Results tagged ‘ Bob McElligott ’

Booth Review (or Stories from Above)

I’m as good at titling things as the creators of Rocky and Bullwinkle.  So, these entries are going to have varying names as we move along.  You can decide which title you like most.  Maybe I’ll choose it.

This portion of the offseason is sorta like traveling 45 minutes to go to a swap meet.  The anticipation is really fun.  You don’t know what you’re going to have to choose from when you get there.  And it’s really up to someone else what’s put in front of you.
At this juncture, we can guess who’s going to constitute the 2010 Syracuse Chiefs.  It’s an educated guess, but a guess nonetheless.  What we can say without much risk is that the players we’ll see at Alliance Bank Stadium will have a good amount of Triple-A experience.  The Nats are loaded with pitchers who came through Syracuse last season and have played in the Nation’s Capital.
Hi.  I’m Jason Benetti and I’m your new radio guy.  My three-time broadcast partner, Bob McElligott, is toting his headset around the various NHL cities as a member of the broadcast team of the Columbus Blue Jackets.  To be straight-faced for a moment, Bob deserved this move.  To be practical for a moment, Bob’s probably got someone carrying his headset for him.  
You’ll find enough out about me throughout the course of the season, but a few major points.
-I am a Syracuse University alumnus.
-I am a law student in my spare time.  
-I enjoy a) American Idol, b) the New York Times crossword puzzle and c) playing bocce.
-One of my previous jobs is “umpire.”
For those of you that can’t get past the second point, I haven’t progressed far enough in law school to be truly adept at corruption.  Fear not.  For those of you that can’t get past part a) of the third point, it’s not polite to stare.
In all seriousness, I am humbled to be sitting in the chair that I’ll be sitting in this season.  To share a spot in history with people like Sean McDonough, Carl Eilenberg and Marv Albert (and so many others) is unreal.  Couple that with making a summer home in Syracuse–a place I’ve spent so much of my adult life–and I am really revved up for this season and beyond.  
We’ve got some surprises for you this season.  We’ll be adding content via the web to allow you to access the Chiefs whenever you please.  We’ll be making an added presence around the ballpark at selected times.  And, we’ll be adding some new elements to the broadcasts, as well.
It is up to you, though, to let us know what you want to see and hear.  Please email jasonbenetti@syracusechiefs.com if you have ideas for us.  We have our own thoughts, but we’ll be happy to steal yours.
My use of the pronouns “we” and “us” did not display a lack of a grasp of English.  You’ll be hearing from Mike Couzens on the broadcasts and on the website this season as well.  Mike will handle pre-game, in-game and post-game reports and he’ll also do some play-by-play.  Mike is a well-meaning individual who knows sports very well (OK, “very” might be a stretch.  He was the 72nd man on his high school basketball team).  Mike, though, deserves your pity.  He is both a New York Mets and Kansas City Chiefs fan.
We’ll also have some other additions to the broadcast throughout the season……yes, that was meant to be cryptic.  It’s called a tease in the industry.
It’s a pleasure to have you as an audience.  I look forward to meeting everyone–whether it’s via email, blog response, or even over a pre-game hot dog.
Jason

LISTEN LIVE TO INSIDE PITCH THIS WEEK

Baseball fans can listen live this week from Melbourne, FL home of the Washington Nationals to “INSIDE PITCH” the Syracuse Chiefs radio show.  The voice of the Chiefs – Bob McElligott and Chiefs General Manager John Simone will report from the Nationals spring training home beginning Monday night from 6:00 – 7:00 PM on Sports Radio 620 WHEN.  The Special Spring Training shows will continue through Wednesday, March 18th at the same time.

The Chiefs will wrap it all up with a special expanded show on Saturday, March 21st at 11:00 AM as Inside Pitch prepares for Opening Day 2009.

You won’t be able to get this information on Chiefs baseball anywhere else, but here on http://www.syracusechiefs.com.

Show Times

Monday – 6 PM – 7 PM  620 WHEN
Tuesday, 6 PM – 7 PM 620 WHEN
Wednesday, 6 PM – 7 PM 620 WHEN
Saturday 11 AM – 12:45 PM 620 WHEN

INSIDE PITCH GOES TO SPRING TRAINING

Inside Pitch “Spring Training Edition” will come to you live on Sportsradio 620 WHEN beginning Monday, March 10th at 5:00 PM.

The show will orginate from the Spring Training home of the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Florida.  All week long (Monday-Friday from 5-6 PM) Bob McElligott and John Simone will provide interviews and insight into Spring Training 2008.

You can catch the Weekend Edition of Inside Pitch all season long from 11:00 AM-12:00 noon on the radio home of the Chiefs 620 WHEN.

This weekend Inside Pitch will talk to former Chiefs player and manager Frank Verdi, who will be inducted into the International League Hall of Fame this summer.

WE ARE BACK BLOGGING

After a two month hiatus, Inside the Chiefs Blogs has returned.  During the 2008 season we hope to continue to keep Chiefs fans up-to-date with inside information about Chiefs Baseball that only the Chiefs can provide.

From Bobby McElligott’s take on sports to Chiefs Ticket Manager, Nick Pelkey’s top 10 questions Chiefs fans ask him when purchasing a game ticket and much more.

We hope to be all over Alliance Bank Stadium in 2008.

Make sure your there with us.

THOMSON GIVES UP SIX RUNS IN CHIEFS DEFEAT

The Toronto Blue Jays had two pitchers battling for a starting rotation spot pitching on Monday against the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies minor leaguers.  Righthander Tomo Ohka was solid as he shut down the Yankees over five innings allowing only 1-run in a 9-1 victory.  Fellow righty John Thomson was not as sharp as he gave up 6-runs, in 5-innings of work against the Phillies AAA-Ottawa team that defeated the Syracuse Chiefs 7-2.

The Chiefs lineup today included:  Ryan Klosterman 2B, Sal Fasano C, Adam Lind LF, John Hattig 3B, Chip Cannon DH, David Smith RF, Dustin Majewski CF, Erik Kratz 1B, Manny Mayorson SS.

The Chiefs scored single runs in the 4th on a RBI single by Chip Cannon and one-run in the 6th on a RBI single by Adam Lind.  The Chiefs banged out 8-hits off of five Scranton pitchers.  Sal Fasano and Adam Lind each had two hits, while Erik Kratz had a two-out double in the ninth.

After Thompson departed in the fifth, Dustin McGowan pitched three innings giving up 1-run (solo home run) in the sixth and righthander Beau Kempwho pitched for Rochester last season tossed one scoreless inning, striking out one.

The Chiefs are off to Tampa to face Scranton on Tuesday with Ty Taubenheim expected to pitch for the Chiefs.

Don’t forget to listen to “Inside Pitch” on 1260 AM ESPN Radio on Tuesday live from Dunedin, Florida as Chiefs radio announcer Bob McElligott moves over to the Blue Jays minor league complex and talks with Chiefs skipper Doug Davis and Director of Player Development **** Scott.  Today Bob took in the Jays vs Yankees game at Knology Park and talked with Jays catcher Greg Zaun, Second Baseman Aaron Hill and pitcher Josh Towers and Brandon League.

MORE PLAYERS SENT TO CHIEFS

In just two weeks the major league baseball season begins and clubs are now beginning to set their rosters.  After three weeks of playing minor league prospects and invitees to their camps, big league teams need to get serious and start playing their starters at least 7-innings.

Yesterday the Blue Jays sent the Chiefs four more players who will begin the season in Syracuse.  One of them, Adam Lind will be welcomed BIG TIME.  Lind has captured MVP honors in two different leagues on his way up and will likely continue his early career success in Syracuse this season.  Hopefully, he’s here for more than just a month.  Two of the Blue Jays other top prospects Alex Rios and Aaron Hill never saw June.

Also sent to the Chiefs was Russ Adams who will play everyday at Second base and corner infielders John Hattig and Rob Cosby.  Hattig who can play 3rd base and 1st base batted .277 for the Chiefs last season – his first in AAA with 32 doubles.  The line driver hitter with gap power needs ro improve on his power numbers (only 4 HR’s last season) to make the next jump.

Cosby not only played 3rd base and 1st base but also right and left field for the Chiefs last season and after hitting 18 home runs in his rookie season at AAA. 

Also sent to the Chiefs was righthanded pitcher Ty Taubenheim who came over from the Brewers last season and was impressive early as a starter and earned a promotion to Toronto in June.

Taubenheim now joins Josh Banks, Ismael Ramirez, Dustin McGowan and youngsters Michael MacDonald, Kyle Yates, David Purcey and Ricky Romero in a crowded fight for five or six spots in the Chiefs rotation.

Still with Toronto are righties Casey Janssen, Shaun Marcum and Josh Towers who are all battling Tomo Ohka and John Thomson for the final two spots in the Jays rotation.

Sounds like no matter what happens the Chiefs will be stacked with starting pitching.

Don’t forget that on Monday 5-6 PM The Voice of the Chiefs Bob McElligott will be broadcasting live from Dunedin, FL on 1260 AM ESPN Radio.

All week look for up-to-the minunte reports from Spring Training.

WEEKEND UPDATE

Minor League camp is underway and it’s time to turn our attention to more significant matters – like reporting baseball.   We have made our point and we are not going to waste your time by beating a dead horse on this space.   Again only here on “Inside the Chiefs” will you receive first hand knowledge of what’s going on in spring training with the major league club, Toronto and the Syracuse Chiefs.

Non-roster catcher Erik Kratz was the first player to be sent to minor league camp as the Jays minor league affiliates reported this weekend.

Jays righty Josh Towers pitched two innings today vs the Pirates and allowed only 1 hit, a solo home run to Pirates first baseman Brad Eldred in two innings of work.  Towers also struck out two batters and looked good in his first outing.  Also pitching today in a B-game were righthanders Dustin McGowan and Casey Janssen.  In the lineup today are: Royce Clayton -ss, Greg Zaun -c, Lyle Overbay – 1B, Vernon Wells -cf, Troy Glaus – 3b, Matt Stairs – rf, Aaron Hill – 2b, Adam Lind – lf, Jason Phillips -c.

Over the weekend John Thomson also pitched well – two shutout innings and Shaun Marcum  pitched 2 innings, 1 run, 3 strikeouts. Francisco Rosario, who was slowed by back pain earlier this spring, pitched one shutout inning.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons has said that Russ Adams would begin the season in Syracuse and play second base.  The Blue Jays hope that Adams can return to his 2004-2005 form when he played for the Chiefs and Blue Jays and batted over .280 playing shortstop.

Former Chiefs pitchers Dave Stieb and Pat Hentgen are in camp helping with the younger pitchers and throwing batting practice.

In yesterday’s win Curtis Thigpen (2), John-Ford Griffin and John Hattig combined for 4-RBI in their 7-4 win over the Rays.  On Saturday, Rob Cosby went 1 for 3 with Curtis Thigpen providing another RBI and, on Friday, Kevin Barker had a two-run home run and Ryan Roberts went 2 for 2.

Don’t forget that “Inside Pitch” will broadcast live from Dunedin, Florida beginning on March 19th when the voice of the Chiefs Bob McElligott and Chiefs General Manager John Simone provide player interviews beginning at 7PM all week long.

FULL STEAM AHEAD

“Syracuse Chiefs” Baseball is back and after Monday’s official announcement we all here at INSIDE THE CHIEFS are appreciative of the reception from our fans with the change.  E-mails and phone calls have poured into our office on Tuesday with positive feedback on the new brand and what we plan to do with it in 2007.

Thanks to our entire staff, Merchandise manager Wendy Shoen who coordinated the entire change over , HJ Refici in design, Mike Voutsinas who coordinated our Web site image changeover , Andy Gee and Bob McElligott who orchestrated our media and p.r. campaign.

A special thanks to newly elected Chiefs President Ron Gersbacher, who Chaired a Special Projects Committee over the past year that included Board Members Charlie Rich, Bob Scalione, Doug Logan and David Panasci.

And to Plan B Branding, Jason Klein and Casey White who visited Syracuse this summer and put their energy and enthusiasm  back into our operation and provided us with the concept of Chiefs Baseball returning in 2007.

A job well done by everyone.

   

THIS AND THAT

Just 21 more weeks until OPENING DAY 2007 at Alliance Bank Stadium……How about those Blue Jays signing FRANK THOMAS for thier designated hitter spot.  That all but assures that super prospect ADAM LIND will start the season in Syracuse for 2007.  A potential Chiefs lineup that includes Jeff Duncan CF, Adam Lind LF, Chad Mottola RF, John-Ford Griffin-DH, Kevin Barker-1B, Rob Cosby-3B, Curtis Thigpen-c, Russ Adams-2B, and Ryan Roberts/or Sergio Santos SS wouldn’t look so bad…..Former Chiefs in the news – catcher Ken Huckaby signed with the Dodgers and will likely spend the season in Las Vegas (PCL), Former Chiefs infielder Nelson Liriano was named hitting coach for the KC Royals single A team in Wilmington….Former Chiefs outfiedler Rick Leach was the Michigan quarterback for four seasons under Bo Schembechler, who passed away on Friday.  Rick was heard earlier today on ESPN Radio’s Dan Patrick show talking about his former coach…Prediction time:  Uconn 31 Orange 27 and Michigan 16 Ohio State 14…..Dont forget to listen to “INSIDE PITCH” on Saturday November 18th on ESPN RADIO 1260 AM at 9:00 AM when Chiefs General Manager John Simone and Bob McElligott talk to Chiefs players Chad Mottola and Kevin Barker……It was reported today that Doug Davis, who managed New Hampshire (Eastern League) last season will be named the Chiefs next manager.  Mike Basso, who managed the team last season would become the organizations roving catching instructor.  Look for an announcement from the team on Monday…..Chiefs Annual Stockholders Meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 21st at Alliance Bank Stadium.  The ballclub will report its financial statement for the year ending 2006 and give an overview on the upcomming 2007 season….Have a great weekend.

JAYS ADD ROONEY LOAD UP ON PITCHING

The Toronto Blue Jays continue to load up on pitching by adding righthander  Matt Rooney to their 40-man roster.  Rooney, 26, signed as a free agent after spending most of the 2006 season at Sacremento (PCL) when he recorded a 2.95 ERA in 47-relief appearances. He also appeared in 3-games with Oakland.   Rooney pitched in the IL with Toledo in 2004 and 2005.  Rooney joins a group of off-season free agent pitching help that includes Germi Gonzalez, Beau Kemp, Blaine Neal, Jason Scobie and Jean Machi.

That list will join Blue Jays prospects (starters) Josh Banks, Casey Janssen, Dustin McGowan, Ty Taubenheim, Ismael Ramirez, David Purcey, Michael MacDonald, Kyle Yates, Ricky Romero and veteran Josh Towers and relievers Ryan Houston, Davis Romero, Francisco Rosario, Jamie Vermilyea, Lee Gronkiewicz, Jordan DeJong, Tracey Thorpe and possibly late season acquision Jermey Accardo.

That’s alot of pitching to choose from with a whole off-season to go.

For more information on Free Agent signings make sure to listen to “INSIDE PITCH” this Saturday, November 18th at 9:00 AM on ESPN Radio 1260 AM when Chiefs GM John Simone and Bob McElligott talk to Chad Mottola and Kevin Barker who will both return to Syracuse in 2007 and take your calls on anything baseball.

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