CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks sign with new affiliate: the Boston Red Sox

Published on September 21, 2004 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE--- The Wilmington Blue Rocks have announced that the franchise has entered into a two-year Player Development Contract with the Boston Red Sox. The contract is for the 2005 and 2006 Carolina League baseball seasons. The new PDC agreement ends Wilmington's 12-year affiliation with the Kansas City Royals.

The Red Sox have housed their High-A affiliate in Sarasota, FL in the Florida State League for the last nine years, dating back to 1995. The Sarasota Red Sox went 75-61 during the 2004 Florida State League regular season. "I am absolutely delighted and honored to be a apart of a first-class organization like the Boston Red Sox," said Wilmington Blue Rocks President Matt Minker. "The history and the excitement involving the Red Sox franchise certainly speaks for itself. Our organization looks forward to the 2005 Carolina League season and our working agreement with our new major league affiliate."

The Red Sox return to the Carolina League for the first time since 1994, when they ended a seven-year agreement with the Lynchburg franchise. From 1961 through 1984, the Red Sox had their High-A affiliate with the Winston-Salem franchise in the Carolina League. Former Blue Rocks pitching coach Bill Slack was the manager of the Red Sox affiliate in Winston-Salem for 13 seasons (1963-68, 70, 73-74, 78-79, 83-84). Wilmington's first manager in franchise history, Ron Johnson, managed in the Red Sox minor league organization from 2000-04, most recently with the Double-A affiliate this past season. The Portland Sea Dogs (Eastern League) went 69-73 in 2004 under Johnson, who managed the Blue Rocks in 1993.

"The Blue Rocks are the top franchise in the most respected High-A league in baseball. They have a great facility, excellent fan base and outstanding management," said Ben Cherington, the Boston Red Sox Director of Player Development. "Owner Matt Minker and General Manager Chris Kemple are both very well respected within the professional baseball industry and we look forward to our relationship with them. They have consistently provided a top-notch environment for players and staff to work in and happen to operate the closest High-A franchise to Boston. The Blue Rocks and Red Sox share a commitment to developing players in a first class, winning environment and we look forward to being a part of the Blue Rocks family in 2005."

The Blue Rocks and Boston Red Sox will hold a press conference after the 2004 World Series concludes in late October. If members of the media would like to speak with Blue Rocks President Matt Minker or Ben Cherington, the Boston Red Sox Director of Player Development, please contact Steve Lenox at (302) 888-2585 to setup phone interviews.

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Carolina League Stories from September 21, 2004


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