PDC Extended Through 2014 (Updated With Photos)

Heeeeeeeeeere’s the press release:

The Trenton Thunder announced Wednesday at a press conference at Mercer County Waterfront Park that the team has extended its Player Development Contract (PDC) with the New York Yankees. The agreement will run through the end of the 2014 season.

“When the Yankees came to Mercer County six years ago, both the Thunder organization and Mercer County promised Brian Cashman and the Yankees that they would never want to leave Trenton,” said Thunder President and Owner Joe Finley. “I think the Yankees commitment to stay at Mercer County Waterfront Park for an additional six years demonstrates that the Thunder and Mercer County have delivered on their promise. We look forward to providing the best setting for player development in all of Minor League Baseball for as long as this great game is being played.”

“Extending our PDC with Trenton was a no-brainer,” said Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman. “The Yankees won’t settle for anything less than the best, and the Thunder is by far the best Double-A franchise in baseball.”

“The champion Trenton Thunder are a well known success story in our community that mirrors the success the New York Yankees have enjoyed for generations,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “We congratulate the Thunder and the Yankees on renewing an already great partnership.”

The Thunder completed the franchise’s 15th season in 2008. Trenton has been affiliated with the Detroit Tigers (1994), the Boston Red Sox (1995-2002) and the New York Yankees (2003-present) in their history.

In 2008, the Thunder became the first team in the history of Minor League Baseball at the Double-A level or below to draw 400,000 fans for fourteen consecutive seasons. The Thunder’s all-time attendance stands at over six million.

Following the 2005 season, the Thunder became just the 10th team in Minor League Baseball history to win the three major team awards in Minor League Baseball: the John H. Johnson President’s Trophy given to the “Nation’s Best Franchise” (2005), the Larry MacPhail Trophy for Outstanding Club Promotion (2003) and the Bob Frietas Award for Long-Term Success (1998, given by Baseball America).

The Trenton Thunder and its Grand Slam We Care Foundation, have donated in excess of $3 million dollars worth of goods, services and monetary donations, through a variety of community programs in its 15 year history.

On the field, the Thunder have won the last two Eastern League Championships under the guidance of Thunder Manager Tony Franklin. Over 200 players and coaches have played for both the Thunder and in the Major Leagues including current Major League stars Chien-ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, Robinson Cano, Dioner Navarro, Nomar Garciaparra and David Eckstein.

The following are current members of the New York Yankee 40 Man Roster (as of 9/22) who have played for Trenton.

P Alfredo Aceves, 2008
P Brian Bruney, 2008*
P Joba Chamberlain, 2007
P Phil Coke, 2008
P Dan Giese, 2002
P Phil Hughes, 2006, 2007*
P Ian Kennedy, 2007
P Jeffrey Marquez, 2007-08
P Carl Pavano, 1996, 2006*, 2008*
P Edwar Ramirez, 2007
P David Robertson, 2008
P Humberto Sanchez, 2008*
P Chien-Ming Wang, 2003-04
P Chase Wright, 2007-08
C Francisco Cervelli, 2008
IF Robinson Cano, 2003-04, 2006*
IF Shelley Duncan, 2005-06
IF Derek Jeter, 2003*
IF Juan Miranda, 2007
OF Melky Cabrera, 2005
OF Justin Christian, 2006-07
OF Brett Gardner, 2006-07
OF Hideki Matsui, 2006*

* = MLB Rehab

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Thanks to the Trenton Thunder for passing along these photos of today’s press conference…

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I was under the impression that a PDC could only be extended for a maximum of four years…so this is a little interesting.  Either way, it goes to show just how happy the Yankees are with the way the Thunder do things.  It was no coincidence that Brian Cashman was walking on the field wearing a Trenton Thunder shirt before the Futures Game.

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com