By Casey Buscher Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — For 11 years the Syracuse Chiefs called NBT Bank Stadium home but now, the Syracuse Mets are the new minor league team in town.
The New York Mets bought the Syracuse Chiefs a year ago for their minor league affiliate and the team name changed to the Syracuse Mets. Previously, the Chiefs were affiliated with the Washington Nationals. But with the new transition, and the fact the Syracuse team is now a New York franchise, it is attracting fans all over.
General Manager of the Syracuse Mets Jason Smorol says he “personally thought there was going to be more backlash for losing the Chiefs name but for the most part everyone has really embraced the change over to the Syracuse Mets.”
Smorol says the transition has been smooth, especially with the amount of publicity the team has gotten from Met and Yankee fans in the area. “There’s just so many Mets fans and there is even Yankee fans that are just happy that there is a New York team here to either root for or against,” Smorol added.
There’s also a new addition to the roster who is pretty known all over the world. The two-time BCS National Champion and Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow is made his debut as a Syracuse Met this year. With the addition of Tebow, merchandise sales have gone up and fans have been interested in watching him play.
A lifelong Syracuse resident, Jim Osinski, says he was excited to watch Tebow play this year and believes that he has brought a lot of hype around the Mets.
Overall, Smorol is ready for what’s to come for the Syracuse Mets. The New York Mets contract with the Syracuse team lasts for 25 years.
