Monarch Consumer Opens Chiefs Game

The sport of baseball is an essential thread in the fabric of the American experience.  Since the 19th Century, Americans have enjoyed watching what is often referred to as “the national sport”.  John McMahon, who works with Arc’s Monarch Enterprises division, is one of those ardent fans of baseball.  The Syracuse Chiefs, a triple-A minor league baseball team, offered John a rare opportunity to toss out the ceremonial first pitch to open up their game against the Indianapolis Indians on April 8th at Alliance Bank Stadium.

John has been attending Syracuse Chiefs games since the 1960s. “I saw my first ball game when I was about 12 years old,” John explains. “Ever since they had ‘Big Mac’, my father would drop me off,” referring to the former MacArthur Stadium.

John, a season ticket holder, can regularly be seen in the stands watching his favorite team play hardball.  “My favorite manager was Omar Malave. I also liked Bobby Cox when he played here for the Syracuse Chiefs,” he says.

Standing in the dugout in his team uniform — and measuring well over 6 feet tall — John looks as much a part of the ball club as any of the players.  John Simone, General Manager, gave John McMahon his own team jersey, complete with name and number, back when the team changed their name from the SkyChiefs.  He even attends some away games.

Some of the players are warming up on the field on the unseasonably perfect day.  Holding the baseball, John checks his watch to see if it’s time to open the game.  On cue, John walks out onto the field with Andy Gee, Director of Business Development, followed by photographers.  Andy, speaking into a microphone, announces that John will be throwing out the first pitch.   John winds up and tosses a deceivingly sinking pitch across home plate, ending up in the catcher’s glove.

In 1991, the Syracuse Chiefs recognized John as their “Fan of the Year” for his dedication and show of support at all of the games. John’s name can be found engraved on a blue plaque hanging in the Chiefs’ office at the stadium.  

Baseball isn’t the only sport John has a passion for; he also follows basketball and football.  In addition to being a season ticket holder to the Chiefs, John also has season tickets to Syracuse University men’s basketball games.  All throughout “March Madness”, John regularly speculates about the teams in the running, their chances and, of course, how SU is doing.  When  asked how the Chiefs will do this year, John says, “Well, they’re a young team.”

During the day, John works with Arc’s Monarch Enterprises division on a Time Warner Cable contract.  John packages and seals recently-cleaned remote controls and user manuals to ready them for new cable customers.  The next time you go to Alliance Bank Stadium, be sure to look for John.