EL1 Binghamton Rumble Ponies

Monahan, Pride, Skowron to be Inducted Into Binghamton's Baseball Shrine

Published on August 20, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies News Release


BINGHAMTON, NY - The Binghamton Mets are pleased to announce that Gene Monahan, Curtis Pride and Moose Skowron will be inducted into Binghamton's Baseball Shrine in an on-field ceremony prior to the B-Mets 7:05 PM tilt against the Trenton Thunder on Friday, August 31st.

Monahan, the New York Yankees long-time trainer, and Pride, an original B-Met, will be on hand for the ceremony scheduled for 6:45 PM. The three individuals have been recognized for their contributions to baseball in the Southern Tier and for their accomplishments after their time in Binghamton.

Gene Monahan served as the head trainer for Binghamton Triplets in 1967 and 1968, treating the likes of fellow Shrine members Thurman Munson and Al Downing. While working towards a degree in Physical Education at Indiana University, Monahan honed his craft in the Southern Tier.

Monahan got his start in the Yankees organization in Spring Training 1962, serving as the club's bat boy and clubhouse attendant. The Fort Lauderdale native spent three years with the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse before joining the Big League club in 1973. He loyally served the organization for 49 years before his retirement following the 2011 season.

Monahan, a member of the New York State Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame, has two daughters, Kelley and Amanda, and currently resides in North Carolina.

Curtis Pride, deaf since birth, battled through the disability and became an integral part of the Eastern League Champion Binghamton Mets in 1992. The determined outfielder drove in the first runs in franchise history with a pinch-hit homer on Opening Night on April 9, 1992. The Washington, DC native logged 118 games with the B-Mets in his only season in the Southern Tier and slugged 10 home runs.

Selected in the 10th round of the 1986 draft by the New York Mets, Pride eventually made his Major League debut with the Montreal Expos in September 1993. Over 11 seasons in the Majors, Pride played in 421 games and hit .250 with seven different teams. He had his best season with the Detroit Tigers in 1996 when he hit .300 and launched 10 home runs in 95 games.

Pride and his wife Lisa manage Together With Pride, a foundation they created to benefit children who are hearing-impaired. Pride currently serves as the head baseball coach at Gallaudet University, the country's only liberal arts college for the deaf. President Barack Obama selected Pride to represent the United States at the Closing Ceremonies of the 2012 Olympic Summer Games as part of his Presidential Delegation.

Bill "Moose" Skowron, a five-time World Champion with the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, spent a half-season playing with the Binghamton Triplets in 1951. In 21 games, he hit .246 and slugged two home runs.

After tearing up the American Association in 1952 and 1953 with the Kansas City Blues, then the Triple-A affiliate of the Yankees, Skowron made his Major League debut with the Bronx Bombers in 1954. Over nine seasons with the Yankees the Illinois native hit .294 and crushed 165 home runs.

Skowron saved his best for the postseason. In 39 World Series games, he hit .293 and drove in 29 runs. He led the Yankees to the 1958 World Series title with a crucial three-run homer in the eighth inning of game seven.

Skowron finished his Major League playing career with stops with the Dodgers, White Sox and Angels. Before he passed away in April 2012 he served as a community ambassador for his hometown White Sox. He is survived by his wife Cookie, daughter Lynnette, sons Greg and Steve and four grandchildren.

Created in 1993, Binghamton's Baseball Shrine honors all the individuals who contributed to America's Pastime in the Southern Tier. The elite club boasts 58 members with additional worthy candidates inducted annually. See below for a full list of all the inductees.

Tickets are still available for Binghamton's final homestand of the season as they welcome in the Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, for a four-game set starting Friday, August 31st. Fans can catch the induction ceremony on Friday night and enjoy another edition of the Toyota Fireworks series after the game. Visit www.bmets.com or call 723-METS to purchase tickets.

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