Buffalo Bisons Grounds Crew Jacket

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

HISTORY

The 1959 pennant was Buffalo's ninth (and last) in the league. The Bisons played at Offerman Stadium tempting for left-handed hitters because the right field fence was a mere 297 feet from home plate. The first International League night game was played in Buffalo on July 3 1930. In 1964 #17 was worn by none other than the legendary "Marvelous Marv" Throneberry so-named by the Amazin' Mets manager Casey Stengel because of Marv's dubious skills as a fielder.
The Bisons were purchased by the Pastor brothers - Reuben Al and Sam - in 1955. The brothers owned the local Pepsi bottling plant adn created the 'bottlecap' emblem for the team as a marketing ploy. The Bisons won the Calder Cup five times the last time in 1969-1970. The team used the old Broadway Arena until 1956 then moved to Memorial Auditorium.
The Bisons were charter members of the AAFC a major pro league that gave the NFL a run for its money from 1946 to 1949. Three of its teams were eventually absorbed into the NFL but Buffalo did not make the cut despite an enthusiastic effort by its loyal fans to save the club. The Bisons played in the old War Memorial Stadium.

ITEM: BUFGJ