Curve, Pittsburgh Pirates Announce Four-Year Extenstion Of Player Development Contract
Published on May 23, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA, Pa - In what has become one of the strongest affiliations in all of Minor League Baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Altoona Curve are pleased to announce an extension in their Player Development Contract through the 2014 season. The announcement was made by Curve General Manager Rob Egan at a press conference at Blair County Ballpark on May 23.
The agreement is for a four-year extension to the club's current affiliation with the Pirates that was set to expire at the conclusion of the 2010 season.
"This is another great day in Altoona Curve history," said Egan. "We're extremely fortunate to be able to ensure our fans we'll be the Double-A affiliate of the major league team they passionately root for, the Pittsburgh Pirates."
Egan added, "The Altoona Curve and Pittsburgh Pirates have forged one of the strongest bonds that a major league team and a minor league affiliate can have and that very few organizations are able to enjoy. The primary reason the Curve and Pirates have had such a strong bond is because both parties have done right by one another for the first 11 years. It's extremely exciting to know that this partnership will continue for at least the next five seasons."
Since their inception in 1999, the Curve have been affiliated with no other major league parent club except the Pirates. The new extension will ensure that affiliation through the franchise's first 16 years of existence.
"The Pittsburgh Pirates have a long and proud history of building championship clubs from the players developed at our minor league affiliates. Our affiliations with strong and vibrant minor league organizations like the Altoona Curve are critical to our plan to again win championships in Pittsburgh," said Pirates President Frank Coonelly who was present at the announcement. "We are extremely fortunate to have such respected and knowledgeable baseball people in the Lozinak family steering this great franchise. The Pirates are very happy to be associated with such a fine baseball family and look forward to continuing what has been an incredibly productive relationship with the Curve and the entire Altoona community."
The strong partnership between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Altoona Curve started on September 15, 1998 when the visionary for the team, owner Bob Lozinak, was able to secure the initial affiliation with Pirates' management.
Currently, the Altoona Curve have seen 75 total players reach the major leagues during the team's first decade, many of whom have gone on to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. On the current Pirates roster, 11 of the 25 active players are Altoona Curve alumni. Additionally, three players on the Pirates' 40-man roster are on the current Altoona Curve roster.
"Altoona Curve fans and Pittsburgh Pirates fans are among the best in baseball," said Lozinak. "Frank Coonelly, [General Manager] Neal Huntington and [Director of Player Development] Kyle Stark have a great vision and plan to see the Pirates succeed in future years through minor league development. We're happy to be associated with that and help them in their endeavor."
Many current Pittsburgh Pirates' stars such as Nate McLouth, Nyjer Morgan, Zach Duke, Paul Maholm, Matt Capps, John Grabow and Jack Wilson all excelled at Blair County Ballpark at one point in their professional career, forging a rare bond for both parties mutual fan base.
"Having the Altoona Curve as an affiliate is instrumental in helping us accomplishing our goals at the major league level," said Stark, who was also at Blair County Ballpark for the announcement. "Our players will play in front of large, passionate crowds, they'll continue to be involved in a baseball-oriented community off the field and they have one of the finest facilities in the country at their disposal. These are just some of the many amenities the Altoona Curve and this region offer the Pittsburgh Pirates and they are essential in developing championship caliber players."
SOME OF THE MANY HIGHLIGHTS THROUGH THE FIRST 11 YEARS OF THE CURVE-PIRATES AFFILIATION:
Sept. 1998
Curve Owner Bob Lozinak and the Altoona Curve announce their initial affiliation with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
May 2000
The Pittsburgh Pirates play the Altoona Curve in an exhibition game at Blair County Ballpark
Aug. 2002
Four-Year Extension of Affiliation Announced
2003-2006 Seasons
The Altoona Curve enjoy four consecutive appearances in the Eastern League playoffs as the Pirates' Double-A affiliate.
June, 2004
The Altoona Curve play the Erie SeaWolves in a regular season game at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
2004 Season
The Altoona Curve captures the Eastern League Southern Division Title and plays in the 2004 E.L. Championship Series.
March 2006
Four-Year Extension of Affiliation Announced
July 2006
Curve Players Shane Youman and Brett Roneberg win Top Pitcher/Player Awards at E.L. All-Star Game at Blair County Ballpark
May, 2009
Four-Year Extension of Affiliation Announced
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