Buffalo Mules –
1902-1920
Aaron Anderson, GM
Franchise #16
History Brief: The Buffalo Mules began play in TCBA in 1902 as
Franchise #16. At the conclusion of the 1920 season, Prohibition and
pressure from Canadian distilleries had ravaged the fan base and the local
economy, ending Buffalo’s presence in TCBA. The team disbanded and
Franchise #16 remained dormant for more than 60 years.
Original Buffalo Mules owner Aaron
Anderson used his banking connections to finance a purchase of Franchise
#16 following Brian Asper’s departure during the 2015 season. Asper had
taken control of Franchise #16 when he purchased the Binghamton Triplets at
an estate sale, moving the team to Brooklyn in time for the 2007 season.
Franchise #16 had spent 18 years as the Kennett Komets under the guidance
of Pennsylvanian Bill Kirwin before the team was repossessed and sold to
the Lundeen family in 2002. Former owners Bill Kirwin and Larry Lundeen are
both deceased.
The prior owner of Franchise #16,
following the years of dormancy, was Jeff David, playing two seasons as the
Raritan Rags, and finishing last in the Metro Division with an average of
55 wins. The team collapsed under massive debt, allowing Mark Glim to take
over the ailing franchise. Glim was an experienced TCBA owner, having
operated Franchise #14 for three seasons 1975-1977, before giving way to
the ruthless, and now deceased, Dick Gilbert, who seized the franchise and
nearly brought TCBA to a premature demise during what is commonly known in
TCBA history as the Dark Ages.
Out of the darkness rode the now
deceased Bill Kirwin, who snatched control of Franchise #16, pouring beer
and money into the troubled franchise until it finally showed signs of
life.
Overall, Franchise #16 has made six
trips to the playoffs in its many seasons of TCBA play. That includes two
Wildcard appearances (2006, 2013) and four Division crowns (1907, 2005,
2007, 2014).
After a five month wait while a new
stadium was prepared in Hilton Head, Anderson packed up his team and
planted them in the sand of the South Carolina coast in time for an
inaugural July series, appropriately, with the Founder’s Newark Eagles.
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