Western New York is not destined for a quarterback controversy but Josh Allen apparently isn't the only thrower stationed on the Buffalo Bills.
The Buffalo Bisons announced on Thursday that Bills general manager Brandon Beane will help ring in the new year, as he'll throw the ceremonial first pitch at the team's 2024 season opener on March 29. Buffalo, the Toronto Blue Jays' AAA-level affiliate, will face the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, who host the New York Yankees' prospects.
Beane could perhaps use a break from a tough offseason: Buffalo has had its share of serviceable newcomers sign deals (i.e. Mike Edwards, Curtis Samuel) but has also been forced to bid farewell to several staples of the new-decade prosperity that Beane has helped assemble and oversee. Under Beane's watch, the Bills hold the NFL's second-longest active playoffs streak (five seasons) and the NFL's second-best record since 2020 (48-18).
Perhaps the Bison could use some of Beane's expertise: despite earning a division title in 2021 (a year where no postseason was held), Buffalo has not partaken in a postseason series since 2005, a year after earning the most recent of three championships. That hasn't erased a proud history of Buffalo baseball, which has seen future MLB stars like Moises Alou, Vlad Guerrero Jr., and Tim Wakefield pass through on their way to the show.
Sahlen Field, Western New York's home for baseball, is well used to members of the Bills gracing its diamond, which has previously hosted a charity softball game (featuring a different kind of Allen deep ball) hosted by defender Micah Hyde.
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