I-Cubs and Chicago Extend Affiliation

       

Des Moines, IA - The Iowa Cubs are proud to announce a two-year extension to our Player Development Contract with the Chicago Cubs that will keep the affiliation through at least the 2018 season. The current agreement runs through the 2016 season, so this extension was an agreement to affirm what is already one of the longest affiliate relationships in professional baseball.

"Our long-standing relationship with the Chicago Cubs is a source of pride for our organization and our community," Iowa Cubs President/General Manager Sam Bernabe said. "We are very pleased with Chicago's commitment to their minor league system and our fans enjoy seeing the exciting young players on the field at Principal Park. This extension shows that the Cubs appreciate the work our staff does to provide a top notch facility and operation to support their players and staff members throughout the year."

The affiliation between Iowa and Chicago began in 1981 and Iowa adopted the Cubs' nickname in 1982. Of the 160 teams in Minor League Baseball, this is the eighth-longest current affiliate relationship between a Major League team and a minor league club. This extension guarantees at least 38 seasons in this partnership.

"We are pleased to reach a PDC extension with Iowa," said Jason McLeod, the Cubs Senior Vice President, Scouting and Player Development. "We thank Michael Gartner, Sam Bernabe and the entire Iowa Cubs family for their commitment to providing a great experience for our Triple-A players. The players who have come through Iowa speak of their positive experiences in Des Moines and appreciate their great fans, and we are thrilled to continue this long-standing partnership." 

Since 1981, some of the notable players that have taken the field for the Iowa Cubs include: Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, Rookies of the Year Kerry Wood, Jerome Walton, and Geovany Soto, Gold Glove winners Mark Grace and Darwin Barney, Major League All-Stars Joe Carter, Shawon Dunston, Joe Girardi, Bryan LaHair, Jamie Moyer, Rafael Palmeiro, Mark Prior, Anthony Rizzo, Jeff Samardzija, Steve Trachsel, Travis Wood, and Carlos Zambrano, and Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg managed the team in 2010. This year, of the 35 active players currently with Chicago, 26 (not including rehab assignments) have played for the Iowa Cubs.

LONGEST CURRENT CONTINUOUS MINOR LEAGUE AFFILIATIONS:

Reading (AA-Eastern) with the Philadelphia Phillies since 1967

Lakeland (High-A-Florida State) with the Detroit Tigers since 1967

Omaha (AAA-Pacific Coast) with the Kansas City Roayls since 1969

Pawtucket (AAA-International) with the Boston Red Sox since 1973

Elizabethton (Rookie-Appalachian) with the Minnesota Twins since 1974

Billings (Rooke-Pioneer) with the Cincinnati Reds since 1974

Johnson City (Rookie-Appalachian) with the St. Louis Cardinals since 1975

IOWA (AAA-PCL) with the Chicago Cubs since 1982