IL1 Syracuse Mets

Chiefs to hold Induction Weekend

Published on January 29, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Syracuse Mets News Release


SYRACUSE (NY) - The Syracuse Chiefs announced today that the weekend of August 15 & 16 will be Induction Weekend at Alliance Bank Stadium. Anthony "Tex" Simone and Hank Sauer will be inducted into the International League Hall of Fame prior to the Chiefs game against the Rochester Red Wings on Friday, August 15. On Saturday, August 16 seven new members will be added to the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame.

"We are looking forward to what will be a very special weekend," said Chiefs General Manager John Simone. "All of the individuals that will be honored have been very important to the success of baseball in Syracuse and the International League."

Here is a listing of all the honorees for Induction Weekend:

International League Wall of Fame - Friday, August 15

Anthony "Tex" Simone joined the grounds crew at MacArthur Stadium in 1961, beginning his career with the Chiefs. In 1970, he was appointed general manager and won his first of four International League executive of the year awards. Simone, a Syracuse native, has been honored by seemingly every organization in the city. In 1997, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer the same year P&C (later renamed Alliance Bank) Stadium opened. Tex is part of the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame and the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.

Hank Sauer won Governor's Cup championships in three of his four seasons with the Chiefs. His 1947 season went down as one of the great seasons in International League history. That season, the Pittsburgh native hit .336 with 50 home runs (one of only five players to reach 50 home runs in a season). Sauer also led the league with 141 runs batted in, 182 hits and 130 runs scored. His totals in homers, RBI, runs and total bases still remain Chiefs' records. In 1998, Sauer became the first player in Syracuse history to have his number retired.

Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame - Saturday, August 16

Bobby Cox, who has won four Manager of the Year Awards with Atlanta and Toronto, was an infielder for the Chiefs in 1970 when the team captured the IL pennant, Governors' Cup, and Little World Series title. He returned to Syracuse three years later as manager and led the Chiefs to the Governors' Cup in 1976.

Pat Gillick has more than 50 years experience as a Major League executive, including stints as the general manager of the Blue Jays, Orioles, Mariners, and Phillies. Gillick was instrumental in the Blue Jays' decisions to contribute $1 million to the construction of Alliance Bank Stadium and also to sign a letter of credit to help the Chiefs secure a $4 million loan.

Ted Kleinhans pitched for the Chiefs from 1938-'41 and ranks fourth on the franchise's all-time wins list. He later went on to become the head baseball coach at Syracuse University and led SU to the 1961 College World Series.

Vic Power was the Chiefs' team MVP in 1951, his only season in Syracuse. The first baseman went on to play 12 seasons in the Major Leagues and captured six Gold Glove Awards.

Tommy Thevenow played two seasons in Syracuse, 1924-'25, and was named All-League shortstop in 1924. He went on to play 15 seasons in the Major Leagues and was named the MVP of the 1926 while a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Greg "Boomer" Wells was a power-hitting first baseman and designated hitter for the Chiefs from 1978-'81. He led the team in home runs in each of his final three seasons in Syracuse. Wells was an IL All-Star in 1981 and played in the big leagues for Toronto and Minnesota.

Terry Whitfield played all three outfield positions for the Chiefs from 1974-'76. He led the team in RBI in each of his seasons in Syracuse and was an IL All-Star in 1976 when the Chiefs captured the Governors' Cup. Whitfield went on to play 10 seasons in the Major Leagues for the Yankees, Dodgers, and Giants.

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International League Stories from January 29, 2008


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