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:

Mets V.P. and AGM: Tony Bernazard

Bisons Manger: Ken Oberkfell

Hitting Coach: Luis Natera

Pitching Coach: Ricky Bones

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