Rockies new AA affiliate: Hartford Yard Goats

The internet has spoken, the new Colorado Roackies AA affiliate will be named the Hartford Yard Goats.

Coming to a ballpark near you in 2016: the Hartford Yard Goats (@GoYardGoats). http://t.co/J5qTuPaVy7 pic.twitter.com/GrYTQlgTSI

— MiLB.com (@MiLB) March 18, 2015

Other finalists of a name the team contest included; Hedgehogs, Praying Mantis, River Hogs and Whirlybirds but in the end it was Yard Goats that won over the people’s hearts.

The club will not operate under this name until 2016 when they move to their new stadium in Hartford, after the New Britian Rock Cats play their final season.

According to the teams website the new name “honors Hartford’s rich railroad history.” Yard goat is also a term used to describe a switch in a locomotive. “A Minor League Baseball player is like that humble Yard Goat, not a glamorous job, but working day in and day out away from the big city lights to assure that the Major League affiliate is kept on track.”

Hopfully the Rockies will be better off embracing Goats with open arms unlike some Major League teams.