The New York Yankees are moving their Double-A affiliate from Mercer County to Somerset County, causing heartbreak in the city of Trenton, but celebration in the city of Bridgewater.
The
Yankees broke off a nearly 20-year relationship with the Trenton Thunder, based
in Mercer County for a new opportunity in Bridgewater, Somerset
County.
“Well, it’s a big blow to the
capital city and for sports fans in Central Jersey,” says Trenton Mayor Reed
Gusciora.
The Thunder has been an
incredibly successful franchise affiliate with the Yankees for nearly two
decades at Mercer County Waterfront Park. One of the Trenton Thunder team owners ripped the
Yankees in a statement, accusing them of ditching Trenton for the Somerset
Patriots. Joseph Plumeri says the Yankees betrayed their partnership at the
11th hour.
"We learned through the media that New York Yankees management has made
the calculated and ungracious maneuver to leave the urban setting of Trenton
for the affluent confines of Bridgewater Township,” says Plumeri.
“We’re really excited about a
global brand like the Yankees coming to Somerset County,” says Somerset
Patriots President & GM Patrick McVerry. “We’ve gotten so many great
comments from our fans and community and we’re really looking forward to this
summer.”
It’s
unclear if Trenton can find a new, major league partner by the spring. In the
past, the team has been affiliated with both the Boston Red Sox and Detroit
Tigers.
A news
conference in Bridgewater is scheduled for Tuesday.