The Southern League (SL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States at the Double-A level, which is two grades below Major League Baseball. A champion has been determined at the end of each season since the league was formed in 1964.
Through 1970, champions were the regular-season pennant winners—the team with the best win–loss record at the conclusion of the regular season. The 1971 title was decided in a postseason series between the two teams with the best records. From 1972 to 1975, the winners of each of two divisions competed in a series to determine champions. The league operated using a split season format from 1976 to 2020. Under this format, the winners of each half within each division played for the division championship, and the division winners met to play for the SL title. The 2021 winner was crowned via a series between the two teams with the best full-season records. As of 2022, the winners of each division from both the first and second halves of the season meet in a best-of-three division series, with the winners of the two division series meeting in a best-of-three championship series.
The Birmingham Barons have won eight Southern League championships, more than any other team, followed by the Jacksonville Suns (6) and Montgomery Rebels (5). Among active SL franchises, Birmingham has won seven championships, the most of all teams, followed by the Knoxville Smokies (4) and Chattanooga Lookouts (3).
History
editThe Southern League was founded in 1964.[1] A league champion has been determined at the end of each season. Champions from 1964 to 1970 were simply the regular-season pennant winners—the team with the best win–loss record at the conclusion of the regular championship season.[2] The first league champions were the Lynchburg White Sox, who won by one game over the Birmingham Barons in 1964.[2]
In 1971, the league merged with the Texas League to form the Dixie Association, an interleague partnership in which they played an interlocking schedule, and the leagues' champions met to determine a Dixie Association champion.[3] The Southern League championship was determined via a best-of-three playoff series between the top two teams in the league, based on winning percentage. The top-seeded Charlotte Hornets defeated the Asheville Tourists, 2–1.[2] Charlotte then won the Dixie Association title over the Texas League champion Arkansas Travelers, in three-straight games.[2] The partnership was dissolved after the season.[4]
The Southern League divided its teams into two divisions in 1972. From 1972 to 1975, the winners of each division met in a best-of-five series to determine a champion.[5] In 1976, the circuit adopted a split season format while maintaining its divisional alignment.[6] Under this arrangement, the schedule was split into two parts. The team with the best record in each division at the end of the first half won the first-half division title. Standings were then reset so that all clubs had clean records to begin the second half. Second-half division titles were decided in the same manner. Then, the first and second-half winners in each division met to determine division champions. These winners played for the Southern League championship.[7]
The first four-team playoff, held in 1976, was won by the Western Division champion Montgomery Rebels over the Eastern Division champion Orlando Twins, 3–1.[6] The 1976 playoffs featured a one-game semifinal divisional round and a best-of-five championship series.[6] Both rounds were the best-of-three in 1977 and 1978.[6] The 1979 playoffs had a best-of-three divisional round and a best-of-five final.[6] From 1980 to 2020, both rounds were the best-of-five.[8] Initially, if one team won both halves, they received a bye into the championship round.[6] Beginning in 1982, the team in that division with the second-place full-season record was awarded a wild card berth and became the division champion's opponent.[9]
The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] The Southern League ceased operations before the 2021 season in conjunction with Major League Baseball's (MLB) reorganization of Minor League Baseball.[11] In place of the league, MLB created the Double-A South.[12] Prior to the 2022 season, MLB renamed the Double-A South the Southern League, and it carried on the history of the circuit prior to reorganization.[13] In 2021, the Double-A South held a best-of-five series between the two teams with the best records, regardless of division standings, to determine a league champion.[14] The top-seeded Mississippi Braves bested the Montgomery Biscuits, 3–2, for the title.[15]
In 2022, the Southern League returned to the split-season divisional format it has used for the majority of its existence. The winners of each half in a division vie for the division championship. The second-place overall team is awarded a wild card berth in the event the same team wins both halves. The division champions then compete for the Southern League championship. Both rounds are the best-of-three games. [16]
Champions
editPre-playoff champions (1964–1970)
editRecord | Regular-season win–loss record |
---|---|
GA | Games ahead of the second-place team |
Year | Champion | Record | GA | Runner-up | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1964 | Lynchburg White Sox | 81–59 | 1 | Birmingham Barons | [17] |
1965 | Columbus Confederate Yankees | 79–59 | —[a] | Asheville Tourists | [18] |
1966 | Mobile Athletics | 88–52 | 9+1⁄2 | Asheville Tourists | [19] |
1967 | Birmingham A's | 84–55 | 3+1⁄2 | Montgomery Rebels | [20] |
1968 | Asheville Tourists | 86–54 | 4+1⁄2 | Montgomery Rebels | [21] |
1969 | Charlotte Hornets | 81–59 | 3 | Birmingham A's | [22] |
1970 | Columbus Astros | 78–59 | —[b] | Montgomery Rebels | [23] |
Playoff champions (1971–present)
editScore | Score of the championship series |
---|---|
* | Co-champions |
P | Regular-season pennant winner |
E | East Division winner |
W | West Division winner |
12 | Won both the first and second half of the split season |
WC | Wild card qualifier |
Wins by team
editActive Southern League teams appear in bold.
Team | Wins | Year(s) |
---|---|---|
Birmingham Barons (Birmingham A's) | 8 | 1967, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1993, 2002, 2013, 2024 |
Jacksonville Suns | 6 | 1996, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014 |
Montgomery Rebels | 5 | 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977 |
Jackson Generals (West Tenn Diamond Jaxx) | 4 | 2000, 2016, 2018, 2019 |
Knoxville Smokies (Knoxville Sox/Tennessee Smokies) | 1974, 1978, 2004, 2023 | |
Mobile BayBears | 1998, 2004, 2011, 2012 | |
Chattanooga Lookouts | 3 | 1988, 2015, 2017 |
Huntsville Stars | 1985, 1994, 2001 | |
Orlando Rays (Orlando Twins/SunRays) | 1981, 1991, 1999 | |
Carolina Mudcats | 2 | 1995, 2003 |
Charlotte Hornets | 1969, 1971 | |
Charlotte O's | 1980, 1984 | |
Columbus Astros | 1970, 1986 | |
Greenville Braves | 1992, 1997 | |
Mississippi Braves | 2008, 2021 | |
Montgomery Biscuits | 2006, 2007 | |
Nashville Sounds | 1979, 1982 | |
Pensacola Blue Wahoos | 2017, 2022 | |
Asheville Tourists | 1 | 1968 |
Columbus Confederate Yankees | 1965 | |
Lynchburg White Sox | 1964 | |
Memphis Chicks | 1990 | |
Mobile Athletics | 1966 |
Notes
edit- ^ Columbus won the championship with a winning percentage of .572 (79–59) versus Asheville's .571 (80–60).
- ^ Columbus won the championship with a winning percentage of .569 (78–59) versus Montgomery's .568 (79–60).
- ^ Huntsville and Jacksonville were declared co-champions after the playoffs were cancelled in the wake the September 11 terrorist attacks.[54]
- ^ Mobile and Tennessee were declared co-champions after the playoffs were cancelled due to the threat of Hurricane Ivan.[58]
- ^ Chattanooga and Pensacola were declared co-champions after the playoffs were cancelled due to the threat of Hurricane Irma.[72]
References
editSpecific
- ^ "Southern League (AA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Southern League Media Guide 2020, p. 130.
- ^ "Southern, Texas Leagues Become Dixie Association". Asheville Citizen-Times. Asheville. January 20, 1971. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pickard, Chuck (September 12, 1971). "Caps Shy in Standings, but Tops in Home Runs". The Times. Shreveport. p. 3-D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Southern League Media Guide 2020, p. 130–131.
- ^ a b c d e f Southern League Media Guide 2020, p. 131.
- ^ "Southern League Schedule for 1976". The Charlotte News. Charlotte. April 12, 1976. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Southern League Media Guide 2020, p. 131–138.
- ^ Southern League Media Guide 2020, p. 132.
- ^ a b "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (February 12, 2021). "Minor League Baseball Overhaul Unveiled". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ Heneghan, Kelsie (July 1, 2021). "Playoffs Return to the Minor Leagues". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ Sheehan, Stephanie (September 26, 2021). "Rangel Steers Braves to Double-A South Crown". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ "MiLB Playoff Procedures". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ "1964 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1965 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1966 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1967 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1968 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1969 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1970 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1971 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1972 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1973 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1974 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1975 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1976 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1977 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1978 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1979 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1980 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1981 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1982 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1983 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1984 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1985 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1986 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1987 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ Southern League Media Guide 2020, p. 133.
- ^ "1989 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1990 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1991 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1992 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1993 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1994 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1995 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1996 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1997 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1998 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "1999 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2000 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "Southern League Declares Co-Champs". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. September 14, 2001. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "2001 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2002 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2003 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ Gates, Nick (September 14, 2004). "Surprise! Smokies, BayBears Share SL Crown". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. Knoxville. p. D1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "2004 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2005 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2006 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2007 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2008 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2009 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2010 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2011 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2012 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2013 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2014 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2015 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2016 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ Vilona, Bill (September 7, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Alters Southern League Playoffs". Pensacola News Journal. Pensacola. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "2017 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2018 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2019 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ "2021 Double-A South League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ^ Vilona, Bill (September 28, 2022). "The Champions! Blue Wahoos Roll To First Southern League Outright Title In 10th Anniversary Season". Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
- ^ Weinrib, Ben (September 27, 2023). "Smokies Scorch Way to First Outright Title in 45 Years". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ Avallone, MIchael (September 25, 2024). "Double-A Birmingham Scores Dirst Southern League Crown Since 2013". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
General
- "2020 Southern League Media Guide" (PDF). Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- "Southern League Past Champions". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2022.