Binghamton Rumble Ponies and Former MLB Pitcher Al Downing Team Up to Sock Out Cancer™

(Binghamton, NY • June 12, 2017) On Wednesday, June 7, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and former MLB Pitcher Al Downing teamed up to Sock Out Cancer™ at Binghamton’s NYSEG Stadium. The Rumble Ponies offered fans a special package of a ticket and a pair of colorful Sock Out Cancer™ socks for $17, and Rumble Ponies staff helped spread the Sock Out message by sporting Sock Out Cancer™ socks throughout the game. The rainbow-hued socks symbolize the fight against cancer in all its forms.

Al Downing, a retired 17-year MLB pitcher, also sported Sock Out Cancer™ socks as he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Wednesday’s game and then autographed baseballs for fans. “It’s very important,” said Downing.  “Cancer doesn’t discriminate—it gets people of all backgrounds and all ages. And at some point in everyone’s life, we all know someone who has contracted cancer.”

Downing began his career with the Binghamton Triplets in 1961, going on just three months later to make his Major League debut and becoming the first African-American to pitch for the New York Yankees. Downing’s career highlights include his August 1967 feat of pitching the first-known “Immaculate Inning” (9 pitches, 9 strikes, 3 Outs) by a New York Yankee, followed in 1971 by a 20-win season and membership in The Black Aces, the elite group of just 14 African-American pitchers to date who have won 20 or more games in a single season.

If you missed the opportunity to purchase socks at Wednesday’s Binghamton Rumble Ponies game, you can purchase socks at the Wegmans Johnson City location, as well as online at www.sockoutcancer.org.