Smokies and Diamondbacks Announce Partnership
Published on September 21, 2004 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Sevierville, Tenn. - The Arizona Diamondbacks and Tennessee Smokies today announced that they have signed a two-year player development contract. Beginning this April the Diamondbacks will provide the players and coaching personnel for the Smokies.
"The Arizona Diamondbacks are excited to begin this relationship with the Tennessee Smokies and the entire East Tennessee community," said Joe Garagiola Jr., the Diamondbacks' Senior Vice President/General Manager. "We look forward to working with Doug Kirchhofer, Brian Cox and their entire staff. The Southern League will provide both a tremendous level of competition for our players and an atmosphere that is conducive to their continued development."
"We were looking for a couple of different things from a major league affiliate," Smokies General Manager Brian Cox explained. "We wanted to be partnered with an organization that has a talented farm system and is a National League club. The Diamondbacks have three trips to the playoffs and a World Series Championship over their first six seasons and seem to be a great fit."
Bob Miller, one of the Diamondbacks' Assistant General Managers, added, "After meeting with Doug Kirchhofer and talking with Brian Cox we realized what a quality organization the Smokies have. We look forward to having our minor leaguers playing in a fantastic facility with all the modern amenities."
The Diamondbacks previous Double A affiliate was the El Paso Diablos of the Texas League.
The Smokies play their home games at Smokies Park, a state-of-the-art facility that is located in Sevierville and opened in 2000. The Southern League includes 10 teams from Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. For the previous two seasons, the Smokies were affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Diamondbacks previously renewed agreements through 2006 with their other five minor league affiliates: the Tucson Sidewinders (AAA - Pacific Coast League); Lancaster JetHawks (A - California League); South Bend Silver Hawks (A- Midwest League); Yakima Bears (A - Northwest League); and Missoula Osprey (Rookie - Pioneer League).
Southern League Stories from September 21, 2004
- Smokies and Diamondbacks Announce Partnership - Knoxville Smokies
- G-Braves continue to support the upstate community - Mississippi Braves
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