Whike I was out enjoying the day, the Nationals agreed with the Syracuse Chiefs on a two-year affiliation agreement.
It appears that Toronto and Las Vegas end up together when the Triple-A affiliation music ended.
{ 2008 09 20 }
We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future - FDR
{ 2008 09 20 }
Whike I was out enjoying the day, the Nationals agreed with the Syracuse Chiefs on a two-year affiliation agreement.
It appears that Toronto and Las Vegas end up together when the Triple-A affiliation music ended.
Tom | 20-Sep-08 at 5:51 pm | Permalink
This is good news. But, oh, those early season games are going to be harsh.
MrMadison | 20-Sep-08 at 5:51 pm | Permalink
Good Deal for us.
Welcome to the Fam, Syracuse.
Andrew S. | 20-Sep-08 at 5:56 pm | Permalink
Couldn’t be happier (only a 1.5 hour drive) from me. Buffalo woulda been better but oh well.
LivingBaseball | 20-Sep-08 at 10:24 pm | Permalink
Hurrah! Couldn’t be happier. Seems to be a much better stadium than Las Vegas.
estuartj | 21-Sep-08 at 9:17 am | Permalink
Columbus isn’t prticularly warm in April either, flight time is about the same too, maybe a few more flights a day from Syracuse, basically this is a wash…but much better than Vegas or back to N.O.
What other affoiliates are up in 2 years when this contract ends?
Brian Oliver | 21-Sep-08 at 9:41 am | Permalink
estuartj - Just bookmark this site for 2010
Sue Dinem | 21-Sep-08 at 9:54 am | Permalink
Presuming that the Nats want to stay in the IL, the following PDCs (besides Buffalo and Columbus) for that league expire after the 2010 season…
Charlotte
Durham
Louisville
Norfolk
Pawtucket
Rochester
Scranton-WB
Toledo
Of course, on paper, that looks like a lot, but you can immediately toss Pawtucket, which has been a Red Sox affiliate since 1973 and probably Norfolk, Durham, and Scranton-WB due to desirable talent (Bulls), ownership coziness (Norfolk), and a premiere parent club (Scranton-WB; insert Phillies jokes here).
That leaves Louisville, Toledo, Rochester, and Charlotte.
Louisville has been leading the league in attendance — despite its affiliation with Cincinnati — since 2000 so that probably eliminates them, too.
Toledo has been a Tigers affiliate for more than 20 years now, but the same implicit logic could also have been applied to Syracuse, too.
Charlotte appears to be on the verge of building a new facility, but I’m not sure that matters in the big scheme of things (see Louisville).
Which leaves us with Rochester, and that appears to have all the same pros and cons as Syracuse (similar climate, demographic, age of facilities).
Andrew S. | 21-Sep-08 at 10:31 am | Permalink
The Twins have a good partnership with the Red Wings. Expect that one to stay.
Jdub76 | 21-Sep-08 at 2:45 pm | Permalink
Never underestimate the ability of Peter Angelos to screw up with Norfolk.
Andrew S. | 21-Sep-08 at 4:58 pm | Permalink
Don’t forget, the Tides owner is a big O’s fan. It would take some serious screwing up for that affiliation to end soon.
estuartj | 21-Sep-08 at 5:34 pm | Permalink
Charlotte seems like the best geographic match, other than Norfolk and Richmaond which we’ll rule out for obvious reasons…
bangzoom | 21-Sep-08 at 9:38 pm | Permalink
I don’t know if this has been raised yet, but… Syracuse has Astroturf? Really??? I guess it might be tough to get grass to grow in upstate NY in early April, but yikes. Hopefully there’s something softer than concrete under the turf.
bangzoom | 21-Sep-08 at 9:44 pm | Permalink
Nevermind… I was looking at some outdated info. Turf was ripped out after the 2007 season
Mark | 22-Sep-08 at 10:22 pm | Permalink
I am estatic now I can go watch the new Syracuse AAA club (which I have not had the opportunity to when they were in Columbus) AND visit my alma mater…GO ‘CUSE!