A note that says “We will miss you RailRiders!” is written with chalk on the walkway near the outfield against the game with Jacksonville at PNC Field in Moosic Wednesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Daniel Morales, of Moosic, wears his RailRiders cap that was signed by some of the players at the game against the RailRiders and Jacksonville at PNC FIeld Wednesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Derek Jeter during a rehab appearance with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Aug. 22, 2013, at PNC Filed in Moosic. (Times-Tribune File)
Alex Rodriguez flips his bat and heads toward first base after hitting a two-run home run during a rehab appearance with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in 2013 at PNC Field. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
RailRiders outfielder Aaron Judge during a game with the team June 22, 2015 at PNC Field. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
Players line up during the playing of the National Anthem during the teams’ first game as the RailRiders on April 4, 2013 at PNC Field in Moosic. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE)
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre franchise announces the tteam name “RailRiders” with mascot “Champ” during an unveiling ceremony Nov. 14, 2012 at Genetti’s in Dickson City. (TIMES-TRIBUNE STAFF)
Daniel Morales, of Moosic, wears his RailRiders cap that was signed by some of the players at the game against the RailRiders and Jacksonville at PNC FIeld Wednesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
An usher wears a shirt with the RailRiders logo during the game between the RailRiders and Jacksonville at PNC Field in Moosic Wednesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Shortstop Derek Jeter runs onto the field before a rehab appearance with the RailRiders at PNC Field in 2013. (Times-Tribune File)
RailRiders’ Brendan Beck throws a pitch against Jacksonville at PNC Field in Moosic Wednesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Jacksonville’s Brendan Jones slides into second base as RailRiders’ Max Schuemann attempts to make the play at PNC Field in Moosic Wednesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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A note that says “We will miss you RailRiders!” is written with chalk on the walkway near the outfield against the game with Jacksonville at PNC Field in Moosic Wednesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
MOOSIC — Edinson Duran became the unlikely answer to a trivia question.
Sunday’s season finale between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at PNC Field was canceled due to rain and wet grounds. That meant Saturday night’s game was the last one featuring the RailRiders nickname. The team is rebranding and expected to announce the new identity in November.
So when people ask who was the winning pitcher in the final game of the RailRiders era, it isn’t a top prospect like Elmer Rodriguez or an ace like Brendan Beck. It is Duran, a catcher who spent more time on the development list this season than the active roster.
Whenever the RailRiders would need to use a position player to save arms in the bullpen, they would go to Duran. He’s done it eight times in the past two seasons, including six this season.
In the top of the 10th inning Saturday night, Justin Topa struck out the first two batters with the automatic runner on second base. However, with the count 2-1 to Logan Driscoll, Topa reached his pitch limit. With no other options, manager Shelley Duncan called upon Duran. The 24-year old from Venezuela walked Driscoll, then walked Gage Miller to load the bases, but got Johnny Olmstead to fly out to center fielder Duke Ellis to end the inning. The RailRiders won in the bottom of the 10th, 6-5, when automatic runner Yanquiel Fernandez scored from third base on a wild pitch, making Duran the winning pitcher.
“It was really exciting for Duran to come in and do what he did,” RailRiders reliever Eric Reyzelman said. “It’s fun, kind of reminds you why you play this game. Technically, we had nothing on the line playoff-wise. But we did not want to leave this place without a win.”
And so the RailRiders’ final ride has pulled into the station. The team finished 78-68 overall (37-37 first half, 41-31 second half). Its all-time record wound up 1,028 wins and 834 losses.
From the first pitch by Vidal Nuño to Pawtucket’s Brock Holt on April 4, 2013, to the last one Saturday night — Jacksonville’s Stephen Jones’ wild pitch with Kenedy Corona batting — a lot of memorable moments happened in between.
Six times the RailRiders made the playoffs. Three times they lost in the International League championship series (2017, 2018, 2025). But in 2016, they defeated the Gwinnett Braves in four games to capture the IL title, then beat the Pacific Coast League champion El Paso Chihuahuas to claim the Triple-A national championship.
Many notable players have worn a RailRiders uniform.
Hall of Famer Derek Jeter spent seven games on a rehab assignment in early July 2013 while recovering from a broken ankle. During his time here, it became a daily game to see where he was spotted in downtown Scranton.
Later that month, Alex Rodriguez played three games here while coming back from offseason hip surgery. He hit a two-run home run in the second at-bat of his first game.
Curtis Granderson and D.J. LeMahieu were other notable Yankees who rehabbed here over the years. This season, pitchers Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and outfielder Cody Bellinger had rehab stints.
Current Yankees slugger Aaron Judge played 154 games with the RailRiders in 2015 and 2016 and five more games on a rehab assignment in 2019. He totaled 28 home runs and 95 RBIs. Prospects such as Gary Sanchez, Anthony Volpe and George Lombard Jr. spent time here.
“A lot of great players have played for the RailRiders,” said Beck, who wound up leading the International League in earned-run average (2.93), strikeouts (151), innings (135.1), WHIP (1.06) and opponents’ batting average (.210). “To be the last ones to do it is fun. The future is exciting as well. Looking forward to starting something new next year. But to be the team to end the RailRiders dynasty on a comeback win with a good crowd at home is a lot of fun. Definitely a fun day at the office.”
When Duncan played in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre from 2007-09, the team was known as the Yankees. But in his four seasons as manager, the term “RailRiders” has come to mean a lot to him.
“I just always think about the character of every team that I’ve had,” said Duncan, whose record as RailRiders manager is 327-195. “I’ve been lucky to be a part of some good groups that fought all the way to the end. Some good memories and some good relationships. Each year has been a different team and each year has been very special.”
Clint Frazier was a top prospect who played 213 games for the RailRiders from 2016-19 before a severe concussion and lingering symptoms ultimately sidetracked his career. Because of his frequent shuttling between the minors and the majors, he proclaimed himself a “RailRider for Life.”
He made an appearance at Saturday night’s game, signing autographs for fans and throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
“It was me being a little facetious,” Frazier said. “I think it started around the time I got optioned to the minor leagues in 2019. I was doing relatively well at the big-league level. When I came down here, there was something in the media about September roster expansion and the Yankees were kind of vague on whether I going to be coming back. I remember parking in a parking garage and seeing this sign that said ‘Scranton Life’ and I was like, ‘Dude, I don’t want to be a Yankee. I want to be a RailRider for Life.’ It was a facetious comment and I ended up running with it because it was kind of funny. People obviously took notice to it because I put it on my Twitter bio and it’s been there for like 10 years.”
Frazier was a little surprised and a bit disappointed when he heard the team was rebranding and retiring the RailRiders nickname.
“I’m not a part of the Yankees anymore and I’m not here in Scranton,” Frazier said. “So if they want to rebrand or it’s something the fans want, you give them it. But other than that, I was kind of like, ‘Damn, I guess I won’t be a RailRider anymore. I’ll be whatever they are.’ But I’ll still be a RailRider at heart.”
The nickname has not only meant something to players.
Kristina Knight has been with the team for 20 seasons. She started as an intern with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, then worked in tickets sales and group sales, sponsor servicing and currently is senior director of partnership management and marketing.
“I think it was extra special because it was a community-thought name,” Knight said. “We surveyed the community and did the poll of submitting your ideas. So I like to think it was the community’s name, which was extra special within itself. The reason we went away from the Yankees name was to give the area more ownership of the team here. I think it did that for sure.
“When we were the Yankees, it was very nice and obviously nice to be included in the Yankees family. But the RailRiders was our very own name and gave our own identity in the minor-league baseball world.”
When the new nickname is announced in November, Knight believes that the community will accept it as well.
“I think it will be as well-received and special to the community,” Knight said. “We are trying to make sure it reflects everything in this area that we find very special and attractive about our area and try to make it a highlight to the nation.”