Bisons/Mayor Byron Brown Dedicate James D. Griffin Plaza
Published on June 30, 2009 under International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release
The Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, were joined by Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown today to dedicate the plaza area outside of Coca-Cola Field as "James D. Griffin Plaza."
As part of the ceremony, Mayor Brown unveiled a commemorative plaque in honor of the late Mayor Griffin that will hang on the ballpark on the side facing Swan Street. Details of a memorial fund were also announced to raise money to commission a statue of Mayor Griffin to be placed on the plaza next season.
"This great ballpark and professional baseball are here in Buffalo largely because of the vision and determination of late Mayor Jimmy Griffin," said Mayor Brown. "And so it is fitting to join Mayor Griffin's family, friends, the Buffalo Bisons and others as we dedicate James D. Griffin Plaza in his honor and install a plaque commemorating his contributions to our city."
"There was no bigger supporter of the Buffalo Bisons than Mayor Griffin," said Mike Buczkowski, Vice President/General Manager of the Buffalo Bisons. "He was our #1 fan and a driving force to build a downtown ballpark."
While Mayor of the City of Buffalo (1978-1993), Griffin spearheaded a group that personally invested to bring professional baseball back to Buffalo. In the mid 1980s, Griffin proved himself an innovator in the sports industry. His vision for, and insistence on, a new downtown home for the Bisons culminated with the opening of Coca-Cola Field in 1998 and began a nationwide trend for downtown ballpark construction. For his continued support of the Bisons and baseball in Buffalo, Griffin was inducted into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988.
Mayor Griffin passed away on May 25, 2008 at the age of 78.
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