KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 26, 2019) – The Kansas City Royals and Omaha Storm Chasers announced a two-year extension to their Player Development Contract (PDC) prior to last night’s exhibition game, extending the longest active Triple-A affiliation in Minor League Baseball through the 2022 season.

“We are very proud of our long-standing relationship with Omaha and excited about the extension of our Player Development Contract,” said Kansas City Royals Vice President/Assistant General Manager of Player Development J.J. Picollo. “Omaha has a long history with the Royals, one we take great pride in. The ownership group and front office have been outstanding to work with and our players get the opportunity be part of a great baseball community on their way to Kansas City. We are looking forward to the coming years at Werner Park.”

“We are proud to continue the affiliation between the Storm Chasers and Royals,” said Storm Chasers President and General Manager Martie Cordaro. “We have enjoyed the longest and one of the strongest relationships in all of Triple-A Baseball. We look forward to growing our relationship with the Royals even more in the upcoming seasons.”

The Omaha and Kansas City franchises have been aligned since both began play in 1969. An impressive number of talented players have played in Omaha en route to becoming Major Leaguers, including Hall of Famer George Brett. In addition, 10 inductees of the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame wore an Omaha uniform at some point in their career.

Dating back to 1969, the Omaha franchise has posted a 3,556-3,519 record, adding 16 Division titles, seven League Championships, as well as three Triple-A Championships, including Back-To-Back Triple-A Championships during the 2013 and 2014 campaigns.

The Omaha-Kansas City affiliation is one of the longest enduring partnerships in Minor League Baseball, including the longest active affiliation at the Triple-A level, and third longest active overall behind the Reading Fightin’ Phils and Lakeland Flying Tigers, who have been aligned with the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers, respectively, since 1967. Entering the 2019 campaign, over 900 ballplayers have gone on to play Major League Baseball after wearing an Omaha uniform, including more than 150 with the Royals since 2011.