Eastern League (baseball)
The Eastern League is a Minor League Baseball league, which operates primarily in the northeastern United States, although it has had a team in Ohio since 1989. The Eastern League has played at the Double-A level since 1963. The league was founded in 1923, as the New York–Pennsylvania League. In 1936, the first team outside the two original states was created, when the York White Roses of York, Pennsylvania, moved to Trenton, New Jersey, and was renamed the Trenton Senators. In 1938, when the Scranton Miners of Scranton, Pennsylvania, moved to Hartford, Connecticut, and became the Hartford Bees, the league was renamed the Eastern League.
Sport | Baseball |
---|---|
Founded | 1923 |
President | Joe McEacharn[1] |
No. of teams | 12 |
Country | United States |
Most recent champion(s) | Trenton Thunder (2019) |
Most titles | Binghamton Triplets (10) |
Classification | Double-A |
Official website | www.easternleague.com |
Since 1923, there have been Eastern League teams in 51 different cities, located in 12 different states and two Canadian provinces. The league consisted of six to eight teams from 1923 until 1993. In 1994, the league expanded to 10 teams, with the addition of the Portland Sea Dogs and the New Haven Ravens, and split into two divisions, the Northern Division and the Southern Division. In 1999, the league expanded to 12 teams, with the addition of the Altoona Curve and the Erie SeaWolves. The two divisions were restructured and renamed for the 2010 season, as the Eastern Division and the Western Division, because the Connecticut Defenders moved to Richmond, Virginia, after the 2009 season, where they are now known as the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30.[2][3]
Current teams
Current team locations: Eastern Division Western Division |
Current team rosters
Complete list of Eastern League teams (1923–present)
Notes: This list includes teams in predecessor New York–Pennsylvania League of 1923 to 1937.
Bold font indicates that team is an active Eastern League team.
A "^" indicates that team's article redirects to an article of an active Eastern League team.
A "†" indicates that team's article redirects to an article of a defunct Eastern League team.
Champions
League champions have been determined by different means since the Eastern League's formation in 1923. Before 1934, the champions were simply the league pennant winners. A formal playoff system to determine league champions was established in 1934.[16]
The Binghamton Triplets won 10 championships, the most among all teams in the league, followed by the Elmira Colonels/Pioneers/Royals (8) and the Scranton Miners/Red Sox (7). Among active franchises, the Harrisburg Senators have won 6 championships, the most in the league, followed by the Akron Aeros/RubberDucks (5) and the Reading Fightin Phils and Trenton Thunder (4).[16]
Awards
- Eastern League Most Valuable Player Award
- Eastern League Pitcher of the Year Award
- Eastern League Rookie of the Year Award
- Eastern League Manager of the Year Award
See also
- Sports attendances
References
- "Personnel and Staff". Eastern League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- "A Message From Pat O'Conner". Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- Knight, Graham (September 17, 2010). "NYSEG Stadium". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- Mock, Joe. "Dunkin' Donuts Park". www.baseballparks.com. Grand Slam Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- "2012 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Media Guide" (PDF). Minor League Baseball. April 9, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- Knight, Graham (July 6, 2010). "Hadlock Field – Portland Sea Dogs". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- Leon, Matt (May 17, 2011). "Minor League Ballpark Guide". KYW. Philadelphia. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- Knight, Graham (July 7, 2012). "Arm & Hammer Park". www.baseballpilgrimages.com. Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- "Akron RubberDucks Canal Park". Minor League Baseball. November 27, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- "2012 Altoona Curve Media Guide". Minor League Baseball. 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- "Bowie Baysox Baysox/Stadium Info". Minor League Baseball. March 11, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- "Jerry Uth Park". Erie County Convention Center Authority. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
- Reichard, Kevin (June 28, 2010). "Metro Bank Park / Harrisburg Senators". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- O'Connor, John (March 27, 2010). "Bleacher Banners Give Diamond New Look, Fewer Seats". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
- "Past Champions". Eastern League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eastern League (baseball). |
- Eastern League official website