Ballpark Photos – Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Professional ball has been played at this location since 1929. A new park swapped places with the parking lot for the 1997 season. Conveniently located behind the bus station, where the coffee counter stays open late.
MacArthur Stadium
As in General Douglas |
P&C Stadium
A regional grocery chain earned inaugural naming rights |
The old park was scheduled for demolition after the 1995 season, which was billed as “Last Crack at the Big Mac.” The outgoing governor had approved funding for the new park and turned the first shovel of dirt. While attempting a visit in 1995, our automobile (veteran of 200,000 miles and visits to over 50 ballparks) picked a lovely spot overlooking the Delaware River to cough three times and die. Fortunately for us, funding for the new park had gone missing from the first budget turned in by the incoming governor. Due to the gubernatorial reprieve, the 1996 season was billed as “Mac’s Back For One Last Crack,” resulting in the lovely images on this page. |
Man and machine labor to erect the new park
|
A chain link fence prevents any overflow crowd from literally overflowing |
The new park incorporates the distinctive architectural feature of the old |
Light towersIt was 434 feet to straightaway center field, reduced from the former distance of 464. |
The same light towersOn the center field fence, uniform number 9 is retired in honor of Hank Sauer, who hit 50 home runs for the Chiefs in 1947. |
Every seat along the first base side affords a good look at the dawning of the new park |
Freight trains rumble past the left field fence |
The sun setting on the MacArthur Stadium era |
The track continues past the right field fenceMany minor league parks are located next to a straight train track. This is one of the few which fits into a curved track. |
Chiefs win!Travis Baptist goes the distance with a nifty 11-hitter, and a night game ends before sundown. Time of game: 1:56. |
A carpet sweeper leaves the area around the sliding ponds sparkling clean |
Tex Simone schmoozes with the next generation of season ticket holdersWhen the International League returned to Syracuse in 1960, Tex was the team’s trainer. He has been there ever since, currently holding the titles of Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. The street leading to the ballpark is named Tex Simone Drive. |
The secret of life is keeping a neat scorecard
| Player | Team (organization) | Seen here | Big league debut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Ayrault | Richmond (Braves) | 7/23/1996 | 9/1/1996 |
| Travis Baptist | Syracuse (Blue Jays) | 7/23/1996 | 8/1/1998 (Twins) |
| Darwin Cubillan | Syracuse (Blue Jays) | 4/19/2000 | 5/20/2000 |
| Tim Hummel | Charlotte (White Sox) | 6/25/2003 | 8/26/2003 (Reds) |
| Cesar Izturis | Syracuse (Blue Jays) | 4/19/2000 | 6/23/2001 |
| Luis Lopez | Syracuse (Blue Jays) | 6/10/1999 | 4/29/2001 |
| Mark Lukasiewicz | Syracuse (Blue Jays) | 4/19/2000 | 5/11/2001 (Angels) |
| Gary Majewski | Charlotte (White Sox) | 6/25/2003 | 8/26/2004 (Expos) |
| Simon Pond | Syracuse (Blue Jays) | 6/25/2003 | 4/7/2004 |
| Mike Romano | Syracuse (Blue Jays) | 8/14/1997 | 9/5/1999 |
| Bob Smith | Richmond (Braves) | 7/23/1996 | 3/31/1998 (Devil Rays) |
| Pedro Swann | Richmond (Braves) | 7/23/1996 | 9/9/2000 |
| Andy Thompson | Syracuse (Blue Jays) | 4/19/2000 | 5/2/2000 |
On our 2003 visit, we saw Simon Pond hit his first Triple-A home run. And his second. And his third. His final time up, his line drive wedged between the padding and the right field foul pole. That one was called a double.
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