After the 2013 season, it was made public that the Chiefs were more than $500,000 in the red. I even started to wonder if the team was going to fold or be sold and relocated. Who was going to save baseball in Syracuse again? “Tex” Simone, the original savior, was still involved in the team, but could not pull off what he did decades before. His son John was a destroyer, making things worse and worse. All looked bleak.
Suddenly, reports came John Simone was removed from his position. More reports flooded in about several firings within the Chief’s organization. Was this the end?
Then, the grey clouds over Syracuse cleared. A new hero had arrived. Jason Smorol came to save the Chiefs.
I did not know much about Smorol. When he was introduced as the new General Manager, I saw a young man with a bald head and bright smile. He spoke enthusiastically about the team and what he hoped to achieve with his new found responsibility. After more research, I learned about what he had done down the road in Auburn, turning around the Chief’s Short Season Single A affiliate Doubledays. Even though it was still early, I found a new faith in the Chiefs. It wasn’t a lot of faith, but it was faith none the less.
Soon, more news came rolling in. Smorol had quickly gotten to work. He quickly got the Chiefs out of the red and back into business. He announced plans to bring fans back to the stadium, fighting for better players and creating promotions people would get excited about. He lowered ticket prices, which helped both myself and fellow fans. Now, people could better afford to go to the game and enjoy our country’s past time. He made staff go through training in order to better help fans and bring positive attitudes to every game. The biggest announcement that got the most attention was the creation of Dollar Thursdays, where fans could come to the game and pay just a dollar for a beer, hotdog, soda, and more. Even my Grandfather started to get excited and wanted back in.
When Opening Day arrived, I was very interested in seeing if people were buying into what Smorol was selling and if the stadium would be loaded with excited fans. However, I received something else. Not only did the staff warmly welcome my Grandfather and I to the game, but Jason Smorol, the GM himself, shook our hands as we walked in and welcomed us to the ballpark. Then, before the game, he ran out to the field. With the mic in his hand, he delivered a line that is forever tied with him.
“CAN I HEAR YOU ONE TIME CHIEFS’ FANS?!”
At that moment, I knew this season was going to be one for the ages. The team was loaded with talent, from Moore to Souza Jr. to Burriss. The new manager, Billy Gardner Jr., brought a long career of managerial success to a franchise desperate for a solid leader in the dugout. With Smorol heading up the entire operation, only positives vibes were being felt throughout the organization. More fans found there way to the stadium. Some were die-hards, others new to the stadium, and others coming back after years away from the team. On Thursdays, you could barely find a parking spot around the stadium or in the Farmer’s Market. Every game, the lines were long, seats were packed,t-shirts shot out of launchers, mascots raced, and between inning games were played. Smorol addressed the fans before every game and then made sure to make his way around the park to visit and interact with fans. It was something that was rarely done during the John Simone era, I don’t specifically remember regularly seeing John Simone around the stadium.
Most importantly, the Chiefs were winning and winning often. For the first time since 1997, the Chiefs earned a playoff birth, something I wasn’t sure I was ever going to see. Even better, they clinched the IL North Division regular season title for the first time since the 1980’s. This was turning out to be a dream season for the team and the fans.
Then, a disaster struck that was out of the Chiefs’ control. The end of season call-ups had Souza, Moore, and most of the starting roster headed for D.C.. With a weakened roster, the Chiefs then found out their opening round playoff opponent would be a very stacked team in the Pawtucket Red Sox. The Chiefs would be swept by the eventual IL Champion Red Sox in three tightly contested games. Even with all the negatives, Smorol did not give in, but only kept the positive vibes coming throughout Syracuse. He made the one home playoff game for the Chiefs a blast, just like the entire 2014 season.
This season, I think things are going to be even better. Smorol has been busy in the community pumping up his team. If you’ve been to the Silver Knights’ games, Smorol has made his presence known. He was the special guest ref for the mascot game and made a huge motivational speech to the fans during the Knight’s home playoff game. I think the partnership between the organizations is brilliant, local teams helping each other is always a great thing. He announced the team will have their uniforms updated for this season, which are scheduled to be unveiled very soon. Also, he is bringing back Dollar Days, something that will pack the house once again. I don’t think there is any bad idea in Smorol’s mind. As long as he remains General Manager, the Chiefs are only going to improve.
Update: Lindsay Kramer of the Syracuse Media Group reported that Brain Goodwin, Jeff Kobernus, Mitch Lively, Taylor Hill, Eric Fornataro, and Scott McGregor have been assigned to minor league camp. These assignments bring a major bulk of last year’s successful roster back to the Chiefs.
Thanks/Credit:
http://www.syracuse.com/chiefs/index.ssf/2015/03/washington_nationals_send_comeback_prospect_brian_goodwin_to_the_syracuse_chiefs.html#incart_more_sports
http://www.syracuse.com/poliquin/index.ssf/2013/10/jason_smorol_the_syracuse_chie.html
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/10/syracuse_chiefs_in_deep_financial_hole_hire_new_general_manager_with_record_of_s.html
http://www.oneidadispatch.com/sports/20140831/syracuse-chiefs-clinch-il-north-title-with-win-over-pawtucket-red-sox
http://www.syracuse.com/poliquin/index.ssf/2014/03/syracuse_chiefs_open_their_baseball_season_on_thursday_and_oh_what_season_they_h.html
http://www.syracuse.com/chiefs/index.ssf/2015/03/syracuse_chiefs_will_wear_new_jerseys_in_2015_season.html
*(Author’s Note: That was a cruel night. I’m sorry, but media should never come before the fans. Just because they were covering a star player doesn’t make them rulers of the stadium. Where were they for all the games before Strausburg arrived and after he left? What about all the seasons before? Exactly. Even as a person within media, I don’t believe in media having the right over fans. If I ever become owner of a team, the fans will always come first. Sorry media, you’ll have to park elsewhere.)