SeaWolves Invited to Continue as Double-A Affiliate of the Tigers

The Detroit Tigers announced today a new affiliation structure for Minor League player development. Under the new system, the Tigers have invited the Erie SeaWolves to continue to serve as Detroit’s Double-A affiliate. The SeaWolves and Tigers have been player development partners since the 2001 baseball season.

“We are thrilled and honored to be invited by the Tigers to continue as their Double-A affiliate,” SeaWolves Owner/CEO Fernando Aguirre said. “The SeaWolves and Tigers have built a strong partnership, and today’s announcement confirms our commitment to Erie. UPMC Park has been through a major transformation over the last 18 months, and we look forward to having one of the best facilities in Minor League Baseball next season. We thank Erie Events, Governor Tom Wolf, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the Detroit Tigers, UPMC, and Erie’s elected officials for their collective efforts. We also thank our fans, team partners, and staff for their dedication and continued support.”

“For nearly 20 years, Erie and its community have been great partners, and we’re thrilled to invite them back as our Double-A affiliate,” Al Avila, Detroit Tigers Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager said. “I’d like to especially thank Fernando Aguirre and local and state government officials for coming together and supporting the much-needed facility improvements at UPMC Park for this coming season, including a new home clubhouse and training facility. The difference in workplace quality for our players is vital to their development, and we’re looking forward to seeing these additions come to completion.”

“We are excited that Double-A baseball will continue in Erie, and we’re proud that the recent $16 million investment to upgrade UPMC Park played a pivotal role in that decision,” Erie Events Executive Director Casey Wells said. “Now that the MLB’s updated facility standards have been finalized, Erie Events is committed to completing the necessary clubhouse improvements as soon as funding is secured to ensure UPMC Park meets MLB standards for many years to come.”

“As a lifelong baseball fan, I’m proud the SeaWolves will continue playing in Erie,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “Today’s announcement is the product of hard work from Attorney General Shapiro, Erie’s legislative and community leaders, and the people of Erie, who all understand how much baseball can do for a community. As Yogi Berra once said, ‘love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.’”

“Today's announcement is a home run for Northwestern Pennsylvania and ensures that affiliated Minor League Baseball will remain in Erie for years to come,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro shared. “The people of Erie understand the importance of keeping institutions like the SeaWolves in their community, and I hope other cities around the country learn from their example. A year ago, I urged Commissioner Rob Manfred to reconsider Major League Baseball's plan to remove affiliated baseball from Erie, PA. Since then, my staff and I worked directly with the Commissioner's Office, the Tigers, and SeaWolves owner Fernando Aguirre to reach an agreement that would allow the team to retain its Double-A status. Thanks to additional support from Governor Wolf, Erie’s legislative and local leaders, and the community, the SeaWolves are here to stay.”

The Erie SeaWolves began play in 1995 as the Short-Season A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. In conjunction with Major League Baseball expansion, the SeaWolves successfully earned the opportunity to compete at the Double-A level in 1999 as an affiliate of the California Angels. After two seasons with the Angels, the SeaWolves assumed its current role in the Tigers’ player development system. In 2018, Erie Events was awarded a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for enhancements to UPMC Park.