Syracuse Chiefs

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Syracuse Chiefs
Founded in 1934
Syracuse, New York
Chiefslogo.png SyracuseChiefsCap.png
Team logo Cap insignia
Class-level
  • Triple-A (1946–1955, 1961–Present)
  • Double-A (1934–1945); Single-A (1956–1957)
Minor league affiliations
Major league affiliations
Name
  • Syracuse Chiefs (1934–1957, 1961–1996, 2007–Present)
  • Syracuse SkyChiefs (1997–2006)
Colors
  • {{{colors}}}
Ballpark
Minor league titles
League titles 1935, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1954, 1969, 1970, 1976
Division titles 1989
Owner(s)/Operated by: Anthony "Tex" Simone (Executive VP/COO)
Manager: Tony Beasley
General Manager: John Simone

The Syracuse Chiefs are a minor league baseball team based in Syracuse, New York, United States. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Their home stadium is NBT Bank Stadium (formerly known as Alliance Bank Stadium, before that P&C Stadium), located north of downtown Syracuse.

Contents

History [edit]

Syracuse has been represented in professional baseball since 1877, when the Syracuse Stars competed in the League Alliance, an early minor league. Syracuse fielded two major league versions of the Stars: in the 1879 National League and the 1890 American Association. Apart from those seasons, however, the Stars were members of high minor leagues such as the Eastern League (forerunner to the International) and the New York State League through 1917. From 1918–27, they competed in the International League and were an early farm team of the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1928 the IL franchise moved to Montreal and became the Montreal Royals. The Stars moved down one classification to the New York–Penn League for 11⁄2 seasons before moving to Utica, New York.[1]

The Chiefs' franchise dates back to 1934, when the International League's Jersey City Skeeters moved to Syracuse and were renamed the Chiefs. The franchise played in the IL through 1955 (winning five championships), but was sold and moved to Miami as the Marlins for the 1956 campaign. A team known as the Chiefs competed in the Class A Eastern League (then two levels below the IL) during 1956–57, but moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania on July 13, 1957.[1] Syracuse was without baseball until the 1961 season, when the Royals franchise was abandoned by its owners (the Los Angeles Dodgers) and moved to Syracuse.

The Chiefs have played in Syracuse without interruption since their rebirth in 1961. The team was renamed the SkyChiefs in 1997. The name reverted to the original "Chiefs" in December 2006.[2]

From 1978 to 2008, the Chiefs were the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. On September 20, 2008, the Chiefs signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the Washington Nationals, ending their relationship with the Blue Jays. The Toronto–Syracuse affiliation was the longest of the eleven major league affiliations the Chiefs have had since 1936.

The Chiefs played at MacArthur Stadium from 1934 to 1996, moving to then-P&C Stadium in 1997. In 2008, the Chiefs wore a decal on their uniforms with the letters "HB" to commemorate Harold Berman (former member of the Chiefs' board of directors), who died after the 2007 season. In 2009, the Chiefs wore a decal on their uniforms with the letters "HM" to commemorate Hy Miller (former state assemblyman and former director on the Chiefs' board), who died after the 2008 season.

In 2010 the Chiefs celebrated their 50th season of community-owned baseball (1961–2010), wearing 1961 jerseys during every Thursday home game. They also brought back radio announcers from the past, such as Syracuse University alumnus Sean McDonough and Dan Hoard. The Chiefs went 76–67, with top pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg going 2–1 in five appearances.

In 2011 the Chiefs played in their 51st season of community ownership, wearing throwback jerseys at every Thursday home game in celebration of the 35th anniversary of their last International League Governors' Cup championship team (managed by Syracuse Wall of Fame member, former manager Bobby Cox). The Chiefs added four alternate jerseys to their rotation for the season: one for Latin American Day, a second for Jackie Robinson Day (commemorating Negro League uniforms), a third for national holidays such as Independence Day and Memorial Day, and a fourth for Breast Cancer Awareness Night. The Chiefs played the Pawtucket Red Sox on August 20 at Fenway Park as part of a doubleheader in conjunction with the sixth annual Futures at Fenway event, featuring games involving Boston Red Sox minor-league teams. The Chiefs, behind starter Brad Meyers, defeated the PawSox 3–1 before more than 29,000 fans. At Alliance Bank Stadium the Chiefs added a "Home Plate Club" to the stadium: premium seating in the first four rows behind home plate, with waitstaff for merchandise and concessions.

Black, Gothic "S" hat logo from 1976–1979
1976–1979 hat logo

On May 14, Chiefs DH Michael Aubrey went 4 for 4 (all hits home runs) in an 11–0 victory over the Durham Bulls, becoming only the second player in team history to hit four home runs in a game (Gene Locklear hit four home runs in one game on July 14, 1977). On August 27, Stephen Strasburg pitched his only rehab game for the Chiefs against the Rochester Red Wings. He gave up two hits in the sixth inning (his only hits allowed before departing with the Chiefs leading 1–0), although he received no decision in Syracuse's 4–3 win which won the Thruway Cup for the third time (their other wins were in 1999 and 2010). The club's record for the season was 66–74, 14 games out of first place and fourth in the six-team North Division.

In 2012, the Chiefs opened at home against the Rochester Red Wings on April 5. Top pick and prospect Bryce Harper (since promoted to the Nationals) made the opening day roster. Randy Knorr did not return for a second season as manager, as Tony Beasley was promoted from the Harrisburg Senators. The Chiefs played all 16 games against the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees at Alliance Bank Stadium in 2012 during stadium renovation in Moosic, Pennsylvania. On May 7 the Chiefs unveiled a new high-definition video board in left field, replacing the board which stood from the stadium's opening in 1997 to 2012.

The 2013 season is managed by Tony Beasley in his second season with the team and begain on April 4th 2013 in Allentown PA vs the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs The Chiefs home opener was be April 12 vs the Iron Pigs. The Chiefs are wearing jersey's on "Throwback Thursday" from the 1983-1996 era.

Top season attendance [edit]

  • 1999: 446,025#
  • 2001: 423,405#
  • 1998: 420,488#
  • 2010: 416,382#
  • 2002: 413,566#
  • 2000: 402,450#
  • 1997: 400,804#
  • 2009: 392,518#
  • 2008: 392,028#
  • 2005: 382,896#
  • 2007: 380,152#
  • 1994: 368,971*
  • 2004: 364,648#
  • 2003: 356,303#
  • 2006: 347,699#
  • 1991: 307,922
  • 1995: 300,589
  • 1996: 300,405
  • 1992: 276,786
  • 1993: 265,486
  • 1970: 257,650*
  • 1990: 250,048
  • 1989: 233,161*
  • 1985: 232,073*
  • 1971: 216,115*
  • 1987: 211,315
  • 1964: 208,956*
  • 1975: 201,725*
  • 1977: 200,302
  • 1981: 198,101
  • 1979: 196,228*
  • 1976: 196,121*
  • 1980: 189,250
  • 1986: 187,758
  • 1988: 184,967
  • 1973: 184,461
  • 1982: 184,297
  • 1974: 182,082*
  • 1963: 180,971*
  • 1972: 179,048
  • 1983: 163,859
  • 1978: 160,427
  • 1967: 152,781
  • 1969: 152,201*
  • 1965: 152,072*
  • 1968: 150,295
  • 1984: 142,571
  • 1961: 126,016
  • 1966: 106,669
  • 1962: 103,191

* Includes playoffs
# Alliance Bank Stadium

Top 40 attendance dates since 1961 [edit]

  1. May 7, 2010 (14,098)
  2. May 24, 2010 (13,288)
  3. July 17, 1993 (13,124)
  4. May 29, 2010 (13,115)
  5. July 17, 1967 (13,082)
  6. July 25, 1967 (13,063)
  7. August 17, 1995 (12,711)
  8. July 30, 2010 (12,674)
  9. June 28, 1995 (12,659)
  10. July 14, 2001 (12,455)
  11. June 28, 2001 (12,368)
  12. August 17, 1999 (12,344)
  13. August 22, 1972 (12,322)
  14. August 16, 1961 (12,321)
  15. August 14, 2009 (12,288)
  16. July 11, 1998 (12,255)
  17. July 23, 1994 (12,224)
  18. August 1, 2008 (12,208)
  19. July 13, 2001 (12,121)
  20. April 3, 1997 (12,112)
  21. May 29, 1994 (12,112)
  22. July 18, 1994 (11,899)
  23. July 11, 1994 (11,679)
  24. August 20, 1994 (11,485)
  25. August 9, 1963 (11,476)
  26. August 30, 1994 (11,469)
  27. July 10, 1995 (11,455)
  28. May 9, 1970 (11,398)
  29. June 25, 2002 (11,356)
  30. June 29, 2000 (11,295)
  31. August 18, 1999 (11,228)
  32. June 22, 1999 (11,219)
  33. July 13, 1970 (11,144)
  34. June 27, 1977 (11,100)
  35. May 5, 2006 (11,012)
  36. July 16, 1981 (10,835)
  37. May 15, 1999 (10,767)
  38. June 22, 1971 (10,677)
  39. July 7, 1980 (10,657)
  40. July 12, 1997 (10,656)

Titles and pennants [edit]

The Chiefs have won the Governors' Cup (the IL championship) eight times, and have played in the championship series 17 times.

The Chiefs have won the International League pennant—finishing the regular season with the best record in the league—eight times. Their first pennant was in 1885, and their most recent was in 1989.

Chiefs year by year
Year W-L Win pct. Standing Manager Mgr. or owner Attendance Playoff wins
2013 0–0 .000 0 Tony Beasley John Simone
2012 70–74 .486 14 Tony Beasley John Simone 349,027
2011 66–74 .471 10 Randy Knorr John Simone 374,680
2010 76–67 .531 5 Trent Jewett John Simone 416,382
2009 76–68 .528 5 Tim Foli John Simone 392,518
2008 69–73 .485 7 Doug Davis John Simone 392,028
2007 64–80 .448 11 Doug Davis John Simone 380,152
2006 64–79 .448 12 Mike Basso John Simone 347,699
2005 71–73 .493 8 Marty Pevey John Simone 382,896
2004 66–78 .458 11 Marty Pevey John Simone 364,648
2003 62–79 .440 14 Omar Malave John Simone 356,303
2002 64–80 .444 10 Omar Malave John Simone 413,566
2001 71–73 .493 6 Omar Malave John Simone 423,405
2000 74–66 .529 7 Kelly/Queen/Malave John Simone 402,450
1999 73–71 .507 8 Pat Kelly John Simone 446,025
1998 80–62 .577 2 Terry Bevington John Simone 420,488
1997 55–87 .387 9 Garth Iorg John Simone 400,804
1996 67–75 .472 7 Richie Hebner Tex Simone 300,405
1995 59–82 .418 10 Didier/Torres/Hebner Tex Simone 300,589
1994 71–71 .500 5 Bob Didier Tex Simone 368,573 4
1993 59–82 .418 10 Leyva/Didier Tex Simone 265,486
1992 60–83 .420 7 Nick Leyva Tex Simone 276,786
1991 73–71 .507 6 Bob Bailor Tex Simone 307,922
1990 62–83 .428 6 Bob Bailor Tex Simone 250,048
1989 83–62 .572 1 Bob Bailor Tex Simone 233,161 2
1988 70–71 .496 3 Bob Bailor Tex Simone 184,967
1987 68–72 .486 6 Doug Ault Tex Simone 211,315
1986 72–67 .518 5 Doug Ault Tex Simone 187,758
1985 79–61 .564 1 Doug Ault Tex Simone 232,073 2
1984 58–81 .417 7 Jim Beauchamp Tex Simone 142,571
1983 61–78 .439 7 Jim Beauchamp Tex Simone 163,859
1982 64–76 .457 6 Jim Beauchamp Tex Simone 184,596
1981 60–80 .429 7 Bob Humphreys Tex Simone 198,101
1980 58–81 .417 8 Harry Warner Tex Simone 189,250
1979 77–63 .550 2 Vern Benson Tex Simone 196,228 6
1978 50–90 .357 8 Vern Benson Tex Simone 160,427
1977 70–70 .500 5 Pete Ward Tex Simone 200,302
1976 82–57 .590 2 Bobby Cox Tex Simone 196,121 5
1975 76–70 .521 4 Bobby Cox Tex Simone 201,725 4
1974 72–64 .529 3 Bobby Cox Tex Simone 182,082 5
1973 74–70 .514 4 Bobby Cox Tex Simone 184,461
1972 64–80 .444 8 Frank Verdi Tex Simone 179,048
1971 74–70 .514 3 Loren Babe Tex Simone 216,115 2
1970 84–56 .600 1 Frank Verdi Tex Simone 257,650 9
1969 75–65 .536 3 Frank Verdi Don Labbruzzo 152,201 6
1968 72–75 .490 5 Blaylock/Verdi Don Labbruzzo 150,295
1967 63–77 .450 8 Gary Blaylock Don Labbruzzo 152,781
1966 54–93 .367 8 Frank Carswell Don Labbruzzo 106,669
1965 74–73 .503 4 Frank Carswell Don Labbruzzo 152,072 3
1964 88–66 .571 2 Frank Carswell Don Labbruzzo 208,956 7
1963 80–70 .533 3 Swift/Carswell Don Labbruzzo 180,971 2
1962 53–99 .344 8 Johnny Vander Meer/Verdi Don Labbruzzo 103,191
1961 56–98 .364 8 Gene Verble/Verdi Don Labbruzzo 126,016
1957 56–84 .400 5 Frank Calo Joe Reardon 30,737
1956 62–74 .446 5 Glenn McQuillen/Joe Torpey/Calo Joe Reardon 53,431
1955 74–79 .484 5 Skeeter Newsome Marty Haske 85,191
1954 79–76 .510 4 Skeeter Newsome Marty Haske 121,652 9
1953 58–95 .379 7 Bruno Betzel Bill Hoffman, Jr. 83,992
1952 88–66 .571 2 Bruno Betzel Bill Hoffman, Jr. 141,741 2
1951 82–71 .536 3 Bruno Betzel Bill Hoffman, Jr. 150,219 6
1950 74–79 .484 6 Bruno Betzel Bill Hoffman 106,939
1949 74–79 .484 6 Jewel Ens Bill Hoffman 190,255
1948 77–63 .550 3 Jewel Ens Bill Hoffman 202,259 6
1947 88–65 .575 3 Jewel Ens Bill Hoffman 288,141 9
1946 81–72 .549 2 Jewel Ens Bill Hoffman 237,235 6
1945 64–89 .418 7 Jewel Ens Bill Hoffman 87,858
1944 68–84 .447 8 Jewel Ens C. Schindler 90,619
1943 82–71 .536 3 Jewel Ens C. Schindler 129,494 9
1942 78–74 .513 3 Jewel Ens C. Schindler 164,466 9
1941 70–83 .458 6 Bennie Borgmann C. Schindler 109,002
1940 71–90 .441 7 Dick Porter C. Schindler 118,244
1939 81–74 .523 5 Dick Porter John Corbett 178,671
1938 87–67 .565 2 Bottomley/Porter 183,050 2
1937 76–75 .503 3 Mike Kelly John Corbett 215,745 2
1936 59–95 .383 7 Leibold/Kelly John Corbett 125,387
1935 87–67 .565 2 Nemo Leibold John Corbett 206,179 5
1934 60–94 .390 7 High/Sweeney John Corbett 91,390
1929 19–23 .452 DNF Kaiser Wilhelm
1928 64–74 .464 6 Mike O’Neill
1927 102–66 .607 2 Burt Shotton 174,059
1926 70–91 .435 7 Burt Shotton 123,214
1925 74–87 .460 6 Frank Shaughnessy/Harry Myers 110,892
1924 79–83 .488 6 Frank Shaughnessy 99,378
1923 73–92 .442 6 Frank Shaughnessy 95,236
1922 64–102 .386 7 Frank Shaughnessy 97,587
1921 71–96 .425 6 Tom Madden/Shaughnessy 115,985
1920 33–116 .221 8 Tony Cummings/Amby McConnell/John Engman/Madden
1918 28–56 .378 7 Patsy Donovan
1917 64–51 .557 3 Mike O’Neill
1916 81–52 .609 1 Mike O’Neill
1915 60–60 .500 5 Mike O’Neill
1914 48–79 .378 7 Fred Payne
1913 61–78 .439 6 Fred Burchell/Payne
1912 54–82 .397 7 Edward McCafferty/Burchell
1911 65–74 .467 6 Edward Ashenbach/Snake Deal
1910 78–57 .577 2 Edward Ashenbach
1909 60–78 .435 7 Sandy Griffin
1908 76–64 .543 4 Sandy Griffin
1907 61–75 .449 6 Sandy Griffin
1906 70–65 .519 3 Sandy Griffin
1905 70–51 .579 2 Sandy Griffin
1904 91–44 .674 1 Sandy Griffin
1903 80–54 .597 2 Sandy Griffin
1902 61–55 .526 4 Sandy Griffin
1901 28–39 .418 7 Frank Leonard
1900 43–84 .339 8 Arthur Irwin
1899 39–68 .364 8 Lew Whistler/Griffin
1898 52–63 .452 6 George Kuntzsch
1897 83–50 .624 1 Al Buckenberger
1896 59–62 .488 5 Charlie Reilly/Kuntzsch
1895 62–53 .539 4 Griffin/Reilly
1894 63–56 .529 3 Jay Faatz/Kuntzsch/Griffin
1892 24–36 .400 DNF Faatz/Kuntzsch
1891 56–42 .571 DNF George Frazier
1890 55–72 .433 6 Frazier/Fessenden
1889 63–44 .589 2 Jack Chapman
1888 81–30 .730 1 Charles Hackett/Chapman
1887 61–40 .604 3 James Gifford/Simmons
1886 46–47 .491 6 Henry Ormsbee/Frank Olin/Gifford
1885 52–37 .584 1 Ormsbee/John Humphries
1879 22–48 .314 Dorgan/Holbert/Macullar
1878 29–11 .725 Rae/Dorgan
1877 68–45 .602 Marsh/Ryder
1876 56–14 .800 Hackett/Dorgan

Current roster [edit]

Syracuse Chiefs roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

Template:MLBplayer Xavier Cedeno

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Manager

Coaches

  • 54 Greg Booker (pitching)
  •  2 Troy Gingrich (hitting)


Injury icon 2.svg 7-day disabled list
* On Washington Nationals 40-man roster
∞ Reserve list
§ Suspended list
‡ Restricted list
# Rehab assignment
Roster updated April 13, 2013
Transactions
→ More MiLB rosters
→ Washington Nationals minor league players


Alumni [edit]

Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame [edit]

The Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame was established in 1998 in conjunction with the 140th anniversary of the first organized baseball team in Syracuse. The categories for induction are:

  • First 75 years of professional baseball (1858–1933)
  • Former Chiefs/SkyChiefs player (1934–present)
  • Professional baseball player or person affiliated with professional baseball
  • Contributor to the game of baseball.[3]

The Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame Committee includes Ron Gersbacher, John Simone, Tex Simone, and Bob Snyder.

1998 Grover Cleveland Alexander Red Barrett, Bill Dinneen, Dave Giusti, Mack Jones, Hank Sauer

1999 Jim Bottomley, Rob Gardner, Bill Kelly, Dutch Mele, Jimmy Outlaw, Lawrence Skiddy, Frank Verdi

2000 Jack Corbett, Jewel Ens, Tom Henke, Willie Horton, Bob Shawkey, Ed Shokes, Hooks Wiltse

2001 Len Boehmer, Johnny Gee, Dave Lemanczyk, Frank McCormick, Jim Northrup, Frank Schulte, Tex Simone

2002 Rick Bladt, Wally Cazen, Frank DiPino, Mike Dorgan, Anthony Henninger, Dixie Howell, Jim Walsh

2003 Mike Barlow, Dave Bergman, Tony Fernandez, Sandy Griffin, Henry McCormick, Red Parton, Goody Rosen

2004 Mike Bragman, Dutch Dotterer, Howard Ehmke, Jack Fifield, Carden Gillenwater, Mickey Klutts, Willie Smith

2005 Dom Dallessandro, John Harmon, John Johnstone, Pepper Martin, Thurman Munson, Jim Owens, Vic Willis

2006 Alan Closter, Steve Grilli, Tom Higgins, Bob Keegan, Conny Murphy, Doc Scanlan, Frank Tepedino

2007 Dutch Dotterer, Jr., Ron Guidry, Fred McGriff, Dick Rockwell, Specs Toporcer, Otto Velez

2008 Bobby Cox, Pat Gillick, Ted Kleinhans, Vic Power, Tommy Thevenow, Greg "Boomer" Wells, Terry Whitfield

2009 Cupid Childs, Babe Dahlgren, William Hofmann, Sr., Rick Leach, Gino Petralli, Jon Ratliff, Randy St. Claire

2010 Shawn Green, Earl Harrist, Chris Jones, Dick Ryan, Mickey Stanley, Don Waful

2011 Jerry Brooks, Lou Johnson, Joseph Kren, Gene Locklear, Gus Mancuso, Jim Prendergast

2012 Dan Clark, Carlos Delgado, Scott McGregor, Stu Pederson, Frank Riccelli, Philip S. Ryder

Retired numbers [edit]

Number Player Notes
#9 Hank Sauer
#42 Jackie Robinson Retired throughout Baseball

Television and radio [edit]

All Chiefs games are heard nationally and in central New York on Syracusechiefs.com and on the Syracuse Chiefs Baseball Network application on Android and Itune markets for smartphones. All games are broadcast by Jason Benetti and Kevin Brown. In Addition all Chiefs home games and road games are seen on MILB.TV, an internet video subscription service. Select games are broadcast live on Time Warner Cable SportsNet a central New York regional sports channel provided on Time Warner Cable services throughout the Central and Northern New York area. The games on TWCS are called by Jason Benetti and Syracuse Wall of Fame member and former Major Leaguer Steve Grilli. All games versus thurway rivals Rochester or Buffalo are broadcast on TWCS and fed between the cities, with the host city providing the presentation and announcers.

In popular culture [edit]

Writer Ken Levine based the Springfield Isotopes minor league team in The Simpsons episode Dancin' Homer on experiences as an announcer for the Syracuse Chiefs. The episode includes references to former announcer Dan Hoard and owner Anthony "Tex" Simone (named Antoine "Tex" O'Hara in the episode).

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, eds., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3d edition. Durham, N.C.: Baseball America, 2007
  2. ^ ""Chiefs" Nickname Returns Full Steam Ahead". Syracuse Chiefs. December 11, 2006. Retrieved March 25, 2009. 
  3. ^ http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/team2/page.jsp?ymd=20060725&content_id=110033&vkey=team2_t552&fext=.jsp&sid=t552

External links [edit]

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