Coca-Cola Field

aka Pilot Field
Dunn Tire Park
North Americare Pk
Downtown Ballpark

Buffalo New York

Home of the
Buffalo Bison

International League
(Triple-A)
Hitting got a bit thin in 2002 with only Earl Snyder providing any pop in his bat, hitting 19 HR and batting .263. Chad Allen (20 2B, 10 Hr, .301), Chris Coste (32 2B, 8 HR, .318), Greg LaRocca (28 2B, 7 HR, .293) and future MLB 30-30 man Brandon Phillips (14 2B, 8 HR, .283) were the best hitters in the lineup. The pitching staff was led by Jason Beverlin (10-8, 3.87), Nerio Rodriguez (4-2, 1.82), Tim Drew (8-4, 3.27) and Jason Phillips (7-4, 3.39). The Bisons finished the season in 2nd with an 84-54 (.609) record which was good enough to take the wild card, which pitted them against Scranton who couldn’t wait to beat them again. This time however, the Bisons turned the tables taking 3 in a row against the Red Barons. They finally got to the finals, thanks to Zach Sorensen’s 10th inning blast in Game 2 to win 6-5, and a comeback win in game 3 which saw Buffalo score 4 runs in the top of the 9th thanks to a Zach Sorensen’s triple. The Bisons then went on to face Durham in the finals. With the score tied 4-4 in the 12th  the rains came and Game 1 had to be suspended. When it resumed the next day, Emil Brown’s 2 run blast won it for the Bulls. The Bulls then blew the Bisons away in game 2 winning easily by a score of 8-1. When game 3 went back to Durham, the Bulls used their home advantage to keep the Bisons down to a single hit as they beat Buffalo 2-0 to win the Championship. The Bisons were again sent home empty handed. Manager Eric Wedge was promoted to manage the Cleveland Indians after the season ended.