Syracuse Chiefs
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 | |||||
Minor league affiliations | |||||
League | International League | ||||
Division | North Division | ||||
Previous leagues | Eastern League (1956–1957) | ||||
Major league affiliations | |||||
Current | New York Mets (from 2019) | ||||
Previous |
Washington Nationals (2009–2018)
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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) | ||||
Previous names | Syracuse SkyChiefs (1997–2006) | ||||
Colors |
Navy blue, Nationals scarlet, Syracuse silver, white | ||||
Ballpark | NBT Bank Stadium (1997–present)[1] | ||||
Previous parks | MacArthur Stadium (1934–1957, 1961–1996) | ||||
Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | New York Mets[2] | ||||
Manager | Tony DeFrancesco | ||||
General Manager | Jason Smorol[3] |
The Syracuse Chiefs are a professional Minor League Baseball team based in Syracuse, New York. The Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, the team plays in the International League (IL). NBT Bank Stadium, on Syracuse's northside, is the Chiefs' home stadium. The team is owned by the Mets.
History
Establishment
The first Syracuse Chiefs baseball team was established in 1934, when the Jersey City Skeeters moved to Syracuse and were renamed the Chiefs. The team played in the International League (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.[4]
Syracuse was without professional baseball until the 1961 season, when the Montreal Royals franchise was abandoned by its owners (the Los Angeles Dodgers) and relocated to Syracuse as the top affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, becoming the Syracuse Chiefs.
Rebirth
The Chiefs have played in Syracuse without interruption since their rebirth in 1961. The team was renamed the SkyChiefs in 1997 before reverting to the original "Chiefs" in December 2006.[5]
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. While the Chiefs reached three Governors Cup finals during this time, many of the players who helped lead the Blue Jays to consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and 1993 passed through Syracuse.
In 1994 outfielder Shawn Green hit .344 for the Chiefs—winning the International League batting title, and was voted the International League Rookie of the Year.
The Chiefs played at MacArthur Stadium from 1934 to 1996, moving to then-P&C Stadium in 1997.
Washington Nationals
On September 20, 2008 the Chiefs signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the Washington Nationals, ending their relationship with the Blue Jays. That season the players wore a decal on their uniforms with the letters "HB" to commemorate Harold Berman, former member of the team's 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 member of the team's board of directors, who died after the 2008 season.
In 2010 the Chiefs celebrated their 50th season of community-owned baseball (1961–2010), wearing 1961 jerseys for every Thursday home game. The team brought back radio announcers from the past, such as Dan Hoard and Syracuse University alumnus Sean McDonough. They had a 76–67 won-lost record, with pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg winning two games and losing one in five appearances.
In 2011 the Chiefs, playing their 51st season of community ownership, wore throwback jerseys for every Thursday home game to commemorate the 35th anniversary of their last International League Governors' Cup championship team (managed by Syracuse Wall of Fame member 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 team 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, food and drink.
On May 14 Chiefs DH Michael Aubrey went four for four, hitting four home runs in an 11–0 victory over the Durham Bulls and becoming the second player in team history to hit four home runs in a game; Gene Locklear was the first, on July 14, 1977. On August 27 Stephen Strasburg pitched his only rehab game for the Chiefs, against the Rochester Red Wings. Giving up two hits in the sixth inning (his only hits allowed before departing, with the Chiefs leading 1–0), he received no decision in Syracuse's 4–3 win (which won the Thruway Cup for the third time; the team's 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 place in the six-team North Division.
On April 5, 2012, the Chiefs opened at home against the Rochester Red Wings. Top pick Bryce Harper, later that month promoted to the Nationals, made the opening-day roster. Randy Knorr did not return for a second season as manager, and Tony Beasley was promoted from the Harrisburg Senators. The Chiefs played all 16 of its games against the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees at Alliance Bank Stadium due to stadium renovation in Moosic, Pennsylvania. On May 7 the Chiefs unveiled a new high-definition video board in left field, replacing the board which had existed since the stadium's 1997 opening.
The 2013 season, with manager Tony Beasley in his second season with the team, began on April 4 in Allentown, Pennsylvania against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs; the Chiefs' home opener was eight days later against the IronPigs. On Throwback Thursdays, the team wore jerseys from 1983 to 1996.
![](../I/m/Chiefs-fireworks-2016-0827.jpg)
On September 30, 2013, it was announced that 16-year general manager John Simone and any family members associated with the team (including assistant GM Mike Vounitas) were fired. On October 8 it was announced that former Auburn Doubledays general manager Jason Smorol would become the Chiefs' GM, with Jason Horbal his assistant. It was the first time since 1970 that someone not named Simone was general manager of Syracuse; John Simone had taken over the job from his father, Anthony (Tex) Simone, in 1997.
The Chiefs opened their 2014 season on April 3 with a loss at home to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and finished the season with the best record (81-62) in the International League and clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 1998 and the first IL North Division title since 1989. NBT Bank Stadium hosted its first ever playoff game on September 5, 2014, a 7-6 loss to the Pawtucket Red Sox which capped off a 3-0 first round series sweep for the Red Sox. The season featured an aggressive promotional campaign, including Social Media Monday, Two-for-One Tickets on Tuesday, Winning Wednesday, Dollar Thursday, Fireworks Friday, Giveaway Saturday and Family Sunday. The Chiefs sold out the outfield wall, the dugouts and the field tarp, earning $500,000 in advertising. On July 1 the Chiefs introduced Tattoo Night, sponsored by Carmelo's Ink City.
The 2015 season saw the Chiefs finish in 4th place in the 6 team IL North division with a record of 66-78. The Chiefs early season struggles including a 11-game losing streak extending from May to June hurt the Chiefs too much to rebound despite going 39-26 after July 1 including an 11-game win streak in Mid July. Billy Gardner Jr. managed the Chiefs in his second season with the team. Stephen Strasburg went 1-1 with the Chiefs in two rehab starts. In the two games Strasburg pitched 9.2 innings with an ERA of 4.66. The team's best pitcher by record was Bruce Billings who went 8-5 in 27 games. The best pitcher by ERA with more than 25 innings pitched was Evan Meek who had an ERA of 2.15 in 30 games, with a record of 2-4. The Chiefs player with the most hits in 2016 was Darin Mastroianni with 114 hits. The Chiefs player with the best average with over 100 At Bats was Trea Turner, with an AVG of .314 in 188 at bats, including 3 home runs, 7 doubles and 15 RBI.
The 2016 season saw the Chiefs finish last in the 6 team IL North division with a record of 61-82, their worst record since the 1997 season. Billy Garnder Jr. managed his third season with the team. Players such as Ryan Zimmerman and Jose Lobaton rehabbed for the Chiefs that season. The Chiefs also had three all stars that season, which included Trea Turner, Brian Goodwin and Rafael Martin. Matt Skole also won a Gold Glove for his fielding performance at 1st Base. The Chiefs players with the most hits in 2016 were Matt Skole and Brian Goodwin with 122 hits. The Chiefs player with the best average with over 100 At Bats was Goodwin, with an AVG of .280 in 119 at bats, including 14 home runs, 25 doubles and 68 RBI. The team's best pitcher by record was A.J. Cole who went 8-8 in 22 games. The best pitcher by ERA with more than 25 innings pitched was Sean Burnett who had an ERA of 2.27 in 40 games, with a record of 0-3.
The 2017 season saw the Chiefs finish last in the 6 team IL North division with a record of 59-87, their worst record since the 1966 season. Billy Garnder Jr. managed his fourth season with the team. Players such as Trea Turner and Jayson Werth rehabbed for the Chiefs that season. The Chiefs players with the most hits in 2017 were Brandon Snyder with 110 hits. The Chiefs player with the best average with over 100 At Bats was Irving Falu, with an AVG of .280 in 382 at bats, including 9 home runs, 19 doubles and 44 RBI. The team's best pitcher by record was Austin Adams who went 6-2 in 44 games coming out of the bullpen. The best pitcher by ERA with more than 25 innings pitched was Wander Suero who had an ERA of 1.70 in 36 games, with a record of 3-1.
New York Mets
The chief operating officer of the New York Mets, Jeff Wilpon, joined Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo and the County Executive of Onondaga County, New York, Joanie Mahoney, at NBT Bank Stadium on October 11, 2017, to announce that the Mets would purchase the Chiefs from the Community Baseball Club of Central New York in early 2018. Under the deal, the Chiefs' affiliation with the Washington Nationals continued through the end of the 2018 season, with the Chiefs becoming the Mets' Triple-A affiliate beginning with the 2019 season.[6] The team will be renamed at that time.[2]
Current roster
Syracuse Mets roster | ||||
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Players | Coaches/Other | |||
Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders Outfielders |
Manager Coaches
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Corporate structure
New York Mets
In October 2017, the New York Mets, headed by Jeff Wilpon, agreed to purchase the Chiefs for approximately $18 million pending approval by team shareholders. A vote was held on November 17, 2017, in which 88 percent of shareholders voted in favor of selling the team, thus meeting the required two-thirds vote needed for approval.[7] The Mets organization assumed ownership in early 2018.[8]
Community Baseball Club, Inc.
The Chiefs were owned by the Community Baseball Club of Central New York, Inc., "a community-owned club, controlled by a [13-person] board of directors,"[9][10][11] acting on behalf of approximately 4,000 shareholders, who together held 15,857 shares from 1961 to 2017.[11]
Shares
According to Dick Ryan, a "former club chairman of the board and treasurer", a majority of the Community Baseball Club shares were "owned by people who own one or two shares."[9] 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."[9] This provision was intended to make it difficult for the club to be sold and moved to another location, as happened earlier in its history.[9]
Management
Officers of the Syracuse Chiefs/ Community Baseball Club of Central New York, Inc., included:
- Robert F. Julian, Chairman of the Board
- William Dutch, President
- Jason Smorol, General Manager[3]
Among those serving on the organization's Board of Directors were Stephen A. Rogers, Chairman, Syracuse Media Group;[10] and Crandall Melvin III, "a software executive from Syracuse and the team's largest single shareholder with 502 shares."[11]
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.[12]
Finances
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.[13][14] Under general manager Jason Smorol, their losses were reduced to $241,584 in 2014, and $169,011 in 2015.[15]
Attendance
Top season attendance
NBT Bank Stadium
* Includes playoffs
MacArthur Stadium
- 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
- 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)
- May 30, 2018 (12,269)
- 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)
Titles and pennants
Governors' Cup
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
The Chiefs have played in the Junior World Series five times, winning it once, in 1970 against the Omaha Royals, 4-1.
Season standings
Regular season champions |
League champions |
Division champions |
Wild Card berth |
Season | League | Division | Affiliate | Manager | Regular season | Postseason | ||||
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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 |
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 (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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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, Pennsylvania, July 13, 1957) |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 | Billy Gardner, Jr. | 6th | 61 | 82 | .427 | 30 | Did not qualify |
2017 | IL | North | Washington | Billy Gardner, Jr. | 6th | 54 | 87 | .383 | 32 | Did not qualify |
2018 | IL | North | Washington | Randy Knorr | 5th | 64 | 76 | .449 | 21 | Did not qualify |
Regular season champions |
League champions |
Division champions |
Wild Card berth |
All-time records
Note: One playoff series is missing from the original Syracuse Chiefs. It will be added to the records when found.
Statistic | Wins | Losses | Win% | Playoff berths |
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 | 3954 | 4328 | .477 | 15 | 3 |
Post-season record | 55 | 55 | .500 | ||
Regular and post-season record | 4009 | 4383 | .478 | ||
All-time records (1934–55, 1956–57, 1961–present) | |||||
Regular season record | 5731 | 6207 | .480 | 25 | 8 |
Post-season record | 117 | 113 | .509 | ||
Regular and post-season record | 5848 | 6320 | .481
|
People of note
Players
![](../I/m/ChienMingWang.jpg)
- Rafael Bautista, outfielder
- Richard Bleier, pitcher
- A. J. 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 Fernández, 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
- Dave Stieb, Toronto Blue Jays legend and has thrown a no-hitter
- 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
- Trea Turner 13th overall draft pick in 2014
- 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
Broadcasters
- Marv Albert (1962)
- Hank Greenwald (1962)
- Greg Papa (1982–83)
- 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
- Craig Minervini (1983)
- Dan Hoard (1985–95), former Cincinnati Reds fill in broadcaster, now voice of the Cincinnati Bengals
- Ken Levine (1988), film and television writer who also broadcast for the Baltimore Orioles, 1991, Seattle Mariners, 1992–94, 2011–12, San Diego Padres, 1995–1997, Los Angeles Dodgers, 2008–2010
- Matt Vasgersian (1995)
- Bob McElligott (2000-2009), radio broadcaster for the Columbus Blue Jackets
- Jason Benetti (2009-2014), broadcaster for the Chicago White Sox[18]
Retired numbers and recognized people
No. | Player | Notes |
---|---|---|
Tex Simone | Team founder and former GM | |
9 | Hank Sauer | |
42 | Jackie Robinson | Retired throughout Baseball |
Television and radio
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 Steve Grilli. In addition, all Chiefs' games are broadcast on MiLB.TV, an internet video subscription service. Select games were broadcast live on Spectrum Sports, a central New York regional sports channel provided on Spectrum Cable services throughout the Central and Northern New York area until Spectrum ceased operations of its sports channels in the state sometime around 2017. The games on Spectrum Sports were called by Steve Grilli, Syracuse Wall of Fame member and former Major Leaguer. All games against thruway rivals Rochester or Buffalo were broadcast on Spectrum Sports and fed between the cities, with the host city providing the presentation and announcers.
In popular culture
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.[19]
See also
References
- ↑ Previously known as Alliance Bank Stadium (2005–2013), and P&C Stadium (1997–2005)
- 1 2 Spedden, Zach (July 12, 2018). "Syracuse Chiefs to Rebrand in 2019". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- 1 2 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, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007
- ↑ "'Chiefs' Nickname Returns Full Steam Ahead". Syracuse Chiefs. December 11, 2006. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
- ↑ Weiner, Mark (October 9, 2017). "New York Mets will buy Syracuse Chiefs, bring its Triple-A team to Syracuse". Syracuse.com. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
- ↑ "Shareholders approve sale of Syracuse Chiefs to the NY Mets". CNYCentral. November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
- ↑ Reichard, Kevin (November 18, 2017). "Syracuse Chiefs Sale to Mets Approved by Shareholders". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 Leo, Tom. (2011, August 25). "Chiefs: Team Not for Sale," The Post Standard. Accessed: September 6, 2013.
- 1 2 "Staff Directory," SyracuseChiefs.com. Accessed: September 11, 2013.
- 1 2 3 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.
- ↑ Moriarty, Rick (20 March 2016). "Chiefs ask county to cut stadium rent". The Post-Standard. p. C-4.
- ↑ Kramer, Lindsay. (2013, September 3). "Chiefs fans show disappointment", The Post-Standard, p.C-4.
- ↑ "International League Attendance," MiLB.com. Accessed: 20 March 2016.
- ↑ "Chiefs congratulate former "Voice of the Chiefs" Jason Benetti". MiLB.com. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ 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
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