Front Page: Ft. Myers Miracle Become Mighty Mussels

[Steven Buhr]

This morning, the Ft. Myers Miracle had a major announcement. Starting today, they are the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels.With an 11:30 announcement at Hammond Stadium opened by Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame broadcaster John Gordon, the Twins' Class A-Advanced affiliate became the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.

 

photo of John Gordon by Steve Buhr

 

Known as the Miracle since their final years in Miami before moving to Fort Myers in 1992, the organization was bought by Andrew Kaufmann's Zawyer Sports before last season.

 

The Mussels' Broadcast and Media Relations Manager, Marshall Kelner, explained the change after the announcement ceremony.

 

"We just wanted to start a new era of baseball in Fort Myers," Kelner said. "It doesn't take away from all of the great history of the Miracle, as we covered today with all of the former Twins players like Torii Hunter, Michael Cuddyer and Joe Mauer, who played for the Miracle on their way to the big leagues and the current core of the Twins all came through here. We also had a Twins Hall of Famer, Johan Santana here, so pretty cool all these Twins legends and local community leaders here."

 

photo of Johan Santana by Steve Buhr

 

In a press statement released in conjunction with the rebranding announcement, the Mussels indicated that the mascot, Mussel Man, would be sharing mascot duties with Sway, the palm tree mascot that's been roaming the stands at Fort Myers games since 2015.

 

Graphic from Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

 

Click here to view the article

[Diesel]

This looks straight out of the early 2000s..... Roided up mascot, gross font, and incredibly cheesy name. The rest of the minor league teams have good names (in my opinion). This on the other hand.....

[Squirrel]

Um ... the Mussels? Okay, I guess that works as play on words ... mussels, muscles ... didn't realize Fort Myers was exactly known for their mussels ... guess I'm going to have to get a new hat

 

But, well ... think they could have done better with a name.

[bird]

Good trend.

 

Let's get the Saint Paul Saints to change their name to the Saint Paul Zebra Mussels. Cedar Rapids Kernels become the Flying Carp.

[Yoke]

....oh goodness, no.

[twinkiesfan11]

Any explanation as to why they chose to make a change?

[raindog]

I like goofy MiLB team names and mascots, so I like this. That font could defnitely be better, though. 

[biggentleben]

 

This looks straight out of the early 2000s..... Roided up mascot, gross font, and incredibly cheesy name. The rest of the minor league teams have good names (in my opinion). This on the other hand.....

 

First thing my wife said as I had the new logo up on my computer "is that thing coming out of a...uh...woman's...area?!"

 

Made me look again, and, well, it's not NOT there.

[Curveballjesus]

 

Any explanation as to why they chose to make a change?

 

 

New ownership.  Andrew Kaufman out of Jacksonville. 

 

Here is his take on the change (yes this is a serious quote):

 

"Think Disney, but edgy."

[Seth Stohs]

Here is the milb.com article on it with some quotes. https://www.milb.com/milb/news/fort-myers-miracle-change-name-to-the-mighty-mussels/c-312004940

[nicksaviking]

I'm not one who's against changing things up, but The Mighty Mussels? Uh, that's just really bad. So, really dumb and bad and embarrassing and even more bad. Like how every Pee Wee football team has a "Giants" in their league. "They're just little guys, but they're called the Giants! Get it?! GET IT?!"

 

Also, now how self conscious is the 20-year-old beanpole 160 lb lefty going feel? He doesn't get to be part of the pun at all!

 

I think they should make that shell pink though.

[Vanimal46]

It’s not April Fools Day.... Wait, they’re serious? Yikes.

[MMMordabito]

 

First thing my wife said as I had the new logo up on my computer "is that thing coming out of a...uh...woman's...area?!"

 

Made me look again, and, well, it's not NOT there.

 

Thanks for pointing that out.  Now I can't look at it not that way.

[Thrylos]

It was pretty much expected with the sale of the Miracle last January and the recent organizational changes in the operational side and pretty much the operational merger with the Jacksonville Hockey team this ownership franchise also owns.

 

Not sure that I care about the name or the logos and fonts, but cannot go wrong with Purple and Gold

[nicksaviking]

Anyone see that '80's B-horror movie Basket Case?

[biggentleben]

 

Thanks for pointing that out.  Now I can't look at it not that way.

 

You can thank her. Did the same thing for me.

[MMMordabito]

 

I think they should make that shell pink though.

 

[Dave Overlund]

I think it's awful, but like most things in today's game of baseball it wasn't made with me (37-year-old balding old dude) in mind. 

[mikelink45]

As a biologist who teaches river ecology I love it!  Come on mussels!  Give my little little clammy friends some love.  

[nicksaviking]

 

First thing my wife said as I had the new logo up on my computer "is that thing coming out of a...uh...woman's...area?!"

 

Made me look again, and, well, it's not NOT there.

 

I'm thinking that anyone who wants merchandise with one of these original logos on it might have to act fast. I predict a redesign in the very near future once the team realizes most parents aren't buying their kids as many crotch monster ballcaps as expected.

[goulik]

This link has an article that includes pictures in uniform along with the new mascot

 

https://www.nbc-2.com/story/41401352/fort-myers-miracle-changes-name-to-mighty-mussels

[Mike Sixel]

I like the idea of Mussels being the name, not so sure about the execution...

[MMMordabito]

 

Anyone see that '80's B-horror movie Basket Case?

 

I haven't, but I've seen Total Recall:

 

"Quaid, start the reactor!"

[rdehring]

Boooooo.

 

I say that for two reasons.  First, I both like the Miracle name and the fact it represents a lot of history for the Twins, and two, love mussels, unfortunately I can no longer eat any shellfish.  So that's a double....boooooo! 

[DocBauer]

***simply shakes head***

[dbminn]

 

First thing my wife said as I had the new logo up on my computer "is that thing coming out of a...uh...woman's...area?!"

 

Made me look again, and, well, it's not NOT there.

 

At least they didn't rename the team the "Love Mussels".

[scottz]

I, for one, look forward to singing the new fight song.

 

It's a great day for a ballgame,

Hear us yell, cheer, and applaud.

Flex your muscles, let's go Mussels,
You're our favorite gastropod (rah rah rah)!

We like your power and your defense

and your K's per nine are hot! (hot hot!)

We just don't like your fancy logo,

Is that coming from a woman's...area?

The ending kind of trails off on paper, but you should hear 9,300 people singing it en masse.

 

[Steve Lein]

Barf. I loved the Miracle name, and the logo.

 

Maybe it's a regional boon, but ick.

[Steve Lein]

 

First thing my wife said as I had the new logo up on my computer "is that thing coming out of a...uh...woman's...area?!"

 

Made me look again, and, well, it's not NOT there.

 

Me: What's this look like to you?

 

Fiancee: Definitely a roided up testicle

 

(yikes...)

[wabene]

New ownership.  Andrew Kaufman out of Jacksonville. 

 

Here is his take on the change (yes this is a serious quote):

 

"Think Disney, but edgy."

Must've made his money with the Hooters franchise.