Inside the Chiefs

NOTE OF THANKS

2008-05-01T18:19:43Z

A note of thanks from a Chiefs Fan in New Hampshire.....

"I just wanted to thank you and your staff for arranging to have my father Bill O'Mara throw out the first pitch on April 19th. It was great to commemorate his 60th birthday! He was thrilled (especially throwing a strike). My father and I deeply appreciate your teams help and thoughtfulness. Our family has always loved the community connectedness of minor league baseball, and this experiience reaffirmed that sentiment".

Thanks again,

Sean O'Mara

And from a players mom and dad from Maryland.....

Just a line to say "Thanks" - for being so kind to Josh & Lindsey while they were "Chiefs".

Thanks a million,

Chuck & Judy Banks

INGLETT RETURNS TO CHIEFS

2008-04-27T15:37:07Z

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.

ADAM LIND ERA OVER

2008-04-27T15:24:15Z

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.

ROLEN SET TO REJOIN JAYS

2008-04-25T06:25:36Z

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.

EIGHT IS ENOUGH

2008-04-24T14:54:52Z

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.

CARLSON & INGLETT LATEST CALL-UPS

2008-04-11T21:15:55Z

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.

CARLTON FISK TO ATTEND COOPERSTOWN CLASSIC

2008-04-08T23:14:31Z

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.

LUNA'S WALK OFF AND SUNDAY AFTERNOON BASEBALL

2008-04-08T00:23:33Z

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.

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE OPENER!

2008-04-05T20:54:22Z

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.

CHIEFS PICK UP VELANDIA

2008-04-05T20:44:52Z

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.

CHIEFS ROSTER ANNOUNCED

2008-03-30T16:50:42Z

The Syracuse Chiefs announced their 24-man roster for the start of the 2008 baseball season today. They include:

Lefthanded Pitchers: David Purcey, Bill Murphy, John Parrish, Jesse Carlson, Mike Gosling and Davis Romero. Righthanded Pitchers: Josh Banks, Kane Davis, Shawn Camp, Jordan DeJong, Bubba Nelson and Tracy Thorpe.

Catchers: Curtis Thigpen and Robinzon Diaz (Kevin Nelson will be placed on the disabled list).

Infielders: Chip Cannon (1B), Joe Inglett, Hector Luna, Sergio Santos (3B), and Pedro Lopez.

Outfielders: Russ Adams, Adam Lind, Wayne Lydon, David Smith, Matt Watson.

Coaching Staff: Doug Davis, Mgr, Rick Langford, Pitching Coach, Al LeBoeuf, Hitting Coach, Charlie Poe, Coach, Robert Helmick, Strength Coach, Jon Woodworth, Trainer.

CHIEFS DEFEATED BY YANKEES 7-1

2008-03-30T16:04:33Z

The Syracuse Chiefs were defeated in their final exhibition game of the spring 7-1 to the Scranton Yankees in Dunedin, Florida on Saturday.

The Chiefs line-up consisted of: Joe Inglett 2B, Curtis Thigpen C, Adam Lind RF, Sergio Santos 3B, Russ Adams LF, Pedro Lopez SS, Josh Kreuzer 1B, Marcus Cabral SS, Chris Demons CF.

Chris Demons had two hits for the Chiefs while seven other players all had one hit a piece.

Blue Jays pitcher Shawn Marcum stayed behind and pitched for the Chiefs and went 7-innings giving up 11-hits and 7-runs (4 earned, but had 8-strikeouts. Darryl Harrang pitched a scoreless 8th, while Sean Stidfole also pitched a scoreless ninth.

David Purcey pitched 5-innings in the AA-game and gave up 4-hits, 1-run and struckout 6 batters.

The Chiefs finished 7-8-1 during the Spring and will travel to Syracuse on Sunday.

BLUE JAYS MAKE FINAL ROSTER MOVES

2008-03-27T22:35:21Z

The Toronto Blue Jays made their final roster moves and headed North today by adding infielder/outfielder Buck Coats to replace the injured Scott Rolen and keeping rule 5 selection righthanded pitcher Randy Wells as the final pitcher on the staff. B.J. Ryan will also be placed on the disabled list to make room for Wells.

The season is still three days away and players can still be added , but the 25-man roster seems set barring any injuries. Expected to return to the minor league complex include infielder Hector Luna and outfielder Matt Watson, while pitcher Mike Gosling, John Parrish, Jesse Carlson, Shawn Camp, Armando Benitez and Billy Murphy will all be added to the crowded pitching staff at the AAA-leve

The Chiefs roster should be announced on Friday.

IRON PIGS DEFEAT CHIEFS 7-2

2008-03-27T22:26:38Z

The Syracuse Chiefs lost for only the second time this week 7-2 as the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs used two 3-run innings to post the victory.

The Chiefs line-up today consisted of: Joe Ingeltt 2B, Wayne Lydon CF, Adam Lind LF, Sergio Santos 3B, Russ Adams DH, Robinzon Diaz DH, Chip Cannon 1B, Curtis Thigpen C, Pedro Lopez SS, Matt Stairs RF.

Sergio Santos went 2 for 2 with a double and his third home run in as many days to lead the Chiefs 10-hit attack. Curtis Thigpen also had two hits.

On the mound Brandon League pitched a scoreless 1st inning with 2-K's before returning to the the major league club who left for Philadelphia later in the day. Lefty Davis Romero gave up 3-runs in 3-innings of work, while Mike MacDonald followed him giving up with 3-earned runs as well in 3-innings on 5-hits. Sean Stidfole pitched the final two frames giving up 1-run on 3-hits.

In the AA-game Armando Benitez stretched it out a bit by pitching 2-innings for the first time giving up 3-runs on 4-hits. It was the first time Benitez pitched more than 1-inning in a game this spring after signing with the Blue Jays as a free agent on March 11th.

The Chiefs now 7-6-1 will take on the Scranton Yankees in Tampa on Friday and Saturday in Dunedin before returning to Syracuse on Sunday.

CHIEFS CONTINUE TO WIN

2008-03-26T22:29:43Z

The Syracuse Chiefs continued to score runs as they defeated the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs 6-5 today in Clearwater, FL pounding out 14 more hits after yesterday's 24.

The Chiefs line-up consisted of: Wayne Lydon CF, Pedro Lopez SS, Sergio Santos SS, Russ Adams LF, Joe Inglett 2B, Chip Cannon 1B, Curtis Thigpen C, Robinzon Diaz C, Jose Diaz, RF, Adam Lind DH.

Sergio Santos led the Chiefs with 3-hits, while Wayne Lydon went 2 for 5 with 3-RBI, two triples and 2-runs scored. Joe Inglett also had two hits, while Adam Lind belted a solo home run in the ninth inning that broke the tie and gave the Chiefs the win.

On the mound Gustavo Chacin went 3 1/3 innings giving up 4-hits, 3-walks and 2-runs. Billy Murphy pitched 3-innings of shutout baseball striking out 2, while Joey Matumoto pitched 2-scoreless innings to earn the win. Jordan DeJong gave up 2-hits and 3-walks in 1-inning of work and was touched up for 3-runs.

The AA-New Hamphisre Fisher Cats saw Ricky Romero toss 4-innings giving up 2-runs, while righty Jean Machi gave up 6-runs in 3-innings of work.

The Chiefs now 7-5-1 (5-1-1 this past week) will take on the Iron Pigs for the final time this spring on Thursday in Dunedin.