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Manto and Lovullo have their day
By Dave Ricci
July 20, 2003
No two Bison’s of the modern day era carried the
flag of this team higher than Jeff Manto and Torey
Lovullo. Yesterday afternoon in front of 10,022 rain
soaked fans, Manto and Lovullo were given the ultimate
honor as they were inducted into the Buffalo Baseball
Hall of Fame.
“From day one when both of these players showed up
in Buffalo it was evident that they would be great
players on the field and great people for our
community.” Said Bison’s Vice President/General Manger
Mike Buczkowski. “They truly have become part of the
great sports heritage that we enjoy here in Western New
York.”
Manto and Lovullo were key components in the Bison’s
Championship seasons of 1997 (American Association) and
1998 (International League’s Governors Cup). Not only
for what they brought on the stat sheet but also for
their leadership. They were classic examples of the type
of players who were able to put the team and their back
and get the job done.
Prior to those championship seasons the Bison’s and
their fans had experienced more than their share of
disappointment numerous times in the post season.
Buczkowski said, “There was plenty of heartbreak.
The difference in 1997 and 1998 was that we had guys
like Jeff Manto and Torey Lovullo, Casey Candele and a
few other guys too. Jeff and Torey were leaders. I’ll
never forget the day in Syracuse, we were seven or eight
games back in 1998 and we were losing 4-0. Syracuse had
bases loaded, nobody out. Lovullo came over from second
base and called a meeting at the mound. He pounded his
glove and was very animated; he told the guys we need to
get out of this inning and play some baseball or else
this season is going to slip way. Sure enough we got out
of that inning and Torey hits a home run to win that
game.”
The Bison’s eventually overtook Syracuse for the top
spot in the North Division and went on to win the
Governor’s Cup that season.
By the time 1997 rolled around a sense of urgency
to win it all had taken hold of the organization.
Jeff Manto came to Buffalo that season and was
immediately struck by the Rich family’s desire to win.
Manto said, “The most impressive thing when I first came
here was the urgency and the passion to win here. When I
first came in I talked with Buczkowski and he said, ‘hey
man we have to win.’ I thought ‘win?’ This is minor
league baseball, what’s the big deal. But in Buffalo it
was a big deal. I learned about the history how they
hadn’t won in the past and Bob Rich Jr. came in and said
‘hey guys I’d really like to win a championship. From
that point on Torey and I started wearing that uniform a
little differently then the other players. Not that they
didn’t want to win, they did. But I think we took it
upon ourselves to kick it up and see what we can do.”
Lovullo, who had been here for a few seasons, was
also impressed by the Rich’s attitude. “As far as
ownership, front office went they were really the first
group to ever talk about (going out) and winning the
Triple-A championship. They had a lot of pride and
wanting to win that championship Jeff and I kind of
caught on with that (attitude).”
For all they did on the field together it was
fitting to see them honored at the same time. A feeling
echoed by Lovullo, who said, “It’s quite an honor and
I’m humbled by it. To be recognized for some of your
accomplishments is one thing to be able to go in with
Jeff is another. We maintained a friendship beyond the
game…it’s quite a special honor.”
Buczkowski also noted the unique twist on this
induction is that Manto and Lovullo are players that
fans have seen in recent years so their on-field
exploits are still fresh in everyone’s memories. “Not to
take away anything from anyone who’s already in the
Hall. But most of the people who have already been
inducted into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame are
people who played at War Memorial Stadium or Offerman
Stadium. A lot of our present day fans never had a
chance to see those (players) who are great in their own
right. But this is a chance to salute two players who
were two very special performers here at Dunn Tire Park.
When I think of the 1997 and 1998 championship teams I
think of Manto and Luvullo.”
Manto said, “I think the passion that we played with
on the field was a reflection of what the fans were
about and what the team was about. It’s just so easy to
connect.”
Lovullo is currently managing the Single-A Kinston
Indians’. He ranks in the top five in several of the
Bison’s modern day categories including runs scored (3rd),
RBI (5th) and walks (2nd).
Manto is a hitting instructor in the Pittsburgh
Pirates organization. He holds the Bison’s modern day
career home run record (79) and his No. 30 was retired
in 2001.
Both won numerous team awards.
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