International League

The International League was created from the mergers of member teams from three precursor leagues: the Eastern League of 1884, which was itself a re-organization of the Interstate Association of 1883; the New York State League, formed in 1885; and the Ontario League, also organized in 1885. The New York State League and Ontario League merged in 1886 to form the International League, and in 1887 the Eastern League was absorbed to create a ten-club league. Also in 1887, the International League passed a resolution barring African Americans from playing in the league.[1] The league collapsed soon afterwards, when the northern teams claimed that it was too onerous to travel to the south and formed the International Association.

International League baseball executives in 1915

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 New York Yankees, 15–13, in an exhibition game at Silver Stadium in Rochester, New York, before a crowd of 11,001—notable players on the all-star squad included Don Baylor, Carlton Fisk, and Bobby Grich.[4] In August 1983, another team of IL all-stars were defeated by the Cleveland Indians, 8–6, in 11 innings before 11,032 fans at Franklin County Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.[5]

The International League and the American Association, another Triple-A league that operated in the Midwest, voted in 1988 to play interleague games as part of the Triple-A Alliance.[6] The league also split into two divisions that year. The interleague concept ended in 1992, but the two league divisions remained.

In 1998, the International League reorganized into three divisions with the addition of four new teams—the Buffalo Bisons, Indianapolis Indians, and Louisville Redbirds joined from the disbanded American Association, while the Durham Bulls joined from the Class A Carolina League.[7]

The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30.[8][9] Prior to the 2021 season, Major League Baseball (MLB) assumed control of Minor League Baseball in a move to increase player salaries, modernize facility standards, and reduce travel through better geographical alignment.[10] As part of this reorganization, the International League was expanded to 20 teams and temporarily renamed the "Triple-A East" for the 2021 season.[10] Of these 20 teams, 14 were existing members of the International League,[11] four were the easternmost teams from the Pacific Coast League,[12] one was promoted from the Double-A Southern League,[13] and one moved from the independent American Association of Professional Baseball.[14] Following MLB's acquisition of the rights to the names of the historical minor leagues, the Triple-A East was renamed the International League effective with the 2022 season.[15]

The International League is divided into the East Division and West Division, each consisting of 10 teams. As of the 2022 season, all teams play a 150-game schedule, beginning in early April and concluding in late September.[16]

These teams were either charter members of the IL in 1912 or were added as expansion teams thereafter.[11]

• Arkansas Travelers (1963)
• Baltimore Orioles (1912–1914) → Richmond Climbers (1915–1916) → Richmond Virginians (1917)
• Binghamton Bingoes (1918–1919) → Syracuse Stars (1920–1927) → Montreal Royals (1928–1960) → Syracuse Chiefs (1961–1996) → Syracuse SkyChiefs (1997–2006) → Syracuse Chiefs (2007–2018) → Syracuse Mets (2019–present)
• Buffalo Bisons (1912–1970) → Winnipeg Whips (1970–1971) → Peninsula Whips (1972–1973) → Memphis Blues (1974–1976) → Charleston Charlies (1977–1983) → Maine Guides (1984–1987) → Maine Phillies (1988) → Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (1989–2006) → 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)
• Jersey City Skeeters (1918–1933) → Syracuse Chiefs (1934–1955) → Miami Marlins (1956–1960) → San Juan Marlins (1961) → Charleston Marlins (1961) → Atlanta Crackers (1962–1965) → Richmond Braves (1966–2008) → Gwinnett Braves (2009–2017) → Gwinnett Stripers (2018–present)
• Montreal Royals (1912–1917)
• Newark Indians (1912–1915) → Harrisburg Senators (1915) → Newark Indians (1916) → Newark Bears (1917–1919) → Akron Buckeyes (1920) → Newark Bears (1921–1925) → Providence Grays (1925) → Newark Bears (1925–1949) → Springfield Cubs (1950–1953) → Havana Sugar Kings (1954–1960) → Jersey City Jerseys (1960–1961) → Jacksonville Suns (1962–1968) → Tidewater Tides (1969–1992) → Norfolk Tides (1993–present)
• Ottawa Lynx (1993–2007) → Lehigh Valley IronPigs (2008–present)
• Providence Grays (1912–1917)
• Rochester Hustlers (1912–1920) → Rochester Colts (1921) → Rochester Tribe (1922–1927) → Rochester Red Wings (1928–present)
• Syracuse Stars (1918) → Hamilton Tigers (1918) → Reading Coal Barons (1919) → Reading Marines (1920) → Reading Aces (1921–1922) → 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)
• Toronto Maple Leafs (1912–1967) → Louisville Colonels (1968–1972) → Pawtucket Red Sox (1973–1975) → Rhode Island Red Sox (1976) → Pawtucket Red Sox (1977–2020) → Worcester Red Sox (2021–present)

The International League has crowned a league champion each season since 1884. Through 1932, the championship was awarded to the regular season pennant winner. In 1933, the league introduced a postseason playoff system to determine a champion. The winner was awarded the Governors' Cup.

Baseball Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst won the IL Most Valuable Player Award in 1943.[24]

The IL recognizes outstanding players and team personnel annually near the end of each season.

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.[26]

• List of International League no-hitters
• List of International League stadiums
• List of sports attendance figures
• Harry Simmons

Wikimedia Commons has media related to International League.

• Official website
• Triple-A Baseball official website (defunct)