Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon
Scores
All Scores Triple-A Scores Double-A Scores High-A Scores Single-A Scores Rookie Scores
Schedule
Complete Game Schedule Triple-A Schedule Double-A Schedule High-A Schedule Single-A Schedule Rookie Schedule Sync Schedules
Teams
Teams by Affiliate Teams by Name Teams by Class Teams by League Ballparks
Watch
Watch Games Subscribe Highlights Prospect Highlights Streaming FAQ Help Center Gameday Audio Podcast Bally Sports Live
Tickets
Tickets
Shop
MiLB Store Auctions Shop Copa Shop Marvel
Standings
Full Season Rookie Leagues Playoffs Playoff Procedures
Stats
Full Season Rookie Leagues Trending Players Top Prospect Stats
News
Pipeline Transactions Copa de la Diversión Baseball Traveler Malmö Oat Milkers MiLB App MiLB Newsletters Sweepstakes & Contests
Prospects
Top 100 Top 30 by Team Top 50 International Draft Top 250 Trending Players
Playoffs
MLB

Kane County Cougars Announce Affiliation With Chicago Cubs

By
March 11, 2013

The Kane County Cougars have announced the signing of a two-year player development contract (PDC) with the Chicago Cubs.

Effective today, the agreement does not affect the ownership, management or front office staff of the Kane County Cougars in any manner as the Cougars organization looks towards Thursday, April 4 - Opening Night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, and the first home game featuring the Cougars' new affiliation with the Cubs. Fans can call the Cougars at (630) 232-8811 to inquire about season ticket, partial-season ticket packages and catered event group outings, as well as corporate sponsorship opportunities.

"We are extremely excited about our new relationship with the Chicago Cubs," said Cougars General Manager Curtis Haug. "The close proximity between both organizations will be mutually beneficial in numerous ways. We believe that the Cubs organization and their philosophies about the minor leagues, including scouting, player development, and involvement in the community, are a fantastic fit for our franchise."

"The decision to change affiliation is never an easy one, particularly after a tremendous two-year relationship with the Kansas City Royals. Both on and off the field, Royals front office staff and coaches were the epitome of class, and the players represented the Cougars with professionalism throughout our affiliation. We'd particularly like to thank (Royals VP of Baseball Operations/Assistant GM) J.J. Picollo and (Royals Director of Minor League Operations) Scott Sharp, for being so instrumental in ensuring a great personal relationship between both of our organizations."

"We are excited at the opportunity to work with the Kane County franchise," said Cubs Senior Vice President of Scouting/Player Development Jason McLeod. "The benefits of having one of our minor league clubs this close to Chicago are numerous and we look forward to starting this new relationship."

The arrival of (President, Baseball Operations) Theo Epstein, (General Manager) Jed Hoyer and (Senior VP of Scouting/Player Development) Jason McLeod has brought a renewed sense of optimism to the Cubs organization within the past year. Prospects such as Anthony Rizzo, Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters, along with a plethora of other prospects throughout the Cubs farm system, have strengthened the organization as having one of the deepest and most prospect-laden farm systems in Major League Baseball.

About the Cubs, Cougars: The history of the Cubs dates back to 1876. Several of the many Hall-of-Famers who spent all or most of their big league careers as Cubs include Hack Wilson, Mordecai Brown, Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg, Fergie Jenkins, Ernie Banks and Ron Santo. The Cougars organization, which began in 1991, has had at least one former player make a Major League debut in each season, dating back to 1993. The list includes Major League All-Stars, World Series champions and former Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award winners. Through the 2012 season, more than 9.5 million fans have attended a Cougars game and the organization is anticipating its 10 millionth fan in 2013.

Extra bases: Among the 120 former Cougars who have reached the major leagues, two alumni made their big league debut with the Cubs (Roosevelt Brown on 5/18/99, and Ross Gload on 8/31/00...former Cougars who have logged time as a Cub during their big league career include Ryan Dempster ('96), Antonio Alfonseca ('94), Joe Borowski ('91), and Felix Heredia ('94)...a current Cub and former Cougar, Anthony Recker ('06) hit his first major league home run as a Cub earlier this month...the Cougars have played at Wrigley Field twice in franchise history: 2008 and 2010...some of the notable former Cubs who played at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark for a rehabilitation stint against the Cougars over the years include Aramis Ramirez, Reed Johnson, Carlos Silva, Jon Lieber and Angel Guzman... this will be the fifth different Major League affiliation for the Cougars franchise, which began in 1991 as a Baltimore Orioles farm team and has since aligned with the Florida Marlins, Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals... the remainder of the Cubs farm system consists of Triple-A Iowa (Pacific Coast League), Double-A Tennessee (Southern League),Class-A Advanced Daytona (Florida State League),Short-A Boise (Northwest League) and several rookie league teams in Arizona and the Dominican Republic... Don Schulze, the Cougars pitching coach in 2007 and 2008, was a former first round pick of the Cubs and currently serves as a pitching coach in the Oakland Athletics organization.