2012 Buffalo Bisons Thread

[Buffalo Super Fan]

Saw that yesterday. They even quoted Wally Bachman, who didn't even try to deny it. Sounds pretty much set in stone.

Should be a nice jersey clearance sale at the ballpark gift shop.

Because even though Wally Backman in past had person problems that I don't need to go into he atleast told Buffalo Bisons fans the truth that is one of the reason I liked Wally Backman for his time here as a manage. He never sugar coated anything, he told Buffalo Bisons fans the truth. He reminded alot of Billy Martin and he too had problems in my opinion. But anyway when Wally Backman had the players early in the season he was one of the Buffalo Bisons better managers I saw here in my opinion.

The problem is clearly the New York Mets organization and if I was Wally Backman I would leave the New York Mets now for a MLB base coach job like he was offered last season by the Washington Nationals because there is no way anyone is winning with the New York Mets next year in triple a Las Vegas. Just a guess but I think Wally Backman is in the major some where as a base/bench coach and it is well deserved in my opinion. More so the Ken Oberkfell golly gee wiz or Tim Teufel I am the total New York Mets company man with no personality in my opinion. Let's Go Buffalo

[Buffalo Super Fan]

According to the Buffalo News, the Bisons are pretty much 100% done with the Mets and are expected to sign on with Toronto next month..

I think all Buffalo Bisons fans figured it out with the Buffalo Bisons silence and the only IL team that hasn't signed a PDC for next season in my opinion. The New York Mets are stuck in Las Vegas and my guess is there top prospects never go to Las Vegas and stay in double a Binghamton Mets to save travel cost but that is only a guess and my opinion. Overtime I could see the New York Mets buying a triple a team and run it in some market like Connecticut or New Jersey out of the New York Yankees mile radius to say no in my opinion.

The New York Mets just aren't interested in putting a good triple a product on the field with the way they do business in my opinion so they will have no other choice after two seasons to leave Las Vegas but to move a triple a team from a present city or just own the team and run it in it's present city. My guess IL who are in trouble, Syracuse Chiefs but they would have to buy the community out which would be very tricky the New York Mets tried that 4 years ago before signing with the Buffalo Bisons, Charlotte Knight but there getting a new ballpark finally, Gwinnett Braves which has always been subspect from a fan support side by the community but I don't see the Atlanta Braves selling them, Buffalo Bisons what your crazy Buffalo Super am I? Wagoncircler can't answer that question because he would say yes he is crazy and I sure other things to go along with it.

The Rich Family are getting older and if profits don't pick up with the Toronto Blue Jays I could see the Buffalo Bisons being stuck with the New York Mets if the Buffalo Bisons fans don't come out as expected with Toronto in another two years things don't change attendance wise for the Riches bottom line of profits with the Riches potentially looking to cash out there minor league baseball investment in teams in my opinion. I have read rumors about Jamestown a team they own moving a couple of years ago, I read there name came up for I think Connecticut, I would think that would mean the Riches selling but I don't know for sure but it is out there in my opinion that is why I bring this up. If there complaining about being 1,200 short a game rumored to be looking to get out of Jamestown with the Jamestown Jammers who knows in my opinion maybe not so crazy? Of course they could sell to the Toronto Blue Jays also down the road so that is a possiblity to or someone locally in my opinion. But the point is there getting older now and have been retired to Florida for years like Tom Golisano went to Florida.

What did former Buffalo Sabres owner the late Seymour Knox say about the old AUD "the old gray mare ain't what she used to be" so keep that in mind with Bob Rich and Mindy Rich and our ballpark which is 25 years old and dated compared to alot of the newer modern triple a ballparks not saying we need a new one just pointing some of that stuff out in my opinion. The lesson go to Buffalo Bisons games when you can in my opinion or we might get stuck with the New York Mets in my opinion again in two years. Let's Go Buffalo

[Buffalo Super Fan]

"Toronto-Buffalo partnership: obvious benefits for Jays, no guarantee of a winning team for Bisons" by John Lott of Nationlpost.com out of Toronto. The writer with no ties to Buffalo basically said everything I posted weeks ago about minor league baseball at the triple a level and the Buffalo Bisons there are no guarantees for a winning team on Buffalo end I suggest Buffalo Bisons fans read that article then tell me I am so wrong, crazy and an idiot.

I am hoping for the best with the Buffalo Bisons because I am a Buffalo Bisons fan but it could go either way with the Toronto Blue Jays PDC just like the New York Mets or any other MLB PDC affliate with the way triple a baseball is run in today's time, with injuries and callups. This isn't your grandfathers or even fathers or my generations IL baseball anymore in my opinion players are constantly on the MLB DL. Things have changed since the 1980's and 1990's in triple a baseball in my opinion. Let's Go Buffalo

[ckg68]

Las Vegas is 73-57 as of right now, 5 and half out of first in their division. This, mind you, is without a LOT of their players thanks to call ups by the Blue Jays. Credit manager Marty Brown for that(and I HOPE he comes back to Buffalo if and when it goes through).

You don't need someone from a paper I call the National Putz to tell me about Triple A.

[wagoncircler]

"Toronto-Buffalo partnership: obvious benefits for Jays, no guarantee of a winning team for Bisons" by John Lott of Nationlpost.com out of Toronto. The writer with no ties to Buffalo basically said everything I posted weeks ago about minor league baseball at the triple a level and the Buffalo Bisons there are no guarantees for a winning team on Buffalo end I suggest Buffalo Bisons fans read that article then tell me I am so wrong, crazy and an idiot.

I am hoping for the best with the Buffalo Bisons because I am a Buffalo Bisons fan but it could go either way with the Toronto Blue Jays PDC just like the New York Mets or any other MLB PDC affliate with the way triple a baseball is run in today's time, with injuries and callups. This isn't your grandfathers or even fathers or my generations IL baseball anymore in my opinion players are constantly on the MLB DL. Things have changed since the 1980's and 1990's in triple a baseball in my opinion. Let's Go Buffalo

One thing hasn't changed in the last 50 years though, is that minor league franchises exist to train and supply players to Major League clubs, first and foremost. FOLLOW THE MONEY. That's where it is.

They also serve as a "refrigerator" to keep aging veterans in storage in case they're needed.

You have this bizzarre notion that MiLB clubs are on some kind of par with MLB clubs. They're not. They never will be. The MiLB fan experience is COMPLETELY different from that in the Majors. We go to minor league games to appreciate great plays being made by players from not just the home team, but all the visiting teams. We go to watch the strategy in each game. We go for the atmosphere--to enjoy the American tradition that is baseball.

The minor league clubs have very little control over whether they win or not. It's all about what they can do with the hand they're dealt. It is what it is, and it's never going to change.

[billsfan69]

One thing hasn't changed in the last 50 years though, is that minor league franchises exist to train and supply players to Major League clubs, first and foremost. FOLLOW THE MONEY. That's where it is.

They also serve as a "refrigerator" to keep aging veterans in storage in case they're needed.

You have this bizzarre notion that MiLB clubs are on some kind of par with MLB clubs. They're not. They never will be. The MiLB fan experience is COMPLETELY different from that in the Majors. We go to minor league games to appreciate great plays being made by players from not just the home team, but all the visiting teams. We go to watch the strategy in each game. We go for the atmosphere--to enjoy the American tradition that is baseball.

The minor league clubs have very little control over whether they win or not. It's all about what they can do with the hand they're dealt. It is what it is, and it's never going to change.

Toronto's only real obligation if they want to remain in Buffalo is to field as competitive team as possible. It actually says alot about their system that Las Vegas has been ravaged by call-ups and trades and yet has remained competitive, while all I hear from the so-called great manager Wally Backman is boo hoo all my players got hurt. If the Mets farm system didn't suck so bad, then maybe they actually could have remained here. The Mets have literally at most 2 legit batting prospects, Wilmer Flores and Brandon Nimmo. That is it.

[Buffalo Super Fan]

One thing hasn't changed in the last 50 years though, is that minor league franchises exist to train and supply players to Major League clubs, first and foremost. FOLLOW THE MONEY. That's where it is.

They also serve as a "refrigerator" to keep aging veterans in storage in case they're needed.

You have this bizzarre notion that MiLB clubs are on some kind of par with MLB clubs. They're not. They never will be. The MiLB fan experience is COMPLETELY different from that in the Majors. We go to minor league games to appreciate great plays being made by players from not just the home team, but all the visiting teams. We go to watch the strategy in each game. We go for the atmosphere--to enjoy the American tradition that is baseball.

The minor league clubs have very little control over whether they win or not. It's all about what they can do with the hand they're dealt. It is what it is, and it's never going to change.

First stop playing games with trying to twist what I posted atleast show enough respect for my personal views an opinion and get it right before you knock it. I have been saying that the Buffalo Bisons are a MLB like team for me personally because I grew with that because that is all I have for baseball in the city of Buffalo where I lived all my life. I said I don't care about some other cities MLB team because it isn't Buffalo stopping trying to twist my post to your twisted pro New York Yankees agenda in my opinion.

I tryed watching other MLB teams on tv and it means nothing to me it is like who cares who wins like an exhibition or preseason game purely just sports entertainment for me get it wagoncircler. The New York Yankees or Oakland A's who ever MLB team there all like just an exhibition games to me. The Buffalo Bisons I watch every night home and away and yes it matters to me personally if the Buffalo Bisons win or lose. There is no heart and soul for me in a MLB team that I care who wins or loses personally because at the end of the day it means zero because I live in Buffalo not Oakland or the Bronx it is only my opinion atleast show some respect and get it right where I am coming from.

An example if I won New York Yankees World Series tickets in a contest, I would sell them because I don't care. If it is between a New York Yankees or New York Mets game or Toronto Blue Jays game or the Buffalo Bisons game. I am choosing the Buffalo Bisons game meaning I am not driving to Toronto to see the Toronto Blue Jays team with Toronto Blue Jays PDC players from Buffalo or not, I will just continue going to the Buffalo Bisons IL games because that is all I care about baseball team wise where it matters to me personally. I realize to many that is crazy or dumb or bizzarre and that is fine but it is how I feel atleast respect a Buffalo fans view point that has pride in Buffalo sports only.

Some of you want me to give up the team I grew with as a kid and followed my whole life the Buffalo Bisons because you and a few poster think is silly get a life in my opinion with that logic not everyone agrees with you guys. Are there many of me proablely not but I am not the only one just because you think in your mind it is bizzarre. I don't have this need to have ESPN family of networks tell me who I should or shouldn't follow like Texas Longhorns, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Heat etc I have a mind of my own. I grew up in a different time where you followed the home town teams only where you live that is Buffalo for me with no ESPN until I was a teenager.

I was 13 years old before I watched ESPN and ESPN was very different back then to today were it is just self promoting big national large followed from a fan stand point teams. I realize they do that for money which is fine, I have no problem with it, I just choose to ignore there shows most of the time today in my opinion. I realize to the younger generation like alot you guys are coming from today, that is bizzarre and dinosour mentality just following and caring about all Buffalo sports teams which is fine your all entittled to your opinion like I am entittled to my opinion. Now swear at me because that is alway the way you go wagoncicler about things that you don't agree with or can't stand or think is bizzarre or old fashioned way of living. Why is it so hard for you to accept the some like the Buffalo Bisons over a MLB team that I don't get from you and few others on this board?

All I was posting is some of you guys insist that the Toronto Blue Jays PDC is different and I am saying no there not that different. And that is what I have been trying to say to you guys so Buffalo never has control over winning so basically my thought process that so many on this board are fighting is right.

The bottom line if Buffalo Bisons fans care about winning with the Buffalo Bisons like myself with the Buffalo Bisons having some type of control they can do that one of two ways one buying a Major League franchise AL or NL not going to happen with the Riches as owners. Or the second way an Independent League team like the Atlantic League that Roger Clemens is pitching in on saturday also not going to happen with the Riches as owners but should happen if it is about winning baseball for Buffalo on a consistant basis in my opinion.

I never said Independent League baseball in Buffalo is ever going to happen but it should happen in my opinion. That is all I was saying that I am right with that post that MILB farm system baseball Toronto, New York Mets or any other MLB PDC is not going to change so why are the Buffalo Bisons in a system like that if it is about winning?

See basically you guys obvious don't care if the Buffalo Bisons don't win your all for prospects of other MLB teams baseball that is all I am stating and that is fine there is nothing wrong with that. But for me I would have choosen the Independent League way. It is only my opinion as a Buffalo Bisons fan and I am entittled to that opinion without negativity from posters that are pro farm system baseball where you guys are coming from. I respect your position I just don't agree with it.

Your all going to get the Toronto Blue Jays PDC and we will see if they make that much of a difference next season? I hope as a Buffalo Bisons fan for the best and am looking forward to next Buffalo Bisons season already. At the end of the day though if the Toronto Blue Jays PDC players don't make the IL playoffs does it make that much of a difference next season? I say no it would just be another failed Buffalo Bisons season then like this years edition in my opinion. That it is all about for me the Buffalo Bisons making the IL playoffs that is the bottom line in my opinion for me as a Buffalo Bisons fan and winning the IL Governors' Cup there is no moral victories you either win or lose. Having a winning record is ok but it doesn't really change things in my opinion at the end of the day for Buffalo Bisons baseball fans that care about the Buffalo Bisons winning and going to the IL playoffs after 7 years of no IL playoffs in Buffalo that is all I am saying. Let's Go Buffalo

[wagoncircler]

First stop playing games with trying to twist what I posted atleast show enough respect for my personal views an opinion and get it right before you knock it. I have been saying that the Buffalo Bisons are a MLB like team for me personally because I grew with that because that is all I have for baseball in the city of Buffalo where I lived all my life. I said I don't care about some other cities MLB team because it isn't Buffalo stopping trying to twist my post to your twisted pro New York Yankees agenda in my opinion.

I tryed watching other MLB teams on tv and it means nothing to me it is like who cares who wins like an exhibition or preseason game purely just sports entertainment for me get it wagoncircler. The New York Yankees or Oakland A's who ever MLB team there all like just an exhibition games to me. The Buffalo Bisons I watch every night home and away and yes it matters to me personally if the Buffalo Bisons win or lose. There is no heart and soul for me in a MLB team that I care who wins or loses personally because at the end of the day it means zero because I live in Buffalo not Oakland or the Bronx it is only my opinion atleast show some respect and get it right where I am coming from.

An example if I won New York Yankees World Series tickets in a contest, I would sell them because I don't care. If it is between a New York Yankees or New York Mets game or Toronto Blue Jays game or the Buffalo Bisons game. I am choosing the Buffalo Bisons game meaning I am not driving to Toronto to see the Toronto Blue Jays team with Toronto Blue Jays PDC players from Buffalo or not, I will just continue going to the Buffalo Bisons IL games because that is all I care about baseball team wise where it matters to me personally. I realize to many that is crazy or dumb or bizzarre and that is fine but it is how I feel atleast respect a Buffalo fans view point that has pride in Buffalo sports only.

Some of you want me to give up the team I grew with as a kid and followed my whole life the Buffalo Bisons because you and a few poster think is silly get a life in my opinion with that logic not everyone agrees with you guys. Are there many of me proablely not but I am not the only one just because you think in your mind it is bizzarre. I don't have this need to have ESPN family of networks tell me who I should or shouldn't follow like Texas Longhorns, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Heat etc I have a mind of my own. I grew up in a different time where you followed the home team only where you live that is Buffalo. I realize to the younger generation like alot you guys that is bizzarre and dinosour mentality which is fine your all entittled to your opinion like I am entittled to my opinion. Now swear at me because that is alway the way you go wagoncicler about things that you don't agree with or can't stand or think is bizzarre or old fashioned way of living. Why is it so hard for you to accept the some like the Buffalo Bisons over a MLB team that I don't get from you and few others on this board?

All I was posting is some of you guys insist that the Toronto Blue Jays PDC is different and I am saying no there not that different. And that is what I have been trying to say to you guys so Buffalo never has control over winning so basically my thought process that so many on this board are fighting is right.

The bottom line if Buffalo Bisons fans care about winning with the Buffalo Bisons like myself with the Buffalo Bisons having some type of control they can do that one of two ways one buying a Major League franchise AL or NL not going to happen with the Riches as owners. Or the second way an Independent League team like the Atlantic League that Roger Clemens is pitching in on saturday also not going to happen with the Riches as owners but should happen if it is about winning baseball for Buffalo on a consistant basis in my opinion.

I never said Independent League baseball in Buffalo is ever going to happen but it should happen in my opinion. That is all I was saying that I am right with that post that MILB farm system baseball Toronto, New York Mets or any other MLB PDC is not going to change so why are the Buffalo Bisons in a system like that if it is about winning?

See basically you guys obvious don't care if the Buffalo Bisons don't win your all for prospects of other MLB teams baseball that is all I am stating and that is fine there is nothing wrong with that. But for me I would have choosen the Independent League way. It is only my opinion as a Buffalo Bisons fan and I am entittled to that opinion without negativity from posters that are pro farm system baseball where you guys are coming from. I respect your position I just don't agree with it.

Your all going to get the Toronto Blue Jays PDC and we will see if they make that much of a difference next season? I hope as a Buffalo Bisons fan for the best and am looking forward to next Buffalo Bisons season already. At the end of the day though if the Toronto Blue Jays PDC players don't make the IL playoffs does it make that much of a difference next season? I say no that making the IL playoffs is the bottom line in my opinion. Having a winning record is ok but it doesn't really change things in my opinion at the end of the day for Buffalo Bisons baseball fans that care about the Buffalo Bisons winning and going to the IL playoffs after 7 years of no IL playoffs in Buffalo. Let's Go Buffalo

Two things:

1. Punctuation is your friend. Why do you hate it so?

2. Just because you have bizzarre, twisted ideas about why MiLB teams exist and, more importantly, just becase you don't like Major League Baseball, has zero bearing on how things work in the real world. Baseball is A BUSINESS. You and your views represent .00000000000001 percent of baseball consumers.

You're full of shit when you say Bisons fans don't care about winning. The fact is, we have realistic expectations based on the situation. We are fully cognizant of that situation when we buy our season tickets, or individual tickets.

So your solution is to settle for hacks that no MLB team is interested in, rather than the next generation of the best baseball players on Earth? Just so you can have your little happy ending when you go to the ballpark? Why don't you just pick out a dominant Little League team to follow?

Let's go Creepy Creepersons!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. Who's to say that your imaginary Independent League team wouldn't suck too? Would your head explode, spewing out billions of nonsensical, jumbled words? Or would you demand that the Independent League be tossed in favor of the Bishop Timon Junior Varsity?

[Buffalo Super Fan]

Toronto's only real obligation if they want to remain in Buffalo is to field as competitive team as possible. It actually says alot about their system that Las Vegas has been ravaged by call-ups and trades and yet has remained competitive, while all I hear from the so-called great manager Wally Backman is boo hoo all my players got hurt. If the Mets farm system didn't suck so bad, then maybe they actually could have remained here. The Mets have literally at most 2 legit batting prospects, Wilmer Flores and Brandon Nimmo. That is it.

No I disagree with you if the Toronto Blue Jays don't make the IL playoffs in atleast one for the next two seasons either the 2013 or 2014 Buffalo Bisons seasons we will have this same discussion with the Buffalo Bisons most likely getting ready to dump the Toronto Blue Jays then after the 2014 season that is where we disagree that I feel you are missing that point in my opinion this is a business. Good business for the Buffalo Bisons in my opinion are winning baseball teams or at the very least looking the part that you won't tolerate poor on field product with no playoffs year after year. If Toronto Blue Jays field teams like there Syracuse Chiefs days they most likely will get kicked out of Buffalo like what happened to them in Syracuse in my opinion with the lone exception that a miracle happens and southern ontario Toronto Blue Jays fans flock to Coke Cola Field because then it is a money making decission for the Buffalo Bisons then if that is the case. But I dont that happening much either, I see a very slight bump to staying the same attendance wise because the Buffalo Bisons will most likely lose New York Mets fans in my opinnion so for every gain made there will be a loss in my opinion.

Plus keep this in mind what I have been saying that the Buffalo News, writer Mike Harrington as good of a writer as he is basically missing this point the Toronto Blue Jays aren't the 1990's Toronto Blue Jays where they packed the then Skydome after two World Series teams, it is a easy, cheap ticket to get for Toronto Blue Jays fans up there today in my opinion. Do we all really believe canadiens are going to come to Buffalo Bisons games like the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres games, I say no because it isn't a major league level team the Buffalo Bisons IL team. The Toronto Blue Jays ticket isn't a hard ticket to get there are tons of empty seats up there every game in my opinion so keep that in mind Buffalo Bisons fans.

The bottom line the Buffalo Bisons organization needs to do things better like stop embarrassing itself and put Buffalo Bisons championship wall/corner back for us Buffalo Bisons fans. Also the Buffalo Bisons tickets are getting to high for families today with tickets increasing also. For Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres fans that seems like peanuts but that isn't the only market that goes to Buffalo Bisons games let me explain. Yes were all Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bisons fans. But the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres have out priced the Buffalo families market in many cases today in my opinion there home like me watching on tv because it is simple too much money to go to more then a game or two each season.

The Buffalo Bisons are going after the family market and you don't do that by raising friday night games to $12 dollars in my opinion. Why are there no $5 bleachers for Buffalo Bisons fans with families with all those empty seats to fill every game next season not just this saturday night because there is a Buffalo Bills home preseason football game being played at the same time as the Buffalo Bisons game saturday? We aren't getting major league baseball and those empty seats get the Buffalo Bisons nothing with no one there for things like food, merchandise etc in my opinion. But what do I know I am only a Buffalo Bisons fan.

Listen to what Wally Backman said the New York Mets needed to win this season and didn't in Buffalo. That is something the Toronto Blue Jays better keep in mind. The Buffalo Bisons can play musical chairs every two years if they so choose that is what Toronto Blue Jays fans and pro Toronto Blue Jays today don't get like yourself. There in the same boat at the end of the day because that is one thing the Buffalo Bisons control every two years there PDC contract.

If the is no IL playoffs with let's say 71-71 records both years as a example and attendance is still flat or lower in Buffalo the Toronto Blue Jays could get dumped like the New York Mets now today in my opinion. I think there is zero tolerance in Buffalo after 7 years of not making the IL playoffs in the Buffalo baseball market and if that continues the next two seasons, the Buffalo Bisons could go shopping for another PDC team like Detroit or Milwaukee or Pittsburgh as example again in my opinion.

The Buffalo Bisons control there PDC contract not the Toronto Blue Jays so I would if the Toronto Blue Jays organization are smart keep that in mind. Today New York Mets PDC misfortune in Buffalo could be tommorrow's Toronto Blue Jays PDC misfortune if they don't win in Buffalo in my opinion. Let's Go Buffalo

[Buffalo Super Fan]

This is going to be one of the shortest Bisons post ever by BSF, bye bye New York Mets from Buffalo in my opinion. I have lived in Buffalo for over 44 years and tonight was embarrassing watching the New York Mets prospects not even showing up against the Buffalo Bisons biggest Thruway Cup rival Rochester Red Wings for the last home game of the Buffalo Bisons season. The New York Mets organization in my opinion there is no pride in that organization playing like that.

There really nothing more to say but bring on the Toronto Blue Jays. Sure the Buffalo Bisons were playing for nothing more then pride but losing to the Rochester Red Wings and getting really beat good 10-4 tonight is really unacceptable in my opinion. Looking forward to seeing all the Buffalo Bisons fans on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 2:05 against the Rochester Red Wings at home opening day. Let's Go Buffalo

[Epicness]

Bisons/Jays is now official.

Buffalo will still be named the Bisons. New colors and logo on the way.

[wagoncircler]

Great article by Mike Harrington about the Jays' Minor League system.

Inside Baseball: Bisons should benefit from Jays' upcoming talent

TORONTO - One point has been made to this corner plenty of times the last few weeks and it's a fair one: The Blue Jays' Triple-A team has not made the playoffs since Syracuse suffered a three-game sweep at the hands of the Bisons in 1998. In fact, Syracuse and Las Vegas had combined for 11 straight losing seasons until the 51s went 79-64 this year. So what's the point of the Herd dumping the Mets in favor of the boys across the border?

Look deeper. Toronto is a system on the rise, quickly becoming one of the most successful in the minors. A couple of longtime bird watchers told me last week in Rogers Centre that there's probably no better time for the Bisons to be hooking up with the Jays than right now. Under the rules linking the minors and majors, the Herd can sign a deal with the Blue Jays as soon as today. It will certainly happen at some point this week, with the Mets thus forced to head for Las Vegas.

While Toronto's Double-A New Hampshire club struggled to a 61-81 mark this year, it won the Eastern League championship in 2011. The Jays' four Class A affiliates combined to go 235-177 in 2012, led by the 82-55 mark of Lansing (Mich.). Vancouver won the Northwest League championship for the second straight year while Dunedin (Fla.) and Lansing also made their league playoffs by winning first-half championships.

Manager Marty Brown's Las Vegas team had a deep lineup that tied for the Pacific Coast League lead with a .298 batting average, and a solid pitching staff that tied for fifth in the league with a 4.59 ERA. That's pretty decent for that hitter-happy league and the best in Toronto's four seasons there.

Las Vegas went 73-49 following a 6-15 start. The 51s were hurt by deadline day trades of outfielders Travis Snider and Eric Thames and several callups to Toronto after injuries, notably to slugger Jose Bautista, riddled the parent club's lineup.

The Jays are a combined one game under .500 in Triple-A the last four years but the Bisons by comparison went 260-313 in the same span with the Mets - 28th out of the 30 Triple-A teams and ahead of only Rochester (Minnesota) and the Portland-Tucson entry that has been home to San Diego's top prospects.

In Baseball America's preseason talent rankings, the Blue Jays were listed fifth (the Mets were 25th). Fangraphs.com had the Jays at No. 2 (behind only the Padres) while the Mets were 16th. ESPN.com had the Jays No. 3 and said, "They are the organization most likely to be No. 1 on this list next winter." ESPN had the Mets 22nd.

Things got even better during the season. MLB.com issued a revised Top 100 prospects list last week and the Jays were the only organization to have seven players on it, finishing as the No. 5 organization.

More..

http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs...ORTS/120919265

[Buffalo Super Fan]

Bisons/Jays is now official.

Buffalo will still be named the Bisons. New colors and logo on the way.

Yes I saw that and yes I knew they would still be named Buffalo Bisons. If they wouldn't be I would done with Buffalo baseball waiting for them to fold till someone started over the right way with Buffalo Bisons again because Buffalo Bisons have been our name since 1877 not just in baseball but at one time in hockey, basketball, football pro and college believe it or not. UB was once named UB Bisons before UB Bulls. Also there was a Bisons basketball team in the 1940's I believe and also a Buffalo Bisons football team in the AAFC before they became Buffalo Bills. Also our Federal League team the Buffalo Blues or BuffaloFeds were just named that to point out there difference between the FL team and the IL team in Buffalo at that time with the same name. Even though legal name for the Federal League team was really the Buffalo Bisons believe it or not. And of course the pepsi bottle cap Buffalo Bisons AHL hockey team and logo. So Buffalo Bisons has a very historical time line sports wise in Buffalo. So to change that would be just crazy in my opinion for the Buffalo Bisons to ever do that. Colors is one thing name is another story in my opinion.

I think it is interesting how quickly the Buffalo Bisons got that New York Mets logo link down. I think there is alot more there that the Buffalo Bisons are holding in when it comes to the New York Mets in Buffalo and we will never know the whole story. But make no mistake what the Buffalo Bisons said publically and then the way the Buffalo Bisons took the New York Mets and the Buffalo Bisons look a like New York Mets logo down that fast there is more there in my opinion. The Rochester Red Wings I think know more they let some stuff slip to the local Rochester D&C Rochester Red Wings beat reporter why they didn't want the New York Mets and stayed with Minnesota Twins instead saying the New York Mets were impersonal to the Buffalo Bisons organization.

The Cleveland Indians Buffalo Bisons website I don't remember being that fast with the change. Also I found it interesting how fast the New York Mets got there we are in Las Vegas on the monday night New York Mets SNY broadcast almost like they wanted to sell like they had any say in the matter and to beat the Buffalo Bisons to there anouncement with the Toronto Blue Jays. Also the little dig by Sandy Alderson about Las Vegas understanding with winning, losing and development spare me. Earth to Sandy your triple a team shouldn't suck for four straight years in Buffalo that isn't development that is sucking with the players having no accountability for sucking in my opinion.

I am so glad the Buffalo Bisons dumped the New York Mets. When some get a chance go to the SNY Network Blogs under New York Mets minors then go to comments section, some of those New York Mets fans are a joke what they said about the Buffalo Bisons. It would be an eye opener even for a New York Yankees fan like wagoncircler. New York Mets fans make me want to root for the New York Yankees if I had a MLB to follow totally classless what some said about Buffalo, Buffalo News writer Mike Harrington and to our Buffalo Bisons ownership. I tried for a long time to tell Buffalo Bisons fans here that some of the New York Mets fans blamed alot of stuff on Buffalo being cold and dreary in April. Completely classless fans some of the New York Mets fans are in my opinion. Let's Go Buffalo

[wagoncircler]

The Cleveland Indians Buffalo Bisons website I don't remember being that fast with the change.

That's probably because the Bisons' uniforms and logo really looked nothing like the Cleveland franchise in 2008.

[Buffalo Super Fan]

That's probably because the Bisons' uniforms and logo really looked nothing like the Cleveland franchise in 2008.

Yes I know that but I meant that the links weren't removed with the Cleveland Indians website so fast like the New York Mets. Anyway who cares about the sorry New York Mets in Buffalo anymore it is in the past like Larry Quinn time to move forward. I watched the Buffalo Bisons, Toronto Blue Jays Press Conference and it sounded alot better and more what Buffalo was used to with Cleveland. Development but with winning something the New York Mets were in a fog on in my opinion.

Also some highlights from the Buffalo News, no Maple Leaf or Birds any where on the Buffalo Bisons uniform thank you finally the Buffalo Bisons get it. New Buffalo Bisons logo in mid november for Christmas Holiday season and new Buffalo Bisons uniforms sometime in January and they won't look like the Toronto Blue Jays according to the Buffalo News. Also there maybe a Toronto Blue Jays exihibition game sunday, March 31 in Buffalo. Let's Go Buffalo

[wagoncircler]

Yes I know that but I meant that the links weren't removed with the Cleveland Indians website so fast like the New York Mets.

I understand what you were saying. My point is the the recent Bisons logo/uniforms/color scheme overtly conveyed the Mets' brand, making it necessary to change the web site immediately.

With the green and red color scheme and logos, there was no urgency, since the uniforms did not signify or represent any MLB brand. They could take their time while switching over to the Mets' theme on the web site.

[Buffalo Super Fan]

I understand what you were saying. My point is the the recent Bisons logo/uniforms/color scheme overtly conveyed the Mets' brand, making it necessary to change the web site immediately.

With the green and red color scheme and logos, there was no urgency, since the uniforms did not signify or represent any MLB brand. They could take their time while switching over to the Mets' theme on the web site.

Ok I get what your saying now. Hopefully the Buffalo Bisons learned there lesson not to put all there eggs in a MLB basket. Especially in Buffalo where fans are so split with who they root for MLB wise between the New York, Boston, Cleveland, Toronto and in my case just the Buffalo Bisons. But I was never put off by the Blue and Orange colors like many were because I just looked at it as Buffalo blue and Buffalo Bandits orange.

And I actually thought the Buffalo Bisons logo with a Buffalo running through the city was really good. I hope they keep the running Buffalo in some way the a new logo. Because I thought the real life like Brown Buffalo was actually good. I wonder if the Buffalo Bisons will go with Blue and Gold like Buffalo Sabres colors. Because I was thinking the Buffalo Bisons white, red and navy retros most Buffalo Bisons fans already have them from either the past or last season so the Buffalo Bisons logo and colors one would think would have to be really different to sell alot of items in Buffalo in my opinion.

Plus by going with Buffalo Sabres like colors your distancing yourself from the whole Bills Toronto Series and also Toronto Maple Leafs and the whole Toronto sports thing in general in my opinion basically your saying you back Buffalo first over anything else. Who will really complain with Blue and Gold Buffalo Sabres colors on the Buffalo Bisons uniforms? That thought went through my head after the Buffalo Bisons went out of there way to tell the Buffalo News no maple leaf or birds. To make the Buffalo Bisons stand out from the Buffalo Sabres colors so it isn't exactly like the Buffalo Sabres uniform colors maybe add red also in the uniform for a Buffalo Bisons touch in my opinion.

With Blue and Gold that way the Buffalo Bisons cover themselves either way weather the Toronto Blue Jays PDC is a success or not they wouldn't have to change again and also they stay neutral on the whole Bills Toronto Series and Buffalo Toronto thing in sports in general. If I was the Buffalo Bisons I would proably go that way color and uniform wise playing it safe. Because at this stage the Buffalo Bisons can't afford anymore New York Mets Buffalo Bisons logo, colors, uniform errors anymore with the Buffalo Bisons fan base in my opinion. Let's Go Buffalo