New York Upstate of Mind, Day 2: Rumble Revelations, Hallway Heroes & The Spiedie Showdown

Well we’re stopping here in Rumbletown,

And they’re standing in the minor league sun

(sung to the tune of Allentown)

Okay, maybe Billy Joel never penned an ode to RumbleTown, but if he had ever spent an evening here ,soaking in the scent of Spiedies against the echoes of fastballs off mitts he just might’ve. Day 2 of the upstate baseball road trip brought us from salt potatoes to grilled meat on bread, from the AAA lights of Syracuse to the Double-A grind of Binghamton a place with charm, history, and, as I found out, a team store that may require a second mortgage if you’re a sucker for logos like I am and especially if you can’t resist alternate jerseys, , “We-Wear-Binghampton B's on throwback Thursday” jerseys, or whatever theme night special they’ve cooked up next.

My mission — and yes, I did choose to accept it — was simple: catch Mets pitching prospects Norm McLean and Jonah Tong on back-to-back nights. A baseball double feature. A scouting sampler platter. A dream plan.

But as always, the baseball gods laughed. Tong didn’t start. Instead, we got R.J. Gordon, freshly called up from Brooklyn and making his Double-A debut. And here’s the twist, he was so sharp, so composed, so flat-out good in the Rumble Ponies’ 2-1 win over Altoona (the exact same score as Syracuse the night before), that I forgot about Tong before the second inning.

No, the change in plans didn’t make the mission self-destruct. If anything, it reminded me that in baseball especially minor league baseball nothing is impossible.

But the night wasn’t just about pitching surprises. I caught up with two Nicks — LoRusso and Morabito , young Mets prospects with heart, hustle, and insight.

And if you're into minor league lore (and how could you not be if you’re reading this?), we’ll take a moment to appreciate the names that line the concourse walls here Bill Pulsipher, Heath Bell, Nelson Figueroa, even a smattering of Yankees and other future big leaguers who once called this place home. Binghamton’s minor league history goes back decades through name changes, parent-club shuffles, and rainouts that could drown a small village. But the soul of the game remains intact.

Later I’ll even weigh in on the Spiedie situation ,specifically, how the local delicacy stacks up to Syracuse’s salt potatoes in the never-ending Upstate Ballpark Food Wars.

But first — let’s talk prospects, pitching, and that magic moment when a kid steps onto a new mound and looks like he’s been there for years.

I arrived at the ballpark, picked up my credential, and hiked up to the press box expecting to see Tong’s name atop the lineup card. After all, it was his turn. Instead, when I asked who was starting, I got a curveball of my own: “Making his Double-A debut tonight — R.J. Gordon.”

Now let’s be honest — hearing that felt a bit like hiring Perry Mason to defend you, but on the day of the trial, Vinny Gambini shows up instead. And honestly, that might be for the best, because the minor leagues are truly all about the "yutes". No offense to R.J. Gordon, but Jonah Tong has been the name lighting up prospect lists and Twitter threads. Still, credit where it’s due: Gordon may not have had the buzz, but by the end of the night, he had something better ,results.

The 23-year-old right-hander delivered a tremendous AA debut. He retired the first nine batters he faced, struck out eight, and gave up just one run over a career-high seven innings. That run? A fluky inside-the-park home run that only happened because center fielder Nick Morabito slipped trying to make a routine catch and the ball rolled halfway to Cooperstown. Gordon didn't flinch — just dusted himself off, stranded runners at the corners, and finished his night with a strikeout.

While listed at 6'0" and 195 pounds, he looked even smaller at first glance. But as the pitch clock wound down each inning, he seemed to grow taller, as there’s a quiet edge to him, a clear joy in competing , like he’s been waiting for this moment and didn’t feel like wasting a single pitch.

In the end, I didn’t get Jonah Tong. But what I got instead was something arguably better: a surprise. A reminder that in baseball — especially in the minors — the unplanned can be unforgettable. Gordon’s performance didn’t just fill in for the headliner. It made you believe that in this game, nothing is impossible.

In the grind of the minor leagues, where every player was once the guy in their hometown, their travel squad, their college program, two young Mets prospects Nick Morabito and Nick LoRusso, are quietly learning how to become the guy again. Only this time, it’s in a field where everyone else was also the guy.

For Morabito, a high school standout turned promising Mets draftee, the biggest adjustment hasn’t necessarily been the competition level, but the mindset. “You just got to trust who you are, and trust your process, and take it day by day,” he said. “I don't like to look at it as everybody's better or anything like that. I'm going to stay true to who I am, and be the best player that I can be.” It's a calm, grounded philosophy for a 21-year-old navigating his way through the professional ranks.

LoRusso, who starred at the University of Maryland and came to pro ball with experience as a two-way player, approaches his development from both sides of the ball, literally. “Pitchers, as our pitching coach at Maryland always said, are creatures of habit,” he said, explaining how his experience on the mound has helped him at the plate. “I picked up on different tendencies. Like what counts pitchers like to throw certain pitches in… it helps me think about when I can do damage.”

The two Nicks, both from the 2022 draft class, have moved up the system together and forged a bond through shared experiences. “Me and Nick Morabito were talking about it last night,” LoRusso recalled, “in High-A, you might get one or two pitches to do damage in per at-bat. Here, you might get one or two per game. The margin of error is very slim the higher you go up.”

That’s a hard reality of professional baseball. And while some players might obsess over who’s ahead of them on the depth chart, or when the next promotion might come, both Morabito and LoRusso choose to stay focused on the now. “I kind of like to just play the game on the schedule,” LoRusso said. “Obviously, that stuff’s out of my control… If I just take it one day at a time, then I know all that will take care of itself.”

Still, the daily grind is real—on and off the field. From bus rides to new roommates, shifting rosters to unfamiliar ballparks, the minor league lifestyle is as much about personal adjustment as professional. But Morabito embraces it with perspective. “I kind of look at it as I get to play baseball every day. I get to do it for a living, so in reality, it’s not that tough,” he said, with a smile in his voice.

One of the more fascinating elements of LoRusso’s journey has been his adaptability in the field. Primarily a third baseman in college, he’s gotten reps at first base with the Mets organization. “It was just like a total view change,” he explained. “Everything’s opposite—how it comes off a righty’s bat versus a lefty’s bat. But the more reps you get, the more comfortable you get.” While third is still home, he’s learning to embrace both corners with the same approach: “Field a ground ball, catch a fly ball, and do my job that day.”

As players rise through the system, they occasionally rub shoulders with major leaguers on rehab stints. Both Nicks see these interactions as invaluable. “They’re no different than you,” LoRusso said. “They’ve gone through it. Especially the older guys—we’ve gotten a chance to talk to them, and they give us good feedback.” One veteran who left a strong impression was Jesse Winker. “He’s a great dude, fantastic personality,” LoRusso said. “He’s faced adversity, and he reminded us that it’s a grind. But again, as long as you take it one day at a time, everything will fall into place.”

That message echoes throughout both of their mindsets. Whether it's LoRusso soaking up advice or Morabito leaning on friendships formed in the lower levels, there's a clear belief in the power of consistency, relationships, and faith in the process. “We have a really good squad here,” Morabito said of his teammates. “It makes playing more fun when you have good buddies with you, and you get to share those experiences together.”

As for role models, one name that stands out for Morabito is Jonah Tong, a fellow draftee and rising pitching prospect. “He’s the same person every day,” Morabito said. “Obviously, he’s an unbelievable pitcher, but he’s also an unbelievable human being… just nice as can be.”

In a system flush with talent and under the constant gaze of New York’s microscope, it might be easy to get lost in the noise. But for both Nick LoRusso and Nick Morabito, the goal isn’t to rush through the system or compare themselves to others. It’s to keep showing up, keep learning, and keep being themselves—one pitch, one play, one day at a time.

If all goes well, their journey may one day lead them right back here—this time as honored member of wall of the Binghamton Baseball Shrine , as tucked behind the stands at Mirabito Stadium is the Binghamton Baseball Shrine, a tribute to the city’s deep-rooted love for the game and the many players, teams, and personalities who’ve passed through. Once home to the Binghamton Triplets—a longtime Yankees affiliate that hosted legends like Whitey Ford and Thurman Munson—Binghamton has since become a key stop on the Mets’ developmental trail. The shrine honors Mets standouts like José Reyes, Josh Thole, Jay Payton, Jason Isringhausen, and David Wright, as well as local icons like Heath Bell, Nelson Figueroa, and Bill Pulsipher. Championship squads from 1992, 1994, and 2014 are enshrined alongside civic leaders, broadcasters, and even U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. It’s a wall that tells the story of both a baseball town and the big-league dreams that have passed through it—whether they wore Yankees pinstripes or Mets orange and blue.

Beyond the crack of the bat and the cheers in the stands, there’s something truly special about a summer night in Binghamton—the kind of old-school, folksy charm that only minor league baseball in upstate New York can deliver. It’s a place where the game feels close to the community, where every moment—from the first pitch to the seventh-inning stretch—carries a sense of hometown pride and simple joys.

Part of that charm can be found in the team store, a treasure trove for fans and collectors alike. Here you’ll find a fantastic selection of Rumble Ponies gear alongside stunning throwback jerseys honoring the Binghamton Bingos’ storied past. There are the absurdly fun Bathtub Donkeys merch and swag from the Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs, celebrating the region’s quirky local spirit. And, of course, the crown jewel: the Binghamton Spiedies jersey, a colorful nod to a regional delicacy that would’ve probably made legendary broadcaster Lindsey Nelson gag—and that says a lot.

Which brings us to the great culinary rivalry that often pops up in these parts: the Binghamton Spiedie versus the Syracuse salt potatoes. Spiedies—a beloved local specialty—are marinated cubes of meat, usually lamb, chicken, or pork, soaked for hours in a zesty blend of herbs, vinegar, and oil before being grilled to tender, flavorful perfection and served on a soft roll. They’re more than just a sandwich; they’re a taste of Binghamton’s unique culinary heritage, cherished by locals and visitors alike. On the other hand, salt potatoes—small new potatoes boiled in heavily salted water until tender—are a staple of nearby Syracuse and Central New York, celebrated for their simple, comforting flavor. While both claim their rightful place in regional food lore, the debate between Spiedies and salt potatoes often comes down to hometown pride. Personally, I found both to be a bit “meh,” but honestly, it’s the friendly rivalry—and the shared love of good, honest food—that makes it all part of the rich tapestry of baseball summers in upstate New York.

So here’s the bottom line, Mets fans: if you want to catch the next wave of Mets talent before they hit Queens—if you want to soak in that old-school, folksy baseball vibe that’s alive and well in upstate New York—then pack your bags, grab a Spiedie (or maybe a salt potato for the road), and head to Binghamton. Minor league baseball isn’t just a stepping stone; it’s the heartbeat of the game, where dreams are forged, stories begin, and communities come alive under the July sun. Whether you’re in it for the gritty hustle on the field, the quirky local culture, or just to see a kid named Nick or R.J. take the mound with everything to prove—there’s nothing quite like the experience of watching the future Mets in a place that still feels like home. Because someday, one of those young players might be the name on the back of your favorite jersey, and you’ll remember the summer you saw them first—standing in the minor league sun.