IronPigs & Phillies renew affiliation thru 2030

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michael Ventola

Office: 610-841-1317

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IronPigs and Phillies Renew Affiliation Thru 2030

Coca-Cola Park will continue to be the final stop for Phillies minor leaguers en route to Philadelphia

Allentown, Pennsylvania (9 December 2020) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Phillies, have announced a ten-year extension of their Player Development Contract, maintaining the two clubs’ affiliation through at least the 2030 season.

“We couldn’t be more excited to continue our relationship for many years to come with the Philadelphia Phillies,” said IronPigs President and General Manager Kurt Landes. “The IronPigs are proud to remain the Phillies Triple-A Affiliate - the last stop before players move on to Philadelphia to begin their major league careers. Coca-Cola Park continues to be regarded as one of the best facilities in all of minor league baseball – both in terms of ballpark and fan support and that’s in large part due to our relationship with the Philadelphia Phillies.”

The agreement guarantees Phillies Triple-A players will be playing in the Lehigh Valley at Coca-Cola Park for ten more years and for 23 overall since 2008 (the team’s first season). 19 members of the Phillies current roster, including recent stars like 1B Rhys Hoskins and RHP Aaron Nola, are among a collection of 155 players that have made the leap from “The Pigs to the Bigs” since the IronPigs’ inception in 2008.

“The Lehigh Valley franchise and Coca-Cola Park are among the crown jewels of Minor League Baseball and we are very happy to continue our partnership with them,” said Bryan Minniti, Philadelphia Phillies Assistant General Manager. “The IronPigs not only provide our players with great amenities but also, due to their proximity to Philadelphia, allow our local fanbase to watch future Phillies in action.”

Coca-Cola Park, located just 69 miles from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, has served as a valuable backdrop for established Phillies players on their road to recovery via Major League Rehab stints. A total of 52 Phillies have made Major League rehab appearances for the IronPigs all-time, including OF Roman Quinn and RHP Jerad Eickhoff in 2019. Other notable rehabbers since 2008 include 1B Ryan Howard, 2B Chase Utley, RHP Pedro Martinez and RHP Roy Oswalt.

Since 2008, the IronPigs have drawn 7,295,413 fans to Coca-Cola Park.