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IL1 Buffalo Bisons

Bisons Notes

April 3, 2008 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


TODAY'S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons open up their 123rd season of professional baseball against the Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park (7:15 p.m.). The Herd has posted eight consecutive winning seasons but hasn't made the playoffs in each of their past two years. LHP Aaron Laffey gets the start today looking to build off an impressive 2007 campaign. He was the Bisons Most Valuable Pitcher after going 9-3 with a 3.08ERA in 16 games with Buffalo. Norfolk will counter with RHP Hayden Penn.

WELL-DECORATED: The 2008 Bisons Opening Day roster features three International League All-Stars from 2007 (Ryan Mulhern (midseason), Aaron Herr, Ben Francisco), two former Bisons Most Valuable Players (Mulhern '07, Francisco '06), two former Bisons Most Valuable Pitchers (Aaron Laffey '07, Jeremy Sowers '06), two former IL Batting Champions (Francisco '07, Danny Sandoval '05) and three members of the Cleveland Indians' Top 10 prospects by Baseball America (Laffey #5, Jordan Brown #7, Francisco #9).

LEADING THE HERD: The Bisons are returning the entire coaching staff from last year's team. Manager Torey Lovullo will lead the team for a third straight season. The Buffalo Baseball Hall of Famer won two championships ('97, '98) in three seasons as a player in Buffalo. Pitching Coach Scott Radinsky and Hitting Coach Dave Myers are back for their second season on Buffalo's coaching staff.

FAMILIAR FACES: Half (12 players) of the Bisons 2008 Opening Day Roster spent time with the team in 2007: Jason Cooper Scott Elarton, Ben Francisco, Yamid Haad, Jeff Harris, Aaron Laffey, Edward Mujica, Ryan Mulhern, Rich Rundles, Brian Slocum, Jeremy Sowers and Brad Snyder. The returning players combined for 35 wins, 414 strikeouts thrown, 50 home runs, 227RBI and 46 stolen bases last year. Jason Tyner was with the team in 2004 as they won the Governors' Cup Championship. Tom Mastny returns to Buffalo after spending all of last season with the Indians. He pitched in 24 games with the team in 2006.

ONE IS NO LONGER LONELY: The Bisons Opening Day Roster features five former first round draft picks. Brad Snyder (2003) and Jeremy Sowers (2004) were both selected by the Cleveland Indians. Jason Tyner was picked in the first round of 1998 draft by the Mets while Matt Ginter went to the White Sox in the first round of 1999. Aaron Herr was Atlanta's first round draft pick in 2000.

Aaron Laffey

-2008 Spring (CLE): (0-1, 7.62ERA)(5G, 13.0IP, 15H, 11R, 11ER, 11BB, 8K).

-2007 w/ Bisons: (9-3, 3.3.08)(16G, 96.1IP, 89H, 36R, 33ER, 23BB, 75K).

-2007 Bisons Warren Spahn Most Valuable Pitcher (Buffalo 13-3 when he pitched).

-2007 Indians Bob Feller Minor League Pitcher of the Year (13-4, 2.88ERA).

-On both of Cleveland's 2007 post season rosters (4.2IP, 0R in Game 6 of ALCS).

-2006 combined 12-4 with 3.57ERA at Single-A Kinston & Double-A Akron.

-Selected in the 16th round (468th overall) of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft.

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