International League

The International League (IL) is a minor league baseball league which operates in the eastern United States and Canada. Like the Pacific Coast League, it plays at the AAA (Triple-A) level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. The league was created from the mergers of member teams from three precursor leagues, the Eastern League, founded in 1884 (which brought Richmond, Virginia), the New York State League, formed in 1885 (which brought Rochester, New York and Syracuse, New York), and the Ontario League, also organized in 1885.

1930-1959

Charles Knapp succeeded Toole, who died that year. Night baseball arrived with a game in Buffalo on July 3, 1930, when 12,000 fans saw the Bisons bow to Montreal, 5-4. The International League roster remained unchanged until 1932 when Albany replaced Reading. In 1933, with the minors reduced to nine leagues by the worldwide economic depression, Frank Shaughnessy gave the game a "shot in the arm" with introduction of his playoff plan for the Governors' Cup. Warren Giles, later National League President, succeeded Knapp on the latter's death in 1936. Giles held office briefly and resigned to take the helm of the Cincinnati, Ohio club, and Frank Shaughnessy assumed the presidency late in 1936. In 1937, Jersey City replaced Albany. The advent of television saw the collapse of the New Jersey clubs. Springfield replaced Newark in 1950 and Ottawa succeeding Jersey City in 1951.

Related Topics:
Charles Knapp - Frank Shaughnessy - Governors' Cup - Warren Giles - Cincinnati, Ohio - Television

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A new era began with the admission of Havana, Cuba in 1954. The league, now "truly international," embraced three countries. Richmond returned to the circuit when the American League tapped Baltimore, ending an association of a half-century between the Orioles and the International League. Expansion continued with Columbus, Ohio replacing Ottawa in 1955 and Miami supplanting Syracuse in 1956. Four more years passed without a change in the league?s membership. In 1960, however, political disturbances in Cuba caused the International League in mid-season to transfer the Havana franchise to Jersey City. Also, as in 1914, agitation for major league expansion adversely affected attendance. Frank Shaughnessy retired in 1960 after 24 years as President and Tommy Richardson assumed command.

Related Topics:
Havana, Cuba - Orioles - Columbus, Ohio - Tommy Richardson

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