Racing Aviators Dash Toward Wallbanging Rhinos

Due to a combination of time constraints and general ignorance, I have neglected many Minor League news stories over the past several months. Today, I turn my attention to one such story:

There are some big doings afoot in Winston-Salem!

First of all, the 2007 campaign will be the club's last at venerable Ernie Shore Field. The 52-year-old facility will be left behind in favor of a new downtown stadium, which is currently being constructed.

And with the new digs will come a new team name! After receiving over 3000 submissions from the Winston-Salem community, the club has narrowed it down to five choices. Let's check them out, shall we?

Aviators
Dash
Racers
Rhinos
Wallbangers

With the exception of "Wallbangers", all of these names have a connection to the history and culture of Winston-Salem. Namely, that time when a rhino pilot won a plane race against hip-hop mogul Damon Dash.

In a shocking departure from the usual Minor League protocol, the club is not pitting these five choices against one another in a fan vote. Rather, "artists renderings of potential logos are being considered, as is input from leading professional mascot consultant and creator of the famed Philly Phanatic Dave Raymond." 

Which leads me to my next, and final point: Wally Warthog's days as the team's mascot are numbered. Hopefully he is taking his built-in obsolescence in stride, because a bitter and rage-filled wild pig is something that no one wants to deal with. Trust me, I've been there.