We're going to be in Syracuse for a long time.

[Guest 41Forever]

https://www.syracuse.com/chiefs/index.ssf/2018/09/new_york_mets_verbally_agree_to_lease_extension_in_syracuse_through_2043.html

I don't know what the Mets record is for longest stay in a minor league location, Syracuse.com is reporting that the team has verbally agreed to stay in that city through 2043. Stability would be nice.

I know we've had a team in Binghamton since 1991, St. Lucie since 1988 and Kingsport since 1980. The Cyclones since 2001. I'm sure owning the team helps...

[Benjamin Grimm]

The Mets were in Tidewater/Norfolk from 1969 through 2006. Kingsport, with its 39 seasons and counting, is going to be the standard-bearer for a long time.

[Centerfield]

I'm excited about this. This is a great move by the Wilpons. (Yes, I just wrote that.)

I've never been to MacArthur Stadium (Is it still called that?). I'm planning to go next year and bring my parents.

Fman and seawolf. Meet for drinks?

[Ceetar]

Centerfield wrote: I'm excited about this. This is a great move by the Wilpons. (Yes, I just wrote that.) I've never been to MacArthur Stadium (Is it still called that?). I'm planning to go next year and bring my parents. Fman and seawolf. Meet for drinks?

I believe it has a corporate name but it hasn't stuck in my head so i dunno.

I'm sure the move was a financially wise one, long term. 'great' for the Mets is still probably overstating it. But yeah, and they did it a year early with presumably little return/control for that first year, AND it forced a rival into a crappier situation.

[Centerfield]

From what I read there are more east coast ML teams than there are east coast AAA teams. So basically one team always gets stuck with Vegas.

The Mets basically assured it will never be them. Plus putting the club in Syracuse will help swing a lot of fans to the Mets instead of the MFY's. Send Mr. Met to the Carrier Dome, etc.

Hopefully.

[RealityChuck]

Centerfield wrote: From what I read there are more east coast ML teams than there are east coast AAA teams. So basically one team always gets stuck with Vegas.

Oakland has an agreement with Las Vegas for next year. So travel isn't an issue.

Nashville, Oakland's previous AAA team, now has the Rangers.

The Nationals are in Fresno.

[Guest 41Forever]

I read that a name change is in the works, too. I know they've been Chiefs or SkyChiefs for decades. Hopefully it won't be something too loopy.

[Methead]

SkyMets.

[stevejrogers]

Centerfield wrote: I'm excited about this. This is a great move by the Wilpons. (Yes, I just wrote that.) I've never been to MacArthur Stadium (Is it still called that?). I'm planning to go next year and bring my parents. Fman and seawolf. Meet for drinks?

NBT Bank Stadium.

[bmfc1]

RealityChuck wrote: The Nationals are in Fresno.

HA! The few Nationals fans that care have ranted about the incompetence of their owners in handling the situation (can you imagine?). The only good thing that we could say about Las Vegas is that there were plenty of flights to anywhere the Mets were playing. Without checking, I don't think that's true for Fresno.

[Methead]

Centerfield wrote: MacArthur Stadium (Is it still called that?)

Well if you ask me, it is.

I used to go to games sometimes in the mid to late 80s when they were a Blue Jays affiliate. I remember guys like Glenallen Hill, Rob Ducey, Mike Sharperson, and I think I might have seen Luis Sojo too. Apparently David Wells and Todd Stottlemyre were around then too, but I really don't remember any of the pitchers at all.

Definitely planning to make it to a game at some point next year when I visit the folks.

[Frayed Knot]

Methead wrote: Centerfield wrote: MacArthur Stadium (Is it still called that?) Well if you ask me, it is.

Maybe it would have gotten them brought up on copyright infringement if they had, but they missed a great opportunity to call it McArthur Park.

Think of the possibilities! -- melting in the dark night; a cake placed out on 2nd base during rain delays; guest appearances by Jimmie Webb and/or Richard Harris.

[Fman99]

McArthur Stadium closed in 1997. The current park is NBT Bank Stadium though it's had a few other names since it opened, I think.

It's damn exciting that they'll be putting a Mets-flavored product on the field, whatever they call the players. I am friends with the GM and he's a wildly enthusiastic and very visible presence at the ballpark. They're going to sink a bunch of money into the stadium, potentially adding an outfield concourse, but I already find it to be a great place to watch a game. We go 5-7 times per year, usually on weekends for fireworks (which they have every home Friday & Saturday).

When you CPF'ers are ready to come up to the 'Cuse for baseball, you give me a holla here so I can make arrangements to join you.

We'd go that often regardless of affiliation -- warm summer nights, a hot dog and a beer and rooting for the home team appeals to me no matter what.

And yes, the idea of seeing Mr. Met here in Syracuse is titillating to me.

[seawolf17]

Centerfield wrote: Fman and seawolf. Meet for drinks?

Absolutely.

[Edgy MD]

MILB.com is already depicting Mets AAA prospects as Chiefs.

[stevejrogers]

Fman99 wrote: McArthur Stadium closed in 1997. The current park is NBT Bank Stadium though it's had a few other names since it opened, I think.

Is it the same building or footprint as Google Maps suggests?

[Methead]

The new ballpark was built right next to the old one. 20+ years ago, yikes! Almost time for a new one!

https://ballparks.smugmug.com/MacArthur-Stadium-demolished-Syracuse-New-York/

[Edgy MD]

Originally named Municipal Stadium when it opened in 1934, it was renamed (like Long Island's beloved MacArthur Airport) in honor of General Douglas MacArthur in 1942.

That unfortunately was long before the Jimmy Webb song was ever written. But the park that the song was written about was also renamed in honor of the general, having originally been named Westlake Park up until, you guessed it, 1942.

Toward the beginning of The Wonder Years' first episode, Daniel Stern's voiceover narration notes that Kevin's junior high, like many across the country, was being renamed in honor of Robert F. Kennedy. I wonder if it was like that in Spring 1942. Everything was being named MacArthur. "Come to MacArthur Deli and buy one of our famous MacArthur sandwiches! Don't forget to ask for the MacArthur sauce!"

[Methead]

Just found a ticket stub from a game I attended on 6/7/87. Would be great to find a box score.

My reserved seat cost $3.75.

[Benjamin Grimm]

How about TWO box scores and TWO score cards? (It was a doubleheader.)

http://leaptoad.com/mets/gamedetail.php?gameno=4075

http://leaptoad.com/mets/gamedetail.php?gameno=4076

[seawolf17]

I think Methead meant a Syracuse game that day.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Oops, you're right! I forgot what thread we were in!

[Methead]

Yep!

I did find a headline from the next day's sports section though. Box score is probably somewhere in there but I don't know if I want to pay $50 to see it.

https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-jun-08-1987-p-25/