Russell J. Salvatore donates new 'Seasons of Buffalo Baseball' books to Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries

Forty copies of the recently released book “The Seasons of Buffalo Baseball 1857-2020” are being donated to the Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries by the Russell J. Salvatore Foundation.

The book, edited by James H. Overfield, is an update and revision of the out-of-print 1985 baseball history “The 100 Seasons of Buffalo Baseball” by Overfield’s late father, Buffalo Bisons historian Joseph M. Overfield. The new edition, published locally by Billoni Associates Publishing of Grand Island, highlights the stories, statistics and photographs of hundreds of players, owners, managers and legends from Buffalo’s lengthy baseball history – from the pre-Civil War baseball clubs, Offermann and War Memorial stadiums, to the 1980s baseball revival with the opening of downtown’s Pilot Field (now Sahlen Field), up to the present day.

“This donation makes possible a copy of the book for each of our 37 Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries, our bookmobile and our Grosvenor Room local history collection,” Library Director Mary Jean Jakubowsk said. “We are so very grateful to Mr. Salvatore for this generous gift and for the many, many ways he contributes to the betterment of life in Western New York. Library cardholders can check out or reserve copies of this beautiful new book right away through our libraries. Like the sport of baseball, we know it will be very popular.”

Salvatore said, “I have so many warm memories of games at Offermann Stadium when I was growing up, and the baseball memories of generations of Buffalonians should be shared. I think it is important to make this book available to everyone through our most accessible local institution, the library, where reading, learning and discovery are encouraged and the thousands of free resources are outstanding.”

“The Seasons of Buffalo Baseball 1857-2020” is available for purchase through local retail outlets including the Made In America and BFLO stores, Buffalo History Museum, Bookworm & BW Gifts, Bases Loaded…Sports Collectibles, Riverside Men’s Shop, S&E Jewelers, Old Editions Bookshop & Gallery, Dog Ears Bookstore & Café, Buffalo Holistic Center, Native Pride Travel Plaza, Thin Ice, Niagara Frontier Publications and Dave & Adam’s Card World. It is also available now for borrowing through all 37 Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries and can be requested through the library’s website (www.BuffaloLib.org) with a free library card. Anyone living, working or attending school in Erie County can get a free library card through the library system website or by calling 716-858-8900.

Russell Salvatore raising support for ECMC

Salvatore also is raising funds for Erie County Medical Center.

In a commercial, he said, “During this pandemic, the frontline workers of ECMC have been there for us. They've taken care of over 400 COVID patients, and thousands of trauma and emergency patients. That's why I'm asking you to help them. Western New Yorkers always take care of each other. And I will match every gift donated over the holidays. Please help my friends on the front line. Make a donation today.”

To make a donation, visit https://www.ecmc.edu/health-services-and-doctors/covid-19/donate/#1588184336210-972573a2-2636.