Triple-A Alliance

The Triple-A Alliance was an interleague partnership between the American Association (AA) and International League (IL) Triple-A Minor League Baseball leagues from 1988 to 1991.[1] The two leagues played an interlocking schedule consisting of usually 40 to 44 games per team. At the end of the season, an Alliance champion was determined in the Triple-A Classic, a best-of-seven series. Harold Cooper was the commissioner from 1988 to 1989.[2] Randy Mobley was commissioner from 1990 to 1991.[3] The IL voted to end the Alliance during the 1991 Triple-A All-Star Game, and interleague play ceased after the season.

Schedule

Each league was split into two four-team divisions, East and West. In 1988, each team played 40 interleague games, with each team playing each of the other league's teams five times.[2] In 1989 and 1990, four additional interleague games were added to the schedule, with teams playing half of the other league's teams six times and the other half five.[4][5] In 1991, the schedule contracted back to 40 interleague games per team, with teams playing each of the other league's teams five teams. The AA West and IL East, however, did not compete against one another in 1991. These divisions played only 20 interlegue games per team, facing each team five times.[6]

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.[2] All four Triple-A Classics were won by American Association teams, including two by the Indianapolis Indians.[7]

Teams

Season-by-season results

American Association teams won more interleague games than in the International League in the first three seasons of the Triple-A Alliance. The IL had a better record in the final 1991 season. Over all four seasons, the AA won 637 games, and the IL won 618 games.

Year AA Wins IL Wins Triple-A Classic[7]
1988[4]187131Indianapolis Indians (AA) defeat Rochester Red Wings (IL), 4–2
1989[5]170178Indianapolis Indians (AA) defeat Richmond Braves (IL), 4–0
1990[6]181170Omaha Royals (AA) defeat Rochester Red Wings (IL), 4–1
1991[16]99139Denver Zephyrs (AA) defeat Columbus Clippers (IL), 4–1
Totals637618—

References

  1. ↑ "Notable Events in American Association History". Triple-A Baseball. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 The Alliance. The Nashville Sounds 1988 Official Souvenir Program. Nashville Sounds. 1988. p. 21.
  3. ↑ "Randy Mobley". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Triple-A Alliance. The Nashville Sounds 1989 Official Souvenir Program. Nashville Sounds. 1989. p. 38.
  5. 1 2 Triple-A Alliance. The Nashville Sounds 1990 Official Souvenir Program. Nashville Sounds. 1990. p. 38.
  6. 1 2 Triple-A Alliance. The Nashville Sounds 1991 Official Souvenir Program. Nashville Sounds. 1991. p. 38.
  7. 1 2 "Triple-A Baseball Interleague Post-Season Play Results". Triple-A Baseball. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  8. ↑ "1988 American Association". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  9. ↑ "1989 American Association". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  10. ↑ "1990 American Association". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  11. ↑ "1991 American Association". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  12. ↑ "1988 International League". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  13. ↑ "1989 International League". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  14. ↑ "1990 International League". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  15. ↑ "1991 International League". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  16. ↑ Triple-A Alliance. The Nashville Sounds 1992 Official Souvenir Program. Nashville Sounds. 1992. p. 38.
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