Sports stats

IL Buffalo Bisons

Bisons to Sign 100-Year Old Shortstop and WWII Veteran Roy Kinyon to 1-Day Contract on Monday, July 4th

June 29, 2022 - International League (IL)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


The Buffalo Bisons are thrilled to announce that they intend to sign 100-year-old SS Roy Kinyon to a one-day contract on Monday, July 4 so that he can appear in uniform for the Herd as they face the Syracuse Mets at this year's KeyBank Independence Night Celebration (6:05 p.m.).

Kinyon, a two-sport star who led the Niagara-Orleans League in batting average with the Barker Raiders during a 1941 Championship campaign, will be tasked with throwing out the Ceremonial First pitch upon signing his contract on Monday, July 4th at Sahlen Field.

By signing this contract with the Bisons, Kinyon will finally get to join the team that began recruiting him 80 years ago. Following a standout baseball and basketball career with the Barker Raiders, Kinyon was invited to try out for the Bisons late in the Summer of 1942. In a courageous and inspiring decision, Kinyon passed up the opportunity to try out and instead enlisted in the United States Navy to serve his country during World War II.

"It's not often a minor league general manager gets to add a true American hero to his club's roster, but I am thrilled that we've come to terms with Roy on this one-day contract so that he can forever be part of the Buffalo Bisons team," said Bisons General Manager, Anthony Sprague.

Born in Appleton, NY, Kinyon was captain of both the baseball and basketball teams at Barker, each of which won championships his senior year. He led the 1940-1941 Raiders basketball team with 165 points, guiding the club to an 11-3 record. Thanks to his efforts on the diamond, the Barker baseball team went a perfect 6-0 during the 1941 regular season before defeating Newfane, 7-5, in the Niagara-Orleans League Championship Game. Kinyon averaged .714 during the season.

Kinyon served in the US Navy for four years, rising to the ranks of Chief, Motorist Machinist. His naval vessel, the USS Shoshone, was an amphibious cargo assault ship active in the Pacific. Kinyon was aboard his ship off the shores of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945 where he watched six US Marines raise an American flag atop the summit of Mount Suribachi.

After the conclusion of the war, Kinyon had a 35-year career first as an Inspector and then as Scheduler Dispatcher at General Motors' Harrison Radiator. He also coached his three sons, Gary, Bruce & Carl, for many years in basketball at the Lockport YMCA and in baseball in the Lockport Little League.

Tickets/BPO Family Packs Available

Tickets for this year's KeyBank Independence Night are on sale at Bisons.com and the Sahlen Field Box Office (Open M-F, 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-2pm). The Bisons also have a tremendous deal available with the popular BPO Family Pack which includes four July 4th tickets, four hot dog/soda vouchers and 25% off at the ballpark's gift shops for only $109 (Savings of 20%). Additional discounted tickets can also be added onto the pack for larger families. Individual tickets are also still available.

For more information, fans should visit Bisons.com.

Check out the Buffalo Bisons Statistics



International League Stories from June 29, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Buffalo Bisons Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central