After months of anticipation and hope turned into nervous waiting, the Tri-City Valleycats found out that they won't be affiliated with Major League Baseball in 2021 and beyond.
MLB's plan to contract 40 minor league teams, with the former NY-Penn League being split up, among others, sees the Valleycats' nearly 2-decade association with the Houston Astros come to an end.
Why is this?
Despite the fact that the 'Cats, 3-time NY-PL champions, have been a consistent draw in Troy since arriving in 2002, despite the fact that MLB signed off on the San Francisco Giants, the spiritual successors to Troy's lone major league club, bringing their 2010 World Series trophy to Troy in 2011, the empty suits governing MLB don't see any long-term value in matching the 'Cats with another MLB team.
Here is the 'Cats' official statement, via Twitter:
The Valleycats remain committed to bringing professional baseball to the 518, and being a vital part of the region. How that happens remains to be seen, of course, but you wonder about the mindset of major league sports and the perception of the 518 as a small market, hence the derogatory name, "Smallbany". While the NCAA will have basketball & hockey tournaments across the river at Times-Union Center, Major League Baseball treats the 'Cats like red-headed stepchildren. Shame on them!
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