PRESS RELEASE – The Mobile BayBears and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have announced a new two-year player development contract that will begin with the 2017 season. Los Angeles is the third parent club the BayBears have been affiliated with since joining the Southern League in 1997 (San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks).
The Angels reached an agreement with the BayBears following a 16-season stint as the Major League affiliate club of the Arkansas Travelers of the Texas League. During that time the Travelers won the 2001 and 2008 Texas League Championship along with five division championships.
In the past 10 seasons, more than 70 players from the Angels “AA” Affiliate have made it to the Major Leagues, including 5-time All-Star, Hank Aaron Award Winner, and 2014 American League MVP, Mike Trout.
“The Los Angeles Angels are very excited to begin a partnership with the Mobile BayBears,” Angels General Manager Billy Eppler said. “This will be a great home for our Double-A players and staff.”
“We are thrilled to be entering into this new partnership with the Los Angeles Angels,” BayBears General Manager Chris Morgan said. “Billy Eppler and the Angels front office is dedicated to developing quality players at the minor league level and everyone associated with the BayBears organization will work tirelessly to provide a positive environment for this development.”
The new affiliation ends a 10-year era during which the Arizona Diamondbacks fielded teams at Hank Aaron Stadium. This followed a decade-long partnership with the San Diego Padres, the original Major League parent club of the BayBears. This is the first time in the BayBears 20-year history that it will be an American League affiliate.
The BayBears first home game as an Angels affiliate will be on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at Hank Aaron Stadium against the Jackson Generals.
For more information on the BayBears, or for information on purchasing tickets, call 251-479-BEAR (2327) or visit the official team website at www.mobilebaybears.com. You can also “Like” the Mobile BayBears on Facebook and follow the team on both Instagram and Twitter using the handle @Mobile_BayBears.
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Thanks to Joe DeLeonard for the news.
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