L.A. Dodgers Extend Affiliation With 51s For Two Seasons

LAS VEGAS:The Las Vegas 51s professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) announced that the Los Angeles Dodgers and the 51s, owned and operated by Mandalay Baseball Properties, have renewed their Player Development Contract (PDC) for two seasons extending their affiliation through the 2008 season.

"We have enjoyed our relationship with the Las Vegas 51s and look forward to coming back in 2007 and beyond," Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti said.

The 51s are completing their sixth season (2001-06) as the top farm club of the Dodgers and the 24th campaign overall in the PCL. Las Vegas has compiled a 418-438 (.488) record over the five seasons with the Dodgers. This season, the 51s are 65-75 (.464) and are in third place in the Pacific Southern Division. The 2002 team compiled a franchise best 85-59 (.590) record and captured the Southern Division title.

"We are happy that the Dodgers still want to be in Las Vegas," 51s President & General Manager Don Logan said. "We are making every effort to get a state-of-the-art facility here. The fact that the Dodgers have the number of prospects in their minor league system makes it very attractive for our fans. The 51s fans had the opportunity to watch the very best Dodger prospects play here this year at Cashman Field. The close proximity to Los Angeles is also an important ingredient for the affiliation.

"Everything is positive with this affiliation and the future is very bright for the Dodger organization. The talented players coming up through the system bodes well for us. Typically, a stable winning Major League team will provide for a stable Triple-A environment. Ned Colletti and his staff have done a great job."

This season, many 51s players have enjoyed outstanding seasons after being promoted to the Dodgers. A total of 12 Las Vegas players have been promoted (through Aug. 28) including Chad Billingsley (RHP), Jonathan Broxton (RHP), Andre Ethier (OF), James Loney (1B), Russell Martin (C) and Aaron Sele (RHP) to name a few. Loney is the 2006 PCL Batting Champion and becomes only the second player in Las Vegas franchise history to win a batting title. Ethier and Martin have emerged as candidates for the National League Rookie of the Year.

Six of the Dodgers top eight prospects, according to Baseball America, in the minor league system have played in Las Vegas in 2006: No. 1 - Billingsley; No. 2 - Andy LaRoche (3B); No. 3 - Joel Guzman (INF/OF); No. 4 - Martin (C); No. 5 - Broxton and No. 8 - Matt Kemp (OF). The 51s "home" attendance of 339,840 (4,998 average in 68 dates) is the also the largest single season total since Las Vegas began its affiliation with the Dodgers in 2001.

The Dodgers are currently in first place in the National League West with a record of 71-62 (.534). L.A. leads San Diego by three games and San Francisco by 5.5 games. The 51s conclude the 2006 season with a four-game home stand against the Fresno Grizzlies from Friday-Monday, September 1-4 at Cashman Field.