Triple-A Alliance

Last updated

The Triple-A Alliance was an interleague partnership between the American Association (AA) and International League (IL) Triple-A leagues of Minor League Baseball from 1988 to 1991. The two leagues played an interlocking schedule consisting of 40 to 44 interleague games per team. At the end of each season, an Alliance champion was determined in the Triple-A Classic, a best-of-seven postseason series. [1]

Contents

History

Usa edcp location map.svg
Triple-A Alliance team locations:
  American Association
  International League

The Triple-A Alliance, with Harold Cooper as its commissioner, was formed on October 1, 1987, at the annual Triple-A fall meeting in Hollywood, Florida. [2] Under the partnership, the 8 teams of the American Association and the 8 teams of the International League would play each other 5 times for a total of 40 interleague games in their 142-game schedules in 1988. [3] [4] The Triple-A Pacific Coast League, located primarily in the Western United States, chose not to participate due to the difficulties and high costs associated with travel to cities in the other leagues. [5]

The AA and IL were each organized into two four-team divisions, East and West. [2] At the end of the season, each league determined its own champion in a best-of-five series between division winners. [6] The leagues' champions then met to determine an Alliance champion in the Triple-A Classic, a best-of-seven series. [6] In the 1988 Classic, the AA's Indianapolis Indians defeated the IL's Rochester Red Wings, 4–2. [7] Over the course of the season, the AA led with 187 interleague wins to the IL's 131 wins. [8]

Both leagues reported increases in regular and postseason attendance during the Alliance's first year. [8] The partnership was subsequently extended through 1991. [9] In order to cut down on the amount of travel required by the two-day series often scheduled in the 1988 season, the 1989 slate was expanded to 146 games with 44 interleague games per team, increasing most interleague series to three games. [8] The Indianapolis Indians repeated as Alliance champions, defeating the IL's Richmond Braves, 4–0, in the 1989 Triple-A Classic. [7] The IL narrowly won the regular interleague series, 178–170. [10] Each league set new attendance records with over five million people visiting Alliance ballparks. [11] Commissioner Harold Cooper retired after the season and was succeeded by Randy Mobley who had served as administrator of the Alliance and the International League for the past two seasons. [12]

In 1990, the Alliance was operated under the same 146-game schedule with 44 interleague contests per team. [10] At the 1990 Triple-A Classic, the AA's Omaha Royals defeated the IL's Rochester Red Wings, 4–1. [7] The AA won the regular season with 181 wins to the IL's 170. [13]

Facing the possibility of increased costs to be incurred under a new Professional Baseball Agreement between Major and Minor League Baseball teams, the Alliance voted at the 1990 Winter Meetings to contract its interleague schedule to save on travel expenses. [14] The 144-game 1991 schedule eliminated games between the AA West and IL East. [15]

On July 9, 1991, at the Triple-A All-Star Game, International League team owners voted, 5–3, to discontinue interleague play with the American Association after the season. [16] Despite an overall increase in attendance—a minor-league record 4,093,525 for the AA and an IL-record 2,958,482—six of eight IL teams had below-average attendances when hosting interleague teams. [17] The combination of poor attendance, travel costs, and difficulty in drawing up season schedules were all factors in their decision to end the partnership. [17] The final Triple-A Classic was won by the AA's Denver Zephyrs, 4–1, versus the Columbus Clippers. [7] The IL bested their AA opponents, 139–99, in the regular season. [18] After four years of interleague competition, the American Association's record stood at 637–618. [18]

Teams

Season-by-season results

Over the all-time interleague series, American Association teams won 637 games, 19 more than the International League's 618 wins. The AA won the 1988 and 1990 regular season series, while the IL won the 1989 and 1991 series.

YearAA WinsIL WinsTriple-A ClassicRefs.
1988187131 Indianapolis Indians (AA) defeat Rochester Red Wings (IL), 4–2 [7] [8]
1989170178 Indianapolis Indians (AA) defeat Richmond Braves (IL), 4–0 [7] [10]
1990181170 Omaha Royals (AA) defeat Rochester Red Wings (IL), 4–1 [7] [13]
199199139 Denver Zephyrs (AA) defeat Columbus Clippers (IL), 4–1 [7] [18]
Totals637618

Championship

At the end of the season, the first-place team in each league's divisions faced off against one another in a best-of-five series to determine a league champion. The league champions went on to compete in a best-of-seven series, the Triple-A Classic, to determine an overall champion. All four Triple-A Classics were won by American Association teams, including two by the Indianapolis Indians. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norfolk Tides</span> Minor League Baseball team

The Norfolk Tides are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. They are located in Norfolk, Virginia, and are named in nautical reference to the city's location on the Chesapeake Bay. The team plays their home games at Harbor Park, which opened in 1993. The Tides previously played at High Rock Park in 1961 and 1962, Frank D. Lawrence Stadium from 1961 to 1969, and at Met Park from its opening in 1970 until the end of the 1992 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbus Clippers</span> Minor League Baseball team

The Columbus Clippers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They are located in Columbus, Ohio, and are named for speedy merchant sailing vessels known as clippers. The team has played their home games at Huntington Park since 2009. They previously played at Cooper Stadium from 1977 to 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nashville Sounds</span> Minor League Baseball team in Nashville, Tennessee

The Nashville Sounds are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry, specifically the "Nashville sound", a subgenre of country music which originated in the city and became popular in the mid-1950s. The team plays their home games at First Horizon Park, which opened in 2015 on the site of the historic Sulphur Dell ballpark. The Sounds previously played at Herschel Greer Stadium from its opening in 1978 until the end of the 2014 season. They are the oldest active professional sports franchise in Nashville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Association (1902–1997)</span> Defunct baseball class-AAA minor league from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997

The American Association (AA) was a Minor League Baseball league that operated primarily in the Midwestern and South Central United States from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997. It was classified as a Triple-A league, which is one grade below Major League Baseball, for most of its existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indianapolis Indians</span> Minor League Baseball team in Indianapolis, Indiana

The Indianapolis Indians are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and play their home games at Victory Field, which opened in 1996. The Indians previously played at Owen J. Bush Stadium from 1931 to 1996 and at two versions of Washington Park from 1902 to 1931.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlotte Knights</span> Minor league baseball team

The Charlotte Knights are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. They are located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and play their home games at Truist Field, which opened in 2014 and is located in Uptown Charlotte. The team previously played at Knights Park (1976–1988), Knights Castle (1989), and Knights Stadium (1990–2013).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omaha Storm Chasers</span> Minor League Baseball team in Papillion, Nebraska

The Omaha Storm Chasers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They are located in Papillion, Nebraska, a suburb southwest of Omaha, and play their home games at Werner Park, which opened in 2011. The team previously played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium from 1969 to 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triple-A World Series</span> Postseason series to determine a champion of the Triple-A classification of Minor League Baseball

The Triple-A World Series was an interleague postseason championship series between the league champions of the affiliated Triple-A leagues of Minor League Baseball to determine an overall champion of the classification held in 1983 and from 1998 to 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junior World Series</span> Professional baseball event in the United States

The Junior World Series was a postseason championship series between champions of two of the three highest minor league baseball leagues modeled on the World Series of Major League Baseball. It was called the Little World Series until 1932, and acquired other official names at different times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International League</span> US professional baseball league

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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evansville Triplets</span> Minor league baseball team

The Evansville Triplets were a Minor League Baseball team of the Triple-A American Association (AA) from 1970 to 1984. They were located in Evansville, Indiana, and played their home games at Bosse Field. The Triplets served as a farm club for three major league franchises: the Minnesota Twins (1970), Milwaukee Brewers (1971–1973), and Detroit Tigers (1974–1984).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triple-A (baseball)</span> Highest level of competition in Minor League Baseball

Triple-A has been the highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States since 1946. Currently, two leagues operate at the Triple-A level, the International League (IL) and the Pacific Coast League (PCL). There are 30 teams, one per each Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, with 20 in the IL and 10 in the PCL. Triple-A teams are generally located in smaller cities as well as larger metropolitan areas without MLB teams, such as Austin, Jacksonville, Columbus, and Indianapolis. Four Triple-A teams play in the same metro areas as their parent clubs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nashville Xpress</span> Former Minor League Baseball team in Nashville, Tennessee

The Nashville Xpress were a Minor League Baseball team of the Southern League and the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins from 1993 to 1994. They were located in Nashville, Tennessee, and played their home games at Herschel Greer Stadium, sharing the ballpark with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds of the American Association. The Xpress were named for the trains which ran along tracks beyond the outfield wall and the team's sudden arrival and expected departure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triple-A National Championship Game</span> Single contest to determine a champion of the Triple-A classification of Minor League Baseball

The Triple-A National Championship Game is a single interleague postseason baseball game between the league champions of the two affiliated Triple-A leagues of Minor League Baseball (MiLB)—the International League (IL) and Pacific Coast League (PCL)—to determine an overall champion of the classification. With the exceptions of 2020 and 2021, the game has been held at the end of each season since 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triple-A All-Star Game</span> Exhibition game played by Minor League Baseball players

The Triple-A All-Star Game was an annual baseball game held from 1988 to 2019 between professional players from the affiliated Triple-A leagues of Minor League Baseball. These leagues were the International League (IL) and Pacific Coast League (PCL) from 1998 to 2019. Previously, the American Association competed along with the IL and PCL before it disbanded following the 1997 season. The 2020 game was cancelled along with the entire minor league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 game was postponed and not rescheduled after a delayed start to the season. There has been no announcement about its resumption in the future.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memphis Blues (minor league)</span> Minor league baseball team

The Memphis Blues were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Memphis, Tennessee, from 1968 to 1976. They competed in the Double-A Texas League from 1968 to 1973 as an affiliate of the New York Mets. Memphis transferred to the Triple-A International League in 1974, where they were affiliated with the Montreal Expos from 1974 to 1975 and Houston Astros in 1976. Their home games were played at Blues Stadium

The Triple-A Classic was an interleague postseason championship series held annually between the league champions of the American Association (AA) and International League (IL) Triple-A leagues of Minor League Baseball from 1988 to 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Nashville Sounds</span> History of the Minor League Baseball franchise

The Nashville Sounds Minor League Baseball team was established in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1978, after Larry Schmittou and a group of investors purchased the rights to operate an expansion franchise of the Double-A Southern League. The Sounds played their home games at Herschel Greer Stadium from its opening in 1978 until the end of the 2014 season. In 2015, the Sounds left Greer for First Tennessee Park, now known as First Horizon Park, a new facility located on the site of the historic Sulphur Dell ballpark, home to Nashville's minor league teams from 1885 to 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memphis Chicks (Southern League)</span> Minor league baseball team

The Memphis Chicks were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Southern League from 1978 to 1997. They were located in Memphis, Tennessee, and played their home games at Tim McCarver Stadium. They served as a farm club for four Major League Baseball teams: the Montreal Expos (1978–1983), Kansas City Royals (1984–1994), San Diego Padres (1995–1996), and Seattle Mariners (1997). The Chicks were named for the Memphis Chickasaws, who were charter members of the Southern Association that played in Memphis from 1901 to 1960.

References

  1. "Notable Events in American Association History". Triple-A Baseball. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Bibb, John (October 2, 1987). "2 Triple-A Leagues Form New Alliance". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 1-C via Newspapers.com.
  3. Rorrer, George (April 6, 1988). "Buffalo Bidding for Attendance Title". The Courier-Journal. Louisville. p. 4 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Triple-A Alliance 1988 Official Schedule". The Daily Oklahoman. Oklahoma City. April 3, 1988. p. B1 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "This Day in History: Friday, May 13, 1988". International League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Triple-A Alliance Moving On". The Tennessean. Nashville. November 20, 1987. p. 7-C via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Triple-A Baseball Interleague Post-Season Play Results". Triple-A Baseball. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Singer, Patti (October 2, 1988). "Hart Knows Orioles Will Make Changes". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester. p. 13E via Newspapers.com.
  9. Meece, Volney (December 13, 1988). "Skaalen Frontrunner for 89ers Post". The Daily Oklahoman. Oklahoma City. p. 27 via Newspapers.com.
  10. 1 2 3 Burns, Bud (October 4, 1989). "Schmittou Selected as Executive of Year in AA". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 3-C via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Triple A Alliance Sets Attendance Record". Palladium-Item. Richmond. September 15, 1989. p. B1 via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Mobley to Head Triple-A Alliance". Scrantonian Tribune. Scranton. October 6, 1989. p. 16 via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 Triple-A Alliance. Nashville Sounds. 1991. p. 38.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  14. "Deal To Limit Interleague Play Saves Triple-A Alliance". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester. December 2, 1990. p. 1E via Newspapers.com.
  15. Savage, Bill (January 16, 1991). "Red Barons's Officials Excited by '91 Schedule". The Times Leader. Wilkes-Barre. p. 6C via Newspapers.com.
  16. Peterson, Randy (July 10, 1991). "Triple-A Alliance Breaking Up". The Des Moines Register. Des Moines. p. 2S via Newspapers.com.
  17. 1 2 Rorrer, George (October 18, 1991). "IL Issues Last Rights to Triple-A Alliance". The Courier-Journal. Louisville. p. E3 via Newspapers.com.
  18. 1 2 3 Triple-A Alliance. Nashville Sounds. 1992. p. 38.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  19. "1988 American Association". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  20. "1989 American Association". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  21. "1990 American Association". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  22. "1991 American Association". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  23. "1988 International League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  24. "1989 International League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  25. "1990 International League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  26. "1991 International League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 24, 2017.