Bisons & Mets Reach Deal BUFFALO (wned) - A new era of Buffalo Bisons baseball is now underway.

For the first time in 14 years, the Bisons have a new major league parent team. The organization Monday officially signed a two-year triple-A affiliation deal with the New York Mets.

The Bisons had been partners with the Cleveland Indians since 1995.

Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon says the Mets and Bisons share some common ground. He praised Bisons' owners Bob and Mindy Rich for operating a "family-run" business.

"That's really what pushed us to Buffalo. I can't say enough for their community outreach and the other things they do. We're going to be doing a lot of that here," Wilpon said.

The switch will bring about some changes. The Bisons are now affiliated with a National League team, meaning pitchers will hit in certain games. The team will also have a new look including new colors, a new uniform and a new logo.

This will be the second time the Mets and Bisons will be partners. The two teams were affiliated for three seasons in the early 1960's. © Copyright 2009, wned