"It's a Little Off the Beaten Path, Al."

Thought professional soccer was played in stadiums? Think again. Multiple clubs across the Balkans have no such entities - not even stands for the spectators. While there are two teams in the city of Bitola in the Macedonian First League, one does play in a stadium in need of upgrade or replacement. However, the other team plays here:

Yes, that's a mule tied to the fence. The home of FK Heraclea doesn't actually have a name and is in one of the villages directly next to the ruins of the same name and the outskirts of the city limits of Bitola. It is of the beaten path in a part of the village I wasn't previously aware of on but a tertiary dirt road. I hope I haven't burned a despicable image in your minds but this is real life in a second-world country.

-Ricky

The Crow Hop Dance

For the purpose of a new jersey concept, I sought to use something old with slight alterations. Though the AFL's Adelaide Crows aren't a hockey club, I wanted to take the re-brand I presented last year and put it to a jersey, but I felt the current logo didn't do it justice nor did I feel I could work on fitting it into a concept. The striping is not something unheard of in all of sport, but it's not found too often on a hockey jersey. Especially where it's cut in half. While I wasn't thinking of any pro team. The Minnesota Swarm jersey I received last week has that pattern across the arms except strictly in alternation.

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However, I also thought that like the Swarm, I'd have to figure out how to make the TV numbers more visible. Instead of a single outline, I decided a double outline was more appropriate to help the cause. Between the Colorado Avs slternate lettering and the Buffalo Sabres cape numbers, it was a perfect mix of sharp angles and curvature to the respective fonts and works better than the font used in the original logo. It's not a collegiate representation, it it seems to work fairly decent here. But the striping only being used on the side would look better than all across the current home jumper. I might have to put that up to show the visual. We'll get there, but for now that's it.

-Ricky

Buzzing Across the Border

Our newest addition to the locker room arrived today! Three days ahead of time even. I guess this is probably it was only going two hours away from its departure city of Toronto. This is of another currently relocated team. But it features real laces, something hard to come by in the league of host.

The pre-honeycomb Minnesota Swarm jersey was one I questioned, but still had relatively liked. And it happened to turn out okay. Then the new jersey template came out with the introduction of the honeycombs as the first team to display the new template as the rest would go on to stay blank or ad shoulder patches. I happened to be wearing the navy shorts with yellow t-shirt as the mailman was approaching my front door with it, so I took this photo instead of getting the jersey independently or using a stock image of it. Keep checking back for more. There will be original content in the coming days.

-Ricky

Keep the Sleeves!

There was a consensus here that for the first time on the night of the first Sunday was also the first time a sleeved jersey was worn when the Larry O'Brien Trophy was won. That prompted us to have myself update and subsequently use the NBA sleeved jersey template. While many have reviled them, I have welcomed them with open arms as a person who doesn't like tank tops and already wears a t-shirt under basketball jerseys (a la Patrick Ewing). At first, I thought the modern version of the jerseys were Nike knockoffs with how there was design leeway on the back, but then I saw the location of the shoulder and gusset mesh.

This would not be anywhere near an appropriate color scheme for a Buffalo basketball team (the yellow more so than the navy). But here it serves its purpose just fine, as Indiana Pacers as the jersey front is. Aside from the back, if these were for Indy then I don't know if it would be best on sleeves than a normal jersey. That (you would think) won't happen ever. Just don't come back to me and tell me if it does.

-Ricky

Shooter the Golden Hoosier in Hawai'i

Well, not exactly. The Pacers are well into their middle ages, and once again the organization has done the subtle but efficient effect with their special logo department. I must say, though it is trademark to Pacer alternate logos, it would look better without the roundel. But in no means am I filing complaints. I think that if one ring of the roundel is removed, it would be most perfect (preferably the outer gray).

In other news, it took two days plus today to relay news that "Number 19"  is going to be done at 19. Josh Sansderson most recently of the Toronto Rock Announced his retirement on Wednesday after not quite two full decades. I remember the first time I saw Shooter play on TV - the 2002 Championship game against Toronto as a member of the (then) Albany Attack (currently Vancouver Stealth). It's funny how when I was working on the below concept, I randomly chose his number to test on the concept without thinking of him to shortly discover of his retirement. as I had with Tavares during his retirement ceremony, I omitted the captain's letter from this concept. When it was done on Tavares', I was still used to seeing him with the "A" on his chest. I'll save that story for another day. Lots of retirements in Toronto the past half decade, including Whipper (Bob Watson), Chugger (Bandits GM Steve Dietrich), Scoop (Jim Veltman) and now Shooter as well as Blaine Manning before him among others. The lead-up to the not so great season for the Rock could very well be this core group of veterans slowly but surely having gradually diminished roster ability.

When we use the term "re-invent the wheel," I took that in this case to mean update the Hawai'ian jerseys Toronto wore in 2008. As I kept the traditional elements from the original, I used the current leaf template to provide a 75 to 25 red to blue ratio. This was because I felt more blue should be incorporated, while keeping to the original red version of this uniform. This would be one of those looks better in person than conceptualized uniforms. If you look at the original, and put it side-to-side with this, you will see what I mean though not exactly the same. Well, I tried - that in itself was hard work.

-Ricky

Alternate Jersey Induction Ceremony 2016

Today is the moment you have been waiting for in the alternate jersey world. The name of this hall of fame has altered to be more reflective and less-discriminatory of heritage and special event jerseys as opposed to just actual third jerseys and also to reflect jerseys across other sports (which will begin for next year). However this year, there was only one inductee by our voting contingent.

We are proud to announce that another member of the inaugural class of NHL alternate jerseys, the 1996 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim "Wild Wing" jersey, as the newest member of the BNG Alternate Jersey Hall of Fame. With the inclusion of this year's inductee, there are eighteen members of the hall - all of which are former NHL uniforms. We congratulate this year's Stanley Cup winner the San Jose Sharks/Pittsburgh Penguins on their triumph. As hockey season concludes next season, the alternate jersey induction date will continue to be the day after the if necessary game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals.  This concludes our presentation for today, thank you for reading.

-Ricky

KeyBank Center It Is (We Think)

While the Key Bank takeover of First Niagara may still fall through possibly, there has been anticipation that the name change will still go forward this October. We also figured that assuming it does, a new look will come in some form at center ice. This will probably just be the removal of First Niagara Center in favor of KeyBank Center. Our Friends at Frozen Faceoff have just changed it to adapt with the current center ice design. I went quite a bit beyond that.

As you see, I changed the look completely from just the logo - while the logo does look good, it is bland at center ice. I decided that that needed an update to what you see above. However, If the pattern on the centerline of all diamonds stay, I wouldn't be opposed to that specifically. As you may have also noticed, the venue name is printed four times. Only the Scottrade Center in St. Louis and Florida's BB&T Center do that currently. I could have done four more with the logo before the script, but I didn't like how that looks and it differentiates the bank from the venue to some degree. Well, I thought this might be something slightly different the past few days. It's certainly something I'd like to have done a bit more often. But that can be said of many of the projects here. Have fun with these. I might even adapt these into a rink with dasher board concept. Until then, only time will tell.

-Ricky

Adjusting Things that Won't Happen

Yesterday we discussed how Crossroads Arena (name during planning; soon to be Key Bank Arena) as Marine Midland Arena was relatively unique when it first opened. Now, its seems as though (as of May 11 this year) what you see below will presumably not happen. As I worked on yesterday's center Ice concepts, I did theses alongside but felt the need to separate them upon completion.

Notice the positioning of the arena name is relatively exact to what was of yesterday. However, this wouldn't have worked in say the HSBC era, for example. With Key Bank, I can see it but don't want to push it. If anything, I do see two things that could work well, but I'll let you see them tomorrow.

-Ricky

Return the Wavy Lights!

When First Niagara bought shares of HSBC, it also purchased the naming rights to HSBC Arena. At which point, I was hoping to see the lights in the shape of waves on the arena exterior that accompanied the "Marine Midland Arena" lighting would return in some capacity. They didn't. I tried to do a mock up of it before the days of BNG, but now I decided at least with center ice, I can be more accurate.

That was probably one of may favorite sponsors ever. It was local and it was unique. Think of what would've happened if General Mills had the naming rights... Buffalo would be playing in a cereal bowl instead of a bank.

No matter, with  the Key Bank takeover of First Niagara, the name change will again be in place - this in four months time. Barring another name change, Key Bank will have the rights until expiration in 2026.

-Ricky

The Inaugural Class of Third Jerseys

The purpose of this post is none other than introducing this vision I found while browsing YouTube.

Just a thought. Bob McKensie's hair though... He looks better now. Salmon?! I have seen originals of the uniform and I'm not talking about the one I have. The originals don't even look salmon - looks a little too dark, but I suppose it passes. They for sure got one thing right: Burger King was the worst of the five.

-Ricky

Thanks, Gordie

This weekend, a week after the great Muhammad Ali passed away, it is with a heavy heart to learn that we have lost another dedicated athlete in "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe. As with Jean Béliveau and the Montréal Canadiens, we have plans to pass along our sympathies to the Red Wings organization. The below is the tribute for the organization.

How didn't give it the "how do you do" very often if ever, but he certainly left his mark across six decades of hockey. He spent time to be integrated with the community, just ask Wayne Gretzky. All that can be said really, simply put, is "thank you."

-Ricky

How to Open a Tournament

As every year, our friends at HJC is looking for a logo suitable for it's annual concept tournament. Entrants were allowed a maximum of three concepts and are likely going to be allowed to vote fro their own. If I vote for one (if permissible), it will be for the hexagonal depiction. Last year was the only in which I did not participate from the inaugural. In subsequent years, I have not advanced passed the first round. My goal will be to surpass that mark. Until then, well se what the logo will be, since we can't right now, you can view my submissions below.

Also don't forget, June 16 will be the Alternate Jersey Hall of Fame induction for 2016. Notice the name will officially change on that date with logo to boot. That will come in time. Until then, whatever will be will be.

-Ricky

2016 NLL Picks and Power Rankings: End of Season

Are Saskatchewan worthy champions? Yes. Were they the better team on Saturday? No. Would they have won game tree in Buffalo this Saturday? I think so. However the latter pair don't matter. We have brief  2016 reactions below, but that will need another day of material to itself. We'll dissect more then. Otherwise, it was a relatively entertaining game. Looking on the horizon, we may see expansion in the near future (I'm guessing for 2018). This is across the league, but the officiating did not get any better this year. I have not been pleased since the year referee Chet Couture retired (2009). Seven long seasons I have waited for officiating to find stability. However, just like the players, the refs get paid peanuts. Basically, I need more consistency among penalties and less ref control on interpretation. I am positively receptive to what Commissioner Sakiewicz has done. The toughest season for him is out of the way, s maybe for me there's hope.

Champions Cup (Game 1):

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Weekly Total: 1/1

Season Total: 53/81 (.654%)
Postseason Total: 4/8 (.500%)
Cumulative Total: 57/89 (.640%)
*Away team is above the home team; underline below arrow indicates correct pick.

Report Card (Overall):
Buffalo Bandits: (B+) Struggled at times against weaker opponents; improved defense.
Calgary Roughnecks: (B-) Though the squeaked out a playoff berth after starting 6-0, improvement from last year required starting Scigliano.
Colorado Mammoth: (C+) Jones carried team a lot still not enough for getting to the Finals;
Georgia Swarm: (B-) While they did make the playoffs, it didn't initially look that way; finding better juju at the Infinite Energy.
New England Black Wolves: (A) don't know if anyone gave them a chance to make the playoffs despite roster improvements.
Rochester Knighthawks: (F) Offense lost  a lot of force; gave up two game lead for last playoff spot late in season after four straight Finals.
Saskatchewan Rush: (A) Great team up until Finals, where team was above average instead of great; need better Bold back up in case of emergency.
Toronto Rock: (F) Flat start to year, worse finish  than 2015 Calgary - both started 0-6; core veterans not entirely stepping up.

Vancouver Stealth: (C-) Big improvement on both offense and defense; lucky T-Rich came out of retirement.

Final Power Rankings:
1. (1) SASKATCHEWAN - Lucky just enough Saturday night, but still the better team over all (in my opinion).
2. (2) BUFFALO - Can't be disappointed with the season fully.
3. (3) GEORGIA - The picks that are left are doing well, and the ones that aren't have given other players.
4. (4) COLORADO - How have they not been close to a final given their relative regular season success?
5. (5) NEW ENGLAND - Wings fans thinking they are missing out on some playoff lacrosse.
6. (6) CALGARY - Must decide what to do with Mike Poulin.
7. (7) VANCOUVER - Don't know much of what else can get them playoff bound again.
8. (8) TORONTO - Still get league's best dressed award for another year.
9. (9) ROCHESTER - We've learned that Rochester needs to either embrace the purple more or go back to a more traditional teal.

View Brian Shanahan's picks on IL Indoor.

-Ricky

2016 NLL Picks and Power Rankings: Champions Cup Game 1

We can't say this was a surprise. While I did pick Buffalo to win, I had thought that Saskatchewan was the more balanced, better goaltending team (Bold is better than Cosmo though Buffalo has the better tandem, in my opinion). Now while we might expect the Rush to get the job done, Buffalo did go to their barn a few months ago and stole one - it's the difference as to who hosted first.

Champions Cup (Game 1):

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Weekly Total: 0/1

Season Total: 53/81 (.654%)
Postseason Total: 3/7 (.429%)
*Away team is above the home team; underline below arrow indicates correct pick.

Champions Cup (Game 2):

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Champions Cup (Game 2):
1. (2) SASKATCHEWAN - In the driver seat, don't want to go back to Buffalo.
2. (1) BUFFALO - Got their hiccup out of the way, but can't do that again.
3. (3) GEORGIA - Those trades and picks from this decade are paying dividends. .
4. (4) COLORADO - Into the deep freeze for now.
5. (5) NEW ENGLAND - That close, big step up from recent franchise history.
6. (6) CALGARY - A 2004 rematch? Maybe next year.
7. (7) VANCOUVER - One less division opponent and still can't find playoffs.
8. (8) TORONTO - Safe to say Toronto's worst ever season.
9. (9) ROCHESTER - Speechless.

View Brian Shanahan's picks on IL Indoor.

-Ricky

2016 NLL Picks and Power Rankings: Division Finals Week 2

The Bandits didn't have to wait long to discover who their guests would be next Saturday night. While they were involved in a high scoring affair, their next counterparts were on pace to finish well below ten goals, however that changed in the second half given the big run the Rush had went on. The Black Wolves looked more impressive than Calgary, though the Riggers had the better finish to their loss than did New England. Though Game one will be in Buffalo next week, game two the week after will be in Saskatchewan. If the series is tied after that point, they'll both lay it on the line the following week in Buffalo.

Division Finals (Game 2):

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Weekly Total: 2/2

Season Total: 53/81 (.654%)
Postseason Total 3/6 (.500%)
*Away team is above the home team; underline below arrow indicates correct pick.

Champions Cup (Game 1):

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Division Finals (Game 2):
1. (1) BUFFALO - Black Wolves made them earn the spot in the finals.
2. (2) SASKATCHEWAN - Must win game two at home - we know Buffalo can win at SaskTel, but Edmonton are historically good in Buffalo.
3. (3) GEORGIA - Have the most potential heading into next season.
4. (6) COLORADO - Not the same team from seasons past.
5. (4) NEW ENGLAND - Worked hard, but it's all for not.
6. (5) CALGARY - A momentary lapse of reason led to their demise.
7. (7) VANCOUVER - With improvement from last they could make a playoff push.
8. (8) TORONTO - Need to do what Calgary did this year and rebound quickly back into playoff picture.
9. (9) ROCHESTER - What does this mean for the Thruway rivalry?

View Brian Shanahan's picks on IL Indoor.

-Ricky

Arsenal Wore Green?!

Yes they did, 1982-83 was the season. They almost did it in 2009 but ultimately went against the idea. one of these happened to arrive yesterday. I managed to ad a different color Arsenal kit to the collection of the non primaries. I have yet to go blue or white though the white ones aren't so appealing. I would like to get a keeper jersey at some point, but we'll see where I get.

It become the second oldest era of jersey that is on hand, behind only the 71 double-winning away kit. I am also working on other 90s Premier League jerseys including a couple of Manchester United ones, though I am not particular for the club. The next bit of writing on here will be as a college graduate (I finished in December) that I was expecting to happen a year and a half ago thanks to certain people at Springfield College when I was going there, I won't name names. However, I have many other things that I was worrying about to be upset with said Springfield faculty and staffers. But as the bigger man, I never said anything publically. I won't say another word on it.

-Ricky

Knighthawks of the Round Table

As you saw via our Twitter handle, we had a purple Rochester Knighthawks jersey as a part of a set I had been working on for about three weeks. Given how their jerseys improved when a majority of the MILL teams got both a uniform and logo branding overhaul. Rochester, a year old at that time only received a face-lift on the logo but a complete makeover on their uniforms - some of the best in history and the best set in their franchise. Regular BNG readers are aware of my love for the team alternate in that set and might recall that the home and road from this era were used to help improve the brand of the Adelaide crows clash jumpers last year. It was this uniform set that I felt the need to live up to while improving on the sets following that second installment. The former is easier said than done but the latter is the simple part.

Not only did I feel it was necessary to get Rochester back to where it was on the league jersey totem pole, but modern elements were needed to prevent a lack of presence.The side panel gradients are the first htings that should jump out, given most of the NLL teams currently model them. Like the Philadelphia Wings concept from this spring, I looked to the ugly shields that are paraded on the Bandits present uniforms that house the television numbers. I turned the logo into an impromptu TV number accessory to help the sleeves from being bland. For the numbers, I referenced the Detroi Lions, which appeared to most closely fit with the team's identity to me. I did however keep the patches they currently don as I felt I might receive strong negative criticism from Knighthawk fans if I hadn't, though I don't care for them on both shoulders (one would do just fine). And yup, you guessed it, something I'm disappointed wasn't done for their twentieth season or anniversary - the return of the teal "Rochester" jersey. This with slight moderations to accommodate the template. The closest they've come to replicating this is replacing "Rochester" with "Knighthawks" as well as adding a triple hem stripe pattern with matching arm stripes and a collar in purple with the return of the "Care Bear" stars that has (fake) white laces. Okay my work is done here for now. Best!

-Ricky

Herdball for Tim Laker

There's a lot of back story about former Buffalo Bison Tim Laker. The catcher was a fan favorite in 2001, him and third-baseman Greg LaRocca both had my attention in addition to second-baseman Zach Sorensen (who later became an LA Angel for a short length of time) and new outfield addition Milton Bradley (august 2nd). On an aside, it turns out my mother had gone to high school with Phillies Hall-of-Famer and former Bison fan favorite Dave Hollins. One late summer night on Thursday, August 23, 2001 against the since relocated Ottawa Lynx (Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs), I had my first recollection or interest of the Bisons during a 7-0 rout of the team from the Canadian capitol. This was despite having been to my first Herd game of the new millennium for the Independence Day spectacular fireworks on Monday July 3rd the previous year against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (now Rail Riders). Then a week or so later, the herd finished 13.5 games ahead of eventual the runners-up Red Barons in the International League's north division. Scranton-Wilkes Barre lost game one of the Governor's Cup series at home to the Louisville RiverBats on September 10. Because of the following day's events, the series was cancelled and the RiverBats declared the champions of the IL and would shorten their nickname to the Bats and slightly rebrand.

So what happened to Tim Laker after his stop in Buffalo? Before we discuss that, let's find out how he got here. He was drafted in 1987 by Kansas City out of high school (Simi Valley, CA) and the year after by Montreal from college (Oxanrd). It was through Montreal which he had made his first acquaintance with the Rich family (mentioned on Monday's post). Through two and a half years and two more promotions, Laker found his way to Double-A Harrisburg by the end of 1991 and at the end of the following year, he got the September call-up from the big club north of the border, who were preparing plans for a new stadium in 1994. Through 1994, he spent time yo-yoing between Montreal and Triple-A Ottawa up the corresponding section of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Following a year away to injury, 1997 was split between AAA Rochester and affiliate Baltimore. 1998 was busy between two clubs and respective Triple-A clubs before Pittsburgh kept him in Nashville to start 1999 before another call-up sent him to the Buccos before being spending all of 2000 back with the Sounds in Nashville. It was just thirty days before this game in which he was call-ed up by the Tribe in Cleveland. Though he spent time both in Cleveland and Buffalo, he would wind up in Single-A Columbus (South Carolina) to end the season. This was just a blip as Tim was able to enjoy stability at the Indians' Jacobs Field for two whole seasons. 2005 was interesting as for one day, Laker was a Tampa Bay Ray before going to Triple-A Durham. The solitary year in Durham turned into a return to Buffalo in 2006 with a stint at "the Jake" for three weks starting in late May. At seasons end and thirty six years of age in 2006, Laker called it a day and hung up the spikes.

But the action happened after he called it quits. When the Mitchell Report was released in relation to the steroid and performance enhancing drug scandal, Laker's name was mentioned. he was a client of Kirk Radomski from 1995-1999, but openly admitted a year after the report that he had made an unwise choice in doing so. And there youhave the abridged biography of Tim Laker without referencing any sources that I haven't read in at least five years to remember where to like you to that isn't Wikipedia in this case. Buffalo was the one positive of his career. for as much time as he spent here, it allowed him develop rapport in his first stint in Buffalo with manager Eric Wedge who brought Laker with him to Cleveland after Wedge's promotion to managing the Tribe. I guess that means Buffalo really is the "City of Good Neighbors," even if you aren't from here.

-Ricky

July 3, 2001 was the last day of the home stand before the next road trip.

2016 NLL Picks and Power Rankings: Division Finals Week 1

It was interesting early on, but the Rush ran away with it in the end. It was possibly in part that the old man Mike Poulin was put in place of Frankie Scigliano to protect the twine tent in recent weeks after not having seen much time in recent seasons. Meanwhile last night was the first ever Monday night playoff game, the final weekday to be covered. And though it seemed as New England would score more than three goals to start, they showed the Bandits too many open shots toward the end of the game in addition to a huge run spanning most of a quarter of play in the first half.

Division Finals (Game 1):

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Weekly Total: 1/2

Season Total: 53/81 (.654%)
Postseason Total 1/4 (.250%)
*Away team is above the home team; underline below arrow indicates correct pick.

Division Finals (Game 2):

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Division Finals (Game 1):
1. (1) BUFFALO - After down 3-0 early, it was virtually lights out.
2. (2) SASKATCHEWAN - They're fine so long as this doesn't become the Nashville/Anaheim series in the NHL (same applies for the Thieves).
3. (5) GEORGIA - Have a lot to look forward to in 2017 - remember the trade for Cozzy four years ago? The start of Herschel Walker 2.0 in picks.
4. (4) NEW ENGLAND - After a great start, they stalled.
5. (3) CALGARY - Genuinely disappointed given how they couldn't get it done at home.
6. (6) COLORADO - That Saskatchewan home and home defines the season, I think.
7. (7) VANCOUVER - Already spending more time than in Everett.
8. (8) TORONTO - Amazed at how much depth has fallen off.
9. (9) ROCHESTER - Still trying to figure out what happened.

View Brian Shanahan's picks on IL Indoor.

-Ricky

I Herd it Through the Grapevine

Expecting an NLL post today? Correct, however remember that the New England Black Wolves play at a casino and couldn't play till at least tonight for the first game of the division finals as indicated last week. The International League's Buffalo Bisons (the "Herd") happen to be owned by Bob (Jr.) and Mindy Rich of Rich Products, who also formerly owned the New York-Penn League's Jamestown Jammers (whose most recent logo was an anthropomorphic cluster of grapes holding a baseball bat), helps explain today's title as well as the below jersey color. As you will get to see on Wednesday, the numbers used on this uniform are the same of those of the other one to be discussed. The authenticity of this jersey is by the maker of that era in Bisons history, Jersey Express. This was towards the second half (circa 1998-2006) of the Cleveland Indians most recent Triple-A incarnation in Buffalo. In addition to the vested cut-off you'll be seeing, were several pre-promotional jerseys (something the Herd didn't do until the New York Mets replaced the Tribe as the parent club. There were white with black accompanied only by "Bisons" script, a solid black version of this mesh jersey with "Buffalo" script, and a plain red mesh jersey with a retro faux-back "bison in a baseball" uniform. The vests were white at home and the road grays you'll be soon viewing.

Of all the jerseys, this is the only one of which to feature the sliding buffalo from the primary logo, though further apart from the script and smaller. These make for great and breathable jerseys to wear not only to the ballpark, but for hot-but-windy days or cycling as well. It's the only team color uniform in the set, if you don't count black as a primary team color as it pertains to the Herd. Overall, a jersey that was a favorite alternate to wear, given how heavy the vests and white with sleeves were. I think the black mesh jersey was the best of all in this era, but there was a one game jersey in the Mets era that was blue pinstriped with "Buffalo" "rather than the normal "Bisons" in a Mets stylized font for one random afternoon game that they mentioned the new jersey in the Buffalo News earlier that week. But bygones are bygones, somewhere in storage at Coca-Cola Field in limited quantity as it was. Tomorrow we'll let you know how things unraveled and possibly in a week's time, how the west (and east) was won.

-Ricky