Buffalo Bisons
Encyclopedia
- This article covers all modern incarnations but focuses on the Double-A team founded in 1979 and the Triple-A team that moved from Wichita, Kansas in 1984.
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team based in Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. They currently play in the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
(IL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. The Bisons play at Coca-Cola Field in downtown Buffalo.
The current incarnation of the Bisons was founded in 1979, when Buffalo ownership interests purchased the Jersey City A's
Jersey City A's
The Jersey City A's were a minor league baseball team based in Jersey City, New Jersey which played in the Eastern League for the 1978 season and was the AA affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. The team changed their name from the Jersey City Indians after being affiliated with the Cleveland Indians...
of the Double-A Eastern League and moved the team to the city.
Team history
The history of teams known as the Buffalo Bisons dates to a major leagueMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
club, the Buffalo Bisons of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
, who played from 1879 to 1885. In 1886, the Bisons moved into minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
as members of the original International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. (An "outlaw" team also known as the Buffalo Bisons also played in the Players' League, an upstart third major league, in 1890, but that team is not currently considered part of the Bisons history.) This team joined the Western League in 1899, and was within weeks of becoming a major league team
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
when the Western League announced it was changing its name to the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in 1900. However, by the start of the 1901 season, Buffalo had been bumped from the league in favor of the Boston Americans
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
; the Bisons returned to the minors that year.
This franchise continued in the IL (known as the Eastern League from 1891 to 1911) through June 11, 1970, when it transferred to Winnipeg, Manitoba as the Winnipeg Whips
Winnipeg/Peninsula Whips
The Winnipeg Whips and the Peninsula Whips were names of a minor league baseball franchise that played in the International League from June 11, 1970, through the end of the 1973 baseball season....
, due to poor attendance and stadium woes. In 1969, Héctor López
Héctor López
Héctor Headley López Swainson is a former left fielder and third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees from to...
became the first black manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
at the Triple-A level while managing Buffalo Bisons—six years before Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
became the first black manager in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. After stops in Winnipeg and Hampton, Virginia
Hampton, Virginia
Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
, the team was suspended after the 1973 season to make way for the Memphis Blues
Memphis Blues (baseball)
The Memphis Blues were a minor league baseball team from Memphis, Tennessee that played from 1968 to 1976. From 1968 to 1973, they were affiliated with the New York Mets and they played in the Texas League. From 1974 to 1975, they were affiliated with the Montreal Expos and they played in the...
.
The Bisons name was revived when a Double-A Eastern League franchise moved to Buffalo in 1979. That team assumed the previous Bisons team history. After six seasons in the Eastern League, the Bisons rejoined the Triple-A ranks in 1985, joining the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
when the Wichita Aeros
Wichita Aeros
The Wichita Aeros was a minor league baseball franchise based in Wichita, Kansas, that played in the AAA American Association from 1970 through 1984....
' franchise rights were transferred to Buffalo. When, as part of a reorganization of Triple-A baseball, the American Association folded after the 1997 season, Buffalo joined the International League.
Since their retunr to Triple-A baseball in 1985, the Bisons have made the playoffs 11 times. In 2004, the team came back from being 10 games out of first-place in late June to winning their division by a convincing 9½ games. Buffalo won its first-round playoff, against the Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
, and advanced to the Governors' Cup
Governors' Cup
The Governors' Cup is the trophy awarded each year to the champion of the International League, one of the two current Triple-A level minor leagues of Major League Baseball.-Governors' Cup history:...
Finals, in which they had home field advantage over the Richmond Braves
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
. The remnants of Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde-type hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season...
caused major flooding problems in Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
and the entire series was played in Buffalo. The Bisons defeated the Braves in four games and won the Governors' Cup for the second time since 1998. In 2005, Buffalo won the North Division and played the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
in the first round, winning the first two games in Indianapolis, but losing all three remaining games. With many of its players shuffled to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
throughout the final months of the season, the Bisons failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2006. In 2007, Buffalo failed once again to clinch a playoff spot, marking the first time since Buffalo was parented with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
that the Bisons missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
The Mets era
After the 2008 season, Buffalo parted ways with the Cleveland, as the Indians signed an affiliation agreement with the Columbus ClippersColumbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
beginning in 2009. The Bisons then signed a two-year agreement to be the top home for New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
prospects.
On December 16, 2008, the Mets officially announced that Ken Oberkfell
Ken Oberkfell
Kenneth Raymond Oberkfell is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman and ex-coach for the New York Mets. He played from 1977-1992 for six different teams. Oberkfell primarily played third base but was also known to play second base and both corner outfield positions...
will be the Bisons new manager for 2009. At the same press conference, the Bisons also unveiled their new logo. The logo pays homage to baseball's 123 year history in the city of Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
with the city's skyline in the background. The logo, along with the new colors of blue and orange, closely resemble that of the team's new parent club, the Mets.
In the 2009–2010 off-season, the Bisons were chosen to host the 2012 Triple-A All-Star Game
Triple-A All-Star Game
The Triple-A All-Star Game is a single baseball game held between the two Triple-A leagues in minor league baseball—the International League and the Pacific Coast League...
to celebrate 25 years at Coca-Cola Field. The game will be played on Wednesday, July 11, 2012.
In late July 2010, it was announced that the Bisons and Mets agreed on a two-year extension that will carry their agreement through the 2012 season.
The 2010–2011 off-season saw changes to the Bisons couching staff. Bisons manager Ken Oberkfell
Ken Oberkfell
Kenneth Raymond Oberkfell is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman and ex-coach for the New York Mets. He played from 1977-1992 for six different teams. Oberkfell primarily played third base but was also known to play second base and both corner outfield positions...
was promoted to the Mets as bench coach returning Oberkfell to the big leagues. Oberkfell was replaced by Tim Teufel
Tim Teufel
Timothy Shawn Teufel is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, and currently the 3rd base coach for the New York Mets.Teufel was a member of the World Series champion New York Mets...
who was a member of the 1986 Mets team. Teufel was introduced on Friday January 21, 2011, as the 16th manager in the Bisons' modern era.
The 2011-2012 off-season once again saw coaching changes. Tim Teufel was promoted to 3rd base coach on the Mets. He was replaced by Wally Backman
Wally Backman
Walter Wayne Backman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. He is best known for his time with the New York Mets from - and was a member of their 1986 World Series-winning team...
. He was introduced on November 17, 2011.
Year-by-year records
| Year | Aff. | League | Div. | Finish | W | L | W% | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions... |
Eastern League | 4th | 72 | 67 | .518 | Steve Demeter Steve Demeter Stephen Demeter is a former United States Major League Baseball third baseman who played for two seasons. He played for the Detroit Tigers in 1959 and the Cleveland Indians in 1960 and was a fixture of the Rochester Red Wings teams of the mid-1960s, hitting 272 minor league home runs.-External... |
League didn't hold playoffs | |
| 1980 | Pirates | Eastern League | North | 1st (first half) 3rd (second half) 5th (overall) |
67 | 70 | .489 | Steve Demeter | Lost in Semi-Finals, 0–2 (Millers Holyoke Millers The Holyoke Millers were a minor league baseball team located in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The team played in the Eastern League. Their home stadium was Mackenzie Stadium. The Millers played from 1977 to 1982 and was a farm team of the Milwaukee Brewers the first four years and the California... ) |
| 1981 | Pirates | Eastern League | North | 4th (first half) 2nd (second half) 7th (overall) |
56 | 81 | .409 | John Upon | Did not qualify |
| 1982 | Pirates | Eastern League | North | 4th (first half) 4th (second half) 8th (overall) |
55 | 84 | .396 | Tommy Sandt | Did not qualify |
| 1983 | Indians Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona... |
Eastern League | 3rd | 74 | 65 | .532 | Al Gallagher Al Gallagher Alan Mitchell Edward George Patrick Henry Gallagher is a retired professional baseball player who played four seasons for the San Francisco Giants and California Angels of Major League Baseball.... |
Lost in Semi-Finals, 0–2 (Sailors Lynn Sailors The Lynn Sailors were a class AA American minor league baseball team affiliated with the Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates. They were a member of the Eastern League and played at Fraser Field in Lynn, Massachusetts from 1980-1983.... ) |
|
| 1984 | Indians | Eastern League | 5th | 72 | 67 | .518 | Jack Aker Jack Aker Jackie Delane Aker is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. Aker was used exclusively in relief. He appeared in 495 games, none as a starter, and was one of the American League's best closers of his era. He is of Potawatomi Indian ancestry... |
Did not qualify | |
| 1985 | White Sox Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans... |
American Association American Association (20th century) The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the... |
East | 3rd | 66 | 76 | .465 | John Boles John Boles Jr. John Boles, Jr. is a former manager in Major League Baseball. In addition to twice managing the Florida Marlins, he was also an executive with the Kansas City Royals, Montreal Expos and Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as a Minor League manager in the Chicago White Sox organization... |
Did not qualify |
| 1986 | White Sox | American Association | East | 2nd | 71 | 71 | .500 | Jim Marshall Jim Marshall (baseball) Rufus James Marshall is a former first baseman and manager in American Major League Baseball. Marshall managed the Chicago Cubs and the Oakland Athletics but never enjoyed a winning season in either post... |
Did not qualify |
| 1987 | Indians | American Association | 5th | 66 | 74 | .471 | Orlando Gomez Steve Swisher Steve Swisher Steven Eugene Swisher is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres from 1974 to 1982. Swisher was elected to the 1976 National League All-Star team with the Cubs but did not play in the game... |
Did not qualify | |
| 1988 | Pirates | American Association | East | 3rd | 72 | 70 | .507 | Rocky Bridges Rocky Bridges Everett Lamar "Rocky" Bridges is a former utility infielder with an 11-year career in American Major League Baseball from 1951 to 1961. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals of the National League, and the Washington Senators, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland... |
Did not qualify |
| 1989 | Pirates | American Association | East | 2nd | 80 | 62 | .563 | Terry Collins Terry Collins Terry Lee Collins is the manager for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. A former minor league shortstop, Collins managed the Albuquerque Dukes of the Pacific Coast League, the Buffalo Bisons of the International League, the Duluth Huskies of the summer collegiate Northwoods League, and... |
Did not qualify |
| 1990 | Pirates | American Association | East | 2nd | 85 | 62 | .578 | Terry Collins | Lost one-game playoff, 3–4 (Sounds Nashville Sounds The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry... ) |
| 1991 | Pirates | American Association | East | 1st | 81 | 62 | .566 | Terry Collins | Lost in Championship, 2–3 (Zephyrs) |
| 1992 | Pirates | American Association | East | 1st | 87 | 57 | .604 | Marc Bombard Marc Bombard Marc Bombard was the Philadelphia Phillies first base coach from 2005-2006. Before coaching, Bombard pitched in the Cincinnati Reds organization from 1971 to 1977. At one point his roommate was Randy "Macho Man" Savage. In 1978, he became a minor league manager and coach for the Reds... |
Lost in Championship, 0–4 (89ers) |
| 1993 | Pirates | American Association | East | 2nd | 71 | 73 | .493 | Doc Edwards Doc Edwards Howard Rodney Edwards was a backup catcher with the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees, and the Philadelphia Phillies over parts of five seasons spanning eight years... |
Did not qualify |
| 1994 | Pirates | American Association | 8th | 55 | 89 | .382 | Doc Edwards | Did not qualify | |
| 1995 | Indians | American Association | 2nd | 86 | 62 | .569 | Brian Graham Brian Graham For the Scottish footballer, see Brian Graham Brian Graham is a former minor league baseball player, coach and manager and major league coach for the Cleveland Indians... |
Won Semi-Finals, 3–1 (Royals Omaha Royals The Omaha Storm Chasers are a United States minor league baseball team currently based in the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997,... ) Lost in Championship, 2–3 (Redbirds) |
|
| 1996 | Indians | American Association | East | 1st | 84 | 60 | .583 | Brian Graham | Lost in Semi-Finals, 2–3 (Indians Indianapolis Indians The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis... ) |
| 1997 | Indians | American Association | East | 1st | 87 | 57 | .604 | Brian Graham | Won Semi-Finals, 3–2 (Indians Indianapolis Indians The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis... ) Won Championship, 3–0 (Cubs Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:... ) |
| 1998 | Indians | International League International League The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States... |
North | 1st | 81 | 62 | .566 | Jeff Datz Jeff Datz Jeffrey William Datz is an American former Major League Baseball player and current third base coach for the Seattle Mariners. A former catcher, Datz played in seven games for the Detroit Tigers in 1989... |
Won Semi-Finals, 3–0 (SkyChiefs Syracuse SkyChiefs The Syracuse Chiefs are a minor league baseball team based in Syracuse, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals... ) Won Championship, 3–2 (Bulls Durham Bulls The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are... ) Lost World Series Triple-A World Series The Triple-A World Series is an infrequently held contest featuring the champions of each Triple-A level minor league of Major League Baseball, with the intent of crowning an overall champion of Triple-A Baseball.... , 1–3 (Zephyrs New Orleans Zephyrs The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field.... ) |
| 1999 | Indians | International League | North | 4th | 72 | 72 | .500 | Jeff Datz | Did not qualify |
| 2000 | Indians | International League | North | 1st | 86 | 59 | .593 | Joel Skinner Joel Skinner Joel Patrick Skinner is a former Major League Baseball catcher and former third base coach of the Cleveland Indians. Skinner was dismissed effective with the end of the 2009 season on September 30, 2009. He is the son of Bob Skinner, a National League outfielder in the 1950s and '60s... |
Won one-game playoff, 7–1 (Red Barons Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees are a professional minor league baseball club located based in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area. They currently play in the International League's Northern Division and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball club... ) Lost in Semi-Finals, 1–3 (Red Barons) |
| 2001 | Indians | International League | North | 1st | 91 | 51 | .641 | Eric Wedge Eric Wedge Eric Michael Wedge is a Major League Baseball manager and former catcher, and is the current manager of the Seattle Mariners. As a player, Wedge attended Northrop High School in Fort Wayne and played on the school's state champion baseball team in 1983... |
Lost in Semi-Finals, 2–3 (Red Barons Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees are a professional minor league baseball club located based in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area. They currently play in the International League's Northern Division and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball club... ) |
| 2002 | Indians | International League | North | 2nd | 84 | 54 | .609 | Eric Wedge | Won Semi-Finals, 3–0 (Red Barons Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees are a professional minor league baseball club located based in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area. They currently play in the International League's Northern Division and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball club... ) Lost in Championship, 0–3 (Bulls Durham Bulls The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are... ) |
| 2003 | Indians | International League | North | 3rd | 73 | 70 | .510 | Marty Brown | Did not qualify |
| 2004 | Indians | International League | North | 1st | 83 | 61 | .576 | Marty Brown | Won Semi-Finals, 3–2 (Bulls Durham Bulls The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are... ) Won Championship, 3–1 (Braves Richmond Braves The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,... ) |
| 2005 | Indians | International League | North | 1st | 82 | 62 | .569 | Marty Brown | Lost in Semi-Finals, 2–3 (Indians Indianapolis Indians The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis... ) |
| 2006 | Indians | International League | North | 3rd | 73 | 68 | .518 | Torey Lovullo Torey Lovullo Salvatore Anthony "Torey" Lovullo is a former Major League Baseball infielder and current first base coach of The Toronto Blue Jays. He was the manager of the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. He is an alumnus of the University of California, Los Angeles... |
Did not qualify |
| 2007 | Indians | International League | North | 3rd | 75 | 67 | .569 | Torey Lovullo | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | Indians | International League | North | 5th | 66 | 77 | .462 | Torey Lovullo | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | Mets New York Mets The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League... |
International League | North | 6th | 56 | 87 | .392 | Ken Oberkfell Ken Oberkfell Kenneth Raymond Oberkfell is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman and ex-coach for the New York Mets. He played from 1977-1992 for six different teams. Oberkfell primarily played third base but was also known to play second base and both corner outfield positions... |
Did Not Qualify |
| 2010 | Mets | International League | North | 3rd | 76 | 68 | .528 | Ken Oberkfell | Did Not Qualify |
| 2011 | Mets | International League | North | 5th | 61 | 82 | .427 | Tim Teufel Tim Teufel Timothy Shawn Teufel is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, and currently the 3rd base coach for the New York Mets.Teufel was a member of the World Series champion New York Mets... |
Did Not Qualify |
Titles
The Bisons have won the Governors' CupGovernors' Cup
The Governors' Cup is the trophy awarded each year to the champion of the International League, one of the two current Triple-A level minor leagues of Major League Baseball.-Governors' Cup history:...
, the championship of the IL, 6 times, including the inaugural Cup, and played in the championship series 10 times.
- 1933 – Defeated RochesterRochester Red WingsThe Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
- 1936 – Defeated BaltimoreBaltimore Orioles (minor league)The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
- 1938 – Lost to NewarkNewark BearsThe Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
- 1947 – Lost to Syracuse
- 1949 – Lost to MontréalMontreal RoyalsThe Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
- 1957 – Defeated MiamiMiami Sun SoxThe Miami Sun Sox were a minor league baseball affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers between 1949 and 1954. They played in the Florida International League and were based in Miami, Florida at Miami Stadium.-External links:**...
- 1961 – Defeated RochesterRochester Red WingsThe Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
- 1998 – Defeated DurhamDurham BullsThe Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
- 2002 – Lost to DurhamDurham BullsThe Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
- 2004 – Defeated RichmondRichmond BravesThe Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
Since 1998 the Bisons have won the IL North Division four times (1998, 2001, 2004, and 2005). They have also won the Thruway Cup
Thruway Cup
The Thruway Cup Series is an annual competition between Minor League Baseball's Buffalo Bisons, Rochester Red Wings, and Syracuse Chiefs that began in 1998...
, a regular-season competition between Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, six times since its inception in 1998.
Former Bisons in the majors in 2011
(former Bisons players who have participated in at least one MLB game in 2011)- Danys BáezDanys BáezDanys Báez González is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Báez has previously played for the Cleveland Indians , Tampa Bay Devil Rays , Los Angeles Dodgers , Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles , and Philadelphia Phillies .-Cleveland Indians:Báez was signed by the Cleveland...
(Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
) - Rafael BetancourtRafael BetancourtRafael Jose Betancourt is a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. He was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in September 1999. The Red Sox released him following the 1999 season and then re-signed him as a free agent in December...
(Colorado RockiesColorado RockiesThe Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
) - Milton Bradley (Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
) - Russell BranyanRussell BranyanRussell Oles Branyan is a Major League Baseball first baseman. He throws right-handed, bats left-handed, and primarily plays first base, but is capable of playing third base and the outfield. Branyan began his professional career in the Cleveland Indians minor league system...
(Arizona DiamondbacksArizona DiamondbacksThe Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
) - Tim ByrdakTim ByrdakTimothy Christopher Byrdak is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Mets. His previous major league experience came from to , when Byrdak played for the Kansas City Royals, an injury-plagued stint with the Baltimore Orioles, and one year with the Detroit Tigers.After playing for...
(New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
) - Asdrúbal CabreraAsdrúbal CabreraAsdrúbal José Cabrera is a switch-hitting infielder for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.After coming up through the Seattle Mariners organization, he was acquired by the Indians on June 30, 2006, in exchange for Eduardo Perez...
(Cleveland Indians) - Robinson CancelRobinson CancelRobinson Cancel is a catcher in Major League Baseball who is currently with the Houston Astros. He made his major league debut for the Brewers on September 3, 1999....
(Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
) - Fausto CarmonaFausto CarmonaFausto C. Carmona is a right-handed pitcher for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. Carmona made his major league debut with the Indians on April 15, 2006...
(Cleveland Indians) - Shin-Soo ChooShin-Soo ChooShin-Soo Choo is a South Korean professional baseball outfielder with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball in the United States.Choo was selected as the Most Valuable Player and Best Pitcher of the 2000 World Junior Baseball Championship as South Korea won the event...
(Cleveland Indians) - Bartolo ColónBartolo ColónBartolo Colón is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2009 and again in 2011...
(New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
) - Alex CoraAlex CoraJosé Alexander "Alex" Cora is a Major League Baseball infielder. He played college baseball at the University of Miami.-Early career:...
(Washington NationalsWashington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
) - Coco CrispCoco CrispCovelli Loyce "Coco" Crisp is an American professional baseball center fielder. Crisp is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed...
(Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
) - R. A. DickeyR. A. DickeyRobert Allen "R. A." Dickey is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Mets. He was previously with the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers organizations...
(New York Mets) - Chad DurbinChad DurbinChad Griffin Durbin is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He has also played with the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians of the American League and the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies of the National League...
(Cleveland Indians) - Ben FranciscoBen FranciscoLouis Ben Francisco is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies. He bats and throws right handed.-Early life:...
(Philadelphia Phillies) - Freddy GarcíaFreddy GarcíaFreddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...
(New York Yankees) - Chris GimenezChris GimenezChristopher Paul Gimenez , is an American Major League Baseball catcher and outfielder for the Seattle Mariners.-Career:Gimenez went to Gilroy High School, in Gilroy, California, and was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 34th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not...
(Seattle Mariners) - Sean GreenSean Green (baseball)Sean William Green is an American professional baseball pitcher. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky.-Biography:Green grew up in east Louisville, Kentucky, in the Fincastle community....
(Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
) - Jeremy GuthrieJeremy GuthrieJeremy Shane Guthrie is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.-Early life and education:...
(Baltimore Orioles) - Franklin GutiérrezFranklin GutiérrezFranklin Rafael Gutiérrez , nicknamed "Guti" & "Death To Flying Things", is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Seattle Mariners...
(Seattle Mariners) - Travis HafnerTravis HafnerTravis Lee Hafner is a left-handed hitting designated hitter for the Cleveland Indians of the American League Central Division. His nickname, "Pronk", was given to him by former teammate Bill Selby during spring training of when people sometimes referred to him as "The Project" and other times...
(Cleveland Indians)
- Maicer IzturisMaicer IzturisMaicer Eduardo Izturis is a Major League Baseball third baseman, second baseman, and shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed...
(Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) - Kevin KouzmanoffKevin KouzmanoffKevin Kouzmanoff is an American professional baseball third baseman who is a free agent.Kouzmanoff had trouble with various sports in high school. He got special help for batting practice, just to learn how to swing a bat for three years, implementing a swing...
(Oakland Athletics) - Aaron LaffeyAaron LaffeyAaron Steven Laffey is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball. He made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians in .-Cleveland Indians:...
(Seattle Mariners) - Cliff LeeCliff LeeClifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
(Philadelphia Phillies) - Ryan LudwickRyan LudwickRyan Andrew Ludwick is a Major League Baseball right fielder. His brother Eric played four seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher.-High school, college, and minor leagues:Ludwick attended Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada....
(San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
) - Víctor Martínez (Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
) - Darnell McDonaldDarnell McDonaldDarnell Tyrone McDonald is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
(Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
) - John McDonald (Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
) - Jason MichaelsJason MichaelsJason Drew Michaels , nicknamed "J-Mike", is a Major League Baseball outfielder. He is a 1994 graduate of Jesuit High School of Tampa and received an Associate of Arts degree from Okaloosa-Walton Community College in 1996...
(Houston Astros) - Edward MujicaEdward MujicaEdward José Mujica [moo-HE-cah] is a right-handed relief pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball.-Cleveland Indians:Mujica originally signed with the Cleveland Indians as an undrafted free agent in...
(Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
) - Jhonny PeraltaJhonny PeraltaJhonny Antonio Peralta is a Dominican professional baseball shortstop with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He previously played with the Cleveland Indians.-Playing career:...
(Detroit Tigers) - Rafael Pérez (Cleveland Indians)
- Brandon PhillipsBrandon PhillipsBrandon Emil Phillips is a second baseman for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds. The Raleigh, North Carolina native was selected in the second round of the 1999 draft by the former Montreal Expos after signing a letter of intent to play both baseball and football at the University of Georgia...
(Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
) - Manny RamírezManny RamírezManuel "Manny" Arístides Ramírez Onelcida is a retired Dominican-American professional baseball outfielder. He was recognized for great batting skill and power, a nine-time Silver Slugger and one of 25 players to hit 500 career home runs. Ramirez's 21 grand slams are third all-time, and his 28...
(Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay RaysThe Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
) - CC Sabathia (New York Yankees)
- Josh SatinJosh SatinJoshua Satin is an American second baseman for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball, who also plays first base and third base.He was a First Team College All American at the University of California, Berkeley...
(New York Mets) - Marco ScutaroMarco ScutaroMarcos Hernandez "Marco" Scutaro is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. A native of Yaracuy State, Venezuela, Scutaro formerly played with the New York Mets , Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays...
(Boston Red Sox) - Kelly ShoppachKelly ShoppachKelly Brian Shoppach is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. He is nicknamed Shop.Shoppach was traded to the Indians from the Boston Red Sox organization on January 28, 2006, as part of the same deal that saw outfielder Coco Crisp sent to Boston and highly regarded prospect Andy...
(Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay RaysThe Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
) - Grady SizemoreGrady SizemoreGradius "Grady" Sizemore III is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
(Cleveland Indians) - Brian TalletBrian TalletBrian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
(St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
) - Tim WakefieldTim WakefieldTimothy Stephen Wakefield is an American professional baseball pitcher. Wakefield began pitching with the Red Sox in 1995, making him the longest-serving player currently on the team. Wakefield is also the oldest current active player in the majors, and one of two active knuckleballers, the other...
(Boston Red Sox) - Jake WestbrookJake WestbrookJacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run....
(St. Louis Cardinals)
Buffalo Bisons in the National Baseball Hall of Fame
| Player/Manager | Year Inducted | Years with the Bisons |
| Connie Mack Connie Mack (baseball) Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more... |
1937 | 1890 (played for the outlaw PL Bisons) |
| Charles Radbourn Charles Radbourn Charles Gardner Radbourn , nicknamed "Old Hoss", was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the Buffalo Bisons , Providence Grays , Boston Beaneaters , Boston Reds , and Cincinnati Reds... |
1939 | 1880 |
| Jimmy Collins Jimmy Collins James Joseph Collins was a Major League Baseball player at the turn of the 20th century who was widely regarded as being the best third baseman prior to Brooks Robinson... |
1945 | 1893–1894 |
| Jim O'Rourke | 1945 | 1881–1884 |
| Dan Brouthers Dan Brouthers Dennis Joseph "Dan" Brouthers was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball whose career spanned the period from to , with a brief return in... |
1945 | 1881–1885 |
| Joe Tinker Joe Tinker Joseph Bert Tinker was a Major League Baseball player and manager. He is best known for his years with the Chicago Cubs dynasty which won four pennants between 1906 and 1910; and for his feud with double play partner Johnny Evers. Tinker was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in... |
1946 | 1930 (Coach) |
| Herb Pennock Herb Pennock Herbert Jefferis Pennock was a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher best known for his time spent with the star-studded New York Yankee teams of the mid to late 1920s and early 1930s. Pennock won two World Series championships with the Red Sox and then four World Series championships with the... |
1948 | 1916 |
| Gabby Hartnett Gabby Hartnett Charles Leo "Gabby" Hartnett was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played almost his entire career in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Chicago Cubs. Until the career of Johnny Bench, Hartnett was considered the greatest catcher in the history of the National League... |
1955 | 1946 (Manager) |
| Ray Schalk Ray Schalk Raymond William Schalk was a professional baseball player, coach, manager and scout. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox for the majority of his career. Known for his fine handling of pitchers and outstanding defensive ability, Schalk was considered the... |
1955 | 1932–1937, 1950 (Manager) |
| Joe McCarthy | 1957 | 1914–1915 |
| John Montgomery Ward John Montgomery Ward John Montgomery Ward , known as Monte Ward, was an American Major League Baseball pitcher, shortstop and manager. Ward was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Renovo, Pennsylvania... |
1964 | 1877 |
| Pud Galvin Pud Galvin James Francis Galvin , nicknamed "Pud", "Gentle Jeems", and "The Little Steam Engine", was an American National Association and Major League Baseball pitcher. He was Major League Baseball's first 300-game winner... |
1965 | 1878–1885, 1894 |
| Lou Boudreau Lou Boudreau Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970... |
1970 | 1939 |
| Bucky Harris Bucky Harris Stanley Raymond "Bucky" Harris was a Major League Baseball player, manager and executive. In 1975, the Veterans Committee elected Harris, as a manager, to the Baseball Hall of Fame.-Biography:... |
1975 | 1918–1919, 1944–1945 (Manager) |
| Johnny Bench Johnny Bench Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame... |
1989 | 1966–1967 |
| Ferguson Jenkins Ferguson Jenkins Ferguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins, CM, is a Canadian former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was a three-time All-Star and the 1971 NL Cy Young Award winner. In 1991, Jenkins was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. During a 19-year career, he pitched for four different teams,... |
1991 | 1962 |
| Jim Bunning Jim Bunning James Paul David "Jim" Bunning is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and politician.During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1955 to 1971, most notably with the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. When he retired, he had the second-highest total of career... |
1996 | 1953, 1955 |
| Frank Grant Frank Grant * , Personal profiles at Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. – identical to Riley -External links:* – unknown content, URL confirmed 2010-04-16... |
2006 | 1886–1888 |
Mascots
Buster and Chip wear Bisons jerseys and caps. Buster's number was the last two numbers of the season up to 2009, however, as of the 2010 season his number is 83, signifying the year Buster first appeared as the team's mascot. Chip's number has always been 1/2. The Bisons have had a number of other mascots in the past. MicroChip, who was smaller and presumably "younger" than Buster and Chip, wore a Bisons jersey as well. His number was 1/4. Loudmouth, a mime played by actress Tracey B. Wilson, was another mascot for the team. The other official mascot of the Bisons was Howie the Ump. He wore a costume much like Buster and Chip, but it was a costume of a human umpire, with an umpire's uniform and mask. He was very short lived, existing only during the 1995–1997 seasons, and was played by local improvisational comedian Randy Reese.
Other unofficial Bisons include Conehead, a beer vendor who wears a rubber conehead hat, and The Earl of Bud, another beer vendor, who during the third inning would climb on the dugout and dance. His last appearance was at the 20th Anniversary game for Dunn Tire Park in August 2007. Also a longtime challenged fan named "Mark" can be seen behind home plate making his opinion known throughout the ballpark.
There is also the Kevin the "K-man." Kevin is a fan with season tickets, who sits in the upper deck, and hangs a green "K" sign every time a Bisons pitcher records a strikeout. He puts the sign up backwards when the batter is called out looking, just as in baseball scorekeeping.
Media/game broadcasts
All Bisons games can be heard on WWKBWWKB
WWKB is an AM radio station in Buffalo, New York that operates on a frequency of 1520 kHz. It is owned and operated by Entercom Communications. The station carries a progressive talk radio format. Declaring itself as A New Voice, A New Choice, The Voice of the New Majority; WWKB carries a number...
-AM in Buffalo and many games are televised on Time Warner Cable SportsNet throughout Western New York. Ben Wagner handles play by play while veteran Duke McGuire is color commentator.
In 2010, Justin Sheinis was added to the broadcast team. He will call some play-by-play and color commentary as well as host nearly every pre- and post-game show for the season. He will also put together video package and write feature articles for the Bisons team website, bisons.com. Beginning in 2009, Friday games aired as a Game of the Week package on WGR AM 550. These games are a simulcast of those airing on WWKB.
Also, Buffalo Bisons games are sometimes aired on SportsNet New York
SportsNet New York
SportsNet New York is a New York City-based regional sports cable network which airs in the New York metro area and all of New York state, and nationwide via satellite. It is owned jointly by the New York Mets, Time Warner Cable, and NBCUniversal...
, which is co-owned by Time Warner Cable and the New York Mets (as well as Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
).