Governors' Cup
Encyclopedia
The Governors' Cup is the trophy awarded each year to the champion of the International League
, one of the two current Triple-A level minor leagues
of Major League Baseball
.
, General Manager
of the League's Montreal Royals
, introduced a new playoff system
to International League
President Charles H. Knappe and the Governors' Cup was born. Shaughnessy, who would ultimately serve as International League President from 1936 until 1960, was interested in developing a way for more than two clubs to share in the excitement of post-season play. His playoff format, devised to maintain the interest of fans and players alike during the Depression era, provided an opportunity for four teams to participate rather than only two. Several other leagues noticed the success of the "Shaughnessy Plan" and followed suit.
In response to the new playoff format, the Governors of Maryland
, New Jersey
, and New York
and the Lieutenant Governors of the Provinces of Quebec
and Ontario
sponsored a trophy to be awarded annually to the winner of the International League playoffs. The trophy, created by the Supervisor of International League Umpires W.B. Carruth, was created out of solid silver and has been appraised at over $3,000.
In 1988, International League President Harold Cooper donated the trophy to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York
, where it is on permanent display. A new trophy of the same name was minted in its place and is presented annually to the winner of the Governors' Cup Championship Series.
The replica trophy was smashed while in possession of the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees by an attendee of a game from NEPA on August 27, 2009.
Nine
Eight
Seven
Six
Five
Four
Three
Two
One
Note: Italics indicate franchises no longer in the International League.
}
(*) - Also Pennant Winner
(x) - A one-game playoff as a result of the series being cancelled September 12, 2001. Louisville, which had won Game 1, 2-1, of the five-game series on September 10, was declared the winner.
After 10 seasons in a two division format, the International League switched to a three division alignment in 1998. The practice of recognizing the League Champion as not only the Pennant Winner, but also the Governors’ Cup Winner will continue.
team (the team with the best second place record in the International League
) will enter into the "Division Series".
The North Division Champion will play the Wild Card team, while the South Champion plays the West Champion. The winners of these series will move on to the Governors' Cup Championship Series. The team who wins the best-of-five Championship Series will be named Governors' Cup Champions for the year.
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
, one of the two current Triple-A level minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Governors' Cup history
In 1933, Frank ShaughnessyFrank Shaughnessy
Francis Joseph "Shag" Shaughnessy was an American athlete and sports executive. Shaughnessy played both baseball and football and was an executive in baseball, football and ice hockey. He was born in the United States and moved to Canada in the 1910s, where he was involved with football and ice...
, General Manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of the League's Montreal Royals
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
, introduced a new playoff system
Shaughnessy playoff system
The Shaughnessy playoff system is a method of determining the champion of a sports league that is not in a divisional alignment. It involves the participation of the top four teams in the league standings in a single elimination tournament...
to International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
President Charles H. Knappe and the Governors' Cup was born. Shaughnessy, who would ultimately serve as International League President from 1936 until 1960, was interested in developing a way for more than two clubs to share in the excitement of post-season play. His playoff format, devised to maintain the interest of fans and players alike during the Depression era, provided an opportunity for four teams to participate rather than only two. Several other leagues noticed the success of the "Shaughnessy Plan" and followed suit.
In response to the new playoff format, the Governors of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and the Lieutenant Governors of the Provinces of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
and Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
sponsored a trophy to be awarded annually to the winner of the International League playoffs. The trophy, created by the Supervisor of International League Umpires W.B. Carruth, was created out of solid silver and has been appraised at over $3,000.
In 1988, International League President Harold Cooper donated the trophy to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown is a village in Otsego County, New York, USA. It is located in the Town of Otsego. The population was estimated to be 1,852 at the 2010 census.The Village of Cooperstown is the county seat of Otsego County, New York...
, where it is on permanent display. A new trophy of the same name was minted in its place and is presented annually to the winner of the Governors' Cup Championship Series.
The replica trophy was smashed while in possession of the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees by an attendee of a game from NEPA on August 27, 2009.
Governors' Cup champions
Ten- RochesterRochester Red WingsThe Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
(1939,1952,1955,1956,1964,1971,1974,1988,1990,1997)
Nine
- ColumbusColumbus ClippersThe Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
(1979,1980,1981,1987,1991,1992,1996,2010,2011)
Eight
- Syracuse (1935,1942,1943,1947,1954,1969,1970,1976)
Seven
- MontréalMontreal RoyalsThe Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
(1941,1946,1948,1949,1951,1953,1958)
Six
- BuffaloBuffalo BisonsThe Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
(1933,1936,1957,1961,1998,2004)
Five
- NorfolkNorfolk TidesThe Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
(1972,1975,1982,1983,1985) - RichmondRichmond BravesThe Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
(1978,1986,1989,1994,2007)
Four
- Toronto (1934,1960,1965,1966)
- NewarkNewark BearsThe Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
(1937,1938,1940,1945)
Three
- DurhamDurham BullsThe Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
(2002, 2003, 2009) - ToledoToledo Mud HensThe Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
(1967, 2005, 2006)
Two
- BaltimoreBaltimore Orioles (minor league)The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
(1944,1950) - IndianapolisIndianapolis IndiansThe Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
(1963,2000) - PawtucketPawtucket Red SoxThe Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
(1973,1984) - CharlotteCharlotte KnightsThe Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
(1993,1999)
One
- HavanaHavana Sugar KingsThe Havana Sugar Kings were a Cuban-based minor league baseball team that played in the Class AAA International League from 1954 to 1960 . They were affiliated with Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds, and their home stadium was El Gran Estadio del Cerro in Havana, Cuba.-History:The Sugar...
(1959) - AtlantaAtlanta CrackersThe Atlanta Crackers were minor league baseball teams based in Atlanta, Georgia, between 1901 and 1965. The Crackers were Atlanta's home team until the Atlanta Braves moved from Milwaukee in 1966....
(1962) - JacksonvilleJacksonville SunsThe Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team...
(1968) - CharlestonCharleston CharliesThe Charleston Charlies was the name of the third and most recent Class AAA minor league baseball franchise that was located in Charleston, West Virginia, United States. The Charlies played in the International League from 1971 to 1976 as the relocated Columbus Jets franchise. In 1977 the franchise...
(1977) - OttawaOttawa LynxThe Ottawa Lynx were a minor league baseball team that formerly competed in the Triple-A International League from 1993 to 2007. The team's home field was Lynx Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. Over the team's 15 seasons, it was the Triple-A Minor League affiliate of the Montreal Expos , Baltimore...
(1995) - LouisvilleLouisville BatsThe Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
(2001) - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (2008)
Note: Italics indicate franchises no longer in the International League.
Governors' Cup champions year-by-year
| Year | Champion | Manager | Runner-Up | Other Playoff Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | Buffalo | Ray Schalk Ray Schalk Raymond William Schalk was a professional baseball player, coach, manager and scout. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox for the majority of his career. Known for his fine handling of pitchers and outstanding defensive ability, Schalk was considered the... |
Rochester | Newark & Baltimore |
| 1934 | Toronto | Ike Boone Ike Boone Isaac Morgan Boone was a right fielder in Major League Baseball. Boone batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born in Samantha, Alabama... |
Rochester | Newark & Albany |
| 1935 | Syracuse | Nemo Leibold Nemo Leibold Harry Loran "Nemo" Leibold was an outfielder in Major League Baseball from 1913-1925. He played for the Cleveland Naps, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and Washington Senators... |
Montreal | Buffalo & Newark |
| 1936 | *Buffalo | Ray Schalk Ray Schalk Raymond William Schalk was a professional baseball player, coach, manager and scout. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox for the majority of his career. Known for his fine handling of pitchers and outstanding defensive ability, Schalk was considered the... |
Baltimore | Newark & Rochester |
| 1937 | *Newark | Oscar Vitt | Baltimore | Syracuse & Montreal |
| 1938 | *Newark | Johnny Neun Johnny Neun John Henry Neun was an American first baseman for the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Braves from 1925 to 1931.-Career:... |
Buffalo | Rochester & Syracuse |
| 1939 | Rochester | Billy Southworth Billy Southworth William Harrison Southworth was an American right fielder, center fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Playing in and and from to , he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Southworth managed in and from through... |
Newark | Jersey City & Buffalo |
| 1940 | Newark | Johnny Neun Johnny Neun John Henry Neun was an American first baseman for the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Braves from 1925 to 1931.-Career:... |
Baltimore | Rochester & Jersey City |
| 1941 | Montreal | Clyde Sukeforth Clyde Sukeforth Clyde Leroy Sukeforth , nicknamed "Sukey," was a former Major League Baseball catcher, coach, scout and manager who was best known for scouting and signing the Major Leagues' first black player in the modern era, Jackie Robinson.Sukeforth was born in Washington, Maine... |
Newark | Buffalo & Rochester |
| 1942 | Syracuse | Jewel Ens Jewel Ens Jewel Winklemeyer Ens was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he died at age 60 in Syracuse, New York.-External links:... |
Jersey City | Montreal & Newark |
| 1943 | Syracuse | Jewel Ens Jewel Ens Jewel Winklemeyer Ens was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he died at age 60 in Syracuse, New York.-External links:... |
Toronto | Newark & Montreal |
| 1944 | *Baltimore | Tommy Thomas Tommy Thomas (baseball) Alphonse "Tommy" Thomas , was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1926-1937. He would play for the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Browns, and Boston Red Sox... |
Newark | Buffalo & Toronto |
| 1945 | Newark | Bill Meyer Billy Meyer William Adam Meyer was an American baseball player and manager. He holds the dubious distinction as having played for, and managed, two of the worst teams in the history of Major League Baseball.... |
Montreal | Toronto & Baltimore |
| 1946 | *Montreal | Clay Hopper Clay Hopper Robert Clay Hopper was a player and manager in minor league baseball.... |
Syracuse | Baltimore & Newark |
| 1947 | Syracuse | Jewel Ens Jewel Ens Jewel Winklemeyer Ens was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he died at age 60 in Syracuse, New York.-External links:... |
Buffalo | Jersey City & Montreal |
| 1948 | *Montreal | Clay Hopper Clay Hopper Robert Clay Hopper was a player and manager in minor league baseball.... |
Syracuse | Rochester & Newark |
| 1949 | Montreal | Clay Hopper Clay Hopper Robert Clay Hopper was a player and manager in minor league baseball.... |
Buffalo | Rochester & Jersey City |
| 1950 | Baltimore | Nick Cullop Nick Cullop Nick Cullop may refer to:*Nick Cullop , Major League Baseball outfielder*Nick Cullop , Major League Baseball pitcher... |
Rochester | Montreal & Jersey City |
| 1951 | *Montreal | Walter Alston Walter Alston Walter Emmons Alston , nicknamed "Smokey," was an American baseball player and manager. He was born in Venice, Ohio but grew up in Darrtown. He is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he lettered three years in both basketball and baseball and is a member of the University's Hall... |
Syracuse | Rochester & Buffalo |
| 1952 | Rochester | Harry Walker Harry Walker Harry William Walker, known to baseball fans of the middle 20th century as "Harry the Hat" , was an American baseball player, manager and coach.-Early life and family:... |
Montreal | Syracuse & Toronto |
| 1953 | Montreal | Walter Alston Walter Alston Walter Emmons Alston , nicknamed "Smokey," was an American baseball player and manager. He was born in Venice, Ohio but grew up in Darrtown. He is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he lettered three years in both basketball and baseball and is a member of the University's Hall... |
Rochester | Buffalo & Baltimore |
| 1954 | Syracuse | Skeeter Newsome Skeeter Newsome Lamar Ashby "Skeeter" Newsome was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Athletics , Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies .... |
Montreal | Toronto & Rochester |
| 1955 | Rochester | Fred Walker | Toronto | Havana & Montreal |
| 1956 | Rochester | Fred Walker | Toronto | Miami & Montreal |
| 1957 | Buffalo | Phil Cavarretta Phil Cavarretta Philip Joseph Cavarretta was an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and manager.Cavarretta spent almost his entire baseball career with the Chicago Cubs. He was voted the National League Most Valuable Player after leading the Cubs to the pennant while winning the batting... |
Miami | Toronto & Richmond |
| 1958 | *Montreal | Clay Bryant Clay Bryant Claiborne Henry Bryant was a Major League Baseball player from 1935 to 1940 for the Chicago Cubs. Bryant was mainly a pitcher, although in 1939 he played one game as an outfielder. In 1938 he compiled a 19-11 record with a 3.10 ERA... |
Toronto | Rochester & Columbus |
| 1959 | Havana | Preston Gomez Preston Gómez Preston Gómez was a Cuban-born infielder, manager, coach and front-office official in Major League Baseball best known for managing three major league clubs: the San Diego Padres , Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs . He was born Pedro Gómez Martinez in Preston, Cuba, and was given his nickname in U.S... |
Richmond | Buffalo & Columbus |
| 1960 | *Toronto | Mel McGaha Mel McGaha Fred Melvin McGaha , pronounced "mc-gay-hay", was an American coach and manager in Major League Baseball as well as a professional basketball player. He was born in Bastrop, Louisiana.... |
Rochester | Richmond & Buffalo |
| 1961 | Buffalo | Kerby Farrell Kerby Farrell Major Kerby Farrell was a longtime minor league baseball manager who spent but a single season — 1957 — as a manager in American Major League Baseball... |
Rochester | Columbus & Charleston |
| 1962 | Atlanta | Joe Schultz Joe Schultz Joseph Charles Schultz, Jr. was an American Major League Baseball catcher, coach and manager. Schultz was the first and only manager for the Seattle Pilots franchise during their lone season before they became the Milwaukee Brewers... |
Jacksonville | Toronto & Rochester |
| 1963 | *Indianapolis | Rollie Hemsley Rollie Hemsley Ralston Burdett Hemsley was a professional baseball catcher. Born in Syracuse, Ohio, he played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "Rollicking Rollie".-Major League career:... |
Atlanta | Syracuse & Toronto |
| 1964 | Rochester | Darrell Johnson Darrell Johnson Darrell Dean Johnson was an American Major League Baseball catcher, coach, manager and scout.-Playing career:... |
Syracuse | Jacksonville & Buffalo |
| 1965 | Toronto | Dick Williams Dick Williams Richard Hirschfeld "Dick" Williams was an American left fielder, third baseman, manager, coach and front office consultant in Major League Baseball. Known especially as a hard-driving, sharp-tongued manager from 1967–69 and 1971–88, he led teams to three American League pennants, one National... |
Columbus | Atlanta & Syracuse |
| 1966 | Toronto | Dick Williams Dick Williams Richard Hirschfeld "Dick" Williams was an American left fielder, third baseman, manager, coach and front office consultant in Major League Baseball. Known especially as a hard-driving, sharp-tongued manager from 1967–69 and 1971–88, he led teams to three American League pennants, one National... |
Richmond | Rochester & Columbus |
| 1967 | Toledo | Jack Tighe Jack Tighe John Thomas Tighe , pronounced "tie", was an American coach, manager and scout for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.... |
Columbus | Richmond & Rochester |
| 1968 | Jacksonville | Clyde McCullough Clyde McCullough Clyde Edward McCullough was an American catcher in Major League Baseball. After his playing career ended, he also managed in the minor leagues and was a major-league coach... |
Columbus | Toledo & Rochester |
| 1969 | Syracuse | Frank Verdi Frank Verdi Frank Michael Verdi was a Major League Baseball player in 1953 for the New York Yankees and a longtime manager at the minor league level. As a player, he batted and threw right-handed, stood 5'10½" tall and weighed 170 pounds... |
Columbus | Tidewater & Louisville |
| 1970 | *Syracuse | Frank Verdi Frank Verdi Frank Michael Verdi was a Major League Baseball player in 1953 for the New York Yankees and a longtime manager at the minor league level. As a player, he batted and threw right-handed, stood 5'10½" tall and weighed 170 pounds... |
Columbus | Rochester & Tidewater |
| 1971 | *Rochester | Joe Altobelli Joe Altobelli Joseph Salvatore Altobelli is an American former player, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. In , he succeeded Hall of Famer Earl Weaver as manager of the Baltimore Orioles and led the team to their sixth American League pennant and their third World Series championship.- Personal life... |
Tidewater | Charleston & Syracuse |
| 1972 | Tidewater | Hank Bauer Hank Bauer Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed... |
Louisville | Charleston & Rochester |
| 1973 | Pawtucket | Darrell Johnson Darrell Johnson Darrell Dean Johnson was an American Major League Baseball catcher, coach, manager and scout.-Playing career:... |
Charleston | Rochester & Tidewater |
| 1974 | *Rochester | Joe Altobelli Joe Altobelli Joseph Salvatore Altobelli is an American former player, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. In , he succeeded Hall of Famer Earl Weaver as manager of the Baltimore Orioles and led the team to their sixth American League pennant and their third World Series championship.- Personal life... |
Syracuse | Memphis & Richmond |
| 1975 | *Tidewater | Joe Frazier Joe Frazier Joseph William "Joe" Frazier , also known as Smokin' Joe, was an Olympic and Undisputed World Heavyweight boxing champion, whose professional career lasted from 1965 to 1976, with a one-fight comeback in 1981.... |
Syracuse | Charleston & Rochester |
| 1976 | Syracuse | Bobby Cox Bobby Cox Robert Joseph "Bobby" Cox is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He first led the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He later rejoined the Braves in 1985 as a general manager... |
Richmond | Rochester & Memphis |
| 1977 | Charleston | Jim Beauchamp Jim Beauchamp James Edward Beauchamp was a Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder who played from to for the St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Colt .45s/Astros, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Mets. He attended Grove High School in Grove, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University... |
Pawtucket | Richmond & Tidewater |
| 1978 | Richmond | Tommie Aaron Tommie Aaron Tommie Lee Aaron was a first baseman and left fielder in Major League Baseball, and a younger brother of Hall of Famer Hank Aaron. They were the first siblings to appear together in a League Championship Series as teammates. Born in Mobile, Alabama, he was signed by the Milwaukee Braves on May 28,... |
Pawtucket | Charleston & Toledo |
| 1979 | *Columbus | Gene Michael | Syracuse | Richmond & Tidewater |
| 1980 | *Columbus | Joe Altobelli Joe Altobelli Joseph Salvatore Altobelli is an American former player, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. In , he succeeded Hall of Famer Earl Weaver as manager of the Baltimore Orioles and led the team to their sixth American League pennant and their third World Series championship.- Personal life... |
Toledo | Richmond & Rochester |
| 1981 | *Columbus | Frank Verdi Frank Verdi Frank Michael Verdi was a Major League Baseball player in 1953 for the New York Yankees and a longtime manager at the minor league level. As a player, he batted and threw right-handed, stood 5'10½" tall and weighed 170 pounds... |
Richmond | Rochester & Tidewater |
| 1982 | Tidewater | Jack Aker Jack Aker Jackie Delane Aker is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. Aker was used exclusively in relief. He appeared in 495 games, none as a starter, and was one of the American League's best closers of his era. He is of Potawatomi Indian ancestry... |
Rochester | Richmond & Columbus |
| 1983 | Tidewater | Dave Johnson Davey Johnson David Allen "Davey" Johnson is an American Major League Baseball player and current manager of the Washington Nationals. He was the starting second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles when they won four American League pennants and two World Series championships between 1965 and 1972... |
Richmond | Columbus & Charleston |
| 1984 | Pawtucket | Tony Tochia | Maine | Columbus & Toledo |
| 1985 | Tidewater | Bob Schafer Bob Schafer Robert Thomas Schafer is a retired American basketball player. The 6' 3" guard out of Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania played college basketball for Villanova University from 1952 to 1955. Schafer was the first Villanova player to score 2000 points... |
Columbus | Syracuse & Maine |
| 1986 | *Richmond | Roy Majtyka Roy Majtyka LeRoy Walter Majtyka is a retired American infielder and manager in minor league baseball. He also spent three seasons in the major leagues as a coach for the Atlanta Braves. He threw and batted right-handed, stood tall and weighed during his active career.Majtyka was born in Buffalo, New York.... |
Rochester | Pawtucket & Tidewater |
| 1987 | Columbus | Bucky Dent Bucky Dent Russell Earl "Bucky" Dent , is a former American Major League Baseball player and manager. He earned two World Series rings as the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees in and , and was voted the World Series MVP in 1978... |
Tidewater | Rochester & Pawtucket |
| 1988 | *Rochester | Johnny Oates Johnny Oates Johnny Lane Oates was an American professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees from 1970 to 1981... |
Tidewater | N/A |
| 1989 | *Richmond | Jim Beauchamp Jim Beauchamp James Edward Beauchamp was a Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder who played from to for the St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Colt .45s/Astros, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Mets. He attended Grove High School in Grove, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University... |
Syracuse | N/A |
| 1990 | *Rochester | Greg Biagini Greg Biagini Gregory Peter Biagini was an American player, coach and manager in minor league baseball and a batting coach for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball... |
Columbus | N/A |
| 1991 | *Columbus | Rick Down Rick Down Richard John Down was a Major League Baseball hitting coach, formerly for the New York Mets. He formerly was also the hitting coach for the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers, and the Orioles.... |
Pawtucket | N/A |
| 1992 | *Columbus | Rick Down Rick Down Richard John Down was a Major League Baseball hitting coach, formerly for the New York Mets. He formerly was also the hitting coach for the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers, and the Orioles.... |
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre | Richmond & Pawtucket |
| 1993 | *Charlotte | Charlie Manuel Charlie Manuel Charles Fuqua Manuel, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder and current Major League Baseball manager of the Philadelphia Phillies... |
Rochester | Richmond & Ottawa |
| 1994 | *Richmond | Grady Little Grady Little William Grady Little is a former manager in Major League Baseball. He managed the Boston Red Sox from 2002 to 2003 and the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2006 to 2007... |
Syracuse | Charlotte & Pawtucket |
| 1995 | *Ottawa | Pete Mackanin Pete Mackanin Peter Mackanin, Jr. is a former second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball who most recently served as the acting manager of the Cincinnati Reds, having replaced Jerry Narron in 2007 before being replaced at season's end by Dusty Baker... |
Norfolk | Richmond & Rochester |
| 1996 | *Columbus | Stump Merrill Stump Merrill Carl "Stump" Merrill is a former manager in Major League Baseball who served as manager of the New York Yankees in and... |
Rochester | Norfolk & Pawtucket |
| 1997 | *Rochester | Marv Foley Marv Foley Marvis Edwin Foley is a former Major League Baseball catcher and coach, former minor league baseball coach and manager, and current minor league baseball instructor. In the majors, he played all or part of five seasons, between 1978 and 1984, for the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers... |
Columbus | Charlotte & Pawtucket |
| 1998 | *Buffalo | Jeff Datz Jeff Datz Jeffrey William Datz is an American former Major League Baseball player and current third base coach for the Seattle Mariners. A former catcher, Datz played in seven games for the Detroit Tigers in 1989... |
Durham | Louisville & Syracuse |
| 1999 | *Charlotte | Tom Spencer | Durham | Scranton/Wilkes-Barre & Columbus |
| 2000 | *Indianapolis | Steve Smith Steve Smith (baseball) Steven John Smith is a Major League Baseball coach presently working as the third-base coach for the Cleveland Indians. Prior to his current assignment in Cleveland, he held the same position with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and Philadelphia Phillies... |
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre | Buffalo & Durham |
| 2001 | *x-Louisville | Dave Miley Dave Miley David Allen Miley is a former baseball player and manager.-Playing career:Miley was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft out of George D. Chamberlain High School... |
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre | Buffalo & Norfolk |
| 2002 | *Durham | Bill Evers Bill Evers Bill Evers is a former bench coach for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.He received his BA in management and recreation from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1976.... |
Buffalo | Scranton/Wilkes-Barre & Toledo |
| 2003 | *Durham | Bill Evers Bill Evers Bill Evers is a former bench coach for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.He received his BA in management and recreation from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1976.... |
Pawtucket | Louisville & Ottawa |
| 2004 | *Buffalo | Marty Brown | Richmond | Columbus & Durham |
| 2005 | *Toledo | Larry Parrish Larry Parrish Larry Alton Parrish is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and right-handed batter who played with the Montreal Expos , Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox... |
Indianapolis | Norfolk & Buffalo |
| 2006 | *Toledo | Larry Parrish Larry Parrish Larry Alton Parrish is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and right-handed batter who played with the Montreal Expos , Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox... |
Rochester | Charlotte & Scranton/Wilkes-Barre |
| 2007 | Richmond | Dave Brundage Dave Brundage David Charles Brundage is an American professional baseball manager. In , Brundage served as manager of the Gwinnett Braves, Triple-A farm system affiliate of the Atlanta Braves in the International League.... |
Durham | Toledo & Scranton/Wilkes-Barre |
| 2008 | Scranton/Wilkes-Barre | Dave Miley Dave Miley David Allen Miley is a former baseball player and manager.-Playing career:Miley was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft out of George D. Chamberlain High School... |
Durham | Louisville & Pawtucket |
| 2009 | *Durham | Charlie Montoyo Charlie Montoyo José Carlos Montoyo Díaz is a former Major League Baseball player. Montoyo played in four games for the Montreal Expos in the 1993 season.-Playing career:... |
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre | Louisville & Gwinnett |
| 2010 | *Columbus | Mike Sarbaugh Mike Sarbaugh Michael "Mike" Sarbaugh is a former minor league baseball player, and is currently a minor league manager for the Columbus Clippers the AAA farm team of the Cleveland Indians. After attending Lamar University, where he was an all conference shortstop and earned a degree in kinesiology, Sarbaugh... |
Durham | Louisville & Scranton/Wilkes-Barre |
| 2011 | *Columbus | Mike Sarbaugh Mike Sarbaugh Michael "Mike" Sarbaugh is a former minor league baseball player, and is currently a minor league manager for the Columbus Clippers the AAA farm team of the Cleveland Indians. After attending Lamar University, where he was an all conference shortstop and earned a degree in kinesiology, Sarbaugh... |
Lehigh Valley | Durham & Pawtucket |
}
(*) - Also Pennant Winner
(x) - A one-game playoff as a result of the series being cancelled September 12, 2001. Louisville, which had won Game 1, 2-1, of the five-game series on September 10, was declared the winner.
After 10 seasons in a two division format, the International League switched to a three division alignment in 1998. The practice of recognizing the League Champion as not only the Pennant Winner, but also the Governors’ Cup Winner will continue.
Playoff format
The Governors' Cup Playoffs format is separated into two best-of-five series. With the three division format, all three division winners, and a Wild CardWild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
team (the team with the best second place record in the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
) will enter into the "Division Series".
The North Division Champion will play the Wild Card team, while the South Champion plays the West Champion. The winners of these series will move on to the Governors' Cup Championship Series. The team who wins the best-of-five Championship Series will be named Governors' Cup Champions for the year.