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STORM: Storm, Padres to partner through 2012

By ED WEHDE - Staff Writer | Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:16 AM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- The Padres and Storm announced Wednesday that they have extended their player-development contract for another four years, meaning the Storm will remain a Padres affiliate through the 2012 season.

"I think this is one of the prized relationships in the major leagues with them being so close up the 15 corridor," Padres farm director Grady Fuson said. "We appreciate the job (Storm president) Dave Oster and his staff do. (The Diamond) is a great venue, and attendance is always good."

Since becoming a Padres affiliate in 2001, the Storm has compiled a 594-517 record and has advanced to the California League Championship series three times. When the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks caused the league to cancel the remainder of 2001 playoffs, the Storm were declared co-champions by the league. Baseball America deemed Lake Elsinore the Minor League Team of the Year that season.

The Storm have seen 33 of their former players reach the big leagues, including current Padres players Jake Peavy, Khalil Greene, Clay Hensley, Chase Headley, Nick Hundley, Sean Kazmar and Dirk Hayhurst.

"We've had good teams," Storm general manager Chris Jones said. "The Padres farm system has been fantastic. Their management is unbelievable.

"This is the fourth major league team I've worked with, and they're by far the best."

Oster agreed that the relationship with the Padres' front office was the key to the decision to extend the contract.

"The biggest thing you want on the minor-league end is to be able to have communication," Oster said. "Some teams give you that big-league attitude and don't call you. These guys pick up the phone and call you.

"Everybody knows each other, and we have good chemistry. I couldn't be happier."

Usually, organizations extend their player-development contracts for two years at a time, but Oster said he was happy to make it four years.

"The location is good. The teams have been good. The front office is good," Oster said. "Two years was never even part of the discussion."