Wikipedia

Syracuse Mets

(Redirected from Syracuse Sky Chiefs)

The Syracuse Mets are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. They are located in Syracuse, New York, and play their home games at NBT Bank Stadium, which opened in 1997 and has a seating capacity of 10,815.[4] The Mets are named for their major league affiliate and owner, the New York Mets.

Syracuse Mets
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassTriple-A (1961–present)
Previous classes
LeagueInternational League (1961–present)
DivisionEast Division
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
TeamNew York Mets (2019–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (8)
  • 1935
  • 1942
  • 1943
  • 1947
  • 1954
  • 1969
  • 1970
  • 1976
Division titles (2)
  • 1989
  • 2014
Wild card berths (1)
  • 1998
Team data
NameSyracuse Mets (2019–present)
Previous names
  • Syracuse Chiefs (2007–2018)
  • Syracuse SkyChiefs (1997–2006)
  • Syracuse Chiefs (1934–1996)
ColorsBlue, orange, white
     
MascotScooch
BallparkNBT Bank Stadium (1997–present)[1]
Previous parks
MacArthur Stadium (1934–1957, 1961–1996)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
New York Mets[2]
General managerJason Smorol[3]
ManagerDick Scott
Websitemilb.com/syracuse

Throughout most of its existence, from 1934 to 1996 and again from 2007 to 2018, the team was known as the Syracuse Chiefs, while from 1997 to 2006 it was known as the Syracuse SkyChiefs. The club was rebranded as the Syracuse Mets in October 2018.[5]

History

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See also: Sports in Syracuse § Baseball, and Montreal Royals

Syracuse Chiefs

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Establishment (1934–1957)

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The 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. They won five Governors' Cup championships during this stretch, including back-to-back championships in 1942 and 1943. The team was then 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) in 1956 and 1957, but moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 1957.[6] The Chiefs played at MacArthur Stadium from 1934 to 1996, moving to new then-P&C Stadium (1997–2005) in 1997.

Restart and multiple affiliations (1961–1978)

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Syracuse was without professional baseball from 1957 until 1961, 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. After that, the team had affiliations with the New York Mets and Washington Senators (1962), the Detroit Tigers (1963) and the New York Yankees (1967–1977). Baseball has been played in Syracuse without interruption since the rebirth of the Chiefs in 1961.

Toronto Blue Jays (1978–2008)

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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 team has 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 the International League Rookie of the Year Award. The team was renamed the SkyChiefs in 1997 before reverting to simply "Chiefs" in December 2006.[7]

Washington Nationals (2008–2018)

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On September 20, 2008, the Chiefs signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the Washington Nationals, ending their relationship with the Blue Jays. That first 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 win–loss record, with pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg winning two games and losing one in five appearances.

In 2011, the Chiefs, 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 drinks.

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. It did, however, clinch the Chiefs' third Thruway Cup victory; 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 draft 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 their games against the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees at the now renamed Alliance Bank Stadium (2005–2013) due to stadium renovations at the Yankees' ballpark in Moosic, Pennsylvania. On May 7, the Chiefs unveiled a new high-definition video board in left field, replacing the board which had been in place 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.

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, former Auburn Doubledays general manager Jason Smorol became the Chiefs' GM, with Jason Horbal as 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, clinching 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.

Following the 2014 season, the Chiefs would not make the playoffs during the final years of the Nationals' affiliation, including a 54–87 record during the 2017 season, their worst since 1966. Many prospects passed through Syracuse on their way to MLB, including Trea Turner, Lucas Giolito, and Victor Robles. Randy Knorr replaced Gardner Jr. after 4 seasons as Chiefs' manager for the 2018 season, his second stint with the Chiefs.

Syracuse Mets

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2021 game against the Buffalo Bisons at NBT Bank Stadium

The chief operating officer of the New York Mets, Jeff Wilpon, joined Governor Andrew Cuomo and Joanie Mahoney, Onondaga County Executive, 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.[8] The team was rebranded as the Syracuse Mets, adopting the New York Mets' blue, orange, and white color scheme along with new logos and uniforms on October 16, 2018.[9]

The Syracuse Mets started their 2019 inaugural season with one of the most experienced rosters in the minor leagues. Of the 25 players on the roster, 21 of them had previously played in the majors. They had combined for 7,006 total games. The Opening Day roster consisted of veteran outfielders Carlos Gómez and Rajai Davis, former Syracuse Chief Danny Espinosa, catcher René Rivera, and cult-star outfielder Tim Tebow.[10] The Mets played their first game on April 4, against the Pawtucket Red Sox in front of an Opening Day home crowd of 8,823 fans. Syracuse took a 3–2 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Pawtucket tied the game in the top of the eighth. The PawSox scored three more runs in the top of the tenth, defeating the home team, 6–3.[11] The Mets' first win came in game one of a doubleheader on April 6 in which they defeated Pawtucket, 6–3 in 7 innings.[12] In that same first Mets win, with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, Dilson Herrera hit the Syracuse Mets first home run.

On May 31, 2019, Travis Taijeron hit the first cycle in Syracuse Mets history in a 13–4 win over the PawSox. It was the first in franchise history since 1987.[13] Rubén Tejada also hit for the cycle on June 19, 2019, against the Charlotte Knights. Despite his efforts, the Mets lost 9–7.

At the 2019 All-star break, the Mets were 42–47, good for 5th place in the IL North Division. After August 7, they made up 6.5 games in the standings to put themselves in a share of the division lead with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders after sweeping a doubleheader versus the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on August 26. They also had a winning season for the first time since 2014. Syracuse went into the final weekend of the 2019 season tied with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the division lead. Both teams split both of their respective series' to stay tied for the division lead. The two teams played a one-game tie breaker in order to decide who would win the division, and ultimately make the playoffs. The Mets would lose the one-game tiebreaker by a score of 14–13. Syracuse had led 13–6 going into the bottom of the eighth inning, but Scranton/Wilkes-Barre would come back and score eight runs in the bottom half of the inning to eventually win the game, effectively eliminating the Mets from qualifying for the playoffs.[14]

The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15] In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Mets were organized into the 20-team Triple-A East.[16] The start of the season was pushed back to May.[17]

Aside from winning on 2021 Opening Day, the Mets got off to a slow start, ending the month of May with an 8–16 record. The struggles continued in the month of June, where they endured a 15-game losing streak from June 6 to June 24.[18] The 2021 regular season will be followed by the Triple-A Final Stretch, a 10-game tournament among all 30 Triple-A clubs, wherein the team with the best winning percentage over that stretch will receive a prize from Major League Baseball.

On August 29, 2021, the Syracuse Mets tied with the Rochester Red Wings to finish a game for the first time in franchise history.[19] With the game tied at 3 in the bottom of the 7th inning, a 40-minute rain delay was in place before the game was called due to the rain. The game was ruled as a tie because the two teams would not play each other again that season.

In 2022, the Triple-A East became known as the International League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.[20]

Roster

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Syracuse Mets roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

Catchers

  • 30 Hayden Senger

Infielders

  • 13 Luke Ritter
  • 51 JT Schwartz
  • -- Donovan Walton
  •  2 Jett Williams
  •  3 Wyatt Young

Outfielders


Manager

Coaches

  •  9 J.P. Arencibia (bench)
  • 39 Grayson Crawford (pitching)
  • 52 Adrian Texidor (development)


  7-day injured list
* On New York Mets 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated September 15, 2024
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • International League
 → New York Mets minor league players

Corporate structure

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New York Mets

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In October 2017, the New York Mets, headed by then-Mets owner 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.[21] The Mets organization assumed ownership in early 2018.[22]

Community Baseball Club, Inc.

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Prior to the Mets' purchase, the franchise was owned by the Community Baseball Club of Central New York, Inc., "a community-owned club, controlled by a [13-person] board of directors,"[23][24][25] acting on behalf of approximately 4,000 shareholders, who together held 15,857 shares from 1961 to 2017.[25]

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."[23] 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 were not publicly traded. A provision in the Chief's certificate of corporation stated that "no one may vote more than 500 shares."[23] 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.[23]

Management

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Officers of the 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;[24] and Crandall Melvin III, "a software executive from Syracuse and the team's largest single shareholder with 502 shares."[25]

Dutch was 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 controlled the team's 13-member board.[26]

Finances

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The Chiefs operated at a loss from 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.[27][28] Under general manager Jason Smorol, their losses were reduced to $241,584 in 2014, and $169,011 in 2015.[29]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the cancelled 2020 Minor League Baseball season, and the delayed start to the 2021 Minor League Baseball season, the Syracuse Mets lost about $5 million, according to general manager Jason Smorol.

Attendance

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Top season attendance

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NBT Bank Stadium

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  • 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[30]
  • 2019: 327,478
  • 2016: 274,427
  • 2015: 262,408[31]

* Includes playoffs

MacArthur Stadium

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  • 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

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  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 4, 2015 (12,526)
  11. July 14, 2001 (12,455)
  12. June 28, 2001 (12,368)
  13. August 17, 1999 (12,344)
  14. August 22, 1972 (12,322)
  15. August 16, 1961 (12,321)
  16. August 14, 2009 (12,288)
  17. May 30, 2018 (12,269)
  18. July 11, 1998 (12,255)
  19. July 23, 1994 (12,224)
  20. August 1, 2008 (12,208)
  21. July 13, 2001 (12,121)
  22. April 3, 1997 (12,112)
  23. May 29, 1994 (12,112)
  24. July 4, 2019 (12,063)
  25. July 4, 2014 (12,045)
  26. July 18, 1994 (11,899)
  27. July 11, 1994 (11,679)
  28. August 20, 1994 (11,485)
  29. August 9, 1963 (11,476)
  30. August 30, 1994 (11,469)
  31. July 10, 1995 (11,455)
  32. May 9, 1970 (11,398)
  33. June 25, 2002 (11,356)
  34. June 29, 2000 (11,295)
  35. August 18, 1999 (11,228)
  36. June 22, 1999 (11,219)
  37. July 13, 1970 (11,144)
  38. June 27, 1977 (11,100)
  39. May 5, 2006 (11,012)
  40. July 16, 1981 (10,835)

Titles and pennants

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Syracuse Chiefs

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Governors' Cup

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The Chiefs won the Governors' Cup (the IL championship) 8 times, and played in the championship series 17 times.

The Chiefs won the International League pennant — finishing the regular season with the best record in the league — eight times.

Junior World Series

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The Chiefs played in the Junior World Series five times, winning it once, in 1970 against the Omaha Royals, 4–1.

Season standings

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Regular season
champions 		League
champions 		Division
champions 		Wild Card
berth
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
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)
Second 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 T-4th 64 76 .449 21 Did not qualify
Syracuse Mets
2019 IL North New York (NL) Tony DeFrancesco 2nd 75 66 .532 1 Did not qualify
2020 IL North New York (NL) N/A N/A — — — — Season cancelled due to COVID-19
2021 AAA East Northeast New York (NL) Chad Kreuter 5th 50 75 .400 28.5 No playoffs held
2022 IL East New York (NL) Kevin Boles 9th 64 85 .430 21.5 Did not qualify
2023 IL East New York (NL) Dick Scott 9th 61 85 .418 27.5 Did not qualify
2024 IL East New York (NL) Dick Scott 3rd 78 71 .523 11 Did not qualify
Regular season
champions 		League
champions 		Division
champions 		Wild Card
berth

All-time records

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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
Second Syracuse Chiefs / SkyChiefs (1961–2018)
Regular season record 3954 4328 .477 15 3
Post-season record 55 55 .500
Regular and post-season record 4009 4383 .478
Syracuse Mets (2019–present)
Regular season record 263 291 .475 0 0
Post-season record 0 0 .000
Regular and post-season record 263 291 .475
All-time records (1934–55, 1956–57, 1961–present)
Regular season record 5920 6432 .479 25 8
Post-season record 117 113 .509
Regular and post-season record 6037 6545 .480

Notable people

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Players

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Shawn Green
 
Roy Halladay
 
Chien-Ming Wang pitching for the Chiefs, July 2011

Broadcasters

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Marv Albert

Retired numbers and recognized people

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No. Player Notes
Tex Simone Team founder and former GM
9 Hank Sauer
42 Jackie Robinson Retired throughout Baseball

Game broadcasts

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Locally games are broadcast on the Mets' flagship radio station, WSKO "The Score" 1260 AM, and globally online via SyracuseMets.com. In addition, all games are broadcast on MiLB.TV, an internet video subscription service. Select games were broadcast live on Spectrum Sports, 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.[citation needed]

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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.[34]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Previously known as Alliance Bank Stadium (2005–2013) and P&C Stadium (1997–2005)
  2. ^ Spedden, Zach (July 12, 2018). "Syracuse Chiefs to Rebrand in 2019". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  3. ^ a b O'Brien, John (October 8, 2013). "Syracuse Chiefs, in deep financial hole, hire new general manager". Syracuse.com. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  4. ^ "2011 Syracuse Chiefs Media Guide". Syracuse Chiefs. April 2, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  5. ^ "Goodbye, Chiefs: Syracuse's baseball team is now the Mets". Syracuse.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  6. ^ Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, eds., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3d edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007
  7. ^ "Chiefs' Nickname Returns Full Steam Ahead". Syracuse Chiefs. December 11, 2006. Archived from the original on September 29, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Speddon, Zach (October 16, 2018). "New for 2019: Syracuse Mets". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  10. ^ Kramer, Lindsay (March 29, 2019). "Tim Tebow leads list of players assigned to Syracuse Mets". syracuse.com. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  11. ^ "Syracuse Opens Season with 6–3 Loss in Ten Innings to Pawtucket". Syracuse Mets. Minor League Baseball. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  12. ^ "Mets Sweep Doubleheader, Coming from Behind in Both Games". Syracuse Mets. Minor League Baseball. April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  13. ^ "Taijeron hits first Syracuse cycle in 32 years as Mets beat Red Sox, 13–4". syracuse.com. May 31, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  14. ^ "Syracuse Mets collapse in North Division tiebreaker". syracuse.com. September 3, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  15. ^ "Syracuse Mets, Auburn Doubledays seasons canceled amid coronavirus wreckage". syracuse.com. June 30, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  16. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  17. ^ Owens, George (March 2, 2021). "Report: Start of Triple-A baseball season to be delayed until May". syracuse.com. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  18. ^ "Syracuse Mets down Buffalo 9-8, snap 15-game losing streak". syracuse.com. June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  19. ^ "Salt Potatoes and Plates tie, 3-3, as Sunday's game completed after seven innings because of rain; Golden Fork stays in Syracuse". www.milb.com/syracuse/. August 29, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  20. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  21. ^ "Shareholders approve sale of Syracuse Chiefs to the NY Mets". CNYCentral. November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  22. ^ Reichard, Kevin (November 18, 2017). "Syracuse Chiefs Sale to Mets Approved by Shareholders". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  23. ^ a b c d Leo, Tom. (2011, August 25). "Chiefs: Team Not for Sale," The Post Standard. Accessed: September 6, 2013.
  24. ^ a b "Staff Directory," SyracuseChiefs.com. Accessed: September 11, 2013.
  25. ^ a b c Kramer, Lindsay. (2013, November 19). "Syracuse Chiefs unveil pared down board of directors," Syracuse.com. Accessed: December 8, 2013.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ Moriarty, Rick (March 20, 2016). "Chiefs ask county to cut stadium rent". The Post-Standard. p. C-4.
  30. ^ Kramer, Lindsay. (2013, September 3). "Chiefs fans show disappointment", The Post-Standard, p.C-4.
  31. ^ "International League Attendance," MiLB.com. Accessed: 20 March 2016.
  32. ^ "Chiefs congratulate former "Voice of the Chiefs" Jason Benetti". MiLB.com. January 13, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  33. ^ "Kevin Brown leaving Syracuse Chiefs". July 21, 2017.
  34. ^ Oz, Mike (March 21, 2014). "Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs offering free tickets for life if fans get a tattoo of team's logo". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Syracuse Mets.
Preceded by Boston Red Sox
Double-A affiliate
1936
(with San Diego Padres) 		Succeeded by
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