One great player, HoJo was

The good, old days. Howard Johnson’s first two major league managers were Sparky Anderson for the Detroit Tigers and Davey Johnson for the New York Mets, a member of the audience at the Syracuse Mets open house reminded him during the Q and A session Saturday. Could there be a more buttoned-down or loosey-goosey managers…

Coming up this season …

Step right up. Syracuse Mets General Manager Jason Smorol raised the enthusiasm level for the upcoming 2024 season by detailing what’s to come at NBT Bank Stadium through September. Exciting young players. Great food. The solar eclipse, glasses provided. Fireworks. Open base paths for the kids. Boozy Sundays for the grownups. My ears perked up…

Meet the Met

He’ll sign until … Howard Johnson was a big part of the New York Mets’ 1986 World Series championship squad. Befitting that hero status, Syracuse Mets fans filled the NBT Bank Metropolitan Room for Johnson’s open house autograph session. He signed smiled, smiled and signed. In fact, officials had to cut the session short to…

Gearing up

Any shirt you wish. The Syracuse Mets store was chock full of new gear for Saturday’s open house at NBT Bank Stadium. The good news: My dear wife Karen and I left with a bag of attire we might wear to Opening Day on March 29. The bad news: All daughter Elisabeth asked to bring…

Baseball, please

A cold day in March. I’m telling you they’ll be out on this baseball field in less than four full weeks. Interesting that the schedule-makers have scheduled Opening Day for the Syracuse Mets at NBT Bank Stadium for Friday, March 29. The field looked a little icy and dicey as my dear wife Karen and…

Bring on Opening Day

First in line. A big day late in winter is always the Syracuse Mets Open House. In addition to former New York Met star Howard Johnson as guest speaker, individual game tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. sharp Saturday. My dear wife Karen and I left our house early enough to be the first…

Welcoming the winter sunrise

Ready for the day. Yes, the cherished rescue mutt notices the sun rising earlier and earlier. She’s happy to lord over the backyard to say hello to another spring-is-nearing day.

Cool winter lake view

Warm enough for a midday walk with the dog. Yes, the cherished rescue mutt and I are up for leisurely afternoon walks up and down the neighborhood blocks when the weather is nice enough for both of us. She uses her doggy communication ways to tell my dear wife Karen and I that she enjoys…