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Buffalo Bisons

{{short description|Minor League Baseball (AAA) team in Buffalo, New York}}

{{About|the Minor League Baseball franchise in Buffalo, New York}}

{{Infobox Minor League Baseball

| name = Buffalo Bisons

| founded = 1979

| city = Buffalo, New York

| misc =

| logo = Buffalo Bisons logo.svg

| uniformlogo = Buffalo Bisons cap logo.svg

| colors = Scarlet red, reflex blue, white{{cite news|title=Buffalo Bisons unveil new team logo|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-40382408|publisher=MLB Advanced Media, LP|website=Minor League Baseball|date=November 20, 2012|access-date=July 12, 2018}}
{{color box|#CE1141}} {{color box|#0054A4}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}

| mascot = Buster T. Bison

| class level = Triple-A (1985–present)

| past class level = Double-A (1979–1984)

| current league = International League (1998–present)

| conference =

| division = East Division

| past league = {{plainlist|

}}

| majorleague = Toronto Blue Jays (2013–present)

| pastmajorleague = {{plainlist|

}}

| nickname = Buffalo Bisons (1979–present)

| pastnames =

| ballpark = {{plainlist|* Sahlen Field (1988–present)

}}

| pastparks = {{plainlist|

}}

| leaguenum = 3

| leaguechamps = {{hlist| 1997 | 1998 | 2004 }}

| divnum = 10

| divisionchamps = {{hlist| 1991 | 1992 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 2000 | 2001 | 2004 | 2005 | 2021 }}

| wildcardnum = 1

| wildcardberths = {{hlist|2002}}

| owner = Robert E. Rich Jr.

| president = Mike Buczkowski

| manager = Casey Candaele

| gm = Anthony Sprague{{cite web|url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2020/03/10/personnel-news-high-point-buffalo/|title=Personnel News: High Point, Buffalo|website=Ballpark Digest|date=March 10, 2020|access-date=March 10, 2020}}

| media = Radio: WWKB
Streaming: MiLB.TV and Bally Live
TV: WNYO (select games)

| website = {{URL|https://www.milb.com/buffalo|milb.com/buffalo}}

}}

The Buffalo Bisons (known colloquially as the Herd) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located in Buffalo, New York, the team plays their home games at Sahlen Field, the highest-capacity Triple-A ballpark in the United States.

The current Bisons organization was founded in 1979 and assumed the history of previous franchises that also used the Buffalo Bisons name, most notably the 1886–1970 Buffalo Bisons minor league franchise, and the 1879–1885 Buffalo Bisons major league franchise. The team established the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985 to honor former players, managers and contributors to baseball in Buffalo.

The team holds the all-time record for single-season attendance in Minor League Baseball, selling 1,240,951 tickets in 1991 while being considered for 1993 Major League Baseball expansion. Forbes valued the Buffalo Bisons at $34 million in 2016, making it the 15th-most valuable Minor League Baseball franchise.{{cite web|last=Klebnikov|first=Sergei|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/gkle45ffh/15-buffalo-bisons/#449d56912efa|title=Minor League Baseball's Most Valuable Teams – 15. Buffalo Bisons|website=Forbes|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=September 23, 2016}}

History

Mayor James D. Griffin and an investment group purchased the Jersey City A's of the Double-A class Eastern League for $55,000 in 1978, and the team began play as the Buffalo Bisons at War Memorial Stadium in 1979.{{cite news |last1=Moritz |first1=Amy |title=Buffalo's downtown ballpark: The house that Jimmy built |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/professional/buffalos-downtown-ballpark-the-house-that-jimmy-built/article_d0fa6e07-40ef-58ae-9a54-19a1a5db0a2c.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=July 14, 2017}} This new franchise assumed the history of prior Buffalo Bisons teams that had played in the city from 1877 to 1970. Robert E. Rich Jr. purchased the Bisons for $100,000 in 1983,{{Cite web|title=After 20 years, Bisons still a hit for Bob Rich Jr.|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2003/03/31/story4.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-09|website=www.bizjournals.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040520191548/http://www.bizjournals.com:80/buffalo/stories/2003/03/31/story4.html |archive-date=2004-05-20 }} and upgraded the team to the Triple-A class American Association in 1985 after buying out the Wichita Aeros for $1 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-09-06-sp-1717-story.html|title=A Major League Effort for Buffalo|date=September 6, 1988|website=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/451794970/|title=The Daily Oklahoman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 8, 1984 · 72|website=Newspapers.com|date=8 September 1984 }} Rich Jr. grew the team's popularity and was known for his innovative promotional tie-ins, most notably an annual series of post-game concerts by The Beach Boys.{{Cite web|last=GELLER|first=KATHRYN|title=BEACH BOYS AND BISONS ARE A SUMMER TRADITION|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/beach-boys-and-bisons-are-a-summer-tradition/article_765a362a-98e8-5a96-bee1-a61fcd7cd86d.html|access-date=2021-03-09|website=The Buffalo News|date=25 June 1989 |language=en}}

The Buffalo Bisons moved to the $42.4 million Pilot Field (now Sahlen Field) in downtown Buffalo in the 1988 season. In their first year at the venue after moving from War Memorial Stadium, the Bisons broke the all-time record for Minor League Baseball attendance by drawing 1,186,651 fans during the 1988 season.{{cite news|title=Buffalo Bisons Set Minor League Attendance Mark|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-20-sp-568-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=August 20, 1988|access-date=May 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517132448/http://articles.latimes.com/1988-08-20/sports/sp-568_1_minor-league|archive-date=May 17, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Buffalo Bisons Franchise History (1878-2019) |url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/t-bb10631 |website=statscrew.com}} The team won two division titles and set subsequent attendance records on the heels of their unsuccessful 1993 Major League Baseball expansion bid. The team's 1991 single-season attendance of 1,240,951 remains a Minor League Baseball record.{{cite web

|publisher=Bisons Media Relations Department

|url=https://milb.bamcontent.com/documents/1/4/2/308944142/2019_Buffalo_Bisons_Media_Guide.pdf

|first=Pat |last=Malacaro |title=2019 Buffalo Bisons Media Guide |website=binsons.com |access-date=14 Aug 2024}}

File:Nashville Sounds at Buffalo Bisons, War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, NY, 1987.jpg for their final game at War Memorial Stadium, August 1987]]

The Cleveland Indians replaced the Pittsburgh Pirates as Major League Baseball affiliate of the Buffalo Bisons prior to the 1995 season.{{Cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/simply-the-best-the-bisons-have-established-a-winning-tradition-since-hooking-up-with-the/article_84def3c7-f095-5c51-901e-22d03443b0f7.html|title='SIMPLY THE BEST' THE BISONS HAVE ESTABLISHED A WINNING TRADITION SINCE HOOKING UP WITH THE CLEVELAND INDIANS IN 1995|first=Mike|last=Harrington|website=The Buffalo News|date=30 June 2003 }} The team won division titles in 1996 and 1997, and won the final American Association championship in 1997. Bartolo Colón threw the first no-hitter in franchise history on June 20, 1997 against the New Orleans Zephyrs.{{cite web| url = https://www.mlb.com/cut4/a-trip-back-to-bartolo-colon-s-first-and-only-no-hitter-c281758064| title = A trip back in time to the Bartolo Colon no-hitter you never knew about {{!}} MLB.com| website = MLB.com| date = 20 June 2018}}

In wake of the American Association disbanding following the 1997 season, the Bisons joined the International League in 1998. The team won the division and league championship in their first season, but lost the Triple-A World Series. The addition of regional rivalries allowed for the creation of the Thruway Cup, an annual competition between the Buffalo Bisons, Rochester Red Wings and Syracuse SkyChiefs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-166827450|title=Triple-A still thriving after 1998 realignment|website=Minor League Baseball}} The Bisons went on to win division titles in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, and the league championship at home in 2004.{{Cite web |last=Harrington |first=Mike |date=2004-09-18 |title=BISONS SEAL THE DEAL THERE'S NO DOUBTING HERD AS THOMAS SHINES ON HILL |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/bisons-seal-the-deal-theres-no-doubting-herd-as-thomas-shines-on-hill/article_fb638951-32c2-5a2c-9c39-e37f4e653cee.html |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Buffalo News |language=en}}

The New York Mets replaced the Cleveland Indians as Major League Baseball affiliate of the Buffalo Bisons prior to the 2009 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/09/22/daily7.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405235146/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:4ozuiT7ywdkJ:https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/09/22/daily7.html+&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2023|title=Bisons meet the Mets - Buffalo Business First}} This era was plagued with poor on-field performance and low attendance.

File:Master-pnp-highsm-53200-53201a.tif, home of the Buffalo Bisons since 1988]]

The Toronto Blue Jays replaced the New York Mets as Major League Baseball affiliate of the Buffalo Bisons prior to the 2013 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/8409223/triple-buffalo-bisons-switch-affiliation-toronto-blue-jays|title=Triple-A Buffalo switches affiliation to Blue Jays|date=September 22, 2012|website=ESPN.com}} To kick off this era, the Bisons scored 27 runs on 29 hits against the Syracuse Chiefs on April 18, 2013, setting records for the most runs and hits in an International League game since 1973.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-45145478 | title=RECORDS fall in 27–9 Bisons win – Unforgettable team performance as Buffalo earns sweep | publisher=Buffalo Bisons | date=April 18, 2013 | access-date=April 20, 2013 | author=Bisbing, Brad}}{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-45153940 | title=Negrych cycles in Bisons' record rout | work=MLB.com | date=April 18, 2013 | access-date=April 20, 2013 | author=Parker, John}} The Blue Jays used Sahlen Field as their home field in 2020 after the Bisons season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, investing $5 million in upgrading the venue.

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball and the closure of the International League, the Bisons joined the newly formed Triple-A East in 2021.{{cite web|last=Mayo|first=Jonathan|title=MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/new-minor-league-baseball-structure|website=Major League Baseball|date=February 12, 2021|access-date=February 12, 2021}} Due to renovations at Sahlen Field as well as use of the stadium by the Blue Jays, the Bisons began their 2021 season at Trenton Thunder Ballpark in Trenton, New Jersey. At their home games, they wore the uniforms of the Trenton Thunder and were referred to as such, while on the road they were still known as the Buffalo Bisons.{{cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Steve |title=Blue Jays' top minor league team temporarily moves home games from Buffalo to Trenton |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/minors/2021/04/09/class-aaa-buffalo-bisons-open-2021-season-trenton-n-j/7160398002/ |access-date=17 May 2021 |work=USA Today |date=April 9, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Leaguer |first1=Minor |title=Blue Jays' 2021 Triple-A Affiliate: The Trenton Buffalo Thunder Bisons |url=https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2021/4/9/22375512/blue-jays-2021-triple-a-buffalo-bisons-move-to-trenton-new-jersey-thunder |access-date=17 May 2021 |work=Bluebird Banter |publisher=SB Nation |date=9 April 2021 |language=en}}

With the reinstatement of the historical league names in 2022, the Bisons were returned to the International League.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/minor-league-baseball-historical-league-names-to-return-in-2022|title=Historical League Names to Return in 2022|website=Minor League Baseball|date=March 16, 2022|access-date=March 16, 2022}}

Roster

{{Buffalo Bisons roster}}

Alumni

=Retired numbers=

File:1988 Grand Slam - Jeff Manto (cropped).jpg]]

class="wikitable"

! Number !! Player !! Retirement Date

6Ollie Carnegie
25Luke Easter
30Jeff MantoAugust 17, 2001
42Jackie RobinsonApril 15, 1997

=National Baseball Hall of Fame members=

{{Main|List of members of the Baseball Hall of Fame}}

- class="wikitable"
Player/ManagerYear InductedYears with the Bisons
Jim Thome20181998
CC Sabathia20252006

=International League Hall of Fame members=

{{Main|International League Hall of Fame}}

- class="wikitable"
Player/ManagerYear InductedYears with the Bisons
Jeff Manto20141997–2000
Marc Bombard20151992 (Manager)
Mike Hessman20182010

=Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame members=

{{Main|Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame}}

File:Terry Collins 2 (cropped).png]]

File:1987 Pucko Buffalo Bisons - Dave Clark.jpg]]

File:Matt Hague, 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game.jpg]]

- class="wikitable"
Player/Manager[https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-67312660 "Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame."] Buffalo Bisons. Retrieved on August 19, 2018.Year InductedYears with the Bisons
Terry Collinsrowspan="2" |19921989–1991 (Manager)
Joe DeSa1985–1986
Rick Lancellotti19951979–1980
Steve Farr19961980–1983
Dorn Taylor19981988–1990
Torey Lovullorowspan="2" |20031995, 1997–1998
Jeff Manto1997–2000
Tom Prince20041988–1992
Rick Reed20061988–1991
Bill Selby20071998–2000, 2002
Dave Clarkrowspan="2" |20081984, 1987, 1992
Brian Graham1995–1997 (Manager)
Carlos Garcíarowspan="2" |20091990–1992
Dave Hollins2000–2001
Richie Sexson20101997–1998
Tony Peña20111979
Brian Gilesrowspan="2" |20121995–1996, 1998
Russ Morman1985–1986, 1993
Dave Robertsrowspan="2" |20131998–2001
Ernie Young2004–2005
Greg Tubbsrowspan="2" |20141991–1992, 1994
Eric Wedge2001–2002 (Manager)
Chris Costerowspan="2" |20152000–2002
Greg LaRocca2001–2003
Alex Ramírez20161997–1999
Jason Jacomerowspan="2" |20171997–1998
Mark Ryal1985, 1990
Joe Roarowspan="2" |20181995–1996
Marty Brown2003–2005, 2013 (Manager)
Ben Franciscorowspan="3" |20222005–2008
Jhonny Peralta2003–2004
Bob Patterson1988–1989
Matt Haguerowspan="2" |20232014–2015
Pete Filson1986
Brandon Phillips20242002–2005

=All 25 Seasons Team (2012)=

File:BartoloColón2016Spring.jpg]]

- class="wikitable"
PositionPlayer/ManagerYears with the Bisons
ManagerTerry Collins1989–1991
CatcherTom Prince1988–1992
First BaseRichie Sexson1997–1998
Second BaseBrandon Phillips2002–2005
Third BaseRussell Branyan1999–2000, 2004, 2007
ShortstopJhonny Peralta2003–2004
rowspan="3" |OutfieldBen Francisco2005–2008
Brian Giles1995–1996, 1998
Alex Ramírez1997–1999
Designated HitterJeff Manto1997–2000
rowspan="3" |Starting PitcherBartolo Colón1996–1997, 2000
Rick Reed1988–1991
Dorn Taylor1988–1990
rowspan="2" |Relief PitcherFernando Cabrera2004–2006, 2012
Danny Graves1995–1997, 2006

Season-by-season records

class=wikitable style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
rowspan=2|Season

!rowspan=2|League

!rowspan=2|Division

!rowspan=2|Manager

!colspan=4|Regular Season

!rowspan=2|Postseason

!rowspan=2|Awards

Finish

!W

!L

!Win%

{{by|1979}}

| rowspan="6" |EL

|

| rowspan="2" |Steve Demeter

|4th

|72

|67

|.518

|No playoffs held

|

{{by|1980}}

| rowspan="3" |North

|5th

|67

|70

|.489

|Lost semi-finals, 0–2 (Millers)

|

{{by|1981}}

|Johnny Lipon

|7th

|56

|81

|.409

| rowspan="2" |Did not qualify

|

{{by|1982}}

|Tommy Sandt

|8th

|55

|84

|.396

|

{{by|1983}}

| rowspan="2" |

|Al Gallagher

|3rd

|74

|65

|.532

|Lost semi-finals, 0–2 (Sailors)

|

{{by|1984}}

|Jack Aker

|5th

|72

|67

|.518

| rowspan="6" |Did not qualify

|

{{by|1985}}

| rowspan="13" |AA

| rowspan="2" |East

|John Boles

|3rd

|66

|76

|.465

|

{{by|1986}}

|Jim Marshall

|2nd

|71

|71

|.500

|Pete Filson
(Most Valuable Pitcher)
Robert E. Rich Jr.
(CEO of the Year)

{{by|1987}}

|

|Orlando Gómez
Steve Swisher

|5th

|66

|74

|.471

|

{{by|1988}}

| rowspan="6" |East

|Rocky Bridges

|3rd

|72

|70

|.507

|Robert E. Rich Jr.
(CEO of the Year)

{{by|1989}}

| rowspan="3" |Terry Collins

|2nd

|80

|62

|.563

|Buffalo Bisons
(Larry MacPhail Award)

{{by|1990}}

|2nd

|85

|62

|.578

|Lost one-game playoff, 3–4 (Sounds)

|

{{by|1991}}

|1st

|81

|62

|.566

|Lost Championship, 2–3 (Zephyrs)

|Rick Reed
(Most Valuable Pitcher)
Robert E. Rich Jr.
(CEO of the Year)
Buffalo Bisons
(Baseball America
Bob Freitas Award)

{{by|1992}}

|Marc Bombard

|1st

|87

|57

|.604

|Lost Championship, 0–4 (89ers)

|Kevin Young
(Rookie of the Year)
Marc Bombard
(Manager of the Year)
Buffalo Bisons
(President's Award)

{{by|1993}}

| rowspan="2" |Doc Edwards

|2nd

|71

|73

|.493

| rowspan="2" |Did not qualify

|

{{by|1994}}

| rowspan="2" |

|8th

|55

|89

|.382

|

{{by|1995}}

| rowspan="3" |Brian Graham

|2nd

|86

|62

|.569

|Won semi-finals, 3–1 (Royals)
Lost Championship, 2–3 (Redbirds)

|

{{by|1996}}

| rowspan="2" |East

|1st

|84

|60

|.583

|Lost semi-finals, 2–3 (Indians)

|

{{by|1997}}

|1st

|87

|57

|.604

|Won semi-finals, 3–2 (Indians)
Won Championship, 3–0 (Cubs)

|

{{by|1998}}

| rowspan="23" |IL

| rowspan="23" |North

| rowspan="2" |Jeff Datz

|1st

|81

|62

|.566

|Won semi-finals, 3–0 (SkyChiefs)
Won Championship, 3–2 (Bulls)
Lost World Series, 1–3 (Zephyrs)

|

{{by|1999}}

|4th

|72

|72

|.500

|Did not qualify

|

{{by|2000}}

|Joel Skinner

|1st

|86

|59

|.593

|Won one-game playoff, 7–1
(Red Barons)
Lost semi-finals, 1–3
(Red Barons)

|Joel Skinner
(Manager of the Year)

{{by|2001}}

| rowspan="2" |Eric Wedge

|1st

|91

|51

|.641

|Lost semi-finals, 2–3
(Red Barons)

|Eric Wedge
(Manager of the Year)
Buffalo Bisons
(Baseball America
Bob Freitas Award)

{{by|2002}}

|2nd

|84

|54

|.609

|Won semi-finals, 3–0
(Red Barons)
Lost Championship, 0–3 (Bulls)

|

{{by|2003}}

| rowspan="3" |Marty Brown

|3rd

|73

|70

|.510

|Did not qualify

|

{{by|2004}}

|1st

|83

|61

|.576

|Won semi-finals, 3–2 (Bulls)
Won Championship, 3–1 (Braves)

|Jhonny Peralta (MVP)
Marty Brown
(Manager of the Year)

{{by|2005}}

|1st

|82

|62

|.569

|Lost semi-finals, 2–3 (Indians)

|

{{by|2006}}

| rowspan="3" |Torey Lovullo

|3rd

|73

|68

|.518

| rowspan="14" |Did not qualify

|

{{by|2007}}

|3rd

|75

|67

|.569

|

{{by|2008}}

|5th

|66

|77

|.462

|

{{by|2009}}

| rowspan="2" |Ken Oberkfell

|6th

|56

|87

|.392

|

{{by|2010}}

|3rd

|76

|68

|.528

|

{{by|2011}}

|Tim Teufel

|5th

|61

|82

|.427

|

{{by|2012}}

|Wally Backman

|6th

|67

|76

|.469

|

{{by|2013}}

|Marty Brown

|3rd

|74

|70

|.514

|

{{by|2014}}

| rowspan="3" |Gary Allenson

|3rd

|77

|66

|.538

|

{{by|2015}}

|3rd

|68

|76

|.472

|Matt Hague (MVP)

{{by|2016}}

|5th

|66

|78

|.458

|

{{by|2017}}

| rowspan="3" |Bobby Meacham

|5th

|65

|76

|.461

|

{{by|2018}}

|6th

|61

|77

|.442

|

{{by|2019}}

|3rd

|71

|69

|.507

|

{{by|2020}}

|Ken Huckaby

| colspan="6" |Season cancelled
(COVID-19 pandemic)

{{by|2021}}

|AAAE

|Northeast

|Casey Candaele

|1st

|79

|47

|.627

|No playoffs held

|Casey Candaele
(Manager of the Year)

{{by|2022}}

| rowspan="3" |IL

| rowspan="3" |East

|Casey Candaele
Jeff Ware

|4th

|76

|72

|.514

| rowspan="3" |Did not qualify

{{by|2023}}

| rowspan="2" |Casey Candaele

|5th

|76

|72

|.514

|

{{by|2024}}

|10th

|68

|80

|.459

|

by|Total

|—

|—

|—

|—

|3294

|3108

|.515

| 15–38 (.283)

|—

Radio and television

{{multiple image

| align = left

| total_width = 320

| image_style = border:none;

| image1 = Press Box at Sahlen Field, 2008.jpg

| alt1 = Sahlen Field press box

| caption1 = Sahlen Field press box

| image2 = PeteWeberbroadcaster.jpg

| alt2 = Pete Weber

| caption2 = Pete Weber

}}

Bisons Baseball Network produces all radio broadcasts of Buffalo Bisons games. Their flagship station since 2009 has been WWKB, a clear-channel station in Buffalo. Select games are simulcast on WGR in Buffalo and CJCL in Toronto. Games were previously carried by WUFO/WXRL (1983), WEBR (1984), WBEN (1985–1988) and WGR (1989–2008).

Live video streams of all Buffalo Bisons games have aired on the MiLB.TV subscription service since 2013, and free via the Bally Live app since 2023.{{cite web | last=Jones | first=Rory | title=Minor League Baseball confirms Bally Live free streaming deal | website=SportsPro | date=April 3, 2023 | url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/minor-league-baseball-mlb-bally-live-streaming-rights/ | access-date=April 7, 2023}} Select games have been televised on WNYO since 2023.{{cite web | title=Bisons Baseball to air on MyTV Buffalo WNYO with 13-game schedule | website=Minor League Baseball | date=April 7, 2023 | url=https://www.milb.com/news/bisons-broadcast-schedule-on-mytv-buffalo | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407203554/https://www.milb.com/news/bisons-broadcast-schedule-on-mytv-buffalo | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 7, 2023 | access-date=April 7, 2023}} Games were previously televised on WNYB (1988–1989, 1996), Empire Sports Network (1991–1995, 1997–2004), Time Warner Cable SportsNet (2007–2016), Spectrum Sports (2017) and WNLO (2019–2022).{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/buffalo/news/bisons-and-nexstar-broadcasting-partner-to-air-10-game-schedule-on-the-306482990|title=Bisons and Nexstar Broadcasting partner to air 10-game schedule on The CW-23|work=WNLO|date=April 22, 2019|access-date=April 22, 2019}}

Pat Malacaro has served as the team's play-by-play announcer since 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/meet-pat-malacaro-the-new-voice-of-the-buffalo-bisons/1119421051|title=Meet Pat Malacaro: The new voice of the Buffalo Bisons|first=Ali|last=Ingersoll|date=12 April 2018}} Pete Weber served as play-by-play announcer from 1983 to 1995, and is the current play-by-play announcer for the Nashville Predators. Jim Rosenhaus served as play-by-play announcer from 1996 to 2006, and is the current play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Guardians. Ben Wagner served as play-by-play announcer from 2007 to 2017, and is the current play-by-play announcer for the Baltimore Orioles, after serving 6 years as play-by-play announcer of the Toronto Blue Jays.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/ben-wagner-dan-shulman-join-sportsnets-blue-jays-radio-broadcast-team/|title=Ben Wagner & Dan Shulman join Sportsnet's Blue Jays radio broadcast team|work=Sportsnet|date=March 27, 2018|access-date=March 27, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://buffalonews.com/2018/03/27/bisons-radio-announcer-ben-wagner-to-get-promotion-to-blue-jays-booth/|title=Bisons radio announcer Ben Wagner promoted to Blue Jays' booth; Pat Malacaro named replacement|last=Harrington|first=Mike|work=buffalonews.com|date=March 27, 2018|access-date=March 27, 2018}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-29 |title=Sportsnet's Ben Wagner out as voice of Blue Jays radio broadcasts |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/sportsnets-ben-wagner-out-as-voice-of-blue-jays-radio-broadcasts-192540349.html |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-CA}}{{Cite web |last=Lucia |first=Joe |date=2024-02-23 |title=Baltimore Orioles add Ben Wagner to broadcast team |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/baltimore-orioles-add-ben-wagner-to-broadcast-team.html |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}

Duke McGuire has served as the team's color commentator since 1996, and previously worked as the team's in-stadium public address announcer from 1979 to 1995.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/buffalo/team/broadcast|title=Bisons Broadcast Team|website=Minor League Baseball}} John Murphy served as color commentator from 1985 to 1988, and is the current play-by-play announcer for the Buffalo Bills. Greg Brown served as color commentator from 1989 to 1993, and is the current play-by-play announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Weber, McGuire and Rosenhaus were inducted into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame for their broadcast work.

Culture

=Mascots=

{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=250

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| image1 = Syracuse Mets at Buffalo Bisons - 20220517 - 09 - WCC Race.jpg

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| image3 = Buffalo Bisons Mascot At Trenton Thunder Game.jpg

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| footer = Clockwise from upper left: WCC mascot race, Tom "Conehead" Girot, Buster T. Bison

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Donald Palmer was an acrobatic batboy who performed for the Buffalo Bisons as "The Butcher" from 1979 to 1988.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-209407742|title=Buffalo Bisons family mourns the passing of 'The Butcher' - Donald Palmer|website=Minor League Baseball}}

Earl Howze, Jr. was a beer vendor who performed for the Buffalo Bisons as "The Earl of Bud" from 1979 to 1997. He was known for dancing to the song "Tequila" atop the venue's dugouts, with a routine similar to the one made famous by Paul Reubens in the 1985 film Pee-wee's Big Adventure.{{Cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/whither-the-earl-of-bud-local-sports-icon-left-town-like-a-ghost-in-1997/article_642ae412-9fd7-5d14-b108-5b4fa0cf2c6a.html|title=Whither the Earl of Bud? Local sports icon left town like a ghost in 1997|first=TIM|last=GRAHAM|website=The Buffalo News|date=21 August 2007 }} The Buffalo Bisons honored him at an August 2012 game, with every fan in attendance receiving a bobblehead of his likeness.{{Cite web |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/earl-of-bud-takes-his-act-to-tennessee/article_9c8c9f8d-4334-5694-a113-8d4c7c52bf40.html |title=Earl of Bud takes his act to Tennessee |first=Charity |last=Vogel |first2=Jane |last2=Kwiatkowski |website=buffalonews.com |date=24 June 2012 |access-date=14 Aug 2024}} {{subscription required}} Howze, Jr. also performed for the Buffalo Sabres at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium.

Tom Girot is a beer vendor who has performed for the Buffalo Bisons as "Conehead" since 1979.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-93703890|title=Buffalo beer vendor Girot beloved by fans|website=Minor League Baseball}} The Buffalo Bisons honored him at a July 2018 game, with a beer launched in his likeness called Conehead IPA by Resurgence Brewing Company.{{Cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/professional/famed-vendor-conehead-gets-his-own-beer-at-buffalo-bisons-games/article_cc02bfdf-dee3-5503-87e3-07241e4614ea.html|title=Famed vendor 'Conehead' gets his own beer at Buffalo Bisons games|first=Keith|last=McShea|website=The Buffalo News|date=21 June 2018 }} Girot has also performed for the Rochester Red Wings at Frontier Field and the Toronto Blue Jays at Sahlen Field.{{Cite web | url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/columnist/roth/2018/09/02/conehead-tom-girot-red-wings-beer-vendor-frontier-field-rochester-buffalo-sabres-bills/1099559002/ | title=Nobody pours it on like beer vendor Tom 'Conehead' Girot at Rochester and Buffalo games }}{{Cite web | url=https://www.wivb.com/news/for-the-first-time-in-640-days-conehead-gets-set-to-sell-cold-ones-at-sahlen-field/ | title=For the first time in 640 days, Conehead gets set to sell cold ones at Sahlen Field | date=June 2021 }}

Buster T. Bison has been the official mascot of the Buffalo Bisons since 1983.{{Cite web|url=https://www.buffalospree.com/features/so-three-mascots-walk-into-a-photo-shoot/article_9f23a9d4-ca69-56a0-97bf-f7f95c5c6c4b.html|title=So three mascots walk into a photo shoot …|website=buffalospree.com|date=24 October 2011 }} He was later joined by his cousin Chip in 1994, and his future wife Belle in 2006.{{Cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/best-bets/article_b3087890-ff70-54c3-af1c-5921b5f12634.html|title=BEST BETS|first=PAULA VOELL IS A. NEWS STAFF|last=REPORTER|website=The Buffalo News|date=15 December 1994 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/bisons-introduce-new-mascot-belle-the-ballpark-diva/n-3306933|title=Bisons Introduce New Mascot, Belle|date=May 7, 2006|website=OurSports Central}}

Tracey B. Wilson was an actress who performed for the Buffalo Bisons as the mime "Loud Mouth" from 1993 to 1999.{{Cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/just-asking/article_9ab27c53-0f33-5e6a-8c15-371a554ef7fd.html|title=JUST ASKING|first=KEVIN|last=CLAPP|website=The Buffalo News|date=18 July 1996 }}

Buffalo Bisons games since 2011 have featured the Wing, Cheese & Carrot (WCC) mascot race between costumed representations of various local foods just prior to the sixth-inning.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/buffalo/fans/wcc-race|title=WCC Race|website=Minor League Baseball}}

=Music=

"Stampede" has been the official fight song of the Buffalo Bisons since their inaugural season at Sahlen Field in 1988.

Tina Turner's recording of "The Best" is played after every Buffalo Bisons home victory at Sahlen Field.{{Cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/simply-the-best-the-bisons-have-established-a-winning-tradition-since-hooking-up-with-the/article_84def3c7-f095-5c51-901e-22d03443b0f7.html|title='SIMPLY THE BEST' THE BISONS HAVE ESTABLISHED A WINNING TRADITION SINCE HOOKING UP WITH THE CLEVELAND INDIANS IN 1995|first=Mike|last=Harrington|website=The Buffalo News|date=30 June 2003 }}{{cite web | title=The Bisons are back: Scenes from the opening week in Sahlen Field | website=Buffalo News | date=August 15, 2021 | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/the-bisons-are-back-scenes-from-the-opening-week-in-sahlen-field/article_ba23285c-fd08-11eb-a093-b7802d74fa1d.html | access-date=April 5, 2022}}

A parody of the Gary Glitter song "Rock and Roll Part 2" featuring lyrics referencing Irv Weinstein was played at Sahlen Field during the seventh-inning stretch of Buffalo Bisons games in the 1990s.{{Cite web|url=http://blog.buffalostories.com/tag/irv-weinstein/|title=Irv Weinstein|date=June 2020 }}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category|Buffalo Bisons}}

  • [https://www.milb.com/buffalo Official website]

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