Tribe receives top honor from national publication

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Indians have been named At The Yard magazine's 2005 Minor League Baseball Team of the Year. Twenty seven Indians are featured on the cover of the December issue, while six full pages of information and action photos follow inside the publication.

"The Indians are very honored to be At The Yard magazine's Team of the Year," Tribe General Manager Cal Burleson says. "At The Yard recognizes that we have put together a wonderful entertainment package around professional baseball at Victory Field, which we believe is the best Minor League ballpark in America.

"Our mission is to provide Indians Baseball as affordable and memorable family fun. The Pittsburgh Pirates provided us with the kind of team that made the fun that much more memorable in 2005, and we look forward to having another championship-contending team for our fans in 2006."

Burleson is one of six Indians representatives quoted in the article. The 31-paragraph story also includes comments from team president Max Schumacher, field manager Trent Jewett, media relations manager Matt Segal, gameday employee Dick Kenworthy and outfielder Jon Nunnally.

The piece is written by Pete Cava, an ATY contributing writer who lives in Indianapolis. Cava is best-known for his book Tales from the Cubs Dugout, which was published in 2000.

At The Yard is a monthly magazine that focuses on Minor League Baseball. According to the publication's web site, ATY's staff is dedicated to providing great stories, team updates and fun facts to the fans who celebrate America's National Pastime.

Additional copies of At The Yard magazine can be purchased by calling 800-825-3164 or by going on-line at www.attheyard.com.

The Indians, who advanced to the International League Governors' Cup Finals this past season, open the 2006 campaign April 6 at Pawtucket.

For Pete Cava's Team of the Year story, click here.