Iowa Cubs

MiLB infobox
name = Iowa Cubs
founded = 1969
city = Des Moines, Iowa
misc =

uniform
class level = Triple-A (1969–present)
past class level=
current league = Pacific Coast League (1998–present)
conference = American Conference
division = North Division
past league = *American Association (1969–1997)
majorleague = Chicago Cubs (1981–present)
pastmajorleague = Chicago White Sox (1976–1980)
*Houston Astros (1975)
*Chicago White Sox (1973–1974)
*Oakland Athletics (1969–1973)
uniform =
nickname = Iowa Cubs (1982–present)
pastnames = Iowa Oaks (1969–1981)
ballpark = Principal Park (1992–present)
pastparks = Pioneer Memorial Stadium (1969–1991)
leaguechamps = 1993
conferencechamps= 2004
divisionchamps = 1973, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2008
misc6 =
owner = Raccoon Baseball, Inc.
manager = Pat Listach
gm = Sam Bernabe The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.

Franchise history

Triple-A baseball came to Iowa's capital city in 1969, as the Iowa Oaks of the American Association began play. The Oaks were affiliates of the Oakland Athletics (1969–1973), the Chicago White Sox (1973–1974 and 1976–1980), and the Houston Astros (1975). In 1981, the team affiliated with the Chicago Cubs and adopted the nickname of the parent team, although it is often shortened to "I-Cubs" by fans and media to avoid confusion with the major league team. The team became part of the Pacific Coast League in 1998 after the dissolution of the American Association. The current Player Development Contract (PDC) with the Chicago Cubs runs through 2012, ensuring that the I-Cubs remain the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs through that date. [ [http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/gen/articles/printer_friendly/clubs/t451/press/y2007/m12/d11/c328867.jsp "Chicago Extends Contract with Iowa."] Minor League Baseball. 11 December 2007. Retrieved on 26 September 2008.]

Their home ballpark is Principal Park (formerly Sec Taylor Stadium), located at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. The franchise attendance record of 576,310 was set in 2007. As of 2008, the I-Cubs are owned by Raccoon Baseball, Inc., an ownership group led by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Michael Gartner. Sam Bernabe serves as the team's president and general manager.

Notable former players

Many future Cubs stars have played in Des Moines before they were called up to Wrigley Field. Some notable I-Cubs alumni include Greg Maddux, Rafael Palmeiro, Mark Grace, Doug Glanville, Joe Carter, Corey Patterson, Carlos Zambrano, Kerry Wood, Steve Trachsel, Tuffy Rhodes, Bruce Kimm, Shawon Dunston, Hector Villanueva, Mark Prior, and Rod Beck. Wood and Prior both made rehabilitation starts for the I-Cubs in 2004 and 2005 before returning to the Chicago Cubs' active roster, and many Cubs players such as Derrek Lee, Daryle Ward, Alfonso Soriano, and Ryan Dempster have also made stops in Des Moines for rehab purposes. The Iowa Oaks hosted many future Major League Baseball stars such as sluggers Bill McNulty, Harold Baines, Pat Tabler, and 1971 Cy Young and MVP Award winning left-handed pitcher Vida Blue. [ [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080403/SPORTS1402/804030380/1014/SPORTS03 "Des Moines Register".] ]

Rod Beck gained national attention while pitching for Iowa during his comeback for living in a mobile home behind the team's Sec Taylor Stadium (now Principal Park) in Des Moines. Beck warmly welcomed fans to drop by and visit, use his restroom, and have some Coors Light from his refrigerator. [Drehs, Wayne. [http://espn.go.com/mlb/s/2003/0515/1554407.html "The place to go where no one knows your name."] ESPN. 16 May 2003. Retrieved on 26 September 2008.]

In 1993, Tuffy Rhodes hit an extra-inning home run to win the American Association championship for the Iowa Cubs. After failing to latch on to a major league team, in 1995, Rhodes went on to a successful career playing in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, where he currently is the career NPB home run leader by a non-Japanese player with 430 home runs.

Former Iowa pitcher Neal Cotts was the only relief pitcher to earn a win in the 2005 World Series when he pitched with the Chicago White Sox. Cotts pitched in all four games of the World Series and was the winning pitcher Game 2. That year, he was named "Setup Man of the Year Award" by Major League Baseball.

In addition to these players, Mike Quade, later third base coach for the Chicago Cubs, managed the Iowa Cubs from 2003 to 2006. Former Chicago Cubs manager Bruce Kimm is an Iowa native who managed the Iowa Cubs from 2001 to 2002. St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa managed the Iowa Oaks in 1979 prior to becoming manager for the Chicago White Sox.

eason-by-season record

:¹ Joined PCL in 1998

Roster

References

External links

* [http://www.iowacubs.com Official Iowa Cubs website]
* [http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/about/page.jsp?ymd=20070606&content_id=253694&vkey=about_t451&fext=.jsp&sid=t451 Iowa Cubs year-by-year records]
* [http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/about/page.jsp?ymd=20070606&content_id=253698&vkey=about_t451&fext=.jsp&sid=t451 Iowa Cubs playoff history]
* [http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/about/page.jsp?ymd=20070606&content_id=253724&vkey=about_t451&fext=.jsp&sid=t451 Iowa Cubs single season leaders]