List of Southern League champions

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.

Thirty men on a baseball field; most are wearing light baseball uniforms and dark caps
The 1982 Southern League champion Nashville Sounds

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 seven 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 Tennessee Smokies (4) and Chattanooga Lookouts (3).

History

The 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

Pre-playoff champions (1964–1970)
Key
Record Regular-season win–loss record
GA Games ahead of the second-place team
Champions
Year Champion Record GA Runner-up Ref.
1964 Lynchburg White Sox 81–591Birmingham Barons[17]
1965 Columbus Confederate Yankees 79–59—[lower-alpha 1]Asheville Tourists[18]
1966 Mobile Athletics 88–529+1⁄2Asheville Tourists[19]
1967 Birmingham A's 84–553+1⁄2Montgomery Rebels[20]
1968 Asheville Tourists 86–544+1⁄2Montgomery Rebels[21]
1969 Charlotte Hornets 81–593Birmingham A's[22]
1970 Columbus Astros 78–59—[lower-alpha 2]Montgomery Rebels[23]

Playoff champions (1971–present)
Key
Score 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
Champions
Year Champion Score Runner-up Other playoff teams Ref.
1971 Charlotte HornetsP 2–1Asheville Tourists—[24]
1972 Montgomery RebelsW 3–0Asheville OriolesE—[25]
1973 Montgomery RebelsW 3–1Jacksonville SunsE—[26]
1974 Knoxville SoxW 3–2Jacksonville SunsE—[27]
1975 Montgomery RebelsW 3–0Orlando TwinsE—[28]
1976 Montgomery Rebels 3–1Orlando TwinsCharlotte O's & Chattanooga Lookouts[29]
1977 Montgomery Rebels12 2–0Jacksonville SunsSavannah Braves[30]
1978 Knoxville Sox12 2–1Savannah BravesOrlando Twins[31]
1979 Nashville Sounds 3–1Columbus AstrosCharlotte O's & Memphis Chicks[32]
1980 Charlotte O's 3–1Memphis ChicksNashville Sounds & Savannah Braves[33]
1981 Orlando Twins 3–1Nashville SoundsMemphis Chicks & Savannah Braves[34]
1982 Nashville Sounds 3–1Jacksonville Suns12Columbus AstrosWC & Knoxville Blue Jays[35]
1983 Birmingham Barons 3–1Jacksonville SunsNashville Sounds & Savannah Braves[36]
1984 Charlotte O's 3–0Knoxville Blue JaysGreenville Braves & Nashville Sounds[37]
1985 Huntsville Stars 3–2Charlotte O'sColumbus Astros & Knoxville Blue Jays[38]
1986 Columbus Astros 3–2Huntsville StarsJacksonville Expos & Knoxville Blue Jays[39]
1987 Birmingham Barons 3–1Charlotte O'sHuntsville Stars & Jacksonville Expos[40]
1988 Chattanooga Lookouts 3–0Greenville Braves12Jacksonville ExposWC & Memphis Chicks[41]
1989 Birmingham Barons 3–0Greenville BravesHuntsville Stars & Orlando Twins[42]
1990 Memphis Chicks 3–2Orlando SunRaysBirmingham Barons & Jacksonville Expos[43]
1991 Orlando SunRays 3–1Birmingham BaronsGreenville Braves & Knoxville Blue Jays[44]
1992 Greenville Braves12 3–2Chattanooga Lookouts12Charlotte KnightsWC & Huntsville StarsWC[45]
1993 Birmingham Barons 3–1Knoxville SmokiesGreenville Braves & Nashville Xpress[46]
1994 Huntsville Stars 3–1Carolina MudcatsChattanooga Lookouts & Greenville Braves[47]
1995 Carolina Mudcats12 3–2Chattanooga LookoutsMemphis Chicks & Orlando CubsWC[48]
1996 Jacksonville Suns12 3–1Chattanooga LookoutsCarolina MudcatsWC & Memphis Chicks[49]
1997 Greenville Braves 3–2Huntsville StarsKnoxville Smokies & Mobile BayBears[50]
1998 Mobile BayBears12 3–1Jacksonville SunsHuntsville StarsWC & Knoxville Smokies[51]
1999 Orlando Rays 3–1West Tenn Diamond Jaxx12Chattanooga LookoutsWC & Knoxville Smokies[52]
2000 West Tenn Diamond Jaxx 3–2Jacksonville SunsBirmingham Barons & Greenville Braves[53]
2001* Huntsville Stars —[lower-alpha 3]—Birmingham Barons & Chattanooga LookoutsWC[55]
Jacksonville Suns12
2002 Birmingham Barons 3–0Jacksonville SunsCarolina Mudcats & West Tenn Diamond Jaxx[56]
2003 Carolina Mudcats12 3–2Huntsville StarsBirmingham Barons & Tennessee SmokiesWC[57]
2004* Mobile BayBears —[lower-alpha 4]—Birmingham Barons & Chattanooga Lookouts[59]
Tennessee Smokies
2005 Jacksonville Suns 3–1West Tenn Diamond Jaxx12Birmingham Barons & Carolina MudcatsWC[60]
2006 Montgomery Biscuits 3–1Huntsville StarsChattanooga Lookouts & Jacksonville Suns[61]
2007 Montgomery Biscuits 3–2Huntsville Stars12Mississippi Braves & Tennessee SmokiesWC[62]
2008 Mississippi Braves 3–2Carolina MudcatsBirmingham Barons & West Tenn Diamond Jaxx[63]
2009 Jacksonville Suns 3–1Tennessee SmokiesBirmingham Barons & Huntsville Stars[64]
2010 Jacksonville Suns12 3–1Tennessee Smokies12Mobile BayBearsWC & West Tenn Diamond JaxxWC[65]
2011 Mobile BayBears 3–1Tennessee SmokiesBirmingham Barons & Chattanooga Lookouts[66]
2012 Mobile BayBears 3–1Jackson GeneralsChattanooga Lookouts & Montgomery Biscuits[67]
2013 Birmingham Barons 3–2Mobile BayBears12Mississippi BravesWC & Tennessee Smokies[68]
2014 Jacksonville Suns 3–0Chattanooga LookoutsHuntsville Stars & Mobile BayBears[69]
2015 Chattanooga Lookouts 3–2Biloxi ShuckersMontgomery Biscuits & Pensacola Blue Wahoos[70]
2016 Jackson Generals 3–0Mississippi BravesWCMontgomery Biscuits & Pensacola Blue Wahoos12[71]
2017* Chattanooga Lookouts12 —[lower-alpha 5]—Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp & Montgomery BiscuitsWC[73]
Pensacola Blue Wahoos
2018 Jackson Generals 3–1Biloxi Shuckers12Montgomery Biscuits & Pensacola Blue WahoosWC[74]
2019 Jackson GeneralsWC 3–2Biloxi Shuckers12Montgomery Biscuits12 & Pensacola Blue WahoosWC[75]
2020 None (season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic) [10]
2021 Mississippi BravesP 3–2Montgomery Biscuits—[76]
2022 Pensacola Blue Wahoos 2–1Tennessee SmokiesWCMontgomery Biscuits & Rocket City Trash Pandas12[77]
2023 Tennessee Smokies 2–0Pensacola Blue WahoosChattanooga Lookouts & Montgomery Biscuits[78]

Wins by team

Active Southern League teams appear in bold.

Team Wins Year(s)
Birmingham Barons (Birmingham A's) 7 1967, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1993, 2002, 2013
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
Mobile BayBears 1998, 2004, 2011, 2012
Tennessee Smokies (Knoxville Sox) 1974, 1978, 2004, 2023
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
  1. Columbus won the championship with a winning percentage of .572 (79–59) versus Asheville's .571 (80–60).
  2. Columbus won the championship with a winning percentage of .569 (78–59) versus Montgomery's .568 (79–60).
  3. Huntsville and Jacksonville were declared co-champions after the playoffs were cancelled in the wake the September 11 terrorist attacks.[54]
  4. Mobile and Tennessee were declared co-champions after the playoffs were cancelled due to the threat of Hurricane Ivan.[58]
  5. Chattanooga and Pensacola were declared co-champions after the playoffs were cancelled due to the threat of Hurricane Irma.[72]

References

Specific

  1. "Southern League (AA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  2. Southern League Media Guide 2020, p. 130.
  3. "Southern, Texas Leagues Become Dixie Association". Asheville Citizen-Times. Asheville. January 20, 1971. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Pickard, Chuck (September 12, 1971). "Caps Shy in Standings, but Tops in Home Runs". The Times. Shreveport. p. 3-D – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Southern League Media Guide 2020, p. 130–131.
  6. Southern League Media Guide 2020, p. 131.
  7. "Southern League Schedule for 1976". The Charlotte News. Charlotte. April 12, 1976. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Southern League Media Guide 2020, p. 131–138.
  9. Southern League Media Guide 2020, p. 132.
  10. "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  11. Reichard, Kevin (February 12, 2021). "Minor League Baseball Overhaul Unveiled". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  12. Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  13. "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  14. Heneghan, Kelsie (July 1, 2021). "Playoffs Return to the Minor Leagues". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  15. Sheehan, Stephanie (September 26, 2021). "Rangel Steers Braves to Double-A South Crown". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  16. "MiLB Playoff Procedures". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  17. "1964 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  18. "1965 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  19. "1966 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  20. "1967 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  21. "1968 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  22. "1969 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  23. "1970 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  24. "1971 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  25. "1972 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  26. "1973 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  27. "1974 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  28. "1975 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  29. "1976 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  30. "1977 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  31. "1978 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  32. "1979 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  33. "1980 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  34. "1981 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  35. "1982 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  36. "1983 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  37. "1984 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  38. "1985 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  39. "1986 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  40. "1987 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  41. Southern League Media Guide 2020, p. 133.
  42. "1989 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  43. "1990 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  44. "1991 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  45. "1992 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  46. "1993 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  47. "1994 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  48. "1995 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  49. "1996 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  50. "1997 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  51. "1998 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  52. "1999 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  53. "2000 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  54. "Southern League Declares Co-Champs". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. September 14, 2001. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
  55. "2001 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  56. "2002 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  57. "2003 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  58. Gates, Nick (September 14, 2004). "Surprise! Smokies, BayBears Share SL Crown". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. Knoxville. p. D1 – via Newspapers.com.
  59. "2004 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  60. "2005 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  61. "2006 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  62. "2007 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  63. "2008 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  64. "2009 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  65. "2010 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  66. "2011 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  67. "2012 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  68. "2013 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  69. "2014 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  70. "2015 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  71. "2016 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  72. Vilona, Bill (September 7, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Alters Southern League Playoffs". Pensacola News Journal. Pensacola. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
  73. "2017 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  74. "2018 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  75. "2019 Southern League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  76. "2021 Double-A South League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  77. 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.
  78. Weinrib, Ben (September 27, 2023). "Smokies Scorch Way to First Outright Title in 45 Years". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved September 27, 2023.

General

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