! — ! 320–254 ! {{winpct|320|254}} ! — ! — ! — ! — ! — ! — ! — ! — |
Uniforms
File:SWB RailRiders infield (52233267125).jpg
The RailRiders' primary home uniform is white with navy blue pinstripes, mirroring those of the New York Yankees. The primary home jersey features a descending "SWB" logo on train tracks on the left chest and a navy interlocking New York Yankees "NY" logo on the right sleeve. The home cap is navy with a golden "R" set against a railroad track.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/scranton-wb/news/wild-night-railriders-rally-in-ninth-for-8-7-win|title=Wild Night: RailRiders Rally in Ninth for 8-7 Win|website=Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=August 25, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2022}} The team's road uniform is gray with "RailRiders" across the jersey's chest and is worn with a navy cap with a white interlocking "SWB" logo.
An alternate solid navy jersey was introduced in 2022, featuring the white interlocking "SWB" crest on the left chest and a white interlocking New York Yankees "NY" logo on the right sleeve. These are worn with the navy cap feature the same "SWB" logo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/new-classic-alternate-swb-logo-reemerges|title=New Classic: Alternate SWB Logo Reemerges in '22|website=Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=January 30, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2022}}
Radio and television
SWB's first radio play-by-play announcer was Kent Westling, a former local television sportscaster who previously worked on telecasts of the St. Louis Blues hockey team. While cutting back on his schedule in later years, he retired following the 2007 season after having called over 2,000 games since the team's inaugural 1989 campaign.{{cite web|url=http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070820&content_id=292184&vkey=news_t531&fext=.jsp&sid=t531 |title=Kent Westling announces resignation |website=Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=August 20, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312030714/http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070820&content_id=292184&vkey=news_t531&fext=.jsp&sid=t531 |archive-date=March 12, 2008 |access-date=September 18, 2022}} Mike Vander Woude served as the team's second play-by-play announcer from 2008 until 2012.{{cite news|last1=Collins|first1=Donnie|last2=Brown|first2=Rebekah|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109785773/yanks-official-name-remains/|via=Newspapers.com|title=YANKS: 'Official' Name Remains Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees|work=The Times-Tribune|location=Scranton|date=March 8, 2008|page=A7}}{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-40127002|title=Sadak Named SWB's New Voice|website=Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=September 18, 2022}} He was followed by John Sadak from 2013 to 2017.{{cite web|url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2017/10/31/john-sadak-departing-railriders/|title=John Sadak Departing RailRiders|website=Ballpark Digest|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=September 18, 2022}} Adam Marco has been the "Voice of the RailRiders" since 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/scranton-wb/news/on-the-air-swb-extends-radio-rights-agreement |title=On the Air: SWB Extends Radio Rights Agreement |website=Minor League Baseball |date=March 15, 2022 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
All RailRiders home and road games are broadcast by WICK across their five frequencies in Northeastern Pennsylvania: 1400 WICK (Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties), 1440 WCDL (Lackawanna County and Pocono Lake Region), 93.5 FM (Scranton and Northern Lackawanna County), 106.7 FM (Wayne and Pike Counties), and 107.9 FM (Lackawanna County). Live audio broadcasts are also available online through the team's website and the MiLB First Pitch app. All home and road games can be viewed through the MiLB.TV subscription feature of the official website of Minor League Baseball, with audio provided by a radio simulcast.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/live-stream-games/subscribe |title=MiLB.tv |website=Minor League Baseball |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
Roster
{{Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees roster}}
Achievements
{{see also|List of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders no-hitters}}
= Awards =
File:Shane Victorino.jpg, 2005 International League MVP]]
File:Ben Gamel on August 2, 2016 (cropped).jpg, 2015 IL Rookie of the Year and 2016 IL MVP]]
Eight players, five managers, and two executives have won league awards in recognition for their performance with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the International League.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/international/history/award-winners|title=International League Award Winners|website=International League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=August 7, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706231816/https://www.milb.com/international/history/award-winners|archive-date=July 6, 2021}}
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+International League awards !scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#003366 5px solid; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000" width="220px"|Award !scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#003366 5px solid; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000" width="130px"|Recipient !scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#003366 5px solid; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|Season !class="unsortable" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#003366 5px solid; border-bottom:#840026 5px solid; color:#000000"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} | |
| Most Valuable Player
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Shane|Victorino}} |2005 | |
| Most Valuable Player
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Shelley|Duncan}} |2009 | |
| Most Valuable Player
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Ben|Gamel}} |2016 | |
| Most Valuable Pitcher
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Brandon|Duckworth}} |2001 | |
| Most Valuable Pitcher
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Joe|Roa}} |2002 | |
| Pitcher of the Year Award
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Greg|Weissert}} |2022 | {{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/triple-a-all-stars-mvp-top-prospect-2022|title=Triple-A Award Winners and All-Stars|website=Minor League Baseball|date=November 7, 2022|access-date=November 7, 2022}} |
| Rookie of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Marlon|Anderson}} |1998 | |
| Rookie of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Brandon|Duckworth}} |2001 | |
| Rookie of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Austin|Jackson|dab=baseball}} |2009 | |
| Rookie of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Ben|Gamel}} |2015 | |
| Manager of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Lee|Elia}} |1992 | |
| Manager of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Marc|Bombard}} |2002 | |
| Manager of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|John|Russell|dab=catcher}} |2006 | |
| Manager of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Dave|Miley}} |2007 | |
| Manager of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Dave|Miley}} |2012 | |
| Manager of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Al|Pedrique}} |2016 | |
| Manager of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Al|Pedrique}} |2017 | |
| Executive of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Bill|Terlecky|nolink=1}} |1990 | |
| Executive of the Year
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|{{sortname|Josh|Olerud|nolink=1}} |2017 |
= Retired numbers =
File:PNC Field - Scranton, PA (52231788707).jpg.]]
The RailRiders have honored three players by retiring their uniform numbers. This ensures that the number will be associated with one player of particular importance to the team. An additional number, 42, was retired throughout professional baseball in 1997 to honor Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/specials/baseball/robinson-0416-smith.html |title=A Grand Tribute to Robinson and His Moment |access-date=October 11, 2008 |last=Smith |first=Claire |date=April 16, 1997 |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201170117/http://www.nytimes.com/specials/baseball/robinson-0416-smith.html |archive-date=December 1, 2007}} The RailRiders' retired numbers are displayed at PNC Field.
The number 14 was retired in honor of Greg Legg, who played for the team from 1989 to 1994. Dave Miley's number 11 was retired to honor the team's skipper from 2007 to 2015. Finally, Marc Bombard, who managed the Red Barons to two consecutive IL championships over eight non-consecutive terms (1997–2001, 2001–2004), had his number 13 retired on May 31, 2019.{{cite news |last1=Eberle |first1=D.J |title=Honoring a Legend: Bombard's number retired |url=https://www.milb.com/news/bombard-s-number-retired-307822656 |access-date=25 March 2025 |work=milb.com |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=June 6, 2019}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Retired numbers | File:MarcBombard13RJ.svg | File:GregLegg14RJ.svg | File:JackieRobinson42RJ.svg |
| Dave Miley | Marc Bombard | Greg Legg | Jackie Robinson |
| Mgr 2007–2015 {{Small|Retired}} | Mgr 1997–2001, 2001–2004 {{Small|Retired May 31, 2019}} | 2B 1989–1994 {{Small|Retired}} | {{Small|Retired throughout professional baseball on April 15, 1997}} |
= Hall of Famers =
One former Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRider has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Shortstop Derek Jeter was inducted in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=jeter-001der|title=Derek Jeter Minor League Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=April 2, 2025|archive-date=April 2, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250402041624/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=jeter-001der|url-status=live}} During the 2013 season, Jeter made a rehab assignment appearance with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre while recovering from an injury with the New York Yankees.{{cite web|url=https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/ny-yankee-derek-jeter-to-play-with-swb-rail-riders/523-954061b4-6e3b-4cc1-8f5f-1c52b45ae2b0|title=NY Yankee Derek Jeter To Play With SWB RailRiders|publisher=WNEP|access-date=April 2, 2025|archive-date=April 2, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250402042344/https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/ny-yankee-derek-jeter-to-play-with-swb-rail-riders/523-954061b4-6e3b-4cc1-8f5f-1c52b45ae2b0|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-57797990|title=Jeter to Rehab with RailRiders Again Starting Thursday|work=Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 2, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/scranton-wb/news/gcs-52778450|title=Jeter to Rehab with RailRiders Starting Saturday|work=Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 2, 2025}} The RailRiders are also represented in the International League Hall of Fame. Managers Dave Miley and Marc Bombard were inducted in 2014 and 2015, respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/documents/9/7/2/67199972/Class_of_2014_Overview_4hmkq2n3.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208205703/http://www.milb.com/documents/9/7/2/67199972/Class_of_2014_Overview_4hmkq2n3.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 8, 2015|title=Class of 2014|website=International League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 2, 2025}}{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/documents/8/7/8/107591878/Class_of_2015_Overview_kvk6y7xp.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209063332/http://www.milb.com/documents/8/7/8/107591878/Class_of_2015_Overview_kvk6y7xp.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2015|title=Class of 2015|website=International League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 2, 2025}}
Managers
{{main|List of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders managers}}
Ownership
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are owned by Diamond Baseball Holdings, a subsidiary of the investment firm Silver Lake, previously a subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings.{{cite web|last=O'Boyle|first=Bill|url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/1528068/railriders-purchased-by-new-organization-diamond-baseball-holdings |title=RailRiders Purchased by New Organization Diamond Baseball Holdings |work=Times Leader |date=December 8, 2021 |access-date=November 12, 2022}}
Prior to the Diamond Baseball Holdings ownership, the RailRiders were owned by SWB Yankees LLC, a joint venture between Yankee Global Enterprises and SWB Investors LLC. It was previously a joint venture between Yankee Global Enterprises and Mandalay Baseball Properties until Mandalay sold its stake in SWB Yankees LLC to SWB Investors LLC. Yankee Global Enterprises is the owner of the RailRiders' parent club the New York Yankees and SWB Investors LLC was the local ownership group that handled the day-to-day operations of the RailRiders.
The joint venture's name comes from SWB Yankees, an alternate name used by the RailRiders when they were known as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees to distinguish themselves from their MLB affiliate, the New York Yankees. Yankee Global Enterprises and SWB Investors LLC each owned 50% in the SWB Yankees LLC joint venture, automatically gave each 50% ownership in the RailRiders. SWB Investors LLC's 50% stake in the SWB Yankees LLC joint venture was originally held by Mandalay Baseball Properties. Former MLB pitcher Andy Ashby was one of the team's owner-investors.{{cite web|url= https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/andy-ashby/ |title= SABR Bio Project: Andy Ashby|last=Ferenchick|first=Steve|work=SABR.org}}
Notes
{{notelist-la}}
{{reflist|group=n}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|https://www.milb.com/scranton-wb}}
- [https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Scranton&state=PA&country=US Statistics from Baseball-Reference]
{{Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders}}
{{New York Yankees}}
{{International League}}
{{Diamond Baseball Holdings}}
{{Sports in Pennsylvania}}
{{David Blitzer}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1989 establishments in Pennsylvania
Category:Baseball teams established in 1989
Category:International League teams
Category:Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
Category:Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Category:New York Yankees minor league affiliates
Category:Philadelphia Phillies minor league affiliates
Category:Professional baseball teams in Pennsylvania
Category:Sports in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area