With the call-up of Chiefs outfielder Adam Lind on Saturday the Blue Jays optioned infielder/outfielder Joe Inglett back to the Chiefs on Saturday.

With the Jays the super sub batted .303 with 4-RBI, during his two week plus stay in Toronto.

Inglett was batting .385 during the Chiefs in eight games before his call-up.  He is expected to return the Syracuse for the Chiefs series vs Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

 

Syracuse Chiefs outfielder Adam Lind never played a full season in Syracuse.  He came up late in 2006 after an MVP season at AA-New Hampshire, appeared in 46 games in 2007 during two visits and played in the first 18 games of the 2008 season before his most recent call-up.

During those three seasons he played in 98 games and batted .341 with 14 HR's and 62 RBI's.  Has there ever been a better hitter to come through Syracuse than Lind.

Derek Bell's .346 in 1991, Shawn Green's .344 in 1994, Robert Perez's .343 in 1995 and Ossie Blanco's .340 in 1969 were equally impressive.  But something tells me that Adam Lind will be a better major league hitter than any of those four.  Including Shawn Green. 

 

The Toronto Blue Jays have decided that 3rd baseman Scott Rolen is ready to be activated on Friday at Kansas City after being out nearly 4-weeks with a broken finger. 

The Jays will likely option catcher Robinzon Diaz or infielder Joe Inglett back to the Chiefs later today.  Diaz called up last week when Toronto released Frank Thomas has yet to appear in a game, while Inglett who was called up after playing only 8-games with the Chiefs has batted .290 in a utility role.

The Syracuse dropped their first game since April 14th last night against the Pawtucket Red Sox 3-1.  The eight game winning streak was the Chiefs longest since last season's nine game win streak in May.

The Chiefs 13 wins are the most in the month of April since back to back 13-win months in 1998-1999.  The most wins for the Chiefs in April is 16 set in 1989.  With six games remaining the Chiefs hope to top that mark.

 

 

The Toronto Blue Jays have made a few moves over the past few days that have changed the Chiefs roster since Opening Day.  First they purchased the contract of lefthanded relief pitcher Jesse Carlson and designated righthanded pitcher Randy Wells for assignment.

Wells was a rule five selection off the Chicago Cubs roster and must clear waivers first before he can join the Chiefs in Syracuse.  Wells can also be taken back by the Cubs for the $25,000 waiver price or the Jays can try to work out a trade for the hard throwing righthander who they like.

If Wells clears waivers and makes it to Syracuse, look for him to join the Chiefs rotation that includes David Purcey, Josh Banks, Kane Davis and Bill Murphy.  That would allow the Chiefs to move lefties Davis Romero, John Parrish and Mike Gosling to the bullpen.

Carlson gives the Jays a third lefty joining Scott Downs and Brian Tallett.  The Jays hope to have BJ Ryan back on their roster in the next 10-days.

Inglett who can play the infield and outfield and bats lefthanded will likely join the Jays on Saturday in Texas.  The only player Toronto could option to Syracuse would be outfielder Buck Coats who would be a welcome addition to the Chiefs outfield.  The Blue Jays could also option a pitcher to the Chiefs, but thats unlikely early in the season when12 pitchers are
needed at the major league level.

The Syracuse Chiefs announced today that Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk will attend the Cooperstown Classic in Cooperstown, New York Sunday, May 18th when the Chiefs battle the Rochester Red Wings at 2:00 PM.

International League President Randy Mobley was able to secure Fisk's appearance for this major event.

Fisk will also be available for at a special private reception inside the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum after the game.  The reception on May 18th from 6:00-8:00 PM will give fans the opportunity to share hallowed ground with the Hall of Famer amidst the gallery of plaques and Red Wings and Chiefs players.  Tickets for the post game event are only $100 and include grandstand ticket for the game.  For further information you can contact the Chiefs ticket office at 315 474-7833.

 

 

Was there anything better on Sunday than waching the Chiefs battle the Bats on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Alliance Bank Stadium.

The Chiefs pitchers kept it close and with two out in the ninth inning an RBI single by Adam Lind tied the game and a two run walk off home run by Hector Luna sent the Knothole Gang Day crowd home happy.

After the game 2008 Knothole Gang members were able to run the bases on the Chiefs new surface.  Children 12 an under can join the Chiefs Knothole Gang by going online to www.syracusechiefs.com or by stopping by the Chiefs office to enter.

Next Knothole Gang Sunday is April 20th when the Chiefs battle the lehigh Valley Iron Pigs at 2:00 PM.

The Syracuse Chiefs hope you enjoyed the Home Opener on Thursday, April 3rd.  Some of our observations of the day:

* BJ Hayes and all the tailgaters in the parking lot (we tried to sample all the food)

* The Fab Cats out in front of the stadium giving us some great sound.

* Long lines at the ticket office (that's a good thing)

* Chiefs players taking batting practice for the first time on grass in Syracuse (since 1996)

* Scooch and Pops back at their favorite spots.

* Gary Dunes in between innings

* Doug Logan the greatest M.C. ever announcing the starting line-ups.

* New County Executive Joanie Mahoney and her family on the pitchers mound.  And then announcing that the Chiefs and County are square and look forward to working with each other for the first time in years.

* Joe Whiting giving the anthem some flare.

*  Vince Speciale and American Fireworks giving us a tease of what's to come this summer.

*  Bunting all over the stadium.

*  Schedule Magnets courtesy of Alliance Bank.

*  No ground rule doubles bouncing over the wall

*  Bullpens on the field

*  David Purcey throwing gas

*  Adam Lind's bomb over the center field wall.

*  And of course a Chiefs win on Opening Day.

We hope you enjoyed the day and we look forward to providing our fans with a great season on the field and in the stands.  2008 is going to be something special.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Syracuse Chiefs announced that they have signed veteran shortstop Jorge Velandia after he was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates at the end of spring training. 

Velandia, 33, spent the 2008 season with Durham and batted .249 with 5 HR's and 32 RBI and made only 7 errors in 120 games at shortstop.  He also appeared in 14-games with Tampa Bay and batted .320 with 11-RBI.

Velandia was an International League All-Star in 2006 with Charlotte when he batted .291 with 10 HR and 56 RBI.