Story, Photo and Video by Alana Seldon
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Baseball is well renowned as "America's
Favorite Pastime," one filled with fellowship, timeless memories and lasting
traditions. One that is not only near and dear to the hearts of Americans,
but globally recognized as one of the most beloved sports of all time.
For three Syracuse men, it has been just that for them as well.
Friends since the third grade, Richard Mancini, 81, Robert Capiculli, 80 and Marty Connelly 77 sat in their usual game seats, on the concourse level along the first base line Thursday night as the Syracuse Chiefs topped the Louisville Bats 5-4 on a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning.
All three were born and raised in Syracuse and said have been attending ball games for as long as they can remember. But, not just any games, the home games – in every sense of the phrase.
"For me, probably, it was as a kid coming to the ball park with my father," Capiculli explained. "That was the best, 'cause he was the best."
Attending Chiefs' games for the last 70 years, these men have seen a countless number of games, have seen the rebuilding and relocation of the ball park, but most importantly, they have created infinite and invaluable memories.
As little boys, they remembered their dads bringing them to see their beloved hometown ball club, the Syracuse Chiefs. As I sat with them it was amazing to witness this tradition that has continued and intensified throughout their adulthood.
At seventh inning stretch, the three stood proudly and joined in singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game. The pride to have known the game all these years was written all over their faces and Connelly and Capiculli made room for Mancini to harmonize, as he always does – for his favorite part of the ball park experience.
Capiculli whispered to me, "this is baseball."
For more than ten years, they have attended almost every Chiefs' home game at NBT Bank Stadium, followed by coffee. But not only have they seen the games, they have seen their fellow fans, many of whom bring back some of those fond memories – dads and their little boys with ball caps on their heads and gloves on their hands.
When asked how it makes them feel to see such familiar sights, one word was echoed, nostalgic. "It's great, I think that's what dads should do," Mancini said. "It keeps the game going," Connelly added.
The three, along with several guys of their oldest friends, gather for breakfast at Wegmans Market. Capiculli says their friendship is one of kind. "Now this, you don't find that anywhere," he explains. "You can search your whole life and your friends and your family, and their friends, and you'll never come across this. We've been friends all of our lives."
Syracuse Chiefs Baseball has been a cornerstone in these men's lives and friendship for years, to much of which they attribute its strength and longevity, embodying what the sport has been rooted in: fellowship, memories, and tradition. And as said in the classic baseball film Field of Dreams, "if you build it, they will come..." and they did.
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(From left) Connelly, Capiculli, and Mancini pose for a shot after
Alejandro De Aza's walk-off three run homer for the 5-4 win.
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Friends since the third grade, Richard Mancini, 81, Robert Capiculli, 80 and Marty Connelly 77 sat in their usual game seats, on the concourse level along the first base line Thursday night as the Syracuse Chiefs topped the Louisville Bats 5-4 on a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning.
All three were born and raised in Syracuse and said have been attending ball games for as long as they can remember. But, not just any games, the home games – in every sense of the phrase.
"For me, probably, it was as a kid coming to the ball park with my father," Capiculli explained. "That was the best, 'cause he was the best."
Attending Chiefs' games for the last 70 years, these men have seen a countless number of games, have seen the rebuilding and relocation of the ball park, but most importantly, they have created infinite and invaluable memories.
As little boys, they remembered their dads bringing them to see their beloved hometown ball club, the Syracuse Chiefs. As I sat with them it was amazing to witness this tradition that has continued and intensified throughout their adulthood.
At seventh inning stretch, the three stood proudly and joined in singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game. The pride to have known the game all these years was written all over their faces and Connelly and Capiculli made room for Mancini to harmonize, as he always does – for his favorite part of the ball park experience.
Capiculli whispered to me, "this is baseball."
For more than ten years, they have attended almost every Chiefs' home game at NBT Bank Stadium, followed by coffee. But not only have they seen the games, they have seen their fellow fans, many of whom bring back some of those fond memories – dads and their little boys with ball caps on their heads and gloves on their hands.
When asked how it makes them feel to see such familiar sights, one word was echoed, nostalgic. "It's great, I think that's what dads should do," Mancini said. "It keeps the game going," Connelly added.
The three, along with several guys of their oldest friends, gather for breakfast at Wegmans Market. Capiculli says their friendship is one of kind. "Now this, you don't find that anywhere," he explains. "You can search your whole life and your friends and your family, and their friends, and you'll never come across this. We've been friends all of our lives."
Syracuse Chiefs Baseball has been a cornerstone in these men's lives and friendship for years, to much of which they attribute its strength and longevity, embodying what the sport has been rooted in: fellowship, memories, and tradition. And as said in the classic baseball film Field of Dreams, "if you build it, they will come..." and they did.
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