The Centenarian In The Stands

Story and photos by Matt D’Ambrosi

 

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Baseball is commonly known for being a game of numbers. But at Wednesday night’s match up between the Syracuse Chiefs and Buffalo Bisons at NBT Bank Stadium, there was a number outside of the actual game that just simply could not be overlooked – 100.

It wasn't a number reflective of some sort of streak or attendance record. It’s the age of a legend. It's the age of a former prisoner of war and World War II veteran. It's the age of someone who earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Syracuse University in the years 1937 and 1939, respectively.

It’s the age of former Syracuse Chiefs President Don Waful. Waful, who was wearing a red and blue Hawaiian shirt at the game, was sitting where he normally does while attending Chiefs games. 

He was stationed in one of his two blue seats down the third-base line, with the empty seat next to him having on it the remnants of a label that read "PRESIDENTS SEAT.”

“I picked these two seats when the stadium was on the drawing board with the architects,” said Waful during the International League contest that saw the Chiefs pull out a 6-1 victory over the Bisons.

The centenarian is undoubtedly a mainstay at Chiefs games. He served as president of the organization from 1971 to 2006, a span in which it was, at different points, the minor league affiliate for the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.

Since retiring from that post, however, the native Syracusan now has the opportunity to watch the Chiefs take the diamond from a different standpoint.

“Unfortunately, I’m not involved with it like I used to be,” Waful said. “I could never come to a game without being involved in some managerial thing. Now I come just to enjoy it.”

It’s abundantly clear that Waful still takes tremendous pride in being a part of the Syracuse Chiefs - even if now only as a spectator.

“There’s only 30 triple-A clubs in America, and we’re one of them,” Waful said.

Thus, such exclusivity makes Tuesday's news that the Onondaga County Legislature approved a new agreement involving the Chiefs' leasing of NBT Bank Stadium all the more pertinent.  The lease- agreement puts Syracuse in position to continue to be the home for the organization – at least until 2026.

Waful, having spent years and years of his life around the Chiefs, says having a minor league ball club adds value to the city. 

“It’s a beautiful asset to the culture and the sports community in Syracuse,” Waful said.

Because of his career in baseball, Waful has been able to watch the likes of players such as Denny McLain, Rod Guidry and Ray Oyler. But because of his longevity, he has had a whole host of unbelievable experiences that have helped to shape his outlook on living. 

"I'm so convinced about the richness of life," Waful said.