International League facts for kids
 |
|
| Classification |
|
|---|---|
| Sport | Baseball |
| Founded | 1884 |
| No. of teams | 20 |
| Country | United States |
| Most recent champion(s) |
Norfolk Tides (2023) |
| Most titles | Rochester Red Wings (19) |
| TV partner(s) | MiLB.TV, MLB Network, and local sports networks |
| Official website | www.milb.com |
The International League (IL) is a professional baseball league in the United States. It's part of Minor League Baseball. The IL is one of two leagues at the Triple-A level. This means it's just one step below Major League Baseball (MLB).
The league started way back in 1884. The modern International League began in 1912. For a short time in 2021, it was called the Triple-A East. But in 2022, it went back to being the International League. It got its name because it used to have teams in Canada and Cuba, not just the United States. Since 2008, all its teams have been in the US. The IL has 20 teams spread across 14 states. These states stretch from Papillion, Nebraska, to Worcester, Massachusetts, and from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Jacksonville, Florida.
At the end of each season, a league champion is crowned. The Rochester Red Wings have won the most International League titles, with 19 wins. The Columbus Clippers are next with 11 wins. Other teams like the Baltimore Orioles, original Buffalo Bisons, and Toronto Maple Leafs each have 10 titles.
Contents
History of the International League
The International League was formed by combining teams from older leagues. These included the Eastern League (from 1884), the New York State League (from 1885), and the Ontario League (also from 1885). In 1886, the New York State League and Ontario League joined to form the International League. Then, in 1887, the Eastern League also joined, making it a ten-team league. Sadly, in 1887, a rule was made that stopped African American players from joining the league. The league then broke apart soon after.
The name "International League" was first used in 1886. But it didn't become the permanent name until 1912. The league now says its history officially began in 1884. This is because of how the leagues merged over time:
- 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 also faced challenges from the Federal League. This was a new major league that tried to start in 1914 and 1915. Teams were added and dropped, and new stadiums were built. In 1954, a team was added in Havana, Cuba. But due to political problems, the team had to move to Jersey City, New Jersey, in the middle of the 1960 season. Another try in the Caribbean also failed. A new team in San Juan, Puerto Rico, added in 1961, had to move to Charleston, West Virginia, mid-season.
In June 1971, an IL all-star team played against the New York Yankees. The IL team won 15–13 in an exhibition game. This game was held in Rochester, New York. Famous players like Don Baylor, Carlton Fisk, and Bobby Grich were on the IL all-star team. In August 1983, another IL all-star team played the Cleveland Indians. The Indians won 8–6 in 11 innings in Columbus, Ohio.
In 1988, the International League and the American Association (another Triple-A league) decided to play games against each other. This was called the Triple-A Alliance. The IL also split into two divisions that year. The interleague games stopped in 1992, but the two divisions remained.
In 1998, the International League changed its structure again. It added four new teams and reorganized into three divisions. The Buffalo Bisons, Indianapolis Indians, and Louisville Redbirds joined from the American Association, which had closed down. The Durham Bulls joined from the Class A Carolina League.
The 2020 season was delayed and then canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the 2021 season, Major League Baseball (MLB) took control of Minor League Baseball. This was done to help players earn more money, improve stadiums, and reduce travel for teams. As part of this change, the International League grew to 20 teams. It was temporarily renamed "Triple-A East" for the 2021 season. Most of these 20 teams were already in the International League. Some came from the Pacific Coast League, one from the Double-A Southern League, and one from an independent league. After MLB bought the rights to the names of the old minor leagues, the Triple-A East was renamed the International League again in 2022.
How the Season Works
The International League is split into two parts: the East Division and the West Division. Each division has 10 teams. Since the 2022 season, all teams play 150 games. The season starts in late March and ends in late September.
Championship and Special Games
Since the 2023 season, the regular season is divided into two halves. After the regular season, the winners of each half play a best-of-three series. This series decides who the league champion is. From 1933 to 2019, the league champion was decided by playoffs. The winner of these playoffs received the Governors' Cup, which was the league's championship trophy. After the 2020 season was canceled, the Governors' Cup playoffs were stopped. In 2021, the team with the best regular-season record won the title. In 2022, the two division winners played a single game to decide the champion.
After the IL champion is crowned, they play against the Pacific Coast League champion. This game is called the Triple-A National Championship Game. It's a single game to find the best Triple-A team overall. This game has been played every year since 2006, except for 2020 and 2021. In the past, the IL champion also played in other special series, like the Triple-A World Series and Junior World Series.
Another special event was the Triple-A All-Star Game. This game usually happened the day after the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It was meant to mark the middle of the season. During the All-Star break, no regular-season games were played for two days before the All-Star Game.
Current Teams
| Division | Team | Founded | MLB Affiliation | Affiliated Since | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East | Buffalo Bisons | 1979 | Toronto Blue Jays | 2013 | Buffalo, New York | Sahlen Field | 16,600 |
| Charlotte Knights | 1976 | Chicago White Sox | 1999 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Truist Field | 10,200 | |
| Durham Bulls | 1902 | Tampa Bay Rays | 1998 | Durham, North Carolina | Durham Bulls Athletic Park | 10,000 | |
| Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | 1962 | Miami Marlins | 2021 | Jacksonville, Florida | 121 Financial Ballpark | 11,000 | |
| Lehigh Valley IronPigs | 2008 | Philadelphia Phillies | 2007 | Allentown, Pennsylvania | Coca-Cola Park | 10,100 | |
| Norfolk Tides | 1961 | Baltimore Orioles | 2007 | Norfolk, Virginia | Harbor Park | 11,856 | |
| Rochester Red Wings | 1899 | Washington Nationals | 2021 | Rochester, New York | Innovative Field | 10,840 | |
| Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders | 1989 | New York Yankees | 2007 | Moosic, Pennsylvania | PNC Field | 10,000 | |
| Syracuse Mets | 1934 | New York Mets | 2019 | Syracuse, New York | NBT Bank Stadium | 10,815 | |
| Worcester Red Sox | 2021 | Boston Red Sox | 2021 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Polar Park | 9,508 | |
| West | Columbus Clippers | 1977 | Cleveland Guardians | 2009 | Columbus, Ohio | Huntington Park | 10,100 |
| Gwinnett Stripers | 2009 | Atlanta Braves | 2009 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Coolray Field | 10,427 | |
| Indianapolis Indians | 1902 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 2005 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Victory Field | 13,750 | |
| Iowa Cubs | 1969 | Chicago Cubs | 1981 | Des Moines, Iowa | Principal Park | 11,500 | |
| Louisville Bats | 1982 | Cincinnati Reds | 2000 | Louisville, Kentucky | Louisville Slugger Field | 13,131 | |
| Memphis Redbirds | 1998 | St. Louis Cardinals | 1998 | Memphis, Tennessee | AutoZone Park | 10,000 | |
| Nashville Sounds | 1978 | Milwaukee Brewers | 2021 | Nashville, Tennessee | First Horizon Park | 10,000 | |
| Omaha Storm Chasers | 1969 | Kansas City Royals | 1969 | Papillion, Nebraska | Werner Park | 9,023 | |
| St. Paul Saints | 1993 | Minnesota Twins | 2021 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | CHS Field | 7,210 | |
| Toledo Mud Hens | 1965 | Detroit Tigers | 1987 | Toledo, Ohio | Fifth Third Field | 10,300 |
League Champions
The International League has had a champion every season since 1884. Before 1933, the champion was simply the team with the best record at the end of the regular season. From 1933 to 2020, playoffs were held to decide the champion. The winner of these playoffs received the Governors' Cup. These playoffs and the trophy were stopped in 2021. In 2021, the team with the best regular-season record won. In 2022, the two division winners played one game to decide the champion. Since 2023, the winners of each half of the season play a best-of-three series.
Teams currently in the International League are shown 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 for Players and Staff
The International League gives out awards to its best players and team staff each year.
Most Valuable Player Award
The Most Valuable Player Award started in 1932. It honors the best overall player in the league.
Pitcher of the Year Award
The Pitcher of the Year Award began in 1953. It was first called the Most Valuable Pitcher Award. This award recognizes the best pitcher in the league.
Top MLB Prospect Award
The Top MLB Prospect Award started in 1950 as the Rookie of the Year Award. It is given to the best player who is new to the International League.
Manager of the Year Award
The Manager of the Year Award began in 1967. It is given to the league's top manager.
International League Hall of Fame
The International League Hall of Fame was created in 1947. It honors players, managers, and team leaders who have done great things for the league. The first group of nine people was added to the Hall of Fame in 1947. A special plaque was put up in the league's office in New York City. Today, this plaque travels around to different ballparks each season. The Hall of Fame stopped adding new members after 1963 but started again in 2007. New members are chosen before each season begins.
See also
In Spanish: International League para niños
- List of International League no-hitters
- List of International League stadiums
- Harry Simmons
