Leo: The Evil Empire (State Yankees)

The Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees are not changing their nickname, but they are adding one. The Yankees will go by the unofficial moniker “Empire State Yankees” for the 2012 season while they play their home games at various sites around upstate New York. Their Northeastern Pennsylvania home, PNC Field, is being renovated throughout the season.

“With so many games to be played in upstate New York this season we wanted to make the club feel even more at home this year. We approached the New York Yankees with a few suggestions and they actually came up with the Empire State Yankees moniker,” said Rochester Red Wings General Manager Dan Mason.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for both the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre franchise and the other IL clubs that will be hosting them this year and we wanted to make this as much fun for our fans and the players as possible. The Empire State Yankees merchandise and logos will only be available this season so they are sure to be collectors’ items. We appreciate the NY Yankees and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees cooperation with this venture,” added Mason.

The Yankees will play 37 of their home games at Frontier Field in Rochester, seven games at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia, six games in Buffalo, and 10 games in Syracuse. In total, they will play 60 of their 72 home games and 84 of their 144 games in upstate New York.

“With 60 of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre team’s 2012 home games being played in the State of New York, what a fun twist to temporarily “re-brand” the team as the Empire State Yankees. As baseball fans in Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo and Batavia adopt the Yankees for the next six months this is a unique idea that will allow them to more closely identify with the team during its temporary stay,” said International League President Randy Mobley.

The team will wear new Empire State Yankees caps for the season, below is the cap logo:

Read more about the Empire State Yankees.