Albuquerque Dukes : MiLB

April 6, 1995 Albuquerque, NMex

1996 Albuquerque, NMex

The first Albuquerque dukes were formed in 1915 and lasted one season. The Dukes would return in 1942 for one season, and then again in 1946 until 2000... In 1956 the Dukes gained their first major league affiliation with the New York Giants. They would further align with the Cincinnati Reds, and Kansas City Athletics. In 1963-2000 the Dukes became a Dodgers affiliate and home to many Dodger prospects including Mike Piazza, Orel Hershiser, Chan Ho Park, Mike Scioscia, Fernando Valenzuela, Davey Lopes and many others...

1987 business stationery

Tucson Padres : MiLB

Aug 25, 2012 Tucson, Az

The Tucson Padres were a Pacific Coast League Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres from 2011 - 2013. During the 2010 season the franchise held base as the Portland Beavers, and was sold to Jeff Moored, owner of the Padres. the team moved to Tucson until a new ballpark could be built in Escondido, Ca. 

The Tucson Padres played at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson. Plans fell through for the new Escondido stadium and the team would be sold to MountainStar Sports Group, and the team would move to El Paso and be renamed the El Paso Chihuahuas.

Franchise history:

Tucson Padres (2011-2013)

Portland Beavers (2001-2010)

Albuquerque Dukes (1972-2000)

Spokane Indians (1958-1971)

Los Angeles Angels (1903-1957)

Buffalo Bisons - Pilot Field : MiLB

1987-Nov-28 Checopex Sta - Cheektowaga NY

Jan 29, 1988 Bufpex'88 commemorative show postmark, Buffalo NY

Two similar postmarks were used for the opening of Pilot Field. the first in Jan was used in conjunction with the Bufpex '88 philatelic exhibition. The second was for the first game played by the Bisons on April 14. The variation in the postmark can be seen at the top portion of the circular date stamp - Bufpex Sta. and Pilot Field Sta.

4x6 postcard - MCG (Kansas City Mo) - photo by John Bongi Jr

Buffalo Bisons - Opening of Pilot Field 1988

The Bisons are one of the longest running baseball franchises at the minor league level. having served as a franchise for the the Pittsburgh Pirates (1979-1982, 1988-1994) Cleveland Indians (1983-1984, 1987, 1995-2008) Chicago White Sox (1985-1986) New York Mets (2009-2012) Toronto Blue Jays (2013-  )

In 1988 Pilot Field (currently Coca-Cola Field) hosted it's first game on April 14, 1988 as the Bisons defeated the Denver Zephyrs 1-0.

April 6, 1995 Bufflo NY

Bisons opening day

1967 business envelope

1988 business envelope