Steinbrenner can now offically KMA!

[DJSpeedy]

For those that missed the BOMBSHELL (well, at least to those of us who live in this cowtown), that George dropped on the denizens of Columbus, Ohio today

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=nyy

I don't think having the AAA team closer is the "real" reason for this. I feel it is because Ol' Georgie has bascially said Columbus isn't supporting the team how he feels it should be, so he's pulling up the stakes and moving the farm over to Scranton.

However - in a Brownsesque move - the Clippers uniforms and logos are staying, but personally I think it's time to retire the Clippers name and logos. After all, they are leftovers from when the Pirates were the parent club.

It is a given that professional baseball will return to Columbus in 2007 as 3 MLB teams currently don't have AAA teams - Orioles, Nationals, and Mets, and a new privately funded stadium is being built and will be operational in 2008.

Personally, the associating with the Nationals makes good geographic sense (although, the Orioles would be another good fit for the same reason).

[TBGKon]

oops, didnt read the whole thing.....disregard

[The_Admiral]

Columbus will still have a team in 2007. Allentown is replacing Ottawa, other than that, only affiliations are going to change.

[NJTank]

Wow looks like we coudl see some shuffling going on Mets maybe leaving Norfolk too, because supsodily Nationals want their AAA there.

[DGivens87]

Wow, that is big news. IIRC, the reason why Columbus held its affiliation with the Yankees for so long was because George was from Columbus, and he even personally named the team "the Clippers", or something to that effect. That somewhat bothers me because whenever the Clippers came to Pawtucket to play the PawSox, I'd always get a kick outta chanting "YANKEES SUCK" at the games.

Oh well...sucks for Columbus, even though they may keep their team, the affiliation with one of baseball's storied teams will come to end.

[NJTank]

Well honestly I thinks its a good idea its better to be closer and Sacranton is very close, its only like a 90 minute drive from New York.

[BBTV]

Phillies AAA will move from Scranton Wilkes-Barre to Ottawa next year, and then to Allentown in '08.

[DJSpeedy]

Wow, that is big news. IIRC, the reason why Columbus held its affiliation with the Yankees for so long was because George was from Columbus, and he even personally named the team "the Clippers", or something to that effect.

Sorry, but you are mistaken. George did NOT name the team. They had been established as the Clips for 2 seasons prior to the affiliation with the Yanks.

I believe the Clippers name came about because of the affiliation with the Pirates in the '77 and '78 seasons and not because of anything George did.

BTW - he was born and grew up near Cleveland, though he DID coach high school football here (where present day Columbus State is) as well as attend OSU.

[FiddySicks]

It is a given that professional baseball will return to Columbus in 2007 as 3 MLB teams currently don't have AAA teams - Orioles, Nationals, and Mets

Nationals - New Orleans Zyphers

Mets - Norfolk Tide

Orioles - rochester Red Wings

Is this changing or what?

[NJTank]

I am not sure what will happen, I wont be shocked if the Mets make Brooklyn their AAA team they draw well owned by team itself in a stadium owned by the Mets themselves.

[DJSpeedy]

Nationals - New Orleans Zyphers

Mets - Norfolk Tide

Orioles - rochester Red Wings

Is this changing or what?

It HAS changed.

The Red Wings are affiliated with the Twins and have been since 2002, and apparently the Mets and Nationals let their affilations with the Tides and Zephyrs lapse.

It was reported on Sportscenter, along with a 4th MLB team that Washington, the Mets, and Orioles are now without AAA teams at this very moment.

[The_Admiral]

The Cyclones are a what, Single-A team? They're not moving up to AAA just like that. Get real.

[budbowl77]

dude, its minor league baseball..who cares?? teams sever ties with major league clubs all the time. its nothing new. besides its about time the Yankees have there minor clubs closer to home. GO YANKEES!

[rams80]

I am not sure what will happen, I wont be shocked if the Mets make Brooklyn their AAA team they draw well owned by team itself in a stadium owned by the Mets themselves.

Unfortunately this completely flies in the face of the National Agreement. First the Mets would have to BUY one of the existing 30 AAA franchises, then they would have to move the franchise over to Brooklyn; all while hoping that MLB, MiLB etc. approve the deal.

[Mac the Knife]

The Clippers aren't moving or anything, just changing their MLB affiliation. If you read the article, it says nothing about the team moving - just the affiliation.

[DGivens87]

I am not sure what will happen, I wont be shocked if the Mets make Brooklyn their AAA team they draw well owned by team itself in a stadium owned by the Mets themselves.

Unfortunately this completely flies in the face of the National Agreement. First the Mets would have to BUY one of the existing 30 AAA franchises, then they would have to move the franchise over to Brooklyn; all while hoping that MLB, MiLB etc. approve the deal.

That, and the fact that AAA requires a minimum 10,000 seat venue for all of its ballparks. IIRC, Brooklyn has somewhere in the neighborhood of 6,000 seats. Plus the jump from short-season A to AAA is a huge risk for a minor league organization.

[Brian in Boston]

If I had to wager, I'd say that we'll see the Yankees affiliated with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Mets affiliated with Columbus, the Nationals affiliated with Norfolk, and the Orioles affiliated with New Orleans next season. I think that both the New York-S/W-B and Washington/Norfolk affiliations could last quite some time.

Ultimately, I think that Cleveland could wind up affiliating with Columbus after the Indians' current deal with Buffalo runs out. In which case, the Mets could slide over to Buffalo.

[Camden Crazy]

The Orioles will probably fill the spot in Columbus or go to Norfolk. That'd be my guess.

[KevinMcD]

If I had to wager, I'd say that we'll see the Yankees affiliated with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Mets affiliated with Columbus, the Nationals affiliated with Norfolk, and the Orioles affiliated with New Orleans next season. I think that both the New York-S/W-B and Washington/Norfolk affiliations could last quite some time.

Ultimately, I think that Cleveland could wind up affiliating with Columbus after the Indians' current deal with Buffalo runs out. In which case, the Mets could slide over to Buffalo.

I think the tribe has a long term deal with Buffalo. I think it may have 10+ years left. I see

PHI-OTT and in 08 ALLENTOWN

BAL-NOR

WAS-CLB

NYM-NO

NYY-SWB

BTW: I thought I heard earlier in the year that Baltimore was going to be affiliated with SWB. But I guess that is gone?

[Brian in Boston]

I think the tribe has a long term deal with Buffalo. I think it may have 10+ years left.

The Cleveland Indians-Buffalo Bisons affiliation extends through the 2008 season. Unless they opt to re-up at that time, the Indians would be free to enter into an affiliation agreement with Columbus in time for the 2009 season. Ditto for the Cincinnati Reds-Louisville Bats affiliation.

Of the two Ohio-based Major League teams, I see Cleveland being the most likely to affiliate with Columbus. The Reds seem very happy with their current arrangement in Louisville.

Bottom line? The Clippers will sign a two-year affiliation agreement with the Mets or Orioles (Washington reportedly wants to hook-up with Norfolk), then opt not to renew after the 2008 season... paving the way for the Indians to set-up Triple-A shop in Columbus in time for 2009.