Syracuse Chiefs
| This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2013) |
| Syracuse Chiefs Founded in 1934 Syracuse, New York |
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| Class-level | |||||
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| Current | Triple-A (1946–1955, 1961–present) | ||||
| Previous | Double-A (1934–1945); Single-A (1956–1957) | ||||
| Minor league affiliations | |||||
| League | International League | ||||
| Division | North Division | ||||
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Previous leagues
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Eastern League (1956–1957) | ||||
| Major league affiliations | |||||
| Current | Washington Nationals (2009–present) | ||||
| Previous | Toronto Blue Jays (1978–2008); New York Yankees (1967–1977); Detroit Tigers (1956–1957, 1963–1966); New York Mets/ Washington Senators (1962); Minnesota Twins (1961); Philadelphia Phillies (1954–1955); Cincinnati Reds (1937–1938, 1942–1950); Pittsburgh Pirates (1940); Boston Red Sox (1934–1936) |
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| Minor league titles | |||||
| League titles (8) |
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| Division titles (2) |
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| Team data | |||||
| Nickname | Syracuse Chiefs (1934–1957, 1961–1996, 2007–present) | ||||
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Previous names
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Syracuse SkyChiefs (1997–2006) | ||||
| Ballpark | NBT Bank Stadium (1997–present)[1] | ||||
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Previous parks
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MacArthur Stadium (1934–1957, 1961–1996) | ||||
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Owner(s)/
Operator(s) |
Community Baseball Club of Central New York, Inc.; William Dutch, President[2] |
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| Manager | Billy Gardner, Jr.[3] | ||||
| General Manager | Jason Smorol[4] | ||||
The Syracuse Chiefs are a 'community-owned', minor league baseball team based in Syracuse, New York. The Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, the team plays in the International League (IL). NBT Bank Stadium, on Syracuse's northside, is the Chiefs' home stadium.
Contents
History[edit]
Establishment[edit]
The first Syracuse Chiefs baseball team was established in 1934, when the International League's Jersey City Skeeters moved to Syracuse and were (re)named the Chiefs. The team played in the IL through 1955 (winning five championships), but was sold and moved to Miami as the Marlins for the 1956 campaign.
Another team known as the Syracuse 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.[5]
Syracuse was without professional baseball until the 1961 season, when the Montreal Royals franchise was abandoned by its owners (the Los Angeles Dodgers) and returned to Syracuse, becoming the Syracuse Chiefs.
Rebirth[edit]
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.[6]
From 1978 to 2008, the Chiefs were the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The three-decade Toronto–Syracuse affiliation is the longest of the 11 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.
Washington Nationals[edit]
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This section may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (September 2014) |
On September 20, 2008, the Chiefs signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the Washington Nationals, ending their relationship with the Blue Jays.
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 (now NBT 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.
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.
On April 5, 2012, the Chiefs opened at home against the Rochester Red Wings. 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 was managed by Tony Beasley in his second season with the team and began on April 4, 2013 in Allentown PA, vs. the Lehigh Valley IronPigs; the Chiefs' home opener was April 12, also vs. the IronPigs. On "Throwback Thursdays," the Chiefs wore jerseys from the 1983-1996 era.
On September 30, 2013, it was announced that General Manager of over 16 years John Simone would be relieved of his position as well as any member of the family associated with the team including Assistant GM Mike Vounitas. On October 8, 2013 it was announced former Auburn Doubledays GM Jason Smorol would fill the same position in Syracuse as well as bringing over Jason Horbal as Assistant. This was the first time since 1970 that someone without the last name Simone was General Manager of Syracuse as John Simone took over the spot from his dad Anthony "Tex Simone" in 1997
On April 3, 2014 the Chiefs opened the season with a loss at home to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. The 2014 season started an aggressive promotion campaign which included Social Media Monday, Two for One Tickets on Tuesday, Winning Wednesday, Dollar Thursday, Fireworks Friday, Giveaway Saturday and Family Sunday. The Chiefs also have sold out the outfield wall, dugouts and field tarp bringing in around 0.5 million dollars in advertisement sales.
On July 1, 2014 the Chiefs introduced Tattoo night sponsored by Carmelo's Ink City which was a promotion that included the first 36 fans in attendance to tattoo the current Chiefs main logo would be given free General Admission tickets for life. This promotion made news both locally and nationally including MSNBC, ESPN, The Today Show, Washington Post, and USA Today. Over 20 fans were turned away as all tattoo's were reserved over 2 hours before that nights first pitch.
Corporate structure[edit]
Community Baseball Club, Inc.[edit]
The Chiefs are owned by the Community Baseball Club of Central New York, Inc., "a community-owned club, controlled by a [13-person] board of directors,"[2][7][8][9] acting on behalf of approximately 4,000 shareholders, who together hold 15,857 shares.[9]
[edit]
According to Dick Ryan, a "former club chairman of the board and treasurer," a majority of the shares "are owned by people who own one or two shares."[7] Shares in the club were first sold in 1961, at a price of $10 each; as of 2011, shares had a resale value of approximately $126, but are not publicly traded. A provision in the Chief's certificate of corporation states that "no one may vote more than 500 shares."[7] This provision is intended to make it difficult for the club to be sold and moved to another location, as happened earlier in its history.[7]
Management[edit]
Current officers of the Syracuse Chiefs/ Community Baseball Club of Central New York, Inc., include:
- Robert F. Julian, Chairman of the Board
- William Dutch, President
- Jason Smorol, General Manager[4]
Among those serving on the organization's Board of Directors are Stephen A. Rogers, Chairman, Syracuse Media Group;[8] and Crandall Melvin III, "a software executive from Syracuse and the team's largest single shareholder with 502 shares."[9]
Dutch is a partner in Chiefs First LLC, an investment company established in September 2013, which loaned the Chiefs $500,000 in return for 600 shares and control of the team's new, 13-member board.[10]
Finances[edit]
The Chiefs have been operating at a loss since 2006, except for the 2010 season when they ended the season $100,000 in the black. The team lost $973,516 in the 2013 season, on operating expenses of $3.1 million.[11][12]
Attendance[edit]
Top season attendance[edit]
NBT Bank Stadium[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
- 2004: 364,648
- 2003: 356,303
- 2006: 347,699
- 2013: 345,047[13]
- 2014: 247,046*
* Includes playoffs
- 2015: 262,408
<http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=l_att&lid=117>
MacArthur Stadium[edit]
- 1994: 368,971*
- 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
* Includes playoffs
Top 40 attendance dates since 1961[edit]
- May 7, 2010 (14,098)
- May 24, 2010 (13,288)
- July 17, 1993 (13,124)
- May 29, 2010 (13,115)
- July 17, 1967 (13,082)
- July 25, 1967 (13,063)
- August 17, 1995 (12,711)
- July 30, 2010 (12,674)
- June 28, 1995 (12,659)
- July 4, 2015 (12,526)
- July 14, 2001 (12,455)
- June 28, 2001 (12,368)
- August 17, 1999 (12,344)
- August 22, 1972 (12,322)
- August 16, 1961 (12,321)
- August 14, 2009 (12,288)
- July 11, 1998 (12,255)
- July 23, 1994 (12,224)
- August 1, 2008 (12,208)
- July 13, 2001 (12,121)
- April 3, 1997 (12,112)
- May 29, 1994 (12,112)
- July 4, 2014 (12,045)
- July 18, 1994 (11,899)
- July 11, 1994 (11,679)
- August 20, 1994 (11,485)
- August 9, 1963 (11,476)
- August 30, 1994 (11,469)
- July 10, 1995 (11,455)
- May 9, 1970 (11,398)
- June 25, 2002 (11,356)
- June 29, 2000 (11,295)
- August 18, 1999 (11,228)
- June 22, 1999 (11,219)
- July 13, 1970 (11,144)
- June 27, 1977 (11,100)
- May 5, 2006 (11,012)
- July 16, 1981 (10,835)
- May 15, 1999 (10,767)
- June 22, 1971 (10,677)
Titles and pennants[edit]
Governors' Cup[edit]
The Chiefs have won the Governors' Cup (the IL championship) eight times, and have played in the championship series 17 times.
- 1935 - Defeated Montreal 4–2
- 1942 - Defeated Jersey City 4–2
- 1943 - Defeated Toronto 4–1
- 1946 - Lost to Montreal 3–4
- 1947 - Defeated Buffalo 4–1
- 1948 - Lost to Montreal 0–4
- 1951 - Lost to Montreal 3–4
- 1954 - Defeated Montreal 4–2
- 1964 - Lost to Rochester 1–4
- 1969 - Defeated Columbus 4–1
- 1970 - Defeated Columbus 4–1
- 1974 - Lost to Rochester 3–4
- 1975 - Lost to Tidewater 3–4
- 1976 - Defeated Richmond 4–1
- 1979 - Lost to Columbus 1–3
- 1994 - Lost to Richmond 0–3 (All games on ESPN, due to the MLB strike)
The Chiefs have won the International League pennant — finishing the regular season with the best record in the league — eight times.
Junior World Series[edit]
The Chiefs have played in the Junior World Series five times, winning it once, in 1970 against the Omaha Royals, 4-1.
Syracuse Chiefs season by season[edit]
| Regular Season Champions |
League champions |
Division champions |
Wild Card birth |
| Season | League | Division | Affiliate | Manager | Regular Season | Postseason | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division Finish |
W | L | Win% | GB | |||||||
| Original Syracuse Chiefs | |||||||||||
| 1934 | IL (AA) | -- | Boston Red Sox | Andy High Bill Sweeney |
7th | 60 | 94 | .390 | 33.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1935 | IL | -- | Boston Red Sox | Nemo Leibold | 2nd | 87 | 67 | .565 | 5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Newark 4-0 Won Governors Cup vs' Montreal 4-3 |
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| 1936 | IL | -- | Boston Red Sox | Nemo Leibold Mike Kelly |
7th | 59 | 95 | .383 | 35 | Did not qualify | |
| 1937 | IL | -- | Cincinnati Reds | Mike Kelly | 3rd | 78 | 74 | .513 | 31 | Lost Semi-finals vs' Newark 0-4 | |
| 1938 | IL | -- | Cincinnati Reds | Jim Bottomley Dick Porter |
2nd | 87 | 67 | .565 | 18 | Lost Semi-finals vs' ??? ?-? | Playoff data missing |
| 1939 | IL | -- | None | Dick Porter | 5th | 81 | 74 | .523 | 9 | Did not qualify | |
| 1940 | IL | -- | Pittsburgh | Dick Porter | 7th | 71 | 90 | .441 | 27 | Did not qualify | |
| 1941 | IL | -- | None | Bennie Borgmann | 6th | 70 | 83 | .458 | 29 | Did not qualify | |
| 1942 | IL | -- | Cincinnati | Jewel Ens | 3rd | 78 | 74 | .513 | 13.5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Montreal 4-1 Won Governors Cup vs' Jersey City 4-0 Lost Junior World Series vs' Columbus 1-4 |
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| 1943 | IL | -- | Cincinnati | Jewel Ens | 3rd | 82 | 71 | .536 | 13.5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Newark 4-2 Won Governors Cup vs' Toronto 4-2 Lost Junior World Series vs' Columbus 1-4 |
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| 1944 | IL | -- | Cincinnati | Jewel Ens | 8th | 68 | 84 | .447 | 16 | Did not qualify | |
| 1945 | IL | -- | Cincinnati | Jewel Ens | 7th | 64 | 89 | .418 | 31 | Did not qualify | |
| 1946 | IL (AAA) | -- | Cincinnati | Jewel Ens | 2nd | 81 | 72 | .529 | 18.5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Baltimore 4-2 Lost Governors Cup vs' Montreal 1-4 |
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| 1947 | IL | -- | Cincinnati | Jewel Ens | 3rd | 88 | 65 | .575 | 5.5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Montreal 4-0 Won Governors Cup vs' Buffalo 4-3 Lost Junior World Series vs' Milwaukee 3-4 |
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| 1948 | IL | -- | Cincinnati | Jewel Ens | 3rd | 77 | 73 | .513 | 15.5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Newark 4-3 Lost Governors Cup vs' Montreal 1-4 |
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| 1949 | IL | -- | Cincinnati | Jewel Ens | 6th | 73 | 80 | .477 | 16.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1950 | IL | -- | Cincinnati | Bruno Betzel | 6th | 74 | 79 | .484 | 19 | Did not qualify | |
| 1951 | IL | -- | None | Bruno Betzel | 3rd | 82 | 71 | .536 | 12.5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Rochester 4-1 Lost Governors Cup vs' Montreal 1-4 |
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| 1952 | IL | -- | None | Bruno Betzel | 2nd | 88 | 66 | .571 | 8.5 | Lost Semi-finals vs' Rochester 0-4 | |
| 1953 | IL | -- | None | Bruno Betzel | 7th | 58 | 95 | .379 | 38.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1954 | IL | -- | Philadelphia | Skeeter Newsome | 4th | 79 | 76 | .510 | 18.5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Toronto 4-2 Won Governors Cup vs' Montreal 4-3 Lost Junior World Series vs' Louisville 2-4 |
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| 1955 | IL | -- | Philadelphia | Skeeter Newsome | 5th | 74 | 79 | .484 | 20.5 | Did not qualify | |
| Syracuse Chiefs (Eastern League) | |||||||||||
| 1956 | Eastern (A) | -- | Detroit | Glenn McQuillen Joe Torpey Frank Calo |
5th | 62 | 77 | .446 | 22.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1957 | Eastern (A) | -- | Detroit | Frank Calo | 5th | 56 | 84 | .400 | 29 | Did not qualify (Team moved to Allentown, PA July 13, 1957) |
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| Current Syracuse Chiefs | |||||||||||
| 1961 | IL | -- | Minnesota | Gene Verble Frank Verdi |
8th | 56 | 98 | .364 | 36 | Did not qualify | |
| 1962 | IL | -- | Washington New York (NL) |
Johnny Vander Meer Frank Verdi |
8th | 53 | 101 | .344 | 41 | Did not qualify | |
| 1963 | IL | North | Detroit | Bob Swift | 1st | 80 | 70 | .533 | -- | Lost Semi-finals vs' Indianapolis 1-4 | |
| 1964 | IL | -- | Detroit | Bob Swift | 2nd | 88 | 66 | .571 | 2.5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Buffalo 4-3 Lost Governors Cup vs' Rochester 2-4 |
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| 1965 | IL | -- | Detroit | Frank Carswell | 4th | 74 | 73 | .503 | 11.5 | Lost Semi-finals vs' Columbus 2-4 | |
| 1966 | IL | -- | Detroit | Frank Carswell | 8th | 54 | 93 | .367 | 29 | Did not qualify | |
| 1967 | IL | -- | New York (AL) | Gary Blaylock | 8th | 63 | 77 | .367 | 17.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1968 | IL | -- | New York (AL) | Gary Blaylock Frank Verdi |
T-5th | 72 | 75 | .490 | 11 | Did not qualify | |
| 1969 | IL | -- | New York (AL) | Frank Verdi | 3rd | 75 | 65 | .536 | 3.5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Louisville 3-2 Won Governors Cup vs' Columbus 4-1 |
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| 1970 | IL | -- | New York (AL) | Frank Verdi | 1st | 84 | 56 | .600 | -- | Won Semi-finals vs' Tidewater 3-0 Won Governors Cup vs' Columbus 3-1 Won Junior World Series vs' Omaha 4-1 |
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| 1971 | IL | -- | New York (AL) | Loren Babe | 4th | 73 | 67 | .521 | 13 | Lost Semi-finals vs' Rochester 1-3 | |
| 1972 | IL | -- | New York (AL) | Frank Verdi | 7th | 64 | 80 | .444 | 17 | Did not qualify | |
| 1973 | IL | American | New York (AL) | Bobby Cox | 3rd | 76 | 70 | .521 | 3 | Did not qualify | |
| 1974 | IL | North | New York (AL) | Bobby Cox | 2nd | 74 | 70 | .514 | 14 | Won Semi-finals vs' Richmond 4-1 Lost Governors Cup vs' Rochester 3-4 |
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| 1975 | IL | -- | New York (AL) | Bobby Cox | 3rd | 72 | 64 | .529 | 11.5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Rochester 3-1 Lost Governors Cup vs' Tidewater 1-3 |
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| 1976 | IL | -- | New York (AL) | Bobby Cox | 2nd | 82 | 57 | .590 | 6.5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Memphis 3-0 Won Governors Cup vs' Richmond 3-1 |
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| 1977 | IL | -- | New York (AL) | Pete Ward | 5th | 70 | 70 | .500 | 10 | Did not qualify | |
| 1978 | IL | -- | Toronto | Vern Benson | 8th | 50 | 90 | .357 | 35 | Did not qualify | |
| 1979 | IL | -- | Toronto | Vern Benson | 2nd | 77 | 63 | .550 | 8.5 | Won Semi-finals vs' Richmond 3-2 Lost Governors Cup vs' Columbus 3-4 |
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| 1980 | IL | -- | Toronto | Harry Warner | 8th | 58 | 81 | .417 | 24.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1981 | IL | -- | Toronto | Bob Humphreys | 7th | 60 | 80 | .429 | 28.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1982 | IL | -- | Toronto | Jim Beauchamp | 6th | 64 | 76 | .457 | 18.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1983 | IL | -- | Toronto | Jim Beauchamp | 7th | 61 | 78 | .439 | 21.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1984 | IL | -- | Toronto | Jim Beauchamp | 7th | 58 | 81 | .417 | 24 | Did not qualify | |
| 1985 | IL | -- | Toronto | Doug Ault | 1st | 79 | 61 | .564 | -- | Lost Semi-finals vs' Columbus 1-3 | |
| 1986 | IL | -- | Toronto | Doug Ault | 5th | 72 | 67 | .518 | 7.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1987 | IL | -- | Toronto | Doug Ault | 6th | 68 | 72 | .486 | 13 | Did not qualify | |
| 1988 | IL | West | Toronto | Bob Bailor | 2nd | 70 | 71 | .496 | 7 | Did not qualify | |
| 1989 | IL | East | Toronto | Bob Bailor | 1st | 83 | 62 | .572 | -- | Lost Governors Cup vs' Richmond 1-3 | |
| 1990 | IL | East | Toronto | Bob Bailor | 3rd | 62 | 83 | .428 | 27 | Did not qualify | |
| 1991 | IL | East | Toronto | Bob Bailor | 3rd | 73 | 71 | .507 | 6.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1992 | IL | East | Toronto | Nick Leyva | 4th | 60 | 83 | .420 | 24.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1993 | IL | East | Toronto | Nick Leyva Bob Didier |
5th | 59 | 82 | .418 | 15.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1994 | IL | East | Toronto | Bob Didier | 2nd | 71 | 71 | .500 | 7 | Won Semi-finals vs' Pawtucket 3-1 Lost Governors Cup vs' Richmond 0-3 |
|
| 1995 | IL | East | Toronto | Bob Didier Héctor Torres Richie Hebner |
5th | 59 | 82 | .418 | 13.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1996 | IL | East | Toronto | Richie Hebner | 4th | 67 | 75 | .472 | 11 | Did not qualify | |
| Syracuse Skychiefs | |||||||||||
| 1997 | IL | East | Toronto | Garth Iorg | 4th | 55 | 87 | .387 | 28.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 1998 | IL | North | Toronto | Terry Bevington | 2nd | 80 | 62 | .563 | 0.5 | Lost Semi-finals vs' Buffalo 0-3 | |
| 1999 | IL | North | Toronto | Pat Kelly | 3rd | 73 | 71 | .507 | 5 | Did not qualify | |
| 2000 | IL | North | Toronto | Pat Kelly Mel Queen Omar Malavé |
4th | 74 | 66 | .529 | 9.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 2001 | IL | North | Toronto | Omar Malavé | 3rd | 71 | 73 | .493 | 21 | Did not qualify | |
| 2002 | IL | North | Toronto | Omar Malavé | 4th | 64 | 80 | .444 | 27 | Did not qualify | |
| 2003 | IL | North | Toronto | Omar Malavé | 6th | 62 | 79 | .440 | 19.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 2004 | IL | North | Toronto | Marty Pevey | T-5th | 66 | 78 | .458 | 17 | Did not qualify | |
| 2005 | IL | North | Toronto | Marty Pevey | 4th | 71 | 73 | .493 | 11 | Did not qualify | |
| 2006 | IL | North | Toronto | Mike Basso | 6th | 64 | 79 | .448 | 20.5 | Did not qualify | |
| Syracuse Chiefs | |||||||||||
| 2007 | IL | North | Toronto | Doug Davis | 5th | 64 | 80 | .444 | 20.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 2008 | IL | North | Toronto | Doug Davis | 4th | 69 | 73 | .486 | 18 | Did not qualify | |
| 2009 | IL | North | Washington | Tim Foli | 2nd | 76 | 68 | .528 | 6.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 2010 | IL | North | Washington | Trent Jewett | 2nd | 76 | 67 | .531 | 11 | Did not qualify | |
| 2011 | IL | North | Washington | Randy Knorr | 4th | 66 | 74 | .471 | 14 | Did not qualify | |
| 2012 | IL | North | Washington | Tony Beasley | 5th | 70 | 74 | .486 | 14 | Did not qualify | |
| 2013 | IL | North | Washington | Tony Beasley | 6th | 66 | 78 | .458 | 14.5 | Did not qualify | |
| 2014 | IL | North | Washington | Billy Gardner, Jr. | 1st | 81 | 62 | .566 | -- | Lost Semi-finals vs' Pawtucket 0-3 | |
| 2015 | IL | North | Washington | Billy Gardner, Jr. | 4th | 66 | 78 | .458 | 15 | Did not qualify | |
| 2016 | IL | North | Washington | Season Upcoming | |||||||
| Regular Season Champions |
League champions |
Division champions |
Wild Card birth |
All-time records[edit]
Note: One playoff series is missing from the Original Syracuse Chiefs. Will be added to the records when found.
| Statistic | Wins | Losses | Win% | Playoff Births |
League Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Syracuse Chiefs (1934 – 1955) | |||||
| Regular season record | 1659 | 1718 | .491 | 10 | 5 |
| Post-season record | 62 | 58 | .517 | ||
| Regular and post-season record | 1721 | 1776 | .492 | ||
| Syracuse Chiefs (Eastern League) (1956 – 1957) | |||||
| Regular season record | 118 | 161 | .423 | 0 | 0 |
| Current Syracuse Chiefs (1961 – present) | |||||
| Regular season record | 3775 | 4083 | .480 | 15 | 3 |
| Post-season record | 55 | 55 | .500 | ||
| Regular and post-season record | 3830 | 4138 | .481 | ||
| All-time records (1934-55, 1956-57, 1961-present) | |||||
| Regular season record | 5552 | 5962 | .482 | 25 | 8 |
| Post-season record | 117 | 113 | .509 | ||
| Regular and post-season record | 5669 | 6075 | .483 | ||
Current roster[edit]
|
Syracuse Chiefs roster
|
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Coaches/Other | |||
|
Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
|
Manager Coaches
|
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Alumni[edit]
- AJ Burnett, One time Highest Paid Pitcher in Baseball
- Chris Carpenter, 3-time All-Star pitcher, World Series Champion in 2011
- Bobby Cox, Manager with Toronto Blue Jays and most notably Atlanta Braves
- Carlos Delgado, 2-time All-Star first baseman. 4 HR game with Toronto vs Tampa Bay Rays
- Tony Fernandez, All time Blue Jays Hit leader, 5-Time All Star Infielder, 4-Time Gold Glove Winner
- Shawn Green, 2-time All-Star outfielder
- Ron Guidry, 4-time All-Star pitcher
- Roy Halladay, 7-time All-Star pitcher
- Bryce Harper, 2011 #1 MLB overall pick.
- Aaron Hill
- Casey Janssen
- Zach Jackson
- Jimmy Key, World Series Champion
- Adam Lind
- Gene Locklear Hit 4 Hr in one game, Played for New York Yankees
- Fred McGriff
- Denny McLain Won 31 games for the Detroit Tigers in 1968
- Thurman Munson, 7-time All-Star catcher
- Stu Pederson, Major League outfielder
- Goody Rosen, All-Star outfielder
- Deion Sanders, NFL Hall of famer, Super Bowl Champion
- Hank Sauer, All-time Chiefs single season home run leader
- Travis Snider
- Luis Sojo
- Ed Sprague, Jr.
- Stephen Strasburg, Highest paid contract for drafted player
- Johnny Reder
- Alex Ríos, 2-time All Star
- David Wells, Owner of a perfect game with the New York Yankees
- Vernon Wells
- Jayson Werth, World Series Champion
Broadcast alumni[edit]
- Sean McDonough (1982-84), current ESPN play-by-play man for Major League Baseball, NCAA Men's Basketball, NCAA Football, and the National Football League.
- Dan Hoard (1985–95), former Cincinnati Reds fill in broadcaster, now voice of the Cincinnati Bengals
- Ken Levine (1988), Baltimore Orioles, 1991, Seattle Mariners, 1992–94, 2011–12, San Diego Padres, 1995-1997, Los Angeles Dodgers, 2008-2010, writer for 'M*A*S*H, Cheers (for which he shared Outstanding Comedy Series honors at the 35th Primetime Emmy Awards), Frasier, The Simpsons, Wings, Everybody Loves Raymond, Becker and Dharma and Greg. Along with his writing partner David Isaacs, he created the series Almost Perfect.,[14] movie Volunteers[15] and Mannequin Two: On the Move.[16]
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.[17]
Through the 2013 season, the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame Committee included Stu Pederson, Ron Gersbacher, John Simone, Tex Simone, Bob Snyder, and Tom Leo.[17]
Awardees[edit]
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
2013 Tomy de la Cruz, Bob Dustal, Don Gordon, Chick Hafey, Mal Mallette, Robert Perez[citation needed]
Retired numbers[edit]
| Number | Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| #9 | Hank Sauer | |
| #42 | Jackie Robinson | Retired throughout Baseball |
Television and radio[edit]
Locally games are broadcast on the Chiefs' flagship station, WSKO "The Score" 1260 am, and globally on SyracuseChiefs.com All games are broadcast by Eric Gallanty and Kevin Brown. In addition, all Chiefs' games are broadcast on MiLB.TV, an internet video subscription service. Select games are broadcast live on Time Warner Cable Sports Channel (TWCS) 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 Brown and Steve Grilli, Syracuse Wall of Fame member and former Major Leaguer. All games against thruway rivals Rochester or Buffalo are broadcast on TWCS and fed between the cities, with the host city providing the presentation and announcers.[citation needed]
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).
The Chiefs gained national media attention for a promotion planned for 2014's Tattoo Appreciation Night, where anyone who got a tattoo of their "C" logo would receive free tickets to Chiefs games for life.[18]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Previously known as Alliance Bank Stadium (2005-2013), and P&C Stadium (1997 - 2005)
- ^ a b MiLB. (2011, November 21). "William Dutch named new Chiefs President." Accessed: September 6, 2013.
- ^ Kramer, Lindsey. (2013, December 20). "Billy Gardner Jr. will make Triple-A managing debut for the Syracuse Chiefs," Post-Standard. Accessed: December 21, 2013.
- ^ a b O'Brien, John. (2013, October 8). "Syracuse Chiefs, in deep financial hole, hire new general manager," Syracuse.com. Accessed: October 8, 2013.
- ^ Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, eds., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3d edition. Durham, N.C.: Baseball America, 2007
- ^ "'Chiefs' Nickname Returns Full Steam Ahead". Syracuse Chiefs. December 11, 2006. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
- ^ a b c d Leo, Tom. (2011, August 25). "Chiefs: Team Not for Sale," The Post Standard. Accessed: September 6, 2013.
- ^ a b "Staff Directory," SyracuseChiefs.com. Accessed: September 11, 2013.
- ^ a b c Kramer, Lindsay. (2013, November 19). "Syracuse Chiefs unveil pared down board of directors," Syracuse.com. Accessed: December 8, 2013.
- ^ O'Brien, John. (2013, September 30). "To escape fiscal crisis, Syracuse Chiefs' board considers offers: one for $500,000, another for $1 million," Syracuse.com. Accessed: December 8, 2013.
- ^ Kramer, Lindsay. (2013, November 21). "Syracuse Chiefs board president Bill Dutch on $1 million in losses: It is 'a shock to all of us'," Syracuse.com. Accessed: December 8, 2013.
- ^ O'Brien, John. (2013, October 1). "Syracuse Chiefs' ledger shows club going from profit to loss over past eight years," Syracuse.com. Accessed: October 2, 2013.
- ^ Kramer, Lindsay. (2013, September 3). "Chiefs fans show disappointment," The Post-Standard, p.C-4.
- ^ IMDb listing for "Almost Perfect (TV Series)"
- ^ IMDb listing for "Volunteers" (1985)
- ^ IMDb full crew for "Mannequin: On The Move"
- ^ a b "Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame," MiLB.com. Accessed: September 3, 2013.
- ^ Oz, Mike. "Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs offering free tickets for life if fans get a tattoo of team's logo". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
External links[edit]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Syracuse Chiefs. |
- Official website
- Syracuse Chiefs at Baseball-Reference
- Gersbacher, Ron. (2012). "History of Syracuse Baseball, 1858 to Present"
- Photographs of Alliance Bank Stadium, home of the Syracuse Chiefs - Rochester Area Ballparks
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