“New Orleans Zephyrs” seemed to have a pretty nice ring to it, even if the nickname conveyed when the minor league baseball team moved to that city from Denver in 1993 (having needed to relocate when the major league Rockies came into existence). In fact, a longtime New Orleans amusement park had a wooden roller coaster named the “Zephyr,” so there was a nostalgic local tie-in.
But wacky nicknames are all the rage among minor league teams these days, and, for branding purposes, “Zephyrs” had apparently run its course. So say hello, New Orleans, to … the Baby Cakes.
The team, a Class AAA affiliate of the Marlins, announced its new name Tuesday during a ceremony at its ballpark, Zephyr Field (presumably soon to be renamed in its own right). “Our goal was to give the baseball fans of New Orleans a team and identity they can call their own,” said Baby Cakes President Lou Schwechheimer in a statement (via nola.com). “New Orleans is full of traditions woven into the fabric of the city, and this new tradition will be something local and iconic and celebrate what makes New Orleans and Minor League Baseball so great: family and fun.”
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The new name was chosen from among seven finalists, including the Cajun Crawfish, Po’boys, Tailgators, Night Owls, Red Eyes and King Cakes. “Baby Cakes” refers to the coveted figurines hidden in king cakes, which are associated with Mardi Gras celebrations.
“We wanted to create a name and a brand that allowed the heart of this city to shine through it,” said General Manager Cookie Rojas. The team’s colors include navy blue, a nod to the Zephyrs’ uniforms, along with the Mardi Gras combination of purple, green and gold.
The Baby Cakes are just the latest minor league team to re-brand this year, following the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (formerly the Mets), Florida Fire Frogs (formerly the Brevard County Manatees) and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (formerly the Suns). In addition, the Down East Wood Ducks were recently introduced as a team that will begin play in Kinston, N.C., next year. Other contenders for that squad’s moniker included the HamHawks, Hogzillas, Shaggers and, conventionally enough, Eagles.
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Those squads join the likes of the El Paso Chihuahuas, Fort Wayne Tincaps, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, Wichita Wingnuts, Montgomery Biscuits and Hartford Yard Goats (formerly the New Britain Rock Cats) as minor league franchises eager to embrace the trend of nicknames that arouse fan interest — and merchandise sales. If they get on some peoples’ nerves, well, at least they’ve gotten noticed. Indeed, reaction on Twitter to the introduction of the “Baby Cakes” was not all positive.
Worst name ever. Demeaning to the players obliged to wear the uniform. What are they dolls?
— Shecky (@Adrastosno) November 16, 2016The Twitter account for the Yard Goats, though, offered the perspective of another minor league team whose new name wasn’t entirely embraced, at least at first.
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