Isotopes and Dodgers Extend Partnership

With the Albuquerque Isotopes in the Pacific Coast League playoffs and the Los Angeles Dodgers striving for their own postseason berth, the two organizations have extended their partnership through the 2014 season. The announcement was made jointly today by both organizations.

The partnership between the 'Topes and Dodgers has been successful both on and off the field for both teams, as Albuquerque has racked up a record of 302-273 in four seasons with the Dodgers, including two playoff berths. Since 2009, a total of 67 players have suited up for the Isotopes and the Dodgers, with 19 leaving Albuquerque to make their Major League debut in Los Angeles.

"We're thrilled to extend our incredibly successful partnership with the Dodgers," said Isotopes General Manager John Traub. "The City of Albuquerque and the Dodgers have been linked for generations and just as Los Angeles is considered one of the premiere franchises in Major League Baseball, the same is true for the Isotopes in Minor League Baseball. We're proud to continue the shared traditions of two great organizations."

This season, the Isotopes not only won their division with a team-record 80 wins, but enjoyed a number of unprecedented honors, including a franchise-record four players named to the post-season All-PCL Team, and John Ely being named PCL Pitcher of the Year, the first Albuquerque hurler to win the award since it was created in 2001. Skipper Lorenzo Bundy became the second Isotope to win PCL Manager of the Year this year as well.

"We're very excited to extend our relationship with Ken Young, John Traub and the Isotopes," said Dodgers Assistant General Manager, Player Development De Jon Watson. "These two franchises have a storied history together and we're happy to continue our relationship with the city of Albuquerque with its top-notch facilities and passionate fan base."

The Albuquerque Dukes were the Triple-A affiliate of the Dodgers from 1972 to 2000 after the Duke City hosted the Dodgers' Double-A affiliate from 1965 to 1971. Albuquerque will now be home to the Dodgers' top farm club for 35 out of 43 years from 1972 to 2014.

Traub and Watson, as well as Isotopes President Ken Young, will be available to the media on Friday afternoon at 4:00 PM on the field at Isotopes Park prior to the team's playoff game with Omaha that evening beginning at 7:05 PM.