Travelers Continue Partnership With Angels

NORTH LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Travelers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are proud to announce a new two-year Player Development Contract. The announcement was made by Travelers team president Russ Meeks on Monday morning at Dickey-Stephens Park. The affiliation with the Angels, which began before the 2001 season, will now carry through the 2014 season.

"For 12 years our fans have seen some of the best young talent in all of the minors playing for the Travelers," said Meeks. "Moving forward we believe in the vision that (Angels General Manager) Jerry Dipoto and (Assistant General Manager) Scott Servais have for the Angels both at the Major League and Minor League levels. The Travelers want to be a part of that vision."

The second-longest affiliation in Travelers history has produced two Texas League championships, four TL division titles and 13 Major League All-Stars. The 2012 All-Star game included four former Travs including Mike Trout who was named Baseball America's 2011 Player of the Year while starring as the centerfielder and leadoff batter for the Travelers. Twenty former Travelers have suited up for the Angels during the 2012 season, and three members of the 2012 Travs (Nick Maronde, Andrew Taylor and Jean Segura) have made their MLB debut's this season.

"Over the past 12 seasons the Angels have worked together with the outstanding group in Arkansas while realizing tremendous success, both on the field and with the development of future Major League players," commented Dipoto. "Russ Meeks and the good people with the Travelers continue to be a valued member of the Angels family and we are thrilled to continue our long running partnership. We all look forward to the next chapter of Angels history and take great satisfaction in knowing the Travelers will continue to contribute so heavily to both our present and future success."

The 2013 Travelers season will begin on April 4 at Dickey-Stephens Park.