The team came into existence in 1989, and has mostly been an independent Angels affiliate ever since. There have been a few exceptions. For the 1991 season, the team shared an affiliation with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.[1] In 1994, they were a split squad: one independent team and one shared affiliation with the Dodgers.[2] The team shared an affiliation with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for the 1996 season,[3] then ceased operations for one season in 1997.[4] They resumed operations in 1998, sharing an affiliation with the Chicago White Sox.[5] They have been independently affiliated since 1999.[6]