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3/8/20

John From Albany - News and Views from the Syracuse Mets Open House



Yesterday, the Syracuse Mets had their 7th Annual Open House. 

A standing room only crowd filled the Hank Sauer Room of Legends to hear Syracuse Mets General Manager Jason Smorol detail the season’s promotions and upgrades to NBT stadium.

Here are some of the big takeaways from Jason’s Press Conference:

The New York Mets will not be visiting the Syracuse Dome prior to the regular season this year. 

Last year the Syracuse Mets had the largest attendance increase for any minor league team that did not have a new stadium.  Jason added that Mets fans come from all over and are very passionate about their team.

The stadium will be ready to go on Opening day.  Upper deck seats and benches still need to be installed as well table top areas in the lower level as well as new berm areas.

Eventually the bullpens will be moved from foul territory to behind the outfield fences.

Protective netting will be extended fully around NBT Bank Stadium.

Meet the Syracuse Mets will take place on Tuesday, April 7th at Embassy Suites Destiny USA from 5:00 p.m. – 8 p.m.

This year’s promotions will include an Opening Day Trapper Hat Giveaway on April 17th; Negro League Centennial Celebration - Moses Fleetwood Walker Bobblehead Giveaway on June 20th; and a “Top Gun” Bobblehead giveaway with Tim Tebow featured as Maverick.

More info on this year’s promotions here on the Syracuse Mets website and on Syracuse.com.

The Team Store staff told me that they anticipate Tim Tebow will wear number 15 on his Syracuse Mets jersey this year. 

The Syracuse Mets Dugout has infrared heating.  The only minor league park with this feature.  They are going to need it this April.



Overall it was a great day for Upstate NY Mets fans on a beautiful sunny Saturday in March.  If you are in the area next March, be sure to attend. 

Here are some more of the pictures I took at the event:











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8 comments:

  1. Tom BrennanMarch 8, 2020 at 12:46 PM

    Is that snow on the field? I forgot what snow looks like down here on Long Island

    ReplyDelete
  2. John From AlbanyMarch 8, 2020 at 1:07 PM

    Yes. Snow still on field. Glad they had heaters on.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 8, 2020 at 1:08 PM

    Hey, Mack, did you catch Whalen on the bump yesterday?

    He did well.

    Looked a little heavy to me. Fastball only at 90 MPH. But initiated soft contact -- two rollers and a pop fly.

    A guy to root for, if nothing else.

    Where will Mets send him in minors? Seems like he needs a steady diet of innings.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  4. John From AlbanyMarch 8, 2020 at 1:16 PM

    Jimmy. I think Whalen is headed to Syracuse to get the innings you suggest.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mack AdeMarch 8, 2020 at 2:05 PM

    Jimmy -

    My guess is the Syracuse starting rotation will be:

    Gonzalez, Kilome, Peterson, Whalen, and Gonzalves

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mack AdeMarch 8, 2020 at 2:06 PM

    John -

    I posted this on the Facebook Syracuse open discussion site.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Brian JouraMarch 9, 2020 at 1:00 PM

    Did they address the potential contraction of the franchise?

    ReplyDelete
  8. John From AlbanyMarch 9, 2020 at 1:49 PM

    Syracuse is not one of the franchises on the contraction list. They are owned by the Mets. Onondaga County is pumping $25M into the stadium.

    Binghamton is on the contraction list. They have been holding press conferences on this topic. Last one Sen Schumer attended and met with MLB officials and Jeff Wilpon.

    We will keep you posted on this.

    ReplyDelete