International League
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The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball (MLB).
The league traces its roots to 1884, while the modern IL began in 1912. Following MLB's reorganization of the minor leagues in 2021, it operated as the Triple-A East for one season before switching back to its previous moniker in 2022. It is so named because throughout much of its history the International League had teams in
A league champion is determined at the end of each season. The
History
The International League was created from the mergers of member teams from three precursor leagues: the
The "International League" name was first used in 1886,[2] but did not become the longterm name of the league until 1912. The league ultimately cited 1884 as the year of its foundation, through the following lineage:[3]
- 1884: Eastern League
- 1885: New York State League
- 1886–1887: International League
- 1888–1890: International Association
- 1891: Eastern Association
- 1892–1911: Eastern League
- 1912–2020: International League
The International League was also affected by the effort to establish the Federal League as a new third major league from 1914 to 1915, with franchises being added and dropped and new ballparks built. In 1954, a franchise was awarded to Havana, Cuba, but due to political upheaval in that country it had to be moved—to Jersey City, New Jersey—in the middle of the 1960 season. Another foray into the Caribbean failed when the newly created team in San Juan, Puerto Rico, added in 1961, had to be moved to Charleston, West Virginia, in mid-season.
In June 1971, an IL all-star team beat the
The International League and the
In 1998, the International League reorganized into three divisions with the addition of four new teams—the
The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the
Structure and season
The International League is divided into the East Division and the West Division, each consisting of 10 teams. As of the 2022 season, all teams play a 150-game schedule, beginning in late March and concluding in late September.[16]
Championship and interleague play
Since the 2023 season, the regular season is split into two halves. After the completion of the season, the winners of each half meet in a best-of-three series to determine a
In further postseason play, the IL champion meets the Pacific Coast League's champion in the Triple-A National Championship Game, a single game to determine an overall champion of Triple-A baseball, which has been held annually since 2006, excluding 2020 and 2021. Previously, the IL champion also competed in the Triple-A World Series (1983, 1998–2000), Junior World Series (1919), and other sporadic postseason competitions throughout the league's history.
Other interleague play occurred during the Triple-A All-Star Game. Traditionally, the game had taken place on the day after the mid-summer Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[22] The game was meant to mark a symbolic halfway-point in the season (though not the mathematical halfway-point which, for most seasons, is usually one month prior). During the All-Star break, no regular-season games were scheduled for two days before the All-Star Game itself.[23]
Current teams
League timeline
These teams were either charter members of the IL in 1912 or were added as expansion teams thereafter.[11]
- Arkansas Travelers (1963)
- Richmond Climbers (1915–1916) → Richmond Virginians(1917)
- Syracuse Chiefs (2007–2018) → Syracuse Mets(2019–present)
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (2007–2012) → Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders(2013–present)
- Charlotte Knights (1993–present)
- Durham Bulls (1998–present)
- Jersey City Skeeters (1912–1915) → Baltimore Orioles (1916–1953) → Richmond Virginians (1954–1964) → Toledo Mud Hens (1965–present)
- Gwinnett Braves (2009–2017) → Gwinnett Stripers(2018–present)
- Montreal Royals (1912–1917)
- Tidewater Tides (1969–1992) → Norfolk Tides(1993–present)
- Ottawa Lynx (1993–2007) → Lehigh Valley IronPigs (2008–present)
- Providence Grays (1912–1917)
- Rochester Tribe (1922–1927) → Rochester Red Wings(1928–present)
- Reading Keystones (1923–1932) → Albany Senators (1932–1936) → Jersey City Giants (1937–1950) → Ottawa Giants (1951) → Ottawa Athletics (1952–1954) → Columbus Jets (1955–1970) → Charleston Charlies (1971–1976) → Columbus Clippers(1977–present)
- Rhode Island Red Sox (1976) → Pawtucket Red Sox (1977–2020) → Worcester Red Sox(2021–present)
Former American Association teams
Three current teams joined the IL in 1998 from the American Association, which disbanded after the 1997 season.[24] Indianapolis had previously played in the IL in 1963.[11]
- Buffalo Bisons (1979–present)
- Indianapolis Indians (1902–present)
- Louisville RiverBats (1999–2001) → Louisville Bats(2002–present)
Former Pacific Coast League teams
Four current teams were placed in the IL from the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in 2021.[12]
- Iowa Oaks (1969–1981) → Iowa Cubs (1982–present)
- Memphis Redbirds (1998–present)
- Nashville Sounds (1978–present)
- Omaha Royals (1969–1998) → Omaha Golden Spikes (1999–2001) → Omaha Royals (2002–2010) → Omaha Storm Chasers (2011–present)
Former Southern League teams
One current team was placed in the IL from the
- Jacksonville Suns (1962–1968, 1970–1984) → Jacksonville Expos (1985–1990) → Jacksonville Suns (1991–2016) → Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (2017–present)
Former independent teams
One current team was placed in the IL from the independent American Association of Professional Baseball in 2021.[14]
- St. Paul Saints (1993–present)
Champions
The International League has crowned a league champion each season since 1884. Through 1932, champions were the regular-season
Active International League teams appear in bold.
Team | Wins | Governors' Cup wins |
Year(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Rochester Red Wings (Rochester Bronchos/Hustlers) | 19 | 10 | 1899, 1901, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1939, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1988, 1990, 1997 |
Columbus Clippers | 11 | 11 | 1979, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1996, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2019 |
Baltimore Orioles | 10 | 2 | 1908, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1944, 1950 |
Buffalo Bisons (1886–1970) | 4 | 1891, 1904, 1906, 1915, 1916, 1927, 1933, 1936, 1957, 1961 | |
Toronto Maple Leafs | 4 | 1902, 1907, 1912, 1917, 1918, 1926, 1934, 1960, 1965, 1966 | |
Durham Bulls | 8 | 8 | 2002, 2003, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 |
Montreal Royals | 7 | 1898, 1941, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1958 | |
Syracuse Mets (Syracuse Chiefs) | 8 | 1935, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1954, 1969, 1970, 1976 | |
Norfolk Tides (Tidewater Tides) | 6 | 6 | 1972, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 2023 |
Newark Bears | 5 | 4 | 1932, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1945 |
Providence Grays (Providence Clamdiggers) | 0 | 1894, 1896, 1900, 1905, 1914 | |
Richmond Braves | 5 | 1978, 1986, 1989, 1994, 2007 | |
Pawtucket Red Sox | 4 | 4 | 1973, 1984, 2012, 2014 |
Syracuse Stars | 3 | 0 | 1885, 1888, 1897 |
Toledo Mud Hens | 3 | 1967, 2005, 2006 | |
Buffalo Bisons (1979–present) | 2 | 2 | 1998, 2004 |
Charlotte Knights | 2 | 1993, 1999 | |
Detroit Wolverines | 0 | 1889, 1890 | |
Indianapolis Indians | 2 | 1963, 2000 | |
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees) | 2 | 2008, 2016 | |
Atlanta Crackers | 1 | 1 | 1962 |
Binghamton Bingoes | 0 | 1892 | |
Charleston Charlies | 1 | 1977 | |
Erie Blackbirds
|
0 | 1893 | |
Havana Sugar Kings | 1 | 1959 | |
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Jacksonville Suns) | 1 | 1968 | |
Jersey City Skeeters | 0 | 1903 | |
Louisville Bats (Louisville RiverBats) | 1 | 2001 | |
Newark Indians | 0 | 1913 | |
Ottawa Lynx | 1 | 1995 | |
Springfield Maroons | 0 | 1895 | |
Toronto Canucks
|
0 | 1887 | |
Trenton Trentonians | 0 | 1884 | |
Utica Pent-Ups | 0 | 1886 |
Awards
The IL recognizes outstanding players and team personnel annually near the end of each season.
MVP Award
The Most Valuable Player Award, first awarded in 1932, is given to honor the best player in the league.[25]
Pitcher of the Year Award
The Pitcher of the Year Award, first awarded in 1953 and known as the Most Valuable Pitcher Award, serves to recognize the league's best pitcher. Pitchers were eligible to win the award from 1932 to 1952 as no award was designated solely for pitchers.[25]
Top MLB Prospect Award
The Top MLB Prospect Award, created in 1950 as the Rookie of the Year Award, is given to the best player with no prior IL experience.[25]
Manager of the Year Award
The Manager of the Year Award, started in 1967, is given to the league's top manager.[25]
Executive of the Year Award
The Executive of the Year Award, first awarded in 1964, honored team executives who contributed to the success of the league.[25]
Spirit of the International League Award
The Spirit of the International League Award, first awarded in 2010, honored team executives who exhibited dedication to creating and maintaining positive fan experiences when visiting IL games.[25][26]
International League Hall of Fame
The International League Hall of Fame was established in 1947 to honor league players, managers, and executives who have made significant contributions to the league. The Hall of Fame inducted its first class of nine men in 1947. A plaque was unveiled at the IL's New York City offices located in the Ruppert Building at 535 Fifth Avenue. Today, the plaque has no permanent home, but exists as a traveling display that visits a number of the league's ballparks each season. The Hall became dormant after 1963, but was revived in 2007. New members are elected before the start of each season.[27]
See also
- List of International League no-hitters
- List of International League stadiums
- List of sports attendance figures
- Harry Simmons
References
- ^ Mancuso, Peter. "July 14, 1887: The color line is drawn | Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
- ^ "The Diamond Field". San Francisco Examiner. March 29, 1886. p. 2. Retrieved May 22, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "International League Yearly Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ Castor, Jim (June 25, 1971). "Stars Outslug Yanks, 15-13". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. p. D1. Retrieved May 25, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Perkins keys Tribe's 8-6 win over IL stars". Telegraph-Forum. Bucyrus, Ohio. UPI. August 19, 1983. p. 11. Retrieved May 25, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Notable Events in American Association History". Triple-A Baseball. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ Bray, Jim (January 29, 1998). "Lynx open April 9 at JetForm". Ottawa Citizen. Ontario. p. B2. Retrieved May 25, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "A Message From Pat O'Conner". Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ a b Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ a b c "International League (AAA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "Pacific Coast League (AAA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "Southern League (AA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "American Association (Independent) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ Franco, Anthony (February 3, 2022). "Triple-A Baseball Season Expanded to 150 Games". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- ^ "2023 Triple-A National Championship Game Set for Sept. 30 in Las Vegas". Minor League Baseball. March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ^ "2024 MiLB Triple-A National Championship Game Set for Sept. 28 at Las Vegas Ballpark". Minor League Baseball. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "International League Personnel and Staff". International League. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ^ "MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021". Minor League Baseball. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ "Las Vegas to Host Inaugural Triple-A Triple Championship Weekend". Minor League Baseball. May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- ^ "Omaha Storm Chasers and Werner Park to Host 2015 Triple-A Baseball All-Star Game". Omaha Storm Chasers. Minor League Baseball. March 5, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ "Durham Lands 2014 Triple-A ASG". Minor League Baseball. February 20, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ "American Association (AA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g "International League Award Winners". International League. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
- ^ "IL honors Syracuse's Don Waful". International League. March 30, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
- ^ "International League Hall of Fame". International League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved February 29, 2016.