Mets Minor League Blog Report 9-10-08
Toby Hyde
In this issue
1. Buffalo Roaming
2. No New Scoreboard in Syracuse?
3. Burgos Arrested
4. Savannah Review
1. Bisons Roaming
Monday, in the Buffalo News, Mike Harrington broke down some of the factors the Buffalo Bisons would use in choosing whether to go with the Mets or the Blue Jays.
I’ve been hearing for several months that folks in Toronto think it’s a done deal for them to be in Dunn Tire Park in 2009. …. But I’m also hearing much more Mets scuttlebutt in recent days, largely that their presumed move to Syracuse is no sure thing and that Buffalo and the Salt City are, in fact, in a two-horse race for the NL East leaders.
By Harrington’s reasoning, the Mets have an advantage in front office stability and in “buzz” in 09 surrounding Citi Field. The Jays have the advantage by being geographically closer.
2. No New Scoreboards in Syracuse
Tuesday, there were there separate articles in the Syracuse Post-Standard about a Mets-Chiefs coupling.
1. First, there was the actual news item:
Matt Michael reports that
The Onondaga County Legislature's Facilities Committee rejected proposals Tuesday for new scoreboards at Alliance Bank Stadium and the War Memorial.
While the votes aren't fatal, they'll make it more difficult for the scoreboards to find their way into the county's 2009 budget.
The committee voted 3-2 against a resolution that would have asked the Legislature to spend about $1.2 million of taxpayer money for a new scoreboard for the Syracuse Chiefs at Alliance Bank Stadium.
Maybe the Committee realized with a recession that they had better husband their resources for other projects or at least make the Chiefs ownership group, who will reap nearly all of the benefits of a new scoreboard, pay for the thing.
2. Then columnist Sean Kirst has a host of ideas regarding ways the Chiefs can attract the Mets none of which are actually germane to the issues the Mets care about.
3. Brent Axe, who works as the Chief’s PA voice lumped the scoreboard vote in with the other thing wrong in Syracuse sports: the Syracuse Football team and got a little hysterical, but it’s a good read. Regarding the current board, he wrote:
That scoreboard fails CONSTANTLY. The board freezes all the time, leaving certain portions of it unreadable. That is always a pleasant site to present to crowded ballpark on a summer night.
The parts needed to maintain the scoreboard are extremely hard to find as the board is severely outdated. It was outdated when it was installed in 1997. Imagine what that means now. Some replacement parts needed for that scoreboard don't even exist anymore.
…
It makes me sick to my stomach that we may lose a chance at the Mets over our county legislators bickering over $1.2 million for a scoreboard while Buffalo sits ready to strike.
How many school books did you say the county could buy for $1.2 million?
3. Burgos Arrested
Nicole Bode in the NY Daily News reports that Ambiorix Burgos was charged with “pummeling” his girlfriend.
The 6'3", 244-pound pitcher was arrested around 11 p.m. Monday after allegedly slamming his girlfriend up against the wall at the Holiday Inn on 114th St. and 37th Ave. He repeatedly punched her on the back, bit her and slapped her, prosecutors said.
Metsblog adds to the story:
The team said he was not in New York for reasons related to the Mets, and they will continue to monitor the situation as it progresses.
Yeah, about that call-up…
4. Savannah Review
It’s a few days old, but Nathan Dominitz reviewed the Savannah Sand Gnats 2008 season in the Savannah Morning News, focusing on the pitching:
The organization promoted 11 players from the April 3 roster, with eight of the 13 pitchers from Opening Day moving up to High-A St. Lucie. Left-hander Mike Antonini, the starter on opening night, progressed all the way to Double-A Binghamton.
In fact, none of the 12 hurlers on [Labor Day’s] active roster were with Savannah when the season opened.
Yup, there were some interesting arms in Savannah in 2008.
Toby Hyde has written about the Mets organization since 2004. Please pass this along to friends, family, co-workers, and Mets fans of all stripes. To sign up for the email newsletter, click here. Even better, please visit my site at http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com.