Rangers GM Jon Daniels Speaks About Relationship with Spokane Indians

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Jon Daniels, the Texas Rangers' President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, was in Spokane yesterday as the Indians and Rangers agreed to continue the team's long-tenured partnership. 

The Indians extended its player development contract with the Rangers yesterday (you can read the full press release here). Spokane originally became a Rangers' affiliate in 2003. Since the teams have been partnered, Spokane has won three Northwest League Championships (2003, 2005 and 2008). Spokane has also led the league in attendance every year, as last year the team broke an attendance record by averaging 5,064 fans at each game. There have been 42 total Indians to make the major leagues since the affiliation began. 

"I think this is the crown jewel of short-season clubs and certainly in the Northwest League," Daniels told The Spokesman-Review. "I think it's a great experience for our players at this level to play, from a facilities standpoint, with the community ownership and (the fact) you get 6,000 fans in here. That helps from a development standpoint. It's an elevated environment to challenge them."

You can read more about what Daniels said to The Spokesman-Review by visiting their webpage here.

Daniels was also a guest with Patchins, Lukens and Osso on 700 ESPN. Below is the full interview!