The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons are no more.  They moved  in 2006 and became the Ottawa Linx for the 2007 baseball season. This was to give their new home city, Allentown, PA, time to build a new stadium. Coca-Cola Park is progressing on schedule for the 2008 opening game.

Earlier this summer, the management of the team held a contest to name the new team.  The Red barons had been a hybrid of the Scranton Red Sox, and the Wilkes-Barre Barons, the last two teams to play professional baseball in those cities. Ottawa's baseball team was already named the Linx, so for one season why mess with the name.  But this new team will represent a return of professional baseball to Allentown after a four decade absence.  After thousands of entries and much deliberation, the team announced it would now be known as "The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs!" Naming a new child, product, or business is critical to its future. What were they thinking?  The name is actually derived from the term "pig iron" as a representation of the glorious steel industry that adorned the Lehigh Valley.  Many cheered, most jeered, and some sneered.  But was it a bad choice?

In October John Russell was named manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He received a national blip with the announcement and so did the Iron Pigs.  Russell has managed the Red Barons and Linx, and was scheduled to become the first manager of the new franchise.  Pittsburgh? What was he thinking?

Earlier this week the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs named their mascot.  Here we go again.  They named the pig "Pork Chop".  Immediately the local Portugese and Puerto Rican communities were up in arms over the name. Locally it is a derogatory term for either ethnic group.  What were they thinking? Within a day the pig was re-named "Ferrous", Latin term for iron.  There has been no objection to this by any Romans. But in the process of this proceeding, the action caught the ears of national media attention. The incident was reported by Fred Rogan of MSNBC, and by Rush Limbaugh in one of his closing remarks of his radio show.

The Iron Pigs have garnered free national advertising with their naming adventures.  Whether planned or intentional, they are now more well known than any of their International League counterparts, and they have yet to play their first game. 

The lesson is to be aware of the power of the name.  It can be permanent and irreversible, provide tremendous benefit to our businesses, or be an albatross for all eternity.  But also be aware to promote and defend the name, for our actions and deeds defines its notoriety. Be different and be daring and it just may garner you some free advertising.

Being the AAA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, the Iron Pigs should spell "Ferrous" as "PHerrous". The Iron Pigs open the season at Coca-Cola Park on April 11, 2008.  As always, we welcome your comments.

The Plain Page Prophets