That’s because these new-look Chiefs broke off their 31-year affiliation with Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays. And after being slapped in the face by the New York Mets, who were propositioned to come to Syracuse but decided on Buffalo instead, the Chiefs hooked up a two-year agreement with the Washington Nationals, who before 2005 were known as the Montreal Expos.
“The Washington Nationals have hit the ground running here in Syracuse,” said Mike Price, WSYR-Channel 9’s recently retired reporter, who acted as emcee on the night. He may have been insinuating that the Nationals can actually pinpoint Syracuse on the map, which Toronto never seemed to navigate, as there were no birdbrains from the Blue Jays organization in attendance during last year’s Hot Stove. Maybe it’s a kilometers-to-miles conversion thing.
Hot stoves are held annually by all major- and minor-league teams to generate hype and keep everyone in the loop in advance of the regular season. Among the guests of honor this year were all of the Chiefs’ brass, as well as representatives from the Nationals, including team president Stan Kasten, pitching coach and former Chiefs pitcher Randy St. Clare as well as current Nats pitcher Collin Balester. Skipper of the Nats Manny Acta was slated to appear but his plane was delayed in Orlando, Fla., due to inclement weather.
“These are special people,” said Price as he introduced everyone seated at the tables on the stage. “We’re in two tiers here.”
The Chiefs are hoping that their new partnership will invigorate a renewed enthusiasm for the team so that they can fill at least two tiers’ worth of bleachers at the 11,117-seat Alliance Bank Stadium, which has seen lackluster attendance the past few years. And there were many fans already sporting Nationals gear at the Hot Stove, a good sign because Toronto Blue Jays apparel never seemed to get past Customs around these parts.
“With spring training around the corner and a new affiliation, I think the enthusiasm the fans have shown me when they come to the ballpark is as high as I’ve ever seen it,” said Chiefs general manager John Simone. “I think they’re excited about a change.”
Since the American League East’s Toronto Blue Jays won back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993, they have failed to reach the playoffs as the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees and most recently, the upstart Tampa Bay Rays, have dominated the division. “Thirty years is a long time and it just kind of wore itself out,” said Simone about the breakup with the Blue Jays, “and I think this was a good opportunity for us to marry up with an organization that wants to be here.”
The Nationals reside in the National League East where the competition is just as stiff. If the Nats are going to make a run at the postseason, they’ll have to best last year’s World Series champs, the Philadelphia Phillies, as well as the Mets and perennial contenders the Atlanta Braves. It won’t be easy; the Nationals finished a league-worst 59-102 in 2008. Last year’s Word Series runners-up, the aforementioned Rays, provide a blueprint for the Nats to follow for success, as both teams have small payrolls and are forced to groom their future stars through their farm system—prospects that will be paying their dues here in Syracuse.
“Tampa Bay is an excellent analogy,” continued Simone. “I think they {the Nationals} would like to sign some players if they had an opportunity and I know they went after Mark Teixiera {who ended up signing an eight-year, $180 million contract with the Yankees; in contrast, the entire Washington Nationals payroll is $54 million}, but they’re not going to waste it on guys because they have a lot of good young players coming up and we’re going to be fortunate because guys like the B.J. Uptons and the Carl Crawfords {both of the Rays} will be coming through Syracuse.”
—Tom Kahley
