1988 CMC Buffalo Bisons

Today I'm going to cover the 1988 Buffalo Bisons. 

They went 72-70 in the American Association that year good for third place behind Indianapolis and Nashville. 

They were the Triple A Affiliate for the Pirates. 

So.. Who made up this team? 

Benny Distefano played from 1982-1993

He made the Majors with Pittsburgh in 1984, 1986, 1988-1989, and for Houston in 1992. 

Overall, he played in the Pirates (82-89), Orioles (91), Astros (92), Mariners (92), and Rangers (93) systems. 

He also played in Japan in 1990

Bernie Tatis played from 1981-1999

He never made the Majors.

Overall, he played in the Blue Jays (81-87), Pirates (88-89). Rangers (90), and Indians (90-91) organizations.

He also spent time in Mexico (89, 92-99) and China (94, 97-99)

Bob Patterson played from 1982-1998

He played in the Majors for the Padres (1985), the Pirates (1986-1987, 1989-1992), The Rangers (1993), the Angels (1994-1995) and the Cubs (1996-1998)

Brett Gideon played from 1985-1992

He played in the Majors for the Pirates (1987) and the Expos (1989-1990)

Overall, he played in the Pirates (85-88), Expos (89-91) and Indians (92) organizations. 

Bryan Little played from 1980-1988.

He played in the Majors for the Expos (1982-1984), White Sox (1985-1986) and Yankees (1986)

Overall, he played in the Expos (80-84), White Sox (85-86), Yankees (86-87) and Pirates (88) organizations. 

Dave Johnson played from 1982-1993

He played in the Majors for Pittsburgh (1987), Baltimore (1989-1991) and Detroit (1993)

Overall, he played in the Pirates (82-88), Orioles (89-91), Angels (92), and Tigers (92-93) organizations. 

Dave Rucker played from 1978-1989

He played in the Majors for Detroit (1981-1983), St Louis (1983-1984) and Philadelphia (1985-1986, 1988) 

Overall, he played in the Tigers (78-83), Cardinals (83-84), Phillies (85-86), Rangers (87), and Pirates (88-89) organizations. 

Dave Sax played from 1978-1992

He played in the Majors for Los Angeles (1982-1983), and Boston (1985-1987)

Overall, he played for the Dodgers (78-84). Red Sox (85-87), Pirates (88) and Yankees (89-92) organizations. 

He is the brother of Steve Sax. 

Denny Gonzalez played from 1981-1998

He played in the Majors for the Pirates in 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988. 

He also played for the Indians in 1989

Overall, he played in the Pirates (81-88), Indians (89), Mets (90), Reds (90-92), and Red Sox (92) organizations. 

He also spent time in Japan (1992)

Mexico (1993-1995, 1997-1998)

and China (1996)

Dorn Taylor played from 1982-1990

He played in the Majors for Pittsburgh in 1987, and 1989, and Baltimore in 1990

All told, he played his professional career for both Pittsburgh and Baltimore, with all but part of 1990 being with Pittsburgh. 

Felix Fermin played from 1983-1996

He played in the Majors for Pittsburgh in 1987-1988, Cleveland in 1989-1993, Seattle in 1994-1995, and and Cubs in 1996

Overall, he played in the Pirates (83-88), Indians (89-93), Mariners (94-95), Cubs (96) and Yankees (96) organizations. 

Jim Reboulet played from 1983-1988

He never played in the Majors. 

He played in the Cardinals (83-87) and Pirates (87-88) systems

He's the brother of Jeff Reboulet.

Overall, he stole 294 bases in 6 minor league seasons. 

Logan Easley played from 1981-1991

He played in the Majors in 1987 and 1989

Overall, he played in the Yankees (81-86), Pirates (87-89), Brewers (90), and Indians (91) systems. 

Morris Madden played from 1979-1990

He played in the Majors for Detroit in 1987, and Pittsburgh in 1988-1989

Overall, he played in the Dodgers (79-83, 90), Reds (84-85). Tigers (86-87), and Pirates (87-89) systems. 

Orestes Destrade played from 1981-1995

He played in the Majors for the Yankees in 1987, the Pirates in 1988, and the Marlins in 1993-1994

Overall, he spent time in the Yankees (81-87), Pirates (88-89) and Marlins (93-94) systems. 

He also spent time with the Seibu Lions in Japan 1989-1992 and 1995. 

Randy Kramer played from 1982-1994

He played in the Majors for Pittsburgh from 1988-1990, the Cubs in 1990, and the Mariners in 1992

Overall, he spent time in the Rangers (82-86), Pirates (87-90), Cubs (90), Braves (91), Mariners (91-92), Marlins (93), and Expos (94) systems. 

Rico Rossy played from 1985-1999

He played in the Majors for the Braves in 1991, the Royals in 1992-1993, and Mariners in 1998

Overall, he played in the Orioles (85-87), Pirates (88-90), Braves (90-91), Royals (92-94), Padres (95-96, 99), Expos (97), and Mariners (98) systems. 

Rocky Bridges managed for 21 seasons in the minor leagues. 

He managed San Jose (64-66), El Paso (67), Angels Arizona Instructional League (69). Hawaii (72-73), Phoenix (74-82), Everett (84), Prince William (86), Vancouver (87), Buffalo (88), and Salem (89)

Scott Medvin played from 1984-1990

He played in the Majors for Pittsburgh in 1988-1989 and Seattle in 1990. 

Overall, he played in the Mariners (84, 90), Tigers (85), Giants (86-87), and Pirates (87-90) systems. 

Skeeter Barnes played from 1978-1994

He played in the Majors for Cincinnati in 1983-1984 and 1989, Montreal in 1985, St Louis in 1987, and Detroit from 1991-1994

Overall, he played in the Reds (78-85, 88-90), Expos (85-86), Phillies (86), Cardinals (87), Brewers (87), Pirates (88), and Tigers (91-94) systems. 

Stan Cliburn is listed as a coach for the Bisons in this set but in 1988 he was managing the Watertown Pirates of the NY Penn League. 

It's possible he coached with the Bisons before and after the NYP season. 

Overall he managed 28 seasons in minor league ball. 

Stan Fansler played from 1982-1994

He played in the Majors for Pittsburgh in 1986

Overall, he played in the Pirates (82-92) and Rangers (94) systems. 

Tom Prince played from 1984-2003

He played in the Majors for Pittsburgh from 1987-1993, Los Angeles from 1994-1998, Philadelphia from 1999-2000, Minnesota from 2000-2003, and Kansas City in 2003. 

Overall he played in the Pirates (84-93), Dodgers (94-98), Phillies (99-00), Twins (01-03), and Royals (03) systems. 

Tom Romano played from 1980-1989

He played in the Majors for the Expos in 1987

Overall, he spent time in the Royals (80), Athletics (82-85), Expos (86-87), Pirates (88-89) and Orioles (89) systems. 

He also spent a year (81) with the Utica Blue Sox, an Independent team in the NY Penn League. 

Tommy Gregg played from 1985-1998

He played in the Majors for Pittsburgh 1987-1988, Atlanta 1988-1992 and 1997, Cincinnati 1993, and Florida in 1995

Overall, he played in the Pirates (85-88), Braves (88-92, 97), Reds (93) and Marlins (95-96) systems

He also played for the Mexico City Reds in 1994 and 1998

That's another team finished. 

I enjoy doing these kinds of posts since I find it interesting to see not only the guys who made it, but the guys who didn't.