Guess who will be wearing blue?
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Staff Photo by John Rawlston
Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda shakes hands with Looie the Lookout during a visit to BellSouth Park to watch the game between the Lookouts and the Jacksonville Suns, minor league affiliate of the Dodgers.
Chattanooga Lookouts owner Frank Burke has signed a player development contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers that will result in the Lookouts being Class AA affiliates of the Dodgers during the 2009-2010 seasons.
“They liked the location of our park; they liked the location of Chattanooga in the league; and it just made a lot of sense,” Mr. Burke said Wednesday. “It’s a nationally recognized franchise and it’s got a lot of history, just like the Lookouts. I’m hoping it will be a great partnership.”
The Dodgers have a rich tradition that dates back to 1890 and includes 21 National League pennants, more than any other National League team.
The agreement with the Dodgers ends Chattanooga’s 21-year affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds, the second-longest relationship involving Southern League teams. Los Angeles is switching affiliations within the Southern League after spending the past eight seasons in Jacksonville.
Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, a longtime Chattanoogan, said he’s pleased with the partnership.
“I think it’s better travel for us within that league,” Mr. Honeycutt said, “and it’s certainly an area I know something about.”
Mr. Burke said the Lookouts will wear uniforms similar to the Dodgers and may unveil them as early as next week.
David Paschall is a sports writer for the Times Free Press. He started at the Chattanooga Free Press in 1990 and was part of the Times Free Press when the paper started in 1999. David covers University of Georgia football, as well as SEC football recruiting, SEC basketball, Chattanooga Lookouts baseball and other sports stories. He is a Chattanooga native and graduate of the Baylor School and Auburn University. David has received numerous honors for ...
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