Affiliated with the Houston Astros since their 2002 debut, the Class A Tri-City ValleyCats will not be associated with Major League Baseball next season.
The Troy franchise that plays at Joe Bruno Stadium was not one of 120 teams offered MLB-affiliation as part of a nationwide restructuring of minor league baseball.
In a statement, the team says it plans to remain in Troy and continue playing professional baseball. The ValleyCats say they are “surprised and disappointed” with the move.
We have learned that our team will not receive a PDL as part of Major League Baseball’s plan to restructure the @MiLB system, but we are committed to providing professional baseball to the Capital Region and will remain an active member of this community. pic.twitter.com/L9VPpi4ZFY
— Tri-City ValleyCats (@ValleyCats) December 9, 2020
In a statement, New York U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, who had pushed MLB to retain the ValleyCats, said, “I am very, very disappointed for Capital Region baseball fans and the ValleyCats organization. For 18 years the ValleyCats have delivered both good players and fan satisfaction that minor league franchises strive for. In return, fans turned out in droves always putting the team at the top of the league in attendance. The fans and the team deserved better. Still, baseball teaches us that if you keep swinging, a bitter disappointment one day can lead to success the next. And, I will keep advocating until affiliated baseball returns to the region.”
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden also released a statement, saying he is "very disappointed," adding, “Last month, I contacted MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred in support of the team’s continued involvement in the minor league system. Unfortunately, the league opted to take a different path. The ValleyCats are an important part of the Capital Region community, providing a high-quality professional baseball experience to thousands of local fans & families for over 18 years, and generating millions in economic activity for our region. We are pleased the team intends to continue playing in Troy for the foreseeable future, and are firmly committed to supporting them as an active member of the Collar City community.”
