Mud Hens, Tigers extend affiliation
The Toledo Mud Hens finished the 2008 campaign with an overall record of 75-69. This marked their fourth consecutive winning season -- the first such streak for the franchise since 1941-44. The team attracted 584,596 fans in 2008 and welcomed their 4-millionth fan to Fifth Third Field on the final home game last season.
Toledo President/General Manager, Joseph Napoli said, "Since moving downtown to Fifth Third Field in 2002, the Toledo Mud Hens have enjoyed the best stretch of baseball in the history of the franchise with a record of 533-470 (.531). Dave Dombrowski, Al Avila, Dan Lunetta and Glenn Ezell have made a commitment to provide the fans of Toledo with a team that they can be proud of and for that, we are thankful. We look forward to the continuation of this partnership which is currently the sixth longest in Triple-A baseball."
Toledo Mud Hen Chairman, Mike Miller added, "We look forward to extending our Player Development Contract with the Detroit Tigers. The relationship continues to be very beneficial for all parties."
Detroit Tigers' Director of Minor League Operations, Dan Lunetta said, "We are thrilled and delighted to be entering into this agreement to extend our affiliation an additional two years. The Mud Hens represent everything a Major League organization looks for in an affiliate relationship and this is and has been a perfect fit for each other for many years and hopefully for many more years to come. Toledo is an integral part of our developmental process and the fan support we have received has certainly played a role in the success of our back-to-back championships."
Lunetta added, "The Tigers are very appreciative of the way the Mud Hens and the Toledo community treat our players and staff and we are very proud to be associated with the Mud Hens organization. Mike Miller and Joe Napoli run a first class organization in every respect. The affiliate relationship is much more than what takes place on the field and our agreement to extend to 2012 reflects the strength of that relationship."
Detroit's 2008 roster had plenty of former Mud Hens -- 33 total: OF Brent Clevlen, OF Curtis Granderson, 3B Mike Hessman, 2B Michael Hollimon, 3B Brandon Inge, OF Matt Joyce, 1B Jeff Larish, OF Ryan Raburn, C Dusty Ryan, SS Ramon Santiago, C Dane Sardinha, OF Marcus Thames, OF Clete Thomas, RHP Denny Bautista, RHP Yorman Bazardo, RHP Francis Beltran, RHP Eddie Bonine , RHP Francisco Cruceta, RHP Freddy Dolsi, LHP Casey Fossum, RHP Armando Galarraga, RHP Freddy Garcia, RHP Gary Glover, RHP Jason Grilli, RHP Chris Lambert, RHP Aquilino Lopez, RHP Zach Miner, LHP Clay Rapada, LHP Nate Robertson, RHP Fernando Rodney, LHP Bobby Seay, LHP Dontrelle Willis and RHP Joel Zumaya all wore Mud Hens jerseys at some point during their career.