Greatest Individual Season in Buffalo History

[Mango]

Full offseason mode. What’s the greatest single season by one player in the cities professional sports history.
 

I’ll create a poll if this picks up, but thought I’d get feedback from some people a bit older than me. I certainly came of age for Buffalo Sports in the 90’s.
 

For me it’s easy and not close. Hasek in 99. 

 

98-99 Domink Hasek: Carried a flawed roster 6 games into the Stanley Cup Final. Won his 3rd Vezina with a .935 S% and 1.85 GAA. There’s an argument that 97-98 might be a better individual season, but he carried the entire team to the show. I think Hasek voter fatigue is the only reason he didn’t get the Hart trophy three years in a row. As I write this and think of all the other players that have come and gone, Hasek is likely the greatest athlete in Buffalo pro-sports history. 
 

1990 Bruce Smith: Bills make their first run to the Super Bowl. Bruce records 19 sacks only overshadowed by Derrick Thomas 20. 7th best season of all time all from the 3-4 DE.

 
1991 Thurman Thomas: 1400 rushing yards at 4.9 ypc. Plus 600 yards receiving. NFL MVP and OPOY. 7th best season by a RB at the time. 

92-93 Alexander Mogilny: 76 goals, 51 assists. 127 points. Tied Selanne in Goals. 7th in total points.  5th best season of all time. He is the only player in the top 30 not in the HoF. 

Rudy Pikuzinski: Mullets and Mustaches

 

1975 Bob McAdoo: NBA MVP 34.5 points, 14.1 rebounds. and 2.12 blocks per game, while shooting 51.2% from the field and 80.5% from the free-throw line

 

1973 OJ Simpson: 2003 yards in 14 games

 

1975 OJ Simpson: 329 carries for 1817 yds (5.8 ypc) and 16 TDs. 129.8 ypg average; 28 receptions for 426 yds (15.2 ypc) and 7 TDs. 30.2 ypg average. In 14 games he generated 2243 yards and 23TDs. That's 160 ypg  and 1.65 TDs per game. 

 

Edited February 23, 2023 by Mango
Poll and added seasons.

[uticaclub]

98-99 was also the height of Flutiemania and a #1 defense, if you are talking about most success period across the franchise

[K-9]

1973,  OJ 2,003 yards in 14 games

74-75, Bob McAdoo led the NBA in scoring with a 34.5 avg.

 

[Mango]

1 minute ago, uticaclub said:

98-99 was also the height of Flutiemania and a #1 defense, if you are talking about most success period across the franchise.

 

It’s been nearly 25 years. Kids were born, came of drinking age, got 401k’s, and produced grand children between now and then.

 

What a heart break year and that still might be the best combined year in Buffalo sports history. 

3 minutes ago, K-9 said:

1973,  OJ 2,003 yards in 14 games

74-75, Bob McAdoo led the NBA in scoring with a 34.5 avg.

 

I was conflicted on whether or not to include OJ. 

[KDIGGZ]

9 minutes ago, Mango said:

I was conflicted on whether or not to include OJ. 

He's a top 10 RB all time in NFL history and he might be #1 on the list of best Buffalo seasons ever.

 

He also likes to murder but that's besides the point.

[CSBill]

Bob McAdoo = 1973 NBA Rookie of the year, or the 1975 NBA MVP (34.5 points, 14.1 rebounds. and 2.12 blocks per game, while shooting 51.2% from the field and 80.5% from the free-throw line) . . . . And his reward for that MVP season, they traded him (and Tom McMillen) for a hamburger and some cash to the Knicks--which was the beginning of the end of the Buffalo Braves.

[Dan Darragh]

Jack Kemp, 1996.  Nominated as his party's candidate for VP.

[freddyjj]

OJ Simpson 1975 season. 

329 carries for 1817 yds (5.8 ypc) and 16 TDs. 129.8 ypg average. 

28 receptions for 426 yds (15.2 ypc) and 7 TDs. 30.2 ypg average. 

 

In 14 games he generated 2243 yards and 23TDs!!!  That's 160 ypg  and 1.65 TDs per game. 

Edited February 23, 2023 by freddyjj

[BillsPride12]

Solid list OP.  Not much to disagree with there

[Behindenemylines]

7 hours ago, uticaclub said:

98-99 was also the height of Flutiemania and a #1 defense, if you are talking about most success period across the franchise

Did they stay in the nickel all season?😁

[Gregg]

Before my time but what about the 1964 & 1965 Buffalo Bills. Two-time AFL champions and the only Buffalo team between the Bills and Sabres to win it all.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Any list like this must have OJ 2003 yards.

 

I would nominate Bryce Paup 1995, 17.5 sacks and Defense POY to add to the list.

Edited February 23, 2023 by Ethan in Cleveland

[Gregg]

OJ 2,003 yards in 14 games. The real rushing record. Sorry Eric.

[BobbyC81]

Having witnessed it, it’s OJ’s 2003 yard season. 

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

I'm not so sure that OJ in 1975 wasn't better than 1973. Had 2243 yards from scrimmage vs 2073 and set the NFL record with 23 TDs vs 12 in '73. He had 1800+ rushing yards and the Bills used him in the passing game a ton more in 1975.

[The Frankish Reich]

3 hours ago, CSBill said:

for a hamburger

John Gianelli would prefer the term "meatball"

[Mango]

OJ deserves to be part of the conversation. But as impressive as that feat was, he didn’t even make the playoffs. Hasek single handily dragged the team 6 games in the Stanley Cup. 
 

Advantage Hasek. 

[Drew21PA]

1991 Thurman was amazing 

[dpberr]

I'd nominate Bryce Paup for his 1995 tour de force.

 

1995 DPOY

1995 Sacks leader (17.5) (4th highest total in the entire decade)

[Dopey]

2 hours ago, Behindenemylines said:

Did they stay in the nickel all season?😁

Did they win a Super Bowl? Nope, not even a playoff win. 😁

[SoCal Deek]

8 minutes ago, Mango said:

OJ deserves to be part of the conversation. But as impressive as that feat was, he didn’t even make the playoffs. Hasek single handily dragged the team 6 games in the Stanley Cup. 
 

Advantage Hasek. 

Not trying to be snarky but I’m interested to know if you were of age to witness OJs 1973 season. What he did that year was at that time considered to be akin to landing a man on mars. (And again I thought the purpose of this was about a single athlete, not team production or results) 

[I'm Spartacus]

Watching OJ in the 70's was an amazing thing to watch, especially live. Best player I ever saw.

[KHAN]

Josh Allen's 2020 season is up there.

 

69.2% completion% (up from 58.8)

4544 yds passing (up from 3089)

7.9 yd avg (up from 6.7)

37 TD passes (up from 20)

Only 10 interceptions in 572 attempts

QB rating 107.2 (up from 85.3)

421 yds rushing, 8 rushing TD's.

 

It may not be above Dom and Bruce's best years, but it's the biggest jump in one season from "meh" to "superstar" I've ever seen.

 

 

Edited February 23, 2023 by KHAN

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Winter, 1976-77.  Had a meteorological event still used as the 'measuring stick' against which all other cold weather seasons are judged.

*
I take thread titles too literally...

[ChasBB]

Not just a single season, but consistency over multiple seasons, the French Connection had a very nice run ...

 

’72-’73: Perreault 88 pts, Robert 83 pts, Martin 73 pts
’73-’74: Perreault 51 pts, Robert 65 pts, Martin 86 pts

’74-’75: Perreault 96 pts, Robert 100 pts, Martin 95 pts
’75-’76: Perreault 113 pts, Robert 87 pts, Martin 86 pts
’76-’77: Perreault 95 pts, Robert 73 pts, Martin 65 pts
’77-’78: Perreault 89 pts, Robert 73 pts, Martin 63 pts
’78-’79: Perreault 85 pts, Robert 62 pts, Martin 53 pts
’79-’80: Perreault 106 pts, Martin 79 pts

Edited February 23, 2023 by ChasBB
clarity

[Straight Hucklebuck]

11 hours ago, Mango said:

Full offseason mode. What’s the greatest single season by one player in the cities professional sports history.
 

I’ll create a poll if this picks up, but thought I’d get feedback from some people a bit older than me. I certainly came of age for Buffalo Sports in the 90’s.
 

For me it’s easy and not close. Hasek in 99. 

 

98-99 Domink Hasek: Carried a flawed roster 6 games into the Stanley Cup Final. Won his 3rd Vezina with a .935 S% and 1.85 GAA. There’s an argument that 97-98 might be a better individual season, but he carried the entire team to the show. I think Hasek voter fatigue is the only reason he didn’t get the Hart trophy three years in a row. As I write this and think of all the other players that have come and gone, Hasek is likely the greatest athlete in Buffalo pro-sports history. 
 

1990 Bruce Smith: Bills make their first run to the Super Bowl. Bruce records 19 sacks only overshadowed by Derrick Thomas 20. 7th best season of all time all from the 3-4 DE.

 
1991 Thurman Thomas: 1400 rushing yards at 4.9 ypc. Plus 600 yards receiving. NFL MVP and OPOY. 7th best season by a RB at the time. 

92-93 Alexander Mogilny: 76 goals, 51 assists. 127 points. Tied Selanne in Goals. 7th in total points.  5th best season of all time. He is the only player in the top 30 not in the HoF. 

Rudy Pikuzinski: Mullets and Mustaches

Mogilny was the first name that came to mind for me. 

[Jimmy Harris 69]

Jim Kelly, 1991 season -474attempts 304 completions 

Pert: 64.1

Yards 3844

TDS 33

Int: 17

Rating 97.6

Super Bowl loss thanks to the smoking man.

[dorquemada]

2 hours ago, Behindenemylines said:

Did they stay in the nickel all season?😁

 

That D was so dominant.  Basically the opposite philosophy of the current Bend but Dont Break But Then Break version we employ today

 

not too many 3rd and 19s converted against that team!

[I'm Spartacus]

Tom Baker (born September 12, 1954, Buffalo, New York) is a professional bowler in the Professional Bowlers Association and a member of the PBA and USBC Halls of Fame. He has won 10 titles on the regular PBA Tour (including one major), and 12 more on the PBA50 Tour (formerly PBA Senior Tour).

[Charles Romes]

I remember watching Hasek go for several weeks at a time and stopping every shot that was remotely seeable. Only way to beat him was  try for a crazy deflection and it seemed that opposing shooters actually tried to shoot at random ankles around the net to try and score. 

[Mango]

16 minutes ago, ChasBB said:

Not just a single season, but consistency over multiple seasons, the French Connection had a very nice run ...

 

’72-’73: Perreault 88 pts, Robert 83 pts, Martin 73 pts
’73-’74: Perreault 51 pts, Robert 65 pts, Martin 86 pts

’74-’75: Perreault 96 pts, Robert 100 pts, Martin 95 pts
’75-’76: Perreault 113 pts, Robert 87 pts, Martin 86 pts
’76-’77: Perreault 95 pts, Robert 73 pts, Martin 65 pts
’77-’78: Perreault 89 pts, Robert 73 pts, Martin 63 pts
’78-’79: Perreault 85 pts, Robert 62 pts, Martin 53 pts
’79-’80: Perreault 106 pts, Martin 79 pts

I thought about that. But that’s a group over time. 

[jwhit34]

OJ in '73 and '75 as many have stated is on the list. I do think the '75 season for total yards from scrimmage and TDs is the better season.

 

Pick a Hasek year the Cup run for what he meant to the team plus the stats makes sense.

 

I like including McAdoo, his '74-75 MVP year was great.

 

The only other one I would add to consider is the LaFontaine/Mogilny '92-93 season. LaFontaine was 53-95 for 148 points and Mogilny was 76-51-127. 

[ChasBB]

4 minutes ago, Mango said:

I thought about that. But that’s a group over time. 

Yeah, I know, kind of broke away from your single season directive, but I couldn't resist 😀.  They were so special.

[BillsPride12]

Honorable Mention: Cornelius Bennett 1991.  A lot of people forget Bruce was out most of that year and Biscuit held down the fort and had his best season that year.  

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

33 minutes ago, I'm Spartacus said:

Tom Baker (born September 12, 1954, Buffalo, New York) is a professional bowler in the Professional Bowlers Association and a member of the PBA and USBC Halls of Fame. He has won 10 titles on the regular PBA Tour (including one major), and 12 more on the PBA50 Tour (formerly PBA Senior Tour).

Yes, but will the naysayers around here recognize him as a 'pro bowler'? 🤔

*
I worked with some guys who thought 'pro bowler' meant a third and entirely different thing.  Always were glassy eyed and hungry for cookies.

Edited February 23, 2023 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[Nextmanup]

I would throw out for consideration Pat LaFontaine's season in 92/93.

 

53 goals, 95 assists, 148 points.

Single highest individual point scoring season in Sabres history.

#11 didn't come close to that sort of number in all his years with the team.

 

 

[uticaclub]

Do you count the Bandits? John Tavares won multiple MVPs and championships. One of his years probably should be up there

[Utah John]

6 hours ago, freddyjj said:

OJ Simpson 1975 season. 

329 carries for 1817 yds (5.8 ypc) and 16 TDs. 129.8 ypg average. 

28 receptions for 426 yds (15.2 ypc) and 7 TDs. 30.2 ypg average. 

 

In 14 games he generated 2243 yards and 23TDs!!!  That's 160 ypg  and 1.65 TDs per game. 

Thanks for mentioning the 75 season, which in many ways was even better than the big record in 73.  People who didn't get to see OJ play have no idea how great he was.  No one ever glided through a defense like he did.  It was simply beautiful to see.

[TheBrownBear]

Travis Henry fathered 11 children during the 2002 season.  Still an NFL record.

[Utah John]

1 hour ago, Mango said:

OJ deserves to be part of the conversation. But as impressive as that feat was, he didn’t even make the playoffs. Hasek single handily dragged the team 6 games in the Stanley Cup. 
 

Advantage Hasek. 

The Bills did make the playoffs in 1974.  This was OJ's only playoff game in his career. They lost to the Steelers.  

 

OJ was not on the field when the opponents had the ball, so he wasn't responsible for the defense's struggles.  Hasek was on the ice the entire game so he was in position to dominate, which he did.  You just can't compare them based on the team results.  Hasek was great, no doubt, but I put OJ's 1975 season on top of the list.