Bulls, Devil Rays Announce Contract Extension

On Tuesday, January 31, 2006, the Durham Bulls and Tampa Bay Devil Rays announced a two-year extension of their current player development contract through the 2008 season. Durham Bulls owner Jim Goodmon and Tampa Bay Devil Rays owner Stuart Sternberg met on Tuesday afternoon to finalize the extension.

“We couldn’t ask for a better environment to protect our greatest asset, our players,” Sternberg said. “The people here have treated me and my family very well. I’m happy we’re going to continue this relationship.”

The Bulls and Devil Rays have been affiliated since 1998 when Durham made the jump to Triple-A. In that time, the Bulls have had seven winning seasons, six trips to the post-season, five division titles and two International League Championships. Several of the Devil Rays players have come through Durham including outfielders Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli, Joey Gathright and Damon Hollins, infielders Aubrey Huff, Toby Hall and Jorge Cantu, and pitchers Doug Waechter, Seth McClung, Chad Orvella and Jesus Colome. The Bulls expect to have two of the top prospects in all of minor league baseball this year in shortstop B.J. Upton and outfielder Delmon Young.

“We’ve seen a lot of great baseball and a lot of great players over the last eight seasons,” Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said, “It’s great to know our partnership with the Devil Rays will be continuing.”

The Durham Bulls open the 2006 home schedule on Friday April 14th against the Toledo Mudhens. Ticket packages are now available by calling the Bulls ticket department at (919) 687-6500.

Thanks to DBBC’s Matt DeMargel for this capcom story.