By Charles H. Roberts III
The Bisons honored former Buffalo Mayor James D. Griffin, a long-time supporter of baseball in Western New York and certainly a vital component to getting Pilot Field, now Coca-Cola Field built, when they renamed the plaza outside the park “James D. Griffin Plaza” on Tuesday, June 30.
“It is very fitting that we rename this plaza for Mayor Griffin,” current Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said. “His relentless efforts to get this stadium built are why we have this and why we are here today.”
The ceremony lasted about 30 minutes, with speeches given by Bisons vice president and general manager Mike Buczkowski and Tommy Griffin, the late Mayor’s son. A plaque in Griffin’s name will be hung near the Swan Street gate.
“I can’t think of a more fitting place to honor my father than Pilot Field,” Tommy Griffin said.
In addition to the plaque and renaming of the plaza, an announcement was made that donations are being accepted in an effort to have an approximately 12-15 foot statue built outside the ballpark. Early renderings of the statue portray the south-pawed Griffin in a shirt and tie with his sleeves rolled-up, throwing out the first pitch.
Initial reports are that they will need to raise between $80-100,000 for the plans to come to fruition. For more information on how and when to donate, visit bisons.com.
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