2018 Field Staff Named for Binghamton
BINGHAMTON, NY - The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are proud to announce Luis Rojas will return to the Southern Tier to serve as the team's manager for the 2018 season. Rojas will be joined by pitching coach Frank Viola, hitting coach Valentino Pascucci, bench coach Luis Rivera, athletic trainer Bob Grimes and strength and conditioning coach Kory Wan.
Rojas looks to build off a stellar 2017 season in Binghamton. In his first season managing at Double-A, Rojas mixed dominant pitching with timely hitting and impeccable defense to produce an 85-win season and a trip to the playoffs.
Rojas made his managerial debut in the organization with the GCL Mets (R) in 2011. Rojas led the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A) from 2012 to 2014, a three-year stretch that included a South Atlantic League Championship in 2013. The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native spent two seasons in the Florida State League with the St. Lucie Mets (High-A) before joining the Rumble Ponies.
Viola brings an impressive resume to Binghamton. The Long Island native won 176 games during a 15-year Major League playing career that included three seasons with the New York Mets. Among his many accomplishments, Viola was named to three All-Star Games, won the 1988 American League Cy Young Award, and was the 1987 World Series MVP. He won at least 20 games in a season twice, including a career-best 24 in 1988 with the Minnesota Twins.
Viola enters his seventh season coaching in the Mets organization. He joins the Rumble Ponies after spending the previous four seasons as pitching coach for the Las Vegas 51's (AAA). Viola also coached with the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A) and Brooklyn Cyclones (SS-A).
Pascucci enters his second season as hitting coach for the Rumble Ponies and his fifth overall season as a coach in the Mets system. He belted 305 home runs during a 15-year playing career that included one stint with the New York Mets in 2011. Selected by the Montreal Expos in the 15th round of the 1999 draft, Pascucci made his Major League debut with the team in 2004.
Pascucci enjoyed a two-season stint in Japan with Chiba Lotte that included a championship in 2005 under former Mets manager Bobby Valentine. He returned to the States in 2010 and played parts of three seasons in the Mets organization.
Rivera returns to Binghamton after spending the last three seasons as manager for the Kingsport Mets (R) of the Appalachian League. In 2014, Rivera served as hitting coach for the Binghamton Mets and helped lead the team to an Eastern League championship.
Grimes returns for his third season as the team's athletic trainer and 30th season overall in professional baseball. Before joining the Mets in 2016, he spent 27 years in the Chicago Cubs organization.
Kory Wan returns to the Rumble Ponies for his second season in Binghamton. The 2018 season will be his fourth in the Mets system. A 2013 graduate of St. Leo University, Wan has spent time with the Kingsport Mets (R) and Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A).
The Rumble Ponies open the 2018 season at home on Thursday, April 5 against the Portland Sea Dogs (AA-Red Sox). Download the entire Rumble Ponies schedule at www.BINGRP.com today.
Cota’s Dazzling Double-A Debut Leads Binghamton to Victory Over Chesapeake
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LHP Zach Thornton Named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week
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Ponies Sweep Sunday Doubleheader against Squirrels
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Thornton’s Perfect Outing, Young’s Walk-Off Hit Lead Binghamton Past Richmond
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Smith Walks Off Squirrels in Resumption of Wednesday’s Game, Ponies Fall in Regularly Scheduled Game
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Thursday’s Rumble Ponies Games against Richmond Postponed
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Wednesday’s Rumble Ponies Game against Richmond Suspended
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Rumble Ponies, Mirabito Partner for Military Appreciation Weekend May 23-25
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Ramírez Crushes Walk-Off Homer in Binghamton’s Series-Opening Win Over Richmond
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Tong, Morabito Sweep Eastern League Weekly Awards
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Binghamton Wins Series Finale and Takes Pivotal Series in Hartford
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Ponies Score Season-High 12 Runs in Saturday Night Shutout in Hartford
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Mets RHP Paul Blackburn to Make Rehab Start with Double-A Binghamton Friday
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D'Andre Smith Helps Ponies Sprint to Victory in Hartford
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Binghamton Splits Doubleheader in Hartford
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Binghamton Falls to Hartford in Extra Innings in Pitchers’ Duel
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Tong, Clifford Sweep Eastern League Weekly Awards
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Clifford Drives in Two Runs, Ponies Fall to Fightins in Series Finale
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Tong, Shook Combine for Franchise’s First Perfect Game; Binghamton Splits Doubleheader with Reading
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Friday’s Rumble Ponies Game against Reading Cancelled
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Mets’ Ronny Mauricio to Begin Rehab Assignment with Double-A Binghamton Friday
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Ponies Walk Off Fightins for Second-Straight Night
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (17-11) came-from-behind for a walk-off, 6-5, win over the Reading Fightin Phils on Thursday night at Mirabito Stadium. It marked Binghamton’s second-straight comeback and walk-off win over Reading to begin this series. Binghamton trailed 4-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning
Lugo Launches Walk-Off Three-Run Blast to Complete Ponies’ Comeback Win over Reading
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Tuesday’s Rumble Ponies Game against Reading Postponed
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Ponies with Big Comeback Victory in Game 2, Split Sunday Doubleheader in Erie
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