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List of Southern League champions

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List of Southern League champions
Summary

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the champions of the United States baseball league

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

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.

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 nine 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 nine championships, the most of all teams, followed by the Knoxville Smokies (4) and Chattanooga Lookouts (3).

History

The Southern League was founded in 1964. 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. The first league champions were the Lynchburg White Sox, who won by one game over the Birmingham Barons in 1964.

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. 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. Charlotte then won the Dixie Association title over the Texas League champion Arkansas Travelers, in three-straight games. The partnership was dissolved after the season.

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. In 1976, the circuit adopted a split season format while maintaining its divisional alignment. 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.

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. The 1976 playoffs featured a one-game semifinal divisional round and a best-of-five championship series. Both rounds were the best-of-three in 1977 and 1978. The 1979 playoffs had a best-of-three divisional round and a best-of-five final. From 1980 to 2020, both rounds were the best-of-five. Initially, if one team won both halves, they received a bye into the championship round. 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.

The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Southern League ceased operations before the 2021 season in conjunction with Major League Baseball's (MLB) reorganization of Minor League Baseball. In place of the league, MLB created the Double-A South. 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. 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. The top-seeded Mississippi Braves bested the Montgomery Biscuits, 3–2, for the title.

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.

Champions

Pre-playoff champions (1964–1970)

RecordGA
Regular-season win–loss record
Games ahead of the second-place team
YearChampionRecordGARunner-upRef.Lynchburg White SoxColumbus Confederate YankeesMobile AthleticsBirmingham A'sAsheville TouristsCharlotte HornetsColumbus Astros
196481–59Birmingham Barons
196579–59Asheville Tourists
196688–52Asheville Tourists
196784–55Montgomery Rebels
196886–54Montgomery Rebels
196981–59Birmingham A's
197078–59Montgomery Rebels

Playoff champions (1971–present)

Score*PEW12WC
Score of the championship series
Co-champions
Regular-season pennant winner
East Division winner
West Division winner
Won both the first and second half of the split season
Wild card qualifier
YearChampionScoreRunner-upOther playoff teamsRef.Charlotte HornetsNashville SoundsCharlotte O'sOrlando TwinsNashville SoundsBirmingham BaronsCharlotte O'sHuntsville StarsColumbus AstrosBirmingham BaronsBirmingham BaronsMemphis ChicksOrlando SunRaysBirmingham BaronsHuntsville StarsCarolina MudcatsOrlando RaysWest Tenn Diamond JaxxHuntsville StarsBirmingham BaronsCarolina MudcatsTennessee SmokiesMontgomery BiscuitsMontgomery BiscuitsBirmingham BaronsPensacola Blue WahoosTennessee SmokiesBirmingham BaronsBirmingham Barons
19712–1Asheville Tourists—
19723–0Asheville Orioles—
19733–1—
19743–2—
19753–0—
19763–1Charlotte O's & Chattanooga Lookouts
19772–0Savannah Braves
19782–1Savannah BravesOrlando Twins
19793–1Columbus AstrosCharlotte O's & Memphis Chicks
19803–1Memphis ChicksNashville Sounds & Savannah Braves
19813–1Nashville SoundsMemphis Chicks & Savannah Braves
19823–1Columbus Astros & Knoxville Blue Jays
19833–1Nashville Sounds & Savannah Braves
19843–0Knoxville Blue JaysGreenville Braves & Nashville Sounds
19853–2Charlotte O'sColumbus Astros & Knoxville Blue Jays
19863–2Jacksonville Expos & Knoxville Blue Jays
19873–1Charlotte O'sHuntsville Stars & Jacksonville Expos
19883–0Jacksonville Expos & Memphis Chicks
19893–0Huntsville Stars & Orlando Twins
19903–2Orlando SunRaysBirmingham Barons & Jacksonville Expos
19913–1Birmingham BaronsGreenville Braves & Knoxville Blue Jays
19923–2Charlotte Knights & Huntsville Stars
19933–1Knoxville SmokiesGreenville Braves & Nashville Xpress
19943–1Carolina MudcatsChattanooga Lookouts & Greenville Braves
19953–2Memphis Chicks & Orlando Cubs
19963–1Carolina Mudcats & Memphis Chicks
19973–2Knoxville Smokies & Mobile BayBears
19983–1Huntsville Stars & Knoxville Smokies
19993–1West Tenn Diamond JaxxChattanooga Lookouts & Knoxville Smokies
20003–2Birmingham Barons & Greenville Braves
2001*——Birmingham Barons & Chattanooga Lookouts
20023–0Carolina Mudcats & West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
20033–2Birmingham Barons & Tennessee Smokies
2004*——Birmingham Barons & Chattanooga Lookouts
20053–1West Tenn Diamond JaxxBirmingham Barons & Carolina Mudcats
20063–1Chattanooga Lookouts & Jacksonville Suns
20073–2Mississippi Braves & Tennessee Smokies
20083–2Carolina MudcatsBirmingham Barons & West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
20093–1Birmingham Barons & Huntsville Stars
20103–1Mobile BayBears & West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
20113–1Birmingham Barons & Chattanooga Lookouts
20123–1Chattanooga Lookouts & Montgomery Biscuits
20133–2Mobile BayBearsMississippi Braves & Tennessee Smokies
20143–0Huntsville Stars & Mobile BayBears
20153–2Montgomery Biscuits & Pensacola Blue Wahoos
20163–0Mississippi BravesMontgomery Biscuits & Pensacola Blue Wahoos
2017*——Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp & Montgomery Biscuits
20183–1Montgomery Biscuits & Pensacola Blue Wahoos
20193–2Montgomery Biscuits & Pensacola Blue Wahoos
2020
20213–2Montgomery Biscuits—
20222–1Tennessee SmokiesMontgomery Biscuits & Rocket City Trash Pandas
20232–0Pensacola Blue WahoosChattanooga Lookouts & Montgomery Biscuits
20242–0Montgomery BiscuitsBiloxi Shuckers & Tennessee Smokies
20252–1Montgomery BiscuitsBiloxi Shuckers & Chattanooga Lookouts

Wins by team

Active Southern League teams appear in bold.

TeamWinsYear(s)Birmingham Barons (Birmingham A's)Jacksonville SunsMontgomery RebelsJackson Generals (West Tenn Diamond Jaxx)Knoxville Smokies (Knoxville Sox/Tennessee Smokies)Mobile BayBearsChattanooga LookoutsHuntsville StarsOrlando Rays (Orlando Twins/SunRays)Carolina MudcatsCharlotte HornetsCharlotte O'sColumbus AstrosGreenville BravesMississippi BravesMontgomery BiscuitsNashville SoundsPensacola Blue WahoosAsheville TouristsColumbus Confederate YankeesLynchburg White SoxMemphis ChicksMobile Athletics
91967, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1993, 2002, 2013, 2024, 2025
61996, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014
51972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977
42000, 2016, 2018, 2019
1974, 1978, 2004, 2023
1998, 2004, 2011, 2012
31988, 2015, 2017
1985, 1994, 2001
1981, 1991, 1999
21995, 2003
1969, 1971
1980, 1984
1970, 1986
1992, 1997
2008, 2021
2006, 2007
1979, 1982
2017, 2022
11968
1965
1964
1990
1966

Notes

References

Specific

General

References

  1. "Southern League (AA) Encyclopedia and History". Sports Reference.
  2. (January 20, 1971). "Southern, Texas Leagues Become Dixie Association". Asheville Citizen-Times.
  3. Pickard, Chuck. (September 12, 1971). "Caps Shy in Standings, but Tops in Home Runs". The Times.
  4. (April 12, 1976). "Southern League Schedule for 1976". The Charlotte News.
  5. (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved".
  6. Reichard, Kevin. (February 12, 2021). "Minor League Baseball Overhaul Unveiled".
  7. Mayo, Jonathan. (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues".
  8. (March 16, 2022). "Historical League Names to Return in 2022".
  9. Heneghan, Kelsie. (July 1, 2021). "Playoffs Return to the Minor Leagues".
  10. Sheehan, Stephanie. (September 26, 2021). "Rangel Steers Braves to Double-A South Crown".
  11. "MiLB Playoff Procedures".
  12. "1964 Southern League Standings".
  13. "1965 Southern League Standings".
  14. "1966 Southern League Standings".
  15. "1967 Southern League Standings".
  16. "1968 Southern League Standings".
  17. "1969 Southern League Standings".
  18. "1970 Southern League Standings".
  19. "1971 Southern League Standings".
  20. "1972 Southern League Standings".
  21. "1973 Southern League Standings".
  22. "1974 Southern League Standings".
  23. "1975 Southern League Standings".
  24. "1976 Southern League Standings".
  25. "1977 Southern League Standings".
  26. "1978 Southern League Standings".
  27. "1979 Southern League Standings".
  28. "1980 Southern League Standings".
  29. "1981 Southern League Standings".
  30. "1982 Southern League Standings".
  31. "1983 Southern League Standings".
  32. "1984 Southern League Standings".
  33. "1985 Southern League Standings".
  34. "1986 Southern League Standings".
  35. "1987 Southern League Standings".
  36. "1989 Southern League Standings".
  37. "1990 Southern League Standings".
  38. "1991 Southern League Standings".
  39. "1992 Southern League Standings".
  40. "1993 Southern League Standings".
  41. "1994 Southern League Standings".
  42. "1995 Southern League Standings".
  43. "1996 Southern League Standings".
  44. "1997 Southern League Standings".
  45. "1998 Southern League Standings".
  46. "1999 Southern League Standings".
  47. "2000 Southern League Standings".
  48. (September 14, 2001). "Southern League Declares Co-Champs". The Jackson Sun.
  49. "2001 Southern League Standings".
  50. "2002 Southern League Standings".
  51. "2003 Southern League Standings".
  52. Gates, Nick. (September 14, 2004). "Surprise! Smokies, BayBears Share SL Crown". The Knoxville News-Sentinel.
  53. "2004 Southern League Standings".
  54. "2005 Southern League Standings".
  55. "2006 Southern League Standings".
  56. "2007 Southern League Standings".
  57. "2008 Southern League Standings".
  58. "2009 Southern League Standings".
  59. "2010 Southern League Standings".
  60. "2011 Southern League Standings".
  61. "2012 Southern League Standings".
  62. "2013 Southern League Standings".
  63. "2014 Southern League Standings".
  64. "2015 Southern League Standings".
  65. "2016 Southern League Standings".
  66. Vilona, Bill. (September 7, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Alters Southern League Playoffs". Pensacola News Journal.
  67. "2017 Southern League Standings".
  68. "2018 Southern League Standings".
  69. "2019 Southern League Standings".
  70. "2021 Double-A South League Standings".
  71. Vilona, Bill. (September 28, 2022). "The Champions! Blue Wahoos Roll To First Southern League Outright Title In 10th Anniversary Season". Minor League Baseball.
  72. Weinrib, Ben. (September 27, 2023). "Smokies Scorch Way to First Outright Title in 45 Years".
  73. Avallone, Michael. (September 25, 2024). "Double-A Birmingham Scores Dirst Southern League Crown Since 2013".
  74. Terranova, Rob. (September 25, 2025). "White Sox Double-A Affiliate Claims Second Consecutive Southern League Crown".
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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