Syracuse legend Simone passes away

Anthony "Tex" Simone, a man synonymous with the Syracuse Chiefs, passed away on Friday morning after a long illness. He was 86 years old.

Simone, a high school athletic standout and Korean War veteran, got his start with the Chiefs in 1961 as a member of the grounds crew at the team's old home of MacArthur Stadium. He then systematically worked his way up the organizational ladder, working as the Chiefs' trainer, traveling secretary, public relations director and, most notably, general manager. He held that position from 1970 through 1997, assuming the title of executive vice president and chief operating officer after his son, John, was named general manager. Simone retired from the club following the 2013 season, amid a change in management that also resulted in the departure of his son. At this point, he assumed the title of Vice President Emeritus.

"You could say that Minor League Baseball is now in its glory years. But when it wasn't the glory years, Tex was one of those guys who did what he had to do to keep things afloat," said International League president Randy Mobley, who enjoyed a decades-long working relationship with Simone. "People during that time didn't have it easy, didn't enjoy the bells and whistles that we're able to enjoy these days. I have a great regard for what he battled through during that period of time in our industry."

One of Simone's most significant accomplishments during his long tenure with the Chiefs was the opening of P&C Ballpark (now known as NBT Bank Stadium) in 1997. That facility replaced MacArthur Stadium, which had opened in 1934. The stadium is located on a stretch of road christened "Tex Simone Drive," a lasting testament to the role he played in making the ballpark a reality.

"He had some battles, but he had the foresight to know that if the community didn't do something, then chances were good that the team would have to leave town," said Mobley. "He was able to deliver that message and had political connections at both the county and state levels. ... At the same time, he had such a commitment to the parent club [then the Toronto Blue Jays] as he worked through these stadium issues. He had fantastic relationships with [Blue Jay executives] Pat Gillick and Paul Beeston."

Key to Simone's success and stature in the city of Syracuse was his ability to relate to everyone within the vast ecosystem of professional baseball.

"When you've done things from the bottom up, I think that helps you relate to everyone and everything that you are doing," said Mobley. "Tex was a person who never treated you, even if he disagreed, with anything other than regard and respect. He wouldn't hesitate to share his opinions, but he was very classy in the way he would handle those types of situations. From a league standpoint, he was one of our cornerstones. He had been involved since the early '60s, and had a perspective that only time and experience could give you."

In a statement released by the Syracuse Chiefs, current general manager Jason Smorol praised Simone's lasting impact.

"Tex Simone is and always will be a Chief," said Smorol. "He deeply cared not only about baseball in Syracuse, but about his hometown city. We will honor him this year as the legendary figure he was."

As to how Simone achieved such legendary status in the first place, Mobley said "It wasn't real complicated."

"[Simone] loved baseball, his family, the Chiefs and Syracuse. He was a very faithful, Christian man in everything that he did."