Suns sign with Florida Marlins
Suns sign with Florida Marlins
POSTED 09/19/08 - The Jacksonville Suns have announced a two year player development agreement with the Florida Marlins, good through the 2010 Southern League season.
"I felt that it was best for the Jacksonville Suns to have a parent club close to home," Suns President and General Manager Peter Bragan, Jr. said. "It's an easy ride down I-95 to see the big club now, and we're excited to have a part in the bright future of Marlins baseball."
The Marlins become the seventh parent club in Jacksonville's Southern League history (1970-present), following the Cleveland Indians (1971), Kansas City Royals (1972-1984), Montreal Expos (1985-1990), Seattle Mariners (1991-1994), Detroit Tigers (1995-2000) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2001-2008).
Jacksonville becomes the third Double-A affiliate in Florida Marlins history, following the Eastern League's Portland Sea Dogs (1994-2002) and Southern League's Carolina Mudcats (2003-2008). The Marlins did not field a Double-A team during their inaugural season of 1993.
In the most recent six-year relationship with the Southern League's Carolina Mudcats from 2003 through 2008, the Florida Marlins Double-A team had a regular season record of 431-400 (.519) with two Southern League playoff appearances (2003, 2008) and one Southern League Championship (2003).
The Florida Marlins minor league affiliates amassed a collective record of 399-361 (.525) during the 2008 season, the seventh-best winning percentage among all 30 Major League organizations.
The affiliation change also marks the end of an eight year relationship with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"I have the utmost respect for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, and they have always been first class," Suns President and General Manager Peter Bragan, Jr. said. "But with the Dodgers trying to move their operations west, I felt it was best for the Suns to team up with a club from the South. It's five hours down I-95 to Miami, but it's three days on I-10 to Los Angeles."
The Jacksonville Suns open the 2009 season with their first game as a Florida Marlins affiliate Thursday April 9, 2009 against the Tennessee Smokies (Chicago Cubs) at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Season tickets are available at (904) 358-2846 or by visiting jaxsuns.com.
