Celebrating Black History Month: Highlighting Barron, Mitchell & Rayford
In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club. While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply
In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club.
While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers. Some were notable for their presence, both on and off the field. And, in a few cases, some had that one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”
Over the month, we will highlight some of the best Black baseball players to ever suit up for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
In the past, we have highlighted greats like Marlon Anderson, Ryan Howard, Aaron Judge, Wendell Magee and Jimmy Rollins.
Tony Barron
Barron was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and signed with Philadelphia as a free agent before the 1997 season. The outfielder appeared in 194 games over two seasons with the Red Barons, hitting .298 with 36 home runs and 140 runs batted in. Barron was truly a professional hitter, finishing his 16-year professional career with a .300 batting average between the Majors, Minors and Foreign Leagues over 1602 games played.
DJ Mitchell
Mitchell was selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2008 Draft out of Clemson and made his SWB Yankees debut in his second professional season. Over three seasons with SWB, Mitchell appeared in 46 games, starting 41 of them, going 21-13 with a 3.81 earned run average. His 3.18 ERA in 2011 remains seventh-best in any single season in franchise history.
Floyd Rayford
Rayford spent the final three seasons of a 16-year career as part of the first Red Barons teams. Though he only appeared in 81 games, “Sugar Bear” was a fan-favorite and clubhouse presence for those early Bill Dancy-led clubs. At the tail-end of his playing days, Rayford went into coaching and even spent the 1996 campaign as the manager for the Phillies' short-season club in Batavia, leading the Clippers to a 42-33 record.
Shootah! Christopher McDonald VIP meet & greet
MOOSIC, PA (May 15, 2025) – Christopher McDonald, iconically known for portraying Shooter McGavin in the 1996 comedy classic Happy Gilmore, is set for a VIP Meet & Greet prior to his appearance at PNC Field on Saturday, June 14, for Amazing Golf Ball Whacker Night. Click here to get
For the Birds: RailRiders fall 20-7 to Mud Hens Thursday
MOOSIC, PA (May 15, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders fell to the Toledo Mud Hens 20-7 Thursday night at PNC Field. Three early four-run frames from Toledo were too much for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to overcome. Box Score Toledo opened the scoring in the first, hitting two home runs to take a
Momentum = Runs x Velocity: SWB wins STEM School Day tilt
MOOSIC, PA (May 14, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders beat the Toledo Mud Hens 5-4 Wednesday afternoon at PNC Field. T.J. Rumfield homered and Bryan De La Cruz drove in a pair to pace the offense. Box Score After nearly a 90-minute delayed start, the RailRiders opened a 2-0 advantage
Offertunity Knocks: RailRiders announce two special deals
MOOSIC, PA (April 3, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced two special offers for the upcoming 2025 season. After popular runs in 2024, the College Rush ticket offer has returned for students and the Military Discount has been upgraded for active or
Blanked: SWB falls 7-0 to Toledo Tuesday
MOOSIC, PA (May 13, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders lost 7-0 to the Toledo Mud Hens in a rain-shortened game Tuesday night at PNC Field. Three Mud Hens pitchers combined to send the RailRiders to just their second shutout defeat of the season. Toledo opened the scoring in the first
Big Time: RailRiders to partner with the YES Network for six broadcasts
MOOSIC, PA (May 8, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and the YES Network are pleased to announce that six RailRiders games this season will be broadcast on the YES Network, the exclusive regional media home of the New York Yankees, and streamed on The Gotham Sports App. The first broadcast
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MOOSIC, PA (May 11, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders shut out the Rochester Red Wings 12-0 Sunday afternoon at PNC Field. The RailRiders used four pitchers to blank the Red Wings, breaking the game open with a six-run sixth inning to secure the series-winning victory. Box Score Scranton/Wilkes-Barre took an
One Each: RailRiders split doubleheader with Wings
MOOSIC, PA (May 10, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders split a doubleheader with the Rochester Red Wings on Saturday at PNC Field, walking off game one 7-6 in eight innings before falling 5-4 in the nightcap. Box Score- Game One In game one, the Red Wings opened the scoring with
More Bad News: RailRiders and Red Wings washed away again
MOOSIC, PA (May 9, 2025) – Friday’s game between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Rochester has been canceled due to rain. This is the final series of the first half between the teams and Friday’s game will not be made up. The RailRiders and Red Wings continue this series with a doubleheader on
Temporada De Tormentas: RailRiders rained out on Copa de la Diversión
MOOSIC, PA (May 8, 2025) – Thursday’s game between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Rochester at PNC Field has been canceled due to rain. The RailRiders and Red Wings are scheduled to continue their series on Friday evening at 6:35 P.M. with a doubleheader already set for Saturday, May 10, beginning at 3:05,
Split Decision: RailRiders halve twinbill with Red Wings
MOOSIC, PA (May 7, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders split a doubleheader against the Rochester Red Wings Wednesday night at PNC Field. The RailRiders walked off the Red Wings 5-3 in game one but fell 8-5 in the nightcap. Box Score- Game One Box Score- Game Two Rochester opened the
Did We Do That? Jaleel White headlining 90s Night
MOOSIC, PA (April 17, 2025) – Jaleel White, famously known for his iconic role as Steve Urkel on the hit 90’s sitcom Family Matters, is set to headline the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 90s Night on August 2 at PNC Field. The RailRiders host the Nashville Sounds at 6:05 P.M. and White
No Go: RailRiders and Red Wings postponed Tuesday
MOOSIC, PA (May 6, 2025) – Tuesday’s series opener between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and Rochester Red Wings, set for 6:35 P.M. at PNC Field, has been postponed due to rain and the threat of severe inclement weather. The RailRiders and Red Wings are already slated to play a single-admission doubleheader
Triple Time: Woodford and three-base hits key 4-2 Sunday victory
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Bottom One Blues: First inning RailRiders' undoing Saturday
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Less Fun: Mets knock off RailRiders 6-3 Friday
SYRACUSE, NY (May 2, 2025) –The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders lost 6-3 to the Syracuse Mets on Friday night at NBT Bank Stadium. The RailRiders rallied to tie the game in the top of the seventh, but the Mets recaptured the advantage in the home half of the inning and snapped Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s
What A Blast! Rojas powers RailRiders with stellar night
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SYRACUSE, NY (April 30, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders shut out the Syracuse Mets twice Wednesday night, winning 5-0 and 2-0 at NBT Bank Stadium. Three pitchers combined to blank the Mets in each game, leading the RailRiders to their second doubleheader sweep of the year. Box Score- Game One
Washout: RailRiders at Mets postponed Tuesday
SYRACUSE, NY (April 29, 2025) – Tuesday’s game between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and Syracuse Mets at NBT Bank Stadium has been postponed due to inclement weather. The RailRiders and Mets will play a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 30. Game one is set for a 4:05 P.M. first pitch. Allan Winans
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MOOSIC, PA (April 26, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders fell to the Charlotte Knights 8-7 on Saturday night at PNC Field. Charlotte overcame a seven-run deficit to win its fourth game of the series heading into Sunday's finale. Box Score Scranton/Wilkes-Barre opened the scoring in the bottom of the first,
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MOOSIC, PA (April 25, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders fell to the Charlotte Knights 4-1 in a rain-delayed, seven-inning contest Friday night at PNC Field. Box Score After a two-hour and 33-minute rain delay, Charlotte took an early lead off RailRiders starter Zach Messinger in the top of the first.
Tough Knight: RailRiders fall 10-3 Thursday
Moosic, PA (April 24, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders dropped a 10-3 decision to the Charlotte Knights Thursday night. The RailRiders built an early lead, but the Knights hit five home runs in a comeback win. Box Score After Sean Boyle struck out the side in the top of the
Dominance: Winans Ks 10 as RailRiders blank Knights
MOOSIC, PA (April 23, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders shut out the Charlotte Knights 5-0 Wednesday night at PNC Field. Four RailRiders pitchers combined to strike out 14 Knights, allowing only three hits to blank Charlotte. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter Allan Winans struck out nine of the first ten batters he faced,
One-Upped in 11: SWB drops 5-4 extra-inning affair to Charlotte
Moosic, PA (April 22, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders lost 5-4 to the Charlotte Knights in 11 innings Tuesday night at PNC Field. Grant Richardson launched a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extras, but the Knights kept the RailRiders at bay
TV Time: Six RailRiders games to air on MyTV
MOOSIC, PA (April 22, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are partnering with MyTV WQMY to broadcast six games in 2025 on local television in NEPA. The RailRiders are thrilled to return to the airwaves this Thursday evening as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre hosts Charlotte. RailRiders 2025 MyTV WQMY Broadcast Schedule Thursday, April 24