IL1 Syracuse Mets

Chiefs Announce All-Decade Team

January 8, 2010 - International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


Syracuse, NY - The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, ring in the new year by announcing their All-Decade Team. Chad Mottola, the International League's Most Valuable Player in 2000 has been honored as the Player of the Decade in Syracuse.

Mottola donned a Syracuse jersey for at least part of five seasons in the 2000s, starting with his MVP season of 2000. In 134 games that year, Mottola bashed 33 home runs and drove in 102 runs while hitting.309. In his Syracuse career, Mottola slugged 100 homers and knocked in 359 runs. He's preparing for his first season as the hitting coach for the Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League.

Players who eventually spent time in the majors line the list of the best Syracuse performers of the decade. Joining Mottola in the outfield is Jayson Werth, who won a World Series with the Phillies in 2008 and hit a career-high 36 homers as an All-Star last year. The center fielder of the decade, Vernon Wells, has driven in at least 100 runs three times in his career in Toronto and hit 20 or more home runs in five straight seasons between 2002 and 2006. With Syracuse, Wells hit 28 homers and knocked home 118 runs in 234 games in 2000 and 2001. Two Major League Gold Glove winners from this past season made the cut. Both Aaron Hill and Orlando Hudson made their mark in Syracuse before climbing to the majors. Hudson, a four-time Gold Glove winner, manned second base in Syracuse in '01 and '02. Hudson hit.305 in his two Syracuse seasons and turned 15 double plays in 155 games. Hill made a big splash in Syracuse in just 38 games in 2005, hitting.301 as the every day shortstop before his May promotion to the Blue Jays.

Last season's 76-win team is well-represented on the squad. Marco Estrada, the 2009 team leader in wins, strikeouts and ERA, represents the new affiliation with the Nationals. In addition, Logan Kensing - who had two stints in the Major Leagues last season - is part of the six-man bullpen. Both 2009 Manager Tim Foli and Hitting Coach Darnell Coles take their places on the All-Decade field staff.

The entire All-Decade Team can be found at syracusechiefs.com along with a special edition of Inside Pitch, the Chiefs' weekly podcast, detailing the selections and memories of the players. The Chiefs open the 2010 season against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on April 8 at Alliance Bank Stadium. Fans may purchase tickets in person at the Chiefs ticket office at Alliance Bank Stadium or by calling 315-474-7833 during normal business hours, Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm.

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