The Oklahoma City Dodgers were named the 2018 Triple-A recipient of the Bob Freitas Award, presented by Baseball America. It marks the second time Oklahoma City has won the annual award since the franchise’s inception in 1989, but first time a Dodgers affiliate received the honor.
“The Bob Freitas Award is one of the highest achievements a minor league baseball team can receive, and we are honored to have been selected by Baseball America,” OKC Dodgers president and general manager Michael Byrnes said.
“This award isn’t possible without the support of our community, our fans and our passionate and creative team members that drive our success.”
Baseball America annually presents the award to one team each at the Triple-A, Double-A, Single-A and Short-Season/Rookie levels. The criteria is based on community involvement, long-term business success and consistent operational excellence.
Its namesake, Bob Freitas, was a legendary Minor League baseball operator who also served as an ambassador and promoter of the game. The award will be formally presented Dec. 10 during the 2018 Winter Meetings at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Oklahoma City was recognized in part for sellout crowds in 24 of 69 home games this season and a total season attendance of 463,195, marking the team’s second-highest season attendance since 2008, and hosting an additional 114,201 people at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark during various events throughout the year.
Additionally, the franchise formed the OKC Dodgers Rookie League with Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation to make youth baseball in the community more accessible to families seeking to engage with the game, participated Minor League Baseball’s Es Divertido Ser Un Fan campaign, which led to the formation of the team’s alternate Hispanic/Latino identity, Cielo Azul de Oklahoma City, and being named one of five finalists for the Copa de la Diversión.
Oklahoma City, along with the three other 2018 Bob Freitas Award winners, are currently featured in the latest edition of Baseball America both in print and online.
