By: Dave Ricci, Sports Reporter
How quickly things can change.
On April 8, the Buffalo Bisons could boast what looked to be the strongest rotation, at least on paper, in all of Triple-A.
Reliable Dillon Gee anchored a staff that included top prospect Jenrry Mejia, 2011 Most Valuable Pitcher Pat Misch and veterans Boof Bonser and Casey Fossum.
Just a little over a week later Gee and Misch have been called up to New York, Bonser (Tommy John Surgery) is done for the season and Fossum is flirting with being a total bust.
Fossum was lit up on his first start of the year on April 11. He gave up seven runs on eight hits-including a grand slam - as the Herd suffered a humiliating 15-1 loss to Pawtucket. It was the worst loss the team ever experienced since moving into the downtown ballpark.
But, after the game, Fossum was more interested in venting about having to play in cold weather.
"When it’s that cold I don't even want to try and throw hard because you're just never loose, you're stiff," Fossum said, "and I'm not gonna cut a pitch loose when it's 20-degree wind chill and risk hurting my shoulder or anything."
In Fossum's defense he hadn't thrown to live batters in 10 days since his last spring training session, so a case could be made he wasn't stretched out enough.
That said, guy, you're with the Mets. If you hope to get up to the bigs again, and, assumably want to pitch in the post season, wouldn't you be pitching in similar cold conditions come playoff time?
Factoring in that Fossum went 2-5 with a 5.75 ERA last season in Japan you can't help but think that maybe, just maybe,his rough outing wasn't just because of the weather.
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Former Buffalo Bison Greg LaRocca stopped by the press box on April 8 with his wife, Amanda, and their two small children.
The 38-year-old native of Oswego, who played for the Bisons from 2001-03, recently retired from baseball after spending the last seven seasons playing in Japan.
LaRocca has spent his final three seasons with the Orix Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League. Upon retiring, Orix had offered LaRocca a job as manager. But "Roc" turned it down in favor of returning home.
LaRocca is currently serving as a scout for Orix.
Like everyone around the world, LaRocca was shocked by the devastating earthquakes and tsunami that struck Japan and said he feels fortunate that he and his family returned home when they did.
"We were texting friends of ours all night long asking are you alright? Are you alright?" LaRocca said. "It was just unbelievable."
LaRocca, who made a career of being hit-by-pitch while with the Bisons, set what he believes to be a world record by getting struck by pitches 100 times in 2008.
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Outfielder, and former No.1 prospect, Fernando Martinez (right hamstring strain) was placed on the DL on April 15. He was hitting .313 this season.
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The Bisons begin an eight-game home stand Monday when they host Rochester at 6:05.
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