The Buffalo Bisons will open the 124th season of professional baseball in Buffalo on Opening Day, Thursday, April 9 against the Pawtucket Red Sox (3:05 p.m.). With the home opener just nine days away, the team announced the new changes fans can expect while enjoying Tim Hortons coffee as they visit the ballpark.

Buffalo Staple Tim Hortons Now Fills Your Cup!
Coca-Cola Field is now serving one of the area's most popular beverages. Tim Hortons will serve its coffee throughout the ballpark in 2009. Tim Hortons will be available in most concession stands, inside Pettibones Grille Restaurant, in the Bisons press box and in the team's luxury suites.

NOW SERVING - Famous Dave's BBQ, B-NY Deli
The Bisons are excited to introduce two new concession stands for Bisons fans to enjoy in 2009. First, Famous Dave's BBQ has partnered with the Bisons and will bring its signature Slow Smoked Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich to the stand located outside of section 117 on the main level. A full menu of classic BBQ delights will also include a pulled chicken sandwich, a hotlink sausage sandwich, ribs, chili and more.

A newly designed B-NY Deli will feature classic foods from both Buffalo and New York City. When fans see the Bisons' B-NY logo at section 100, they'll be able to choose from a NY-style pretzel Reuben, a Buffalo-style chicken sandwich, a sliced beef brisket sandwich, a meatball hoagie, a honey mustard ham wrap and more.

New Concession Items
Food and baseball go hand-in-hand and along with the ballpark classics like hot dogs and ice cream, the Bisons will feature plenty of new items for their fans to sink their teeth into. Among the new items included in concession stands this year will be Pretzel Bites, NY Style Pretzel Reuben, Hot Dog Sliders and a Peanut Butter & Jelly Pocket for kids. For dessert, the Bisons will feature Funnel Cake Fries, Barq's Root Beer Push-Ups and Minute Maid Lemonade Push-Ups.

Pettibones Grille Also Steps to the Plate
The home for great food at the ballpark, Pettibones Grille has added to their hall of fame lineup for 2009. The "Tony Pena" gives fans the chance to enjoy a unique Southwestern style pizza. A Buffalo Style Chicken Salad has seasoned chicken strips tossed in buffalo wing sauce over greens with blue cheese. Mini Beef Sliders cheeseburgers are now on the menu, great to share as an appetizer or keep them all to yourself for a great meal. Pettibones Grille is open throughout all home games and for lunch, Tuesday-Friday (11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.).

"All You Can Eat" Pack is New and Improved!
After debuting in 2008, the Bisons have brought back their All You Can Eat Pack this season. This time, Games are on the menu! Fans can pick any four games from a list of 12 to enjoy all the great ballpark food they would want/. The four-game packs are only $85 each. At each game they select in the pack, fans can enjoy a meal item, a side and a dessert item every time the go to a designated concession stand.

Ballpark's New Address
In honor of the late Mayor of Buffalo, Jimmy Griffin, the Bisons have changed the official mailing address of Coca-Cola Field. As of January 1, 2009, the Bisons home is now located at One James D. Griffin Plaza. While Mayor of Buffalo, Griffin was instrumental to the return of professional baseball after an eight-year absence. He also insisted on the new home of the Bisons to be located in Downtown Buffalo for the fans to enjoy.

On the Air in 2009
In 2009, Bisons fans will have several great options to enjoy Bisons baseball. When not at Coca-Cola Field, fans can catch up to 37 games on TV on Time Warner Cable SportsNet 13. Each one of those broadcasts will also be available On Demand on channel 946. Additionally, five Bisons games will be featured on SNY, SportsNet New York, the cable home of the "All Things New York."

On the radio, Bisons fans will continue to be able to enjoy all 144 regular season games on WWKB "A New Voice" 1520 AM. Entercom station Newsradio 930 WBEN will carry all 22 Sunday games in 2009. WGR Sportsradio 550 will feature a Bisons "Game of the Week" at the conclusion of the NHL season. Audio of all Bisons games will be available free of charge on the official website home of the team, bisons.com.

Godett Added to Broadcast Team
The Bisons have added Joel Godett to their broadcasting team. Godett will join "The Voice of the Bisons" Ben Wagner and long time color analyst Duke McGuire on various broadcasts throughout the 2009 season. A graduate of Syracuse University, Godett joins the Bisons from the Salem Avalanche, the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Houston Astros, where he spent the 2008 season as a Broadcasting and Media Relations assistant.

Bisons.com Adds New Features, Fans a Home 24-7
The official website of the Buffalo Bisons, Bisons.com, will have several new features once the 2009 season begins. An "Inside the Herd" video feature will give fans an inside look at their favorite players and coaches during 2009. "The Dish" Blog will provide fans with daily news and notes about the team and the International League. Fans are also encouraged to sign up for the Bisons facebook fan page and twitter accounts to stay up to date on everything with the team.

Bisons Fans Set to "Meet the Mets"
The biggest news of the 2009 off-season was the announcement that the Bisons have signed a two-year player development contract with the New York Mets. As Triple-A affiliate of the Mets, the Bisons are now aligned with one of the most recognizable franchises in all of professional sports. This is actually the second time the Mets have been the parent club of the Herd. From 1963-1965, the Bisons served as the first ever Triple-A affiliate of New York. Those Bisons teams included such players as Ed Kranepool, Cleon Jones and Bud Harrelson who went on to help the Amazin' Mets win a 1969 World Series Championship.

The mascot of the Mets, Mr. Met, will be on hand for Opening Day to help usher in the Bisons new era as Triple-A affiliate of New York.

New Logo, Uniforms and ColorsWith a new affiliate comes a new look. This off-season, the Bison introduced a Dynamic New Logo. The design features the New York Mets' blue and orange color scheme with a charging bison coming out of the Buffalo city skyline. Together, the design pays tribute to the Bisons' long-standing tradition in the Queen City as well as the team's new major league partner club. The new design will be featured on the sleeves of a new home white and road gray uniform as well as on the left chest of a new black alternate uniform.

A Refreshing Name to the Bisons' Home
The downtown ballpark is now named Coca-Cola Field, following a new 10-year naming rights agreement with Coca-Cola Bottling of Buffalo. By partnering with Coca-Cola, the Bisons' home field is now associated with one of the most recognizable brands in the world. It is the fourth name for the ballpark since it first opened in 1988. Coca-Cola was the first soda ever poured at the ballpark and have had exclusive soft drink rights at Bisons games since the 2004 season.

~ Ben Wagner

The Buffalo Bisons, Triples-A affiliate of the New York Mets, will host their annual MLB Opening Night Party on Sunday, April 5 at Pettibones Grille Restaurant. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

The Atlanta Braves take on the World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies in the first game of the 2009 MLB regular season at 8:00 p.m.

Cost of the event is just a $5 donation to Bisons charities and fans can enjoy all-you-can-eat chicken wings and Coca-Cola soda. Pettibones Grille will also have a cash bar available for fans.

The Bisons are asking fans to RSVP for the event by calling the team at (716) 846-2011.

~ Ben Wagner

Bisons outfielder Fernando Martinez and infielders Rob Mackowiak (pictured right) and Michel Abreu each had RBI-doubles in Sunday's 5-3 loss against the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) in Port St. Lucie. Martinez finished the game 2-4.

The Bisons are now 0-4-3 in their 10-game exhibition schedule (one game lost to rain).

Reminder... Game reports are called in as a courtesy to the Bisons Media/PR department. No official box score and/or game report is available for any minor league spring games.

There are just 11 days until the Bisons open the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9 against the Pawtucket Red Sox (3:05 p.m.). Tickets are now on-sale at bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (843-4373).

~ Ben Wagner

I'll be talking with three of the most knowledgeable people I've run across trying to get my arms around this rollercoaster offseason on today's Season Preview Show (5-6 p.m.) on WWKB-AM 1520. You're sure to enjoy hearing the information and opinions all three will share on today's program.

The final of our five shows will be broadcast from Coca-Cola Field on April 5 as the 2009 Bisons arrive for the first time. If you've missed any of our three Season Preview Shows: CLICK HERE!

Here's who is on and how to read their work before the show;
Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News has covered the Bisons for over 20 years and has been privy to the franchise's most significant moments. He'll share his thoughts on the impact of the Mets affiliation and the things that could lay ahead for the new affiliate.

Toby Hyde orchestrates one of the most detailed blogs Mets fans have to follow the minor league action throughout the season. Part of the SportsNet New York network (SNY), the site features daily recaps from every US based minor league affiliate and has a very impressive library of Mets MiLB player biographies.

Adam Rubin has been on the Mets beat for the New York Daily News since 2003 and also contributes to Baseball America. Rubin's work is featured in the B.A. Prospect Handbook again this year and he will provide valuable background on why each player is ranked in system and who is on the fringes of making the Mets or becoming a Bisons player when he joins us from Port St. Lucie.

~ Ben Wagner

My apologies getting the game recap on the site a tad tardy tonight. NO! it wasn't because I was watching the Sweet 16... "We" are trying to get a little landscaping done at the house before the madness of the first homestand takes over when Opening Day arrives.

Here's the news you came for:
Bisons' infielder Michel Abreu finished 2-4 with a two-run home run, while catcher Salvador Paniagua also homered for the Herd in a 4-4 tie this afternoon against the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins) in Port St. Lucie, FL.

In today's action, LHP Jonathon Niese took the ball for Buffalo and allowed four runs in 4.1 innings of work.

Other News & Notes
Put one in the left column... The Bisons are now 0-3-3 in their 10-game exhibition schedule (one game lost to rain).

Pop the top... There are just 13 days until the Bisons open up the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9 at Coca-Cola Field against the Pawtucket Red Sox (3:05 p.m.). Tickets are now on-sale at bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (843-4373).

On the tube... Opening Day will be the first of nearly 40 televised games on Time Warner Cable SportsNet. Get the entire TV schedule: CLICK HERE!

Bisons Season Preview Show IV... The fourth of five Season Preview Shows will air on WWKB-AM 1520 this Sunday from 5-6 p.m. I have three great guests to look forward to on the show and each will offer their unique opinion and insight of the season ahead for the Mets and the Bisons. The final show, April 5, will be broadcast from Coca-Cola Field as the 2009 Bisons arrive for the first time after breaking Spring Training camp. Your calls (716-843-1520) and comments (broadcast@bisons.com) will be welcome as we broadcast live!

The Orange, crushed... The Syracuse Orange fell short of the Elite Eight on Friday night in Memphis. With one season ending, another will begin for the newest member of the Bisons' broadcast team as Joel Godett arrives in Buffalo. Joel has been covering the 'Cuse throughout the year and it will be great to hear first hand his experience of the six OT game at The Garden and the last two weeks during the dance. Joel will make his debut on Opening Day on WWKB while Duke and I are on television. (b/t/w... KB 1520 is an affiliate of Syracuse University athletics and we were joined by Voice of the Orange, Matt Park during our visits to the Salt City last year)

~ Ben Wagner

Today's news basically proves you'll have to live under a rock not to see, hear or have a chance to witness any Bisons game this season.

The Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, announced that SNY, the television home of the New York Mets, will broadcast five Buffalo Bisons games LIVE during the 2009 season.

The five-game schedule will begin on Thursday, May 28 with the Bisons' 1:05 p.m. game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies) at Coca-Cola Field. The schedule also includes a Bisons road game, July 6 against the Rochester Red Wings at Frontier Field.

The SNY broadcast schedule is available: CLICK HERE!

Follow the Mets and the Bisons this season...
SportsNet New York
SNY & Mets coverage:CLICK HERE!
Complete Bisons TV schedule: CLICK HERE!
Every game on the Bisons Broadcast Network: CLICK HERE!

Bisons outfielder Jason Cooper went 1-4 with an RBI-double at the plate while fellow outfielder Jesus Feliciano drove home the other Bisons run with his 1-3 performance. Outfielder Fernando Martinez was 1-3 with a walk and a run scored.

On the mound, LHP Jon Switzer and RHP Eddie Kunz each threw two scoreless innings.

The Bisons are now 0-3-2 in their 10-game exhibition schedule (one game lost to rain).

Just so ya know... Game reports are called in as a courtesy to the Bisons Media/PR department. No official box score and/or game report is available for any minor league spring games.

There are just 14 days until the Bisons open the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9 against the Pawtucket Red Sox (3:05 p.m.). Tickets are now on-sale at bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (843-4373).

The semi-final version of the Bisons' 2009 Season Preview Show is set to air on Sunday at 5 p.m. (WWKB-AM 1520). A dynamic and well versed panel will join me on the program. Each will share their thoughts on who could end up in Buffalo and provide a broader scope of who's waiting in the wings to join the Bisons' clubhouse.

The final of our five shows will be broadcast from Coca-Cola Field on April 5 as the 2009 Bisons arrive for the first time. If you've missed any of our three Season Preview Shows: CLICK HERE!

Here's who is on and how to read their work before the show;
Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News has covered the Bisons for over 20 years and has been privy to the franchise's most significant moments. He'll share his thoughts on the impact of the Mets affiliation and the things that could lay ahead for the new affiliate.

Toby Hyde orchestrates one of the most detailed blogs Mets fans have to follow the minor league action throughout the season. Part of the SportsNet New York network (SNY), the site features daily recaps from every US based minor league affiliate and has a very impressive library of Mets MiLB player biographies.

Adam Rubin has been on the Mets beat for the New York Daily News since 2003 and also contributes to Baseball America. Rubin's work is featured in the B.A. Prospect Handbook again this year and he will provide valuable background on why each player is ranked in system and who is on the fringes of making the Mets or becoming a Bisons player when he joins us from Port St. Lucie.

~ Ben Wagner

The Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, played to a 4-4 tie against the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins) on Tuesday afternoon from Jupiter, FL.

Bisons outfielder Jesus Feliciano went 2-3 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored. Outfielder Fernando Martinez's (pictured right) RBI-single in the ninth inning helped the Bisons pull even with the Zephyrs.

On the mound, RHP Kyle Snyder threw three scoreless innings while Valerio de los Santos and Connor Robertson each chipped in an inning of scoreless relief.

Following Wednesday's camp day, the Bisons return to the field, facing Memphis (St. Louis), on Thursday afternoon.

Just so ya know... Game reports are called in as a courtesy to the Bisons Media/PR department. No official box score and/or game report is available for any minor league spring games.

Today's News & Notes
The Bisons are now 0-2-2 in their 10-game exhibition schedule (one game lost to rain).

There are just 16 days until the Bisons open up the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9 against the Pawtucket Red Sox (3:05 p.m.). Tickets are now on-sale at bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (843-4373).

Opening Day will be the first of nearly 40 televised games on Time Warner Cable SportsNet. Get the entire TV schedule: CLICK HERE!

The fourth of five Season Preview Shows will air on WWKB-AM 1520 this Sunday from 5-6 p.m. The final show, April 5, will be broadcast from Coca-Cola Field at the 2009 Bisons arrive for the first time after breaking Spring Training camp. Your calls (716-843-1520) and comments (broadcast@bisons.com) will be welcome as we broadcast live!

~ Ben Wagner

Infielder Jose Coronado (pictured right) smacked a two-run home run and infielder Rob Mackowiak went 3-4 during Buffalo's 11-3 loss against the Memphis Redbirds, Sunday afternoon from Jupiter, FL.

Bisons' outfielder Fernando Martinez was 2-5 at the plate while Coronado finished the game 1-3 ,with his first HR, during the loss. The Bisons are 0-2-1 in their 11-game exhibition schedule. Saturday's game against New Orleans was postponed due to rain.

Today's tidbit: Game reports are called in as a courtesy to the Bisons Media/PR. No official box score and/or game report is available for any minor league spring games.

News & Notes
The New York Mets steamrolled Atlanta 12-1 this afternoon and Johan Santana looked in midseason form. Read the recap: CLICK HERE!

Today was the third of five Season Preview Shows. Next Sunday's show airs live on WWKB-AM 1520 with the show on April 5 originating form Coca-Cola Field as the team arrives for the first time. For previous shows and more information: CLICK HERE!

There are just 18 days until the Bisons open up the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9 against the Pawtucket Red Sox (3:05 p.m.). Tickets are now on-sale at bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (843-4373).

~ Ben Wagner

The third installment of the 2009 Bisons' Season Preview Show begins at 5 o'clock tonight on the Bisons flagship, WWKB-AM 1520 and Mets great Ed Kranepool, who started his professional baseball career in the Nickel City will headline tonight's show.

Not to spoil the surprise but Ed Kranepool had never seen the famous Saturday Night Live skit with Bill Murray, involving him and other Mets from nearly three decades ago. What a moment, witnessing him view the footage in our offices and you'll enjoy hearing him talk about it on the show.

Beginning Monday, you can enjoy an archived version of the show exclusively on Bisons.com if you missed any of the show or the first two programs.

~ Ben Wagner

We had a plenty of action this afternoon at Coca-Cola Field during the Family Fun Day Open House as fans prepare for Opening Day (April 9 at 3:05 pm). I asked a few fans to share their thoughts about the day and why they decided to spend some time with other Bisons' fans.

Hear what they had to say: In their words, CLICK HERE!

Oddly, none of the women I wanted to talk with wanted to talk to me... some things never change.

Bisons.com was patrolling the event snapping pics of fans too. Where you captured?
Click to find out!

~ Ben Wagner

Bisons fans are starting to shuffle through the ballpark as we update "The Dish" from our broadcast booth. Don't tell Duke, but folks sitting in his chair and having a great time putting on the headset and practicing their home run calls. Feel free to drop by and say 'hello' as you pass by the booth and pick up the Bisons' TV (or print one here!) and radio schedules.

Here's a quick hits version of some of the fun:

• FREE Russer Hot Dogs on Midstate Bakery Rolls and Coca-Cola Soft Drinks


• NEW TEAM LOGO Gear available in the Batter's Box Gift Shop


• 2 LIVE Shows from Children's Music Entertainer Glenn Colton (12:15pm/1:30pm)


• Show Your Spirit with Brush of Class Face Paintings


• Test Your Skills in the Bisons Batting Cage and Radar Gun


• Swing for the Fences on Nintendo Wii Home Run Derby


• Take a Spin on the Bisons Prize Wheel to Win some Great Prizes


• Get an Inside Look at the Bisons Home Clubhouse, Press Box and Party Suites


• Classic Bisons Trophies and Artifacts

1:27 p.m. - I haven't been able to take a break! A long and steady line of fans dropping by the booth to say 'hello' and talk about what's ahead in 2009 for Buffalo!

3:12 - This one is headed for extras! A HUGE turnout and many were dressed in Bisons' blue. No way this party shuts down on time with the number of people still at the yard. Thanks to everyone that stopped by the booth to say, 'hello' and talk about the season ahead. I ventured out of the booth just once and saw Pettibones was packed and heard the same was true for every stop along the way. Kudos, once again, to YOU - the Bisons fan.

3:57 - Crazy numbers... no word on the actual number of fans today but I learned there were 1,050 - yes one-thousand fifty - hot dogs ingested between 11:07 a.m. and 2:56 p.m.

~ Ben Wagner

One thing that Bisons fans will notice right off the bat at Family Fun Day Open House is the new color of the homerun line on the outfield wall and foul poles! Buffalo is paying homage to the orange foul poles that stood at Shea Stadium. The Mets lay claim to the only non-yellow foul pole color honor in the Big Leagues. I'm privy to seeing MANY parks in the minors and seen all colors of the rainbow down the lines, but this new look will be a first for the Bisons' fan.

Come downtown and get look behind the scenes, grab some goodies and look at the new merchandise while you're at it during your visit to Coca-Cola Field. We'll be here updating "The Dish" throughout the festivities.

Tickets are on-sale too or get them online by CLICKING HERE!
~ Ben Wagner

Today is the Bisons annual Family Day Open House (Noon- 3:00 p.m.). FREE to the public.

Click here for details!

We'll be updating "The Dish" throughout the event from the pressbox AND also visiting with fans for the Season Preview Show that airs tomorrow on WWKB-AM 1520 from 5-6 p.m.

Just 19 days until the Bisons open the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9 against the Pawtucket Red Sox (3:05 p.m.). Tickets are now on-sale at bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (843-4373).

~ Ben Wagner

The Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, were defeated by the Memphis Redbirds, 2-1, Friday afternoon from Port St. Lucie, FL.

Long-time Bison Jason Cooper scored the Herd's only run. The outfielder was 1-2 on the day, scoring on a doubleplay off the bat of first baseman David Wabick. Outfielder Fernando Martinez finished the game 1-4 while third baseman Shawn Bowman was 2-3. Buffalo pounded out 12 hits in the loss.

On the mound, RHP Ryan Coultas, LHP Edward Camacho and RHP John Madden all pitched two innings of scoreless baseball.

News & Notes
Tomorrow is the Bisons annual Family Day Open House (Noon- 3:00 p.m.). FREE to the public. Click here for details!

The Bisons are now 0-1-1 in their 11-game exhibition schedule.

There are just 20 days until the Bisons open the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9 against the Pawtucket Red Sox (3:05 p.m.). Tickets are now on-sale at bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (843-4373).

~ Ben Wagner

We're headed back to Buffalo for the Family Fun Day Open House at Coca-Cola Field tomorrow (Details: Click Here). Over the past week, we've been able to see first hand the impressive display many of the players made that have a chance to end up on the Mets opening day roster. The one that has made the biggest splash in St. Lucie has been Nick Evans, who by all accounts prior to camp starting was slated to be in Buffalo.

After making an immediate impact in his debut last May, he arrived to Spring Training on a mission and has continued the torrid pace all the while forcing Mets brass and manager Jerry Manuel to think about keeping him around for at least the first week of the regular season. Adam Rubin of the NY Daily News chronicles how Evans' performance and perfect timing have worked in his favor. NY Daily News article: CLICK HERE!

Buffalo's roster is also likely to pick up Jon Niese, Robinson Cancel, Casey Fossum, Jon Switzer, Connor Robertson, Kyle Snyder and Matt DeSalvo who were cut from big league camp.

If you haven't been able to tune into our Sunday Season Preview Shows on WWKB-AM 1520 (5-6 pm): 1) Why? 2) You've missed some great information about who could be with Buffalo. Don't worry though, they're archived on Bisons.com and this Sunday we'll have a lot of the fun from the ballpark and talk about the recent roster developments. Feel free to send your questions and comments to broadcast@bisons.com for this and future shows.

~ Ben Wagner

The Mets' bats have jumped on the Astros early. How can Houston go 18 straight spring games without a win? That is some serious March Madness!

Two familiar faces are back in the clubhouse today as Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado arrived back at Spring Training but aren't expected to play until next week.

They may have had the last laugh following news of David Wright's injury in last nights meaningless World Baseball Classic game. I really hope NO team has to stomach a devastating injury by the time this thing wraps up. The pageantry of this event has been wonderful but a significant player shelved, on a contending club, would be terrible black eye.

~ Ben Wagner

The Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, opened their spring exhibition schedule with a 3-3 tie against New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins) in Port St. Lucie, FL.

The big knock came off the bat of C Salvador Paniagua, whose two-out RBI single tied the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. Last season, Paniagua hit .248 with seven home runs and 19RBI in 45 games at Double-A Binghamton.

Other News & Notes

• The Bisons will play 11 games against affiliates of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Florida Marlins.


• The Bisons Family Day Open House is Saturday at Coca-Cola Field. READ MORE!


• There are just 22 days until the Bisons open the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9 against the Pawtucket Red Sox (3:05 p.m.). Tickets are now on-sale at bisons.com or by calling THE-HERD at (843-4373).


• Pretty cool stuff: David Wright's game winning hit for Team USA last night is the talk of the baseball world and "The Dish" is part of the hype! MLB has made the Bisons blog 1-of-8 featured on the homepage.

~ Ben Wagner

No word when Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltan are scheduled to return to camp after David Wright's game winning single for Team USA sent Puerto Rico packing last night.

"I'm going to tell them to enjoy St. Lucie," Wright said with a first-to-third smile. "The whole game we were kind of ribbing each other back and forth and it was good to be able to come out on top. That was a lot of fun." - NY Post

That aside, I've enjoyed St. Lucie but I'm looking at it much differently than Delgado and Beltran must be. While Brad Bisbing and I have been pounding the keyboard over the past few days in Florida, I have also been corralling interviews with various scribes, scouts and baseball folk.

I took the liberty to break some of the conversations down and give you the meat and potatoes:
VP/AGM - Tony Bernazard CLICK HERE!
Buffalo Pitching Coach - Ricky Bones CLICK HERE!

As you will hear from Bernazard and Bones, there are a number of jobs up for grabs on the Mets roster and with an incredible amount of pressure in the clubhouse leading into this season and success ultimately equaling post season play, it's nice to live in the present.

"I never thought we'd be dogpiling in March," Wright said. "It was pretty special and something I'll always remember. Every hitter in that dugout wants to be up in that situation. When you play in your backyard as a kid, that's the situation going through your mind." - NY Daily News

~ Ben Wagner

Irish or not, the Mets' eyes were smiling after Johan Santana's outing back in St. Lucie this morning against Mets' minor leaguers. During the intrasquad game, the staff ace worked four innings, surrendering six hits and a pair of runs, while whiffing five on 56 pitches, 40 strikes.

Santana stayed back at Traditions Field while the rest of Big League Camp took a 5-1 loss next to Mickey and Minney's place (details below on The Dish).

In other pitching news, Bobby Parnell topped out at 96 mph on the in-stadium gun (a rare luxury at Spring Training sites) while working a perfect frame after Jonathan Niese threw the first four innings.

News & Notes

• ATL and NYM: Same two teams will face off four of the next six games.


• Family Day Open House at Coca-Cola Field is on Saturday: CLICK HERE!

The Mets ran into a spring training buzz saw on Tuesday as the Braves improved to 13-3 in exhibition play with a 5-1 win.

Irish eyes were smiling on Mets OF Daniel Murphy, who finished 3-4 with a double. He hit the ball hard every time, and would've had a four-hit game if it wasn't for a spectacular catch in center by Atlanta's Josh Anderson.

Starter Jonathan Niese gave up two runs in four innings of work. He only allowed two hits, but one was a two-run homer off the bat of Anderson in the second inning. That was the last hit the southpaw allowed.

One particularly nice duel came against INF Casey Kotchman. After jumping ahead on Kotchman, Niese had him out in front of three consecutive off-speed pitches of 73, 74, 75mph. Kotchman fouled those off, but then was no match for a 91mph heater high and away. It was one of Niese's three strikeouts.

-Brad

Bisons.com is at the impressive Wild World of Sports Complex (30+ fields) at Disney for the Mets game against the Atlanta Braves today.

A great crowd of about 10,000 is on hand for St. Patty's Day at the ballpark. The Mets and Braves players are sporting special green caps and shamrocks have been painted on the infield dirt at second, short and behind the second base bag. Of course, the crowd has followed suit with plenty of green apparel.

With Johan Santana back at Tradition Field, the Mets are going with lefty Jonathan Niese today. One of the pitchers in the mix for the back-end of New York's rotation, Niese has had the exact same pitching line in each of his first two spring starts: 2.0IP, 2H, 2R, 2BB, 2K.

The ceremonial first pitch went to Florida-native and Arizona Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin. Boldin was Florida's High School Mr. Football in 1998 and attended Florida State University.

Boldin got a big hand for his pitch, but it paled in comparison to the one received by his mound escort...Goofy!

-Brad Bisbing

Bisons.com noticed a pair of nice signs at Mets minor league camp today.

First was infielder Junior Spivey, who was signed by the Mets to a minor league contract. The 34-year old won a world series championship with Arizona in 2001 and has played 457 games with the Diamondbacks, Brewers and Nationals.

Bisons fans last saw him at Coca-Cola Field as part of the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2007. He did not play last season.

And, then there was the sign to the right, which hung above the door to the minor league complex. It was great to see our new logo along side the rest of the Mets minor league system. A nice touch if you ask me.

-Brad Bisbing

Off day for the Mets, but the fields in Port St. Lucie were busy with minor league intra-squad games on Monday.

One note from today as RHP Tony Armas Jr. was reassigned to minor league camp.

The 30-year old put up some great numbers with New Orleans last season before being hampered by an abdominal muscle strain. Check out these numbers in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League - 2.54ERA, 102.2IP, 85H, 20BB, 88K.

Armas has plenty of big league experience. A 12-game winner with Montreal in 2002, the Venezuelan-native is 53-65 with a 4.65ERA in 185 big league games.

And speaking of pitching...

Johan Santana will not travel with the Mets on Tuesday to play Atlanta. Instead, the Mets ace will throw in a minor league intra-squad game at the team's complex.

-Brad Bisbing

The Mets may have an off day scheduled, but unfortunately there's been little rest for anyone that is in camp. The Bisons staff was already at Traditions Field as the sun started to rise this morning with many minor league players following shortly after.

No matter if you're fighting for a spot in Buffalo or in "A" ball you're not going to get much rest in spring training.

Players in minor league camp have been arriving at the complex by 7 a.m. for treatment and starting team meetings. They can cover anything from team philosophy to nutritional advice. After breaking out of class, players split up for work based on position for drills and then towards the end of the day, take batting practice, workout and see the trainer if need be.

From 7 a.m. to nearly 6 p.m. over the course of the day - meetings, hours in the sun and lots of hard work to get ready for a season that hardly lets you take a breath. No one said this game was designed to be easy, just ask the hundreds of players in Port St. Lucie.

~ Ben Wagner

Mets Claim Nieve
New York has claimed RHP Fernando Nieve off waivers from the Houston Astros. The 26-year old was 0-1 with an 8.44ERA in 11 games with the Astros last year. He was also 2-5 with 6 saves and a 5.72ERA in 36 games with Triple-A Round Rock of the PCL.

Crowded Camp
The Mets still have 52 players in big league camp with only 23 days until their Opening Day. A big reason for that is the World Baseball Classic, to which the Mets sent a league-high 16 players. The list includes four players - Carlos Beltran (3-3, HR, 2RBI), Carlos Delgado (1-4, 2RBI), Jesus Feliciano (2H) and Nelson Figueroa (1.1IP, 0R) -that contributed to Puerto Rico's 11-1 thumping of Team USA on Saturday night.

Roster Moves
The list of players that have been re-assigned to minor league camp include:

C Josh Thole
RHP Valerio de los Santos
LHP Michael Antonini
RHP Tobi Stoner
LHP Adam Bostick
RHP Dillon Gee
OF Rob Mackowiak
OF Fernando Martinez
INF Jose Coronado
INF Michel Abreu

As far as Sunday's game, a largely pro-Mets crowd went home happy with a 10-5 victory over the Marlins. New York scored six runs in the seven-inning, anchored by a two-run triple from Luis Castillo.

-Brad Bisbing

Bisons.com saw a famliar face here at Roger Dean Stadium...former Bisons infielder Dave Hollins.

The Orchard Park-native is a scout for the Baltimore Orioles and has been a regular at Coca-Cola Field over the past few years (think he might've had a hand in Jeremy Guthrie going to the O's?).

One of the teams Hollins scouts for Baltimore is the Mets. So, you can expect to see even more of him at the ballpark this season.

Hollins played 983 major league games in 12 seasons, most of which came with the Philadelphia Phillies. A '94 NL All Star, Hollins also had 27HR and 93RBI in 1992.

Hollins played 5 games with Buffalo in 2000 and 89 more the following season. He hit 16HR with 67RBI in 2001. He was also the Bisons 2001 Comeback Player of the Year.

-Brad Bisbing

We bolted Port St. Lucie down I95 about half hour to Jupiter. You wouldn't know it walking around Roger Dean Stadium (spring home of the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals) because of ALL the Mets fans packing the park for a Sunday matinee.

The staff at the yard is visibly buzzing around dealing with the large crowds. It is apparent they were ready at the souvenir stands too because they are selling more items with an interlocking "NY" than a Fish.

Shameless plug - tune in to our second Buffalo Bisons Season Preview Show at 5 p.m. on WWKB-AM 1520. We talked to a number of people over the past 24 hours and have a solid list of guests (listed below) to help give the team shape.

~ Ben Wagner

When he visited Buffalo in December, Bisons skipper Ken Oberkfell promised an aggressive brand of baseball. He credited that managerial style to his leader when he was a player with the Cardinals, Whitey Herzog.

Thought I'd share some interesting numbers that prove Oberkfell and Herzog's style.

The 1982 World Series Championship Cardinals were 92-70, despite hitting just 67 home runs in 162 games. That total was 14 fewer than any other team and only 28 more than Reggie Jackson's baseball-best 39.

However, the Cards led the National League in triples (52), stolen bases (200) and times caught stealing (91). Even Oberkfell had 11 stolen bases...but in 20 attempts.

"With Whitey in St. Louis, we were always run, run, run," said Oberkfell. "If you're aggressive, you're putting pressure on the other team and they might make mistakes. You are going to make mistakes too, but that's part of the learning process.

It will be a change for Bisons fans...Buffalo was last in the IL last season with only 59 stolen bases. No Herd player finished the season with 10 steals.

Get ready for some aggressive baseball!

-Brad Bisbing

I don't like to give all the secrets away, especially when we have big news but this is too good not to share. Tomorrow's Season Preview Show (WWKB-AM 1520, 5-6 p.m.) has got everything a Bisons' fan would expect to learn from a show designed to preview the season.

Here's part of tomorrow's lineup:

Sidebar: Not that I want to name drop, but... Sandy Koufax was in the Mets clubhouse before the game today. Yes, 165 game winner for Brooklyn and LA, seven time All Star in 12 seasons - that same Sandy Koufax.

I'll admit it, I was awestruck.

~ Ben Wagner

What's a baseball game without food?

Hot dogs are standard, but when you go to a game in Port St. Lucie, FL, you have to Go Big or Go Home.

Bisons.com took on the challange of Tradition Field's Taco in a Helmet...

The helmet is about twice the size of your average Dip N' Dots helmet, and makes for one hearty meal. Salsa, sour cream and jalepeno peppers top your normal taco fillings.

And when your done, a nice little souvenir of your conquest.

As for the game, the Nationals score six in the ninth to beat the Mets, 6-2. Fernando Tatis had three hits and one of the two RBI for New York.

-Brad Bisbing

We've made our way to Tradition Field, where at 1:00 p.m. today the Mets will host the Washington Nationals.

Tradition Field has been the spring home of the Mets since 1988 and seats about 7,000.

"Hit Man" Coming to Buffalo

Herd skipper Ken Oberkfell said new Bisons Hitting Coach Luis Natera carries around the nickname of the "Hit Man." Says Oberkfell: "Wherever he goes, the hits follow."

The 2009 season will be Natera's 18th in the Mets' organization and of course, his first in Buffalo. He spent last season with Double-A Binghamton and two years ago, his Class-A St. Lucie Mets led the Florida State League with a .273 batting average.

Natera seems to rubbing off on the players here in Mets camp. New York has 10 or more hits in 12 of their first 15 spring games, averaging .297 as a team.

The entire Ken Oberkfell interview can be heard on the second installment of the Bisons Spring Training Radio Show, Sunday at 5:00 p.m. on WWKB 1520 AM.

-Brad Bisbing

Former Bisons reliver Ron Villone is in New York Mets Camp.

A late camp signing, Villone has pitched a pair of scoreless innings, hoping to be another lefty option out of the bullpen for skipper Jerry Manuel. The 39-year old walked one and struck out one in New York's 9-3 victory over Detroit on Friday.

Villone pitched 23 games for the 1998 IL Championship Bisons. He was 2-2 with a 2.01ERA and seven saves that year with the Herd.

-Brad Bisbing

We have officially arrived in the Sunshine State and started to settle in for our stay in Port St. Lucie, the spring training home of the New York Mets. In the days ahead, there will be plenty of reporting, interviews, conversation and networking. And, of course, a lot of time at the yard.

One of the productions that will originate from our Grapefruit League coverage will include the second of five Bisons' Season Preview Shows that air on WWKB-AM 1520 from 5-6 p.m. Sunday.

We'll be happy to take you questions and comments via email at broadcast@bisons.com.

Not only will this get you ready for Opening Day but it will give you a unique look at places that go unseen during the regular season. It is your one day ALL ACCESS pass to Coca-Cola Field.

The Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A Affiliate of the New York Mets, will hold their annual Family Day Open House on Saturday, March 21. This event is FREE to the general public.

One of the Bisons great off-season traditions, the Family Day Open House has something for fans of all ages, including:

• FREE Russer Hot Dogs on Midstate Bakery Rolls and Coca-Cola Soft Drinks


• NEW TEAM LOGO Gear available in the Batter's Box Gift Shop


• 2 LIVE Shows from Children's Music Entertainer Glenn Colton (12:15pm/1:30pm)


• Show Your Spirit with Brush of Class Face Paintings


• Test Your Skills in the Bisons Batting Cage and Radar Gun


• Swing for the Fences on Nintendo Wii Home Run Derby


• Take a Spin on the Bisons Prize Wheel to Win some Great Prizes


• Get an Inside Look at the Bisons Home Clubhouse, Press Box and Party Suites


• Classic Bisons Trophies and Artifacts AND MORE!!!

Doors will open at 11:00 a.m. for Bisons Season Ticket Holders. Everyone else is welcome to join the fun starting at 12:00 p.m.

We'll be joining you from Florida over the next few days and able to bring you the second of five Bisons' Season Preview shows on Sunday (WWKB-AM 1520) from 5-6 p.m. in beautiful Port St. Lucie - the spring training home of the New York Mets.

We'll have plenty of folks dropping by: Mets brass, coaches, players and guests on the program over the next two weeks from Port St. Lucie.

The next few weeks build momentum toward our final preview show, April 5, from Coca-Cola Field which feature your calls and commentary about the Bisons season ahead.

We'll update "The Dish" sporadically as we look forward and move closer to Opening Day in downtown Buffalo!

The 2009 television broadcast schedule will include LIVE broadcasts of 37 games on Time Warner Cable SportsNet Channel 13. The schedule begins with Opening Day, Thursday, April 9 against the Pawtucket Red Sox (3:05 p.m.).

Download the TV schedule CLICK HERE!

The broadcast schedule includes 27 home games as well as 10 road games against the Rochester Red Wings and the Syracuse Chiefs. After the initial broadcast, all games will also be available for cable customers to view anytime on the Time Warner Cable SportsNet On-Demand Channel 946.

All games played at Coca-Cola Field will feature the play-by-play of "The Voice of the Bisons," Ben Wagner and long time color analyst Duke McGuire.

Highlights of the schedule include three games against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees (April 16, July 7 and September 2) and two games against the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, the Columbus Clippers (May 22, 24). The Bisons annual Independence Eve Celebration on July 3 against Rochester is on the schedule as is a July 4 game against the Red Wings at Frontier Field.

Meet the Bisons Broadcast team - CLICK HERE!

The Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, announced that the Bisons Radio Network will include "Game of the Week" broadcasts on WGR Sportsradio 550 and Newsradio 930 WBEN during the 2009 season.

WBEN will air all 22 Sunday Bisons games this year, starting with the Herd's game against the Pawtucket Red Sox on Sunday, April 12 (1:05 p.m.). WGR will feature a Bisons "Game of the Week," with a schedule being announced at a later date.

The broadcasts on WBEN and WGR will not affect the radio schedule for the Bisons flagship station, Entercom's WWKB 1520 "A New Voice." All 144 Bisons games will continue to be aired on WWKB as well as the Triple-A All-Star game on Wednesday, July 15 from Portland, OR and any potential post season games.

All Bisons games will continue to be available for free on the official website home of the team: bisons.com. The WGR "Game of the Week" schedule will begin at the conclusion of the NHL season.

The Bisons also welcome the addition of Joel Godett to their broadcasting team. Godett will join "The Voice of the Bisons" Ben Wagner and long time color analyst Duke McGuire on various broadcasts throughout the 2009 season.

Godett joins the Bisons broadcast team from the Salem Avalanche, the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Houston Astros, where he spent the 2008 season as a Broadcasting and Media Relations assistant. In 2007, he made his baseball debut with the Cape Cod League's Orleans Cardinals.

Originally from New Jersey, Godett graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism. While at Syracuse, Godett worked for the renowned WAER-FM as well as WJPZ-FM and Orange All-Access. He broadcast experience includes everything from SU basketball to professional indoor football and Orange field hockey. He was on the mic when Syracuse beat Johns Hopkins for its 10th lacrosse national championship in 2008.

Godett's radio work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, John Bayliss Broadcast Foundation and the Syracuse Press Club.

Right after the checkered flag fell in Atlanta the first of five Bisons' season preview shows hit the airwaves. Next week we'll join you from beautiful Port St. Lucie and bring you latest from the spring training home of the New York Mets at 5 p.m. Future shows air: March 22, 29 and the final show will air LIVE featuring your calls and questions at Coca-Cola Field, April 5 as the team arrives for the first time.

UPDATE 3/9/09: The Bisons first Season Preview Show is now on Bisons.com

Since you are the best Bisons fans ever - insider info! - BIG news coming about another way you can follow the Bisons this year, very soon!

The first official broadcast this season will get started a little tardy today. Since Buffalo's newest - and most animated - resident has taken all the headlines the past 24 hours the Bisons 2009 Season Preview Show will follow NASCAR 'flag to flag' coverage on WWKB-AM 1520.

Today's preview show will be the first of five airing each Sunday prior to the season beginning at Coca-Cola Field, April 9 at 3:05 p.m. Following the show, it will be available on Bisons.com.

Let's be honest, starting a little late in the first of over a 150 broadcast will be a distant memory since the Bisons have visions of a taking victory lap later this September.