The Tennessee Smokies have been honored by their peers as the best organization in minor league baseball in 2011.
the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues announced the Smokies were chosen for the John H. Johnson President's Award, symbolic of the best of the 160 minor league teams across North America.
Here is more on the honor from the Tennessee Smokies:
The Tennessee Smokies, Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, was formally recognized from among over 160 minor league teams across North America as the "organization of the year" in Minor League Baseball. The National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., announced today the Smokies have been selected as the 2011 recipient of the John H. Johnson President's Award; which is given annually to the "complete" baseball franchise -- based on franchise stability, and significant contributions to the community, its league and the baseball industry.
This is the first such honor for Tennessee, who also becomes the first Southern League club to win the award since its inception in 1974.
"For the Smokies to be recognized by Minor League Baseball as a 'complete' franchise is a significant honor for everyone involved in our organization," said Smokies President Doug Kirchhofer.
The President's Award is the culmination of what has been a very impressive 2011 season for Tennessee, whose "Century of Memories" campaign celebrated 100 years of Smokies baseball in East Tennessee. On the field, the Smokies won their third consecutive North Division Championship. At the gate, the team enjoyed its highest per-game average attendance (3,960) in club history.
"As an original member of the modern day Southern League since 1964, the stability the Tennessee Smokies have achieved with strong ownership and several staff members who have been with them for more than 10 years has enabled them to foster and nurture the kinds of relationships necessary for long-term success that all of our Minor League Baseball clubs strive to achieve," Pat O'Conner, President of Minor League Baseball, said.
"The Smokies have firmly immersed themselves into the fabric of the Knoxville/Sevierville region through their involvement with many civic organizations and hosting of numerous community events throughout the year. They are truly worthy of becoming the first Southern League club to win our highest honor, the John H. Johnson President's Award."
Kirchhofer and Smokies General Manager Brian Cox along with several other members of the Smokies' staff will be on hand to accept this major award at the Baseball Winter Meetings™ Banquet at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on Thursday, Dec. 8.
"The John H. Johnson President's Award brings a meaningful conclusion to a season in which we celebrated 100 years of Smokies baseball in East Tennessee," stated Cox.
The Smokies will begin the 2012 campaign on Thursday, April 5 at AT&T Field against the Chattanooga Lookouts, and kickoff the home schedule on Tuesday, April 10 against the Jackson Generals at Smokies Park. Full and partial season tickets, group tickets and mini ticket packages are currently available by calling the Smokies Front Office at (865) 286-2300 or by visiting www.smokiesbaseball.com.