|
Published: August 10, 2008 09:50 pm
BASEPATHS: ’Cuse scribe says Jays are dazed
By Doug Smith
When Bud Poliquin started sportswriting in Syracuse, a touchdown was worth five points and Babe Ruth was pitching for Boston. Well, maybe not quite, but Bud is a Salt City institution, a brilliant wordsmith with no agenda other than urging a decent deal for denizens of Onondaga shores.
Base Paths asked Bud for some thoughts on what might lie ahead for Bison fans should the Blue Jays shift their affiliation to Buffalo.
Toronto has called the shots in Syracuse since 1978 and most of them have been misfires. Therefore, Base Paths could hardly believe the five words Poliquin chose to describe the Syracuse-Toronto connection:
“A match made in heaven.”
That good?
No, Bud said, that bad.
Toronto doesn’t much care how badly Syracuse runs the franchise…
... And Syracuse doesn’t much mind how badly the team plays.
Whew.
But he’s nailed it. The malaise that infests Syracuse Class AAA baseball is hard to describe. Bud has a stab at it with “bad and boring.” It’s the butt of local jokes, even for the Syracuse Post-Standard’s humor columnist, who’s almost as lame as the team. The most exciting thing the club has done recently is change the name, twice, to SkyChiefs, then back to Chiefs.
The Chiefs have made no demands on Toronto (a “side-by-side” relationship, as Bud puts it) and Toronto has made no demands on Syracuse.
“Nobody here will miss them,” Bud writes, although the Mets, supposedly Syracuse-bound, haven’t had much luck with their own Class AAA clubs. The Norfolk team of two years ago was one of the worst motivated Base Paths ever has seen.
The situation’s different from that in Rochester, where the populace seems to take pride in the travails of the Red Wings. Some from the Flower City actually boast of their team’s frequent incompetence. In Syracuse, nobody seems to much care, and attendance seems to run about half of that in Buffalo, even with no major-league sports franchises competing for attention.
For Bison fans, the question will be, will Herd management demand excellence, or at least an acceptable level of effort. Pardon Base Paths while he mixes a few metaphors, but if the Blue Jays nest here, the ball will be in the Herd’s court. And that, Bud, is for you. Thanks.
Cory connects
Lockport catcher Cory Brownsten finished the season in Hampton, Va., with the Peninsula Pilots in the Coastal Plain League, one of the nation’s top collegiate leagues, after getting a friendly “OK” from Webster of the New York State League. Credit Niagara Coach Chris Chernisky with an assist on late-season call-up to a higher level.
Benched
Base Paths has declared next Monday an “open date” and will return Aug. 18 to start wrapping up the season.
Signal back to Base Paths via pollyndoug@hotmail.com
|
|
|
|
 |
WAIT STAFF
WaitSTAFF P/T 11am -2pm or 3:15-6:45pm. Will train. Apply Amberleigh Retirement, 2330 Maple near Transit. ...>MORE
Cook Manager
COOK /Manager full time exp. req. Call for appt. 297-2500 ask for general manager. ...>MORE
Certified Pharmacy Tech's & Certified Medication Tech's
Certified Pharmacy Tech’s & Certified Medication Tech’s Competitive wages. Call Lisa McKensie Ransomville Manor 79...>MORE
Nursing
NURSING. ElderWood Senior Care, "Care Without Compromise". We invite you to stop by and learn how you can become part of...>MORE
Remedy Staffing
Inventory Control Carousel Pickers Order Pickers Receivers/Shippers Packers Pay: $10/hr Sh...>MORE
Instructors
Join Our Team! Would you like to work on a top performing team who is ranked 17th in the nation and have the opport...>MORE
Receptionist
Dental Office Receptionist Responsible for front desk duties. Mon., Tues. & Wed. 8-5, Thurs. and Fri. varia...>MORE
Nurses
NURSES
RN - LPN
Join our progressive health care team
FT-PT - Per Diem ...>MORE
Medical Assistant
Medical Assistant for busy dermatology office. Resume to PO Box 61, E. Amherst, NY 14051...>MORE
Assistant Director
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Alumni Relations (ft) sought by the Alumni Relations Department of Niagara University, a private...>MORE
See all ads |
Chevy 2003 Impala
CHEVY 2003 Impala 25,600 miles, loaded Exc. Cond. $10,000/bo 297-2199...>MORE
Dodge 2001 Neon
Dodge 2001 Neon 4 dr, auto, a/c, new tires, c/d no rust, inspected, $3900. white 860-2854...>MORE
Chevy 2007 Impala LT
CHEVY 2007 Impala LT 25,800 mi, ext. warranty Exc. Cond, $16,500 297-2199...>MORE
Mazda 1995 Millenia
Mazda 1995 Millenia loaded, leather, only 26k mi. exc. cond. $2995. Best Offer 531-3548, 297-1526...>MORE
Mercury 1999 Grand Marquis
Mercury ‘99 Grand Marquis 4 dr, leather, all options, 49k org mi., showroom cond. $6000. 860-2854, ...>MORE
Buick 2005 Lesabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria 4 dr, loaded, new tires must see & drive $3500. red. 860-2854...>MORE
VW 2001 Beetle
VW 2001 Beetle, loaded, GLX turbo, exc. cond, all service records, fun to drive, blue bk $5600, take best offer, 990-06...>MORE
See all ads |
|
See all ads |
|
 |
|