Here we go again…again.

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for – the start of our offseason countdown chronicling the top 12 Syracuse Chiefs moments of 2012!  We’re a little bit later this year as opposed to 2011, but Jason and I have needed months and months to compile our lists from an otherwise action-packed season.  (Wait, does that excuse actually work?  Let’s move on before you really have time to think about it.)

(Look, over here!)

I’ll start it off, and Jason will respond in kind (or in mean, I guess) on Friday.

 #12: Keep The Fat Lady On Ice

When you’re 69-73 and 14.0 games back in the division with two games remaining in the season, it’s easy to calculate that you’re not exactly post-season bound.  The Chiefs weren’t a playoff team this year, and they certainly knew it before the season’s penultimate game.  But in the 2012 Alliance Bank Stadium finale, Syracuse had no intention of rolling over and playing dead, despite what the first six batters might have you believe.

Mitch Atkins started on the hill on that sunny Sunday for Syracuse (selling seashells by the sea shore), and his outing against the Rochester Red Wings started off with just a minor hitch, when shortstop Eduardo Escobar singled to center field.  Not to worry, though, as Atkins was facing a Red Wings team that ranked third-to-last in the International League in runs scored.  What was the worst that could happen here?

• Tsuyoshi Nishioka doubles (16) on a line drive to center fielder Corey Brown. Eduardo Escobar to 3rd.
• Brian Dozier singles on a line drive to center fielder Corey Brown. Eduardo Escobar scores. Tsuyoshi Nishioka to 3rd.
• Wilkin Ramirez doubles (17) on a ground ball to left fielder Jesus Valdez. Tsuyoshi Nishioka scores. Brian Dozier to 3rd.
• Clete Thomas singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Brett Carroll. Brian Dozier scores. Wilkin Ramirez scores.
• Rene Rivera homers (10) on a fly ball to center field. Clete Thomas scores.

Ah.  So that’d qualify as “worst that could happen”, then.

Being forced to watch this film might also qualify. Pure conjecture, of course.

In the blink of an eye, it was 6-0 Red Wings.  Six batters, six hits, six runs, no outs, one bullpen set in motion.  If Pat Lehman ever warms up earlier in a game, it’ll be because I started.  The floodgates were as open as a 24-hour Wegmans.

Which is to say, 24 hours. Or so.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the blowout – Atkins settled down, retiring the next three batters he faced.  Then Corey Brown and Jesus Valdez homered in the first, slicing the deficit to 6-2.  Then Atkins tossed a perfect second inning before Brett Carroll doubled in a run in the bottom half of the frame.  6-3.  Then Atkins mowed down the Wings in the third, and the Chiefs responded with three runs, knocking out Rochester starter Nick Blackburn – the last of which came right here.

And just like that – we were all squared away at six.  Yes, Mitch Atkins ended up with the longer stint of the game’s two starters after giving up six consecutive hits to start the game.  Silly Mayans.

Of course, the Chiefs needed to do more than just tie the game, or else I wouldn’t be writing about this.  Valdez and Chris Marrero knocked in seventh-inning runs, and Wilkin Ramirez’ eighth-inning home run wasn’t enough for Rochester, as the Chiefs won, 8-7.  Turns out any comebacks in the season’s first 142 games were just appetizers for a hearty, medium-rare main course in Game #143.  Now that’s going out in style.

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So in case you were thinking “well, this season wasn’t that memorable” – that comeback ranks below 11 other moments for me.  Beat that, Benetti.

The Chiefs take on Toledo at 7:00 tonight at Alliance Bank Stadium.   If you tune in tonight to our broadcasts on Time Warner Cable Sports (Me and Steve Grilli) or on The Score 1260 (Kevin Brown), you might hear:

*The Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony is tomorrow night.  Former Baltimore Oriole Scott McGregor will be inducted along with four others (Carlos Delgado was inducted at the Hot Stove event in February).

*Toledo starter Drew Smyly went to high school at Little Rock Central.  That’s the same school which, 55 years ago, was the test case for the U.S. Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision.  Read more here.

*Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jason Grilli is allowing opponents to hit only .186 this year.

*The Nationals, at 73-45, have the best record in baseball by a full two games.

*Former Chief Horacio Ramirez has been signed by the Cubs.  Ramirez, a former Atlanta Brave starter, threw with the Chiefs in the first year of affiliation with Washington, 2009.

All this and more at 6:45 on The Score 1260 and at 7 on Time Warner Cable Sports.

Jason

On August 18, the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame’s Class of 2012 will be inducted prior to the Chiefs’ game against the Indianapolis Indians. Here on Inside the Chiefs, we’re catching up with the soon-to-be Syracuse Wall of Famers.

First up, one of the most popular players in Chiefs history: Stu Pederson. The right fielder (who played for the L.A. Dodgers for part of the 1985 season) was a member of the Chiefs from 1988-92, suiting up for 473 games. Among the highlights of Pederson’s Syracuse career was a walk-off grand slam to win the final game of the ’91 campaign and being a member of the ’89 International League pennant-winning club. Pederson’s popularity with Chiefs’ fans was so high that the team hosted a “Stu Pederson Night” during the ’91 season.

Stu sat down with our intern, John Nolan, a short while ago for this question and answer session:

What comes to mind when you think of your time as a member of the Chiefs organization?

John and Tex. They were just great people. When I got there, they welcomed me in. We formed an instant relationship. They were great people — really nice to myself and my family. When I think of Syracuse, the first thing I think of is Tex and Johnny and their whole family. They’re like one big family.

What are some of your best memories from your playing days in Syracuse?

I got my 1,000^th hit there. But you know, just being at the old MacArthur Stadium, where so many all-stars had played before, that was memorable.

Why do you think you became such a fan favorite?

I don’t know the exact reason, but I would imagine with Syracuse being a blue-collar type town, it’s because I was a hard-nosed player. I wasn’t the fastest guy, or the guy with the most power, or anything like that. I played my hardest every time out. That’s how I was taught to play and I displayed it.

Part of your popularity probably had something to do with the way fans simply embraced yelling your name. Heck, your name was even printed on t-shirts and megaphones. Was MacArthur Stadium’s famous chant of your first name something you experienced throughout your career?

That was kind of unique to Syracuse. People used to call my name, “Stuuuuu!”

When I played in San Antonio, the P.A. announcer there did it. But in Syracuse, it kind of took on a life of its own. I still have the t-shirt that says “Stuuuu!” on it.

You played in Syracuse from 1988-92. After a year or two, players often decide to move on to another club. What kept you with the Chiefs for five seasons?

I felt comfortable there. John and Tex make you feel comfortable. Rather than bounce around from different teams and different organizations every year, I enjoyed Syracuse and I still loved playing baseball. To me, baseball is baseball. Would I have liked to have made it back to the big leagues? Sure. But I thought Syracuse was as good as any minor league city I was gonna play in, so that’s why I stayed.

What does it mean to you to be a member of the 2012 Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame induction class?

It’s an honor. It’s a great honor with so many great players having gone through Syracuse and playing there. Obviously it’s not based on what I did in the major leagues, but based on what I did in Syracuse. It shows the appreciation the people of Syracuse have for me as a ballplayer.

So with your playing days over, what is Stu Pederson up to now?

Living in the San Francisco area. Married still to my wife, Shelly. We’ve been married for almost 28 years. We have four kids – three boys (Champ, 24, Tyger, 22, and Joc, 20) and a daughter (Jacey, 14).

I have my own business — a ticket business. We sell tickets for sporting events, concerts, and theater events.

Still love baseball. I coach high school baseball and a travel team during the summer time. I really enjoy it, trying to help some of these younger kids reach their dream.

And finally, what do you hope your legacy is with Syracuse baseball fans?

Played hard. Gave it everything he had. Played the game the right way, played hard.

We’re less than a month away from the end of Syracuse’s 2012 season, but there’s still plenty of reason to come stop by Alliance Bank Stadium this year.  Take today for example: the Chiefs and Buffalo Bisons will go at it in a Triple-A battle of the Nationals and Mets.  For any Chiefs fans in the area, or any fans of the big league Mets, today’s twin bill features a number of juicy storylines.  Let’s take a look at the two games through four intriguing players – that just so happen to have something in common…

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Zach Duke

Zach Duke

Duke’s the Game 1 starter for Syracuse, and there’s reason to believe that the International League All-Star will submit another brilliant performance tonight.  Duke, who’s tied for the league lead with 11 wins, has simply dominated the Bisons this season.  He tossed seven shutout innings against Buffalo in a May 1 win, and threw six scoreless frames against the Bisons on July 4.  Why has Duke been so successful against Buffalo?  The Bisons are a very patient team, second in the league in walks and first in strikeouts, and Duke prides himself on throwing strike one.  Get ahead of hitters and work from there – that’s more or less Duke’s philosophy.

Though the Chiefs are nine games back with 30 games to play, Duke still has plenty left to pitch for.  At 11-5 with a 3.78 ERA in 21 starts, he’s already showed that he can have success in the International League, consistently giving the Chiefs a solid start.  He’s thrown at least six innings in eight consecutive starts and at least 5.2 innings in 13 straight starts.  There are ramifications for Duke here for the future, as he’s with Washington on just a one-year deal.  Can he still be effective in the majors?  He’s held lefties to a .255 average this year and posted an ERA in the threes in the last three months.  Another good start could go a long way toward solidifying a return to the major leagues for the former National League All-Star.

Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler

Buffalo’s Game 1 starter is an appetizing one.  Wheeler – perhaps the Mets’ best overall prospect – will be making his Triple-A debut tonight.  The 22-year-old righty-hander was 10-6 with a 3.26 ERA in 19 starts with Double-A Binghamton.  He throws in the high 90s with a sharp curveball, named the best curve in the Mets’ organization by Baseball America.  Wheeler was acquired by the Mets last season in a one-for-one swap with the San Francisco Giants for Carlos Beltran.  Considering Beltran didn’t re-sign with the Giants, and likely wouldn’t have re-signed with the Mets – consider this a potentially huge win for New York.

While the big league club’s started to slip, hopes are high for Mets fans now.  Vaunted prospect Matt Harvey has recently gone up to the major leagues and tossed a few great starts, while Buffalo right-handers Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia still have tremendous potential.  But it may be Wheeler who’s the most anticipated of anyone, and he could provide the foundation of a future rotation of aces for the Mets.  And the beginning to the final step before the majors starts today in Syracuse.

Zach Walters

Zach Walters

Walters, a 22-year-old middle infielder, is one of the newest Chiefs, after being added to the roster on Friday.  He’s jumped through the Nationals’ system this year after starting the season with Advanced-A Potomac.  Walters was also part of a one-for-one trade last season, coming over to the Nationals from Arizona in exchange for starting pitcher Jason Marquis.  (Marquis didn’t re-sign with Arizona and likely wouldn’t have re-signed with Washington…so, much like the Wheeler deal, this could end up being a steal.)  He’s a switch-hitter with a solid glove and some pop in his bat, smacking 19 doubles and 11 home runs in 99 games so far this season.

Where does Walters fit in the Nationals’ future plans?  He’s looked at as a potential Steve Lombardozzi-type, providing some help for middle infielders Danny Espinosa and Ian Desmond.  Of course, a 22-year-old switch-hitting shortstop with pop doesn’t need to be relegated to backup status.  Walters has already exceeded expectations this season, and it should be fun to see if he can continue to do so with Syracuse.  Plus, the youth movement’s already been good to Syracuse this year, thanks to the 15-game hitting streak of Triple-A rookie Eury Perez.

Zach Lutz

Zach Lutz

26 years old might be the outside edge of being considered a “prospect”, and Lutz reached that mark two months ago.  But just because he’s hit that magical number doesn’t mean there’s no future for Lutz.  On the contrary, the infielder is a powerful bat whose best days seem to be ahead of him.  In 47 games this season, Lutz has posted a slash line of .325/.429/.556 thanks to 11 doubles and 8 home runs.  The right-handed hitter who made his major league debut this season (1-8 in four games) has always hit when healthy – but it’s the latter concern that’s often been the problem.  Over the last three seasons, Lutz has played just 72 games (in 2010), 63 games (2011) and 53 so far in 2012.  In those 188 games, he’s smashed 39 home runs.  If he stays healthy, Lutz is a definite corner infield option for the Mets in the future.

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From 22-year-old Eury Perez to 39-year-old C.J. Nitkowski (just promoted minutes ago!), there are plenty of reasons to come check out the Chiefs and Bisons today.  But we’ve given you at least four, a group of Zach(k)s that likely have big league years galore to come.  So catch ‘em while they’re still here.

We’d love to hear from you here on our blog with potential ideas.  Shoot us an email at kevinbrown@syracusechiefs.com or jasonbenetti@syracusechiefs.com.

KB