Sunday, July 29, 2012

Warning : Cleveland Minor League History !!

WARNING !  Danger Will Robinson !!

I just couldn't resist that ! That was a great show when I was growing up in the birth days of space travel. Lost in Space.

Now that I have your attention, there is no danger, but there is a warning associated with this post.

This is a very long, boring to read post. Probably like a 3 case 1990 Donruss break.
And there isn't even any pictures ! If you are really into the Cleveland Indians or minor league baseball you may be interested, but even if you're not, you may want to read the last paragraph because it could concern your favorite team.

That being said, here is the history of the Cleveland Indian's minor league system !

Some of the early team names are really very interesting.



Year       League                                        Class                Team Name
                 * Denotes defunct league


1929 Blue Ridge League (Pa-Md-WV)*   D         Frederick Warriors

1930 Blue Ridge League (Pa-Md-WV)*   D         Frederick Warriors

1932 New York-Penn                                 A        Williamsport Grays
         Central League                                  B         Ft. Wayne Chiefs
1933
1934
1935 American Association *                     AA     Minneapolis Millers
         Evangeline League *                          D        Opelousas Indians

1936 American Association *                     AA      Minneapolis Millers
         Cotton States League *                      C          Clarksdale Ginners
         Evangeline League *                          D         Opelousas Indians

1937 American Association *                     AA       Milwaukee Brewers
         Canadian-American *                         C          Oswego Netherlands
         Evangeline League                             D          Opelousas Indians

1938 American Association *                     AA       Milwaukee Brewers
         Canadian-American *                         C          Oswego Netherlands

1939 International                                       AA       Buffalo Bisons
         Eastern                                               A          Wilks-Barre Barons
         Appalachian                                       D          Greeneville Burley Cubs
         Bi-State League (Nc-Va)                   D          Leaksville-Draper-Spray Triplets
         Evangeline League *                          D          Opelousas Indians
         Pa-Ontario-NY (PONY)                                   Niagara Falls Rainbows
        Alabama - Florida *                                          Troy Trojans

1940 Eastern                                                A          Wilks-Barre Barons
         Arizona-Texas                                    C           El Paso Texans


1941 Eastern                                                 A          Wilks-Barre Barons

1942 International                                        AA        Baltimore Orioles
         Eastern                                                A            Wilks-Barre Barons
         Pa-Ontario-NY (PONY)                                    Batavia Clippers

1943 International                                        AA         Baltimore Orioles
         Pa-Ontario-NY (PONY)                     A            Wilks-Barre Barons

1944 International                                        AA         Baltimore Orioles
         Eastern                                                A            Wilks-Barre Barons
        Pa-Ontario-NY (PONY)                                     Batavia Clippers

1945 International                                        AA         Baltimore Orioles
         Pa-Ontario-NY (PONY)                                    Batavia Clippers

1946 International                                        AAA      Baltimore Orioles
         Texas                                                   AA         Oklahoma City Indians
         Eastern                                                 A           Wilks-Barre Barons
         California                                             C           Bakersfield Indians
         Canadian-American *                          C           Pittsfield Electrics
         Eastern Shore League                          D           Centerville Orioles
         Pa-Ontario-NY (PONY)                                    Batavia Clippers
  
1947 International                                         AAA     Baltimore Orioles
         Texas                                                   AA         Oklahoma City Indians
         Eastern                                                 A           Wilks-Barre Barons
         Central Association                             C           Burlington Indians
        Arizona-Texas                                      C           Tucson Cowboys
        California                                              C           Bakersfield Indians
        Canadian-American *                           C           Pittsfield Electrics
        Pa-Ontario-NY (PONY)                                    Batavia Clippers

1948 International                                         AAA     Baltimore Orioles
         Texas                                                    AA       Oklahoma City Indians
         Eastern                                                  A          Wilks-Barre Barons
         Midwest                                                A           Mattoon Indians
         Central League                                     A           Dayton Indians
         Central Association                              C           Burlington Indians
         Arizona-Texas                                      C           Tucson Cowboys
         California                                              C         Bakersfield Indians
         Canadian-American *                           C         Pittsfield Electrics
        Pa-Ontario-NY (PONY)                                    Batavia Clippers

1949 Pacific Coast League                            AAA    San Diego Padres
        Texas                                                      AA      Oklahoma City Indians
        Eastern                                                   A         Wilks-Barre Barons
        Central League                                      A          Dayton Indians
        Florida International League                 B          St. Petersburg Saints
        Central Association                               C          Burlington Indians
        Arizona-Texas                                       C          Tucson Cowboys
        California                                               C          Bakersfield Indians
        Canadian-American *                            C          Pittsfield Indians
        Pa-Ontario-NY (PONY)                                    Batavia Clippers

1950 Pacific Coast League                            AAA   San Diego Padres
        Texas                                                      AA      Oklahoma City Indians
        Central League                                       A         Dayton Indians
        Eastern                                                    A         Wilks-Barre Barons
        Western International                             A (Short Season)   Tacoma Tigers
        Arizona-Texas                                        C         Tucson Cowboys
        California                                                C         Bakersfield Indians  
        Canadian-American *                             C         Pittsfield Indians
        Florida State                                           D         Daytona Beach Islanders
        Pa-Ontario-NY (PONY)                                     Batavia Clippers

1951 Pacific Coast League                            AAA    San Diego Padres
         Texas                                                    AA       Dallas Eagles
         Eastern                                                  A          Wilks-Barre Barons
         Central League                                     A          Dayton Indians
         California                                             C          Bakersfield Indians
         Florida State                                         D          Daytona Beach Islanders
         Pa-Ontario-NY (PONY)                                   Batavia Clippers

1952 American Association *                       AAA    Indianapolis Indians
         Texas                                                    AA       Dallas Eagles
         Eastern                                                  A         Wilks-Barre Barons
         California                                              C         Bakersfield Indians
         Florida State                                           D        Daytona Beach Islanders

1953 American Association *                       AAA    Indianapolis Indians
         Eastern                                                  A          Reading Indians
         Florida State                                         D          Daytona Beach Islanders

1954 American Association *                        AAA   Indianapolis Indians
         Eastern                                                   A        Reading Indians
         Florida State                                          D         Jacksonville Beach Sea Birds

1955 American Association *                       AAA    Indianapolis Indians  
        Texas                                                      AA      Tulsa Oilers
        Eastern                                                    A        Reading Indians
        Midwest                                                 A         Lafayette Chiefs

1956 American Association *                       AAA    Indianapolis Indians
          Pacific Coast League                            OPEN San Diego Padres
          Eastern                                                  A         Reading Indians
          Carolina                                               B          Fayetteville Highlanders
          Florida State                                        D          Daytona Beach Islanders
  
1957  Pacific Coast League                           OPEN  San Diego Padres
          Eastern                                                A          Reading Indians
          Florida State                                        D          Cocoa Indians
          New York- Pennsylvania                    D          Batavia Clippers
  
1958 Pacific Coast League                            AAA    San Diego Padres
          Eastern                                                 A          Reading Indians
          Carolina                                               B          Burlington Indians
          Florida State                                        D          Cocoa Indians
          New York- Pennsylvania                    D          Batavia Clippers

1959 Pacific Coast League                           AAA     San Diego Padres
          Eastern                                                A           Reading Indians
          Carolina                                               B          Burlington Indians
          New York- Pennsylvania                    D          Batavia Clippers
          Alabama - Florida *                                         Selma Cloverleafs

1960 International                                         AAA    Toronto Maple Leafs
         Eastern                                                 A           Reading Indians
         Midwest                                               A           Dubuque Packers
         Carolina                                                B          Burlington Indians
         Florida State                                         D          Lakeland Indians
          Alabama - Florida *                                         Selma Cloverleafs

1961 Pacific Coast League                            AAA    Salt Lake City Bees
         Eastern A Reading Indians Midwest    A          Dubuque Packers
          Carolina                                               B          Burlington Indians
          Alabama - Florida *                                          Selma Cloverleafs

1962  International                                         AAA    Jacksonville Suns
          Eastern                                                 A          Charleston Indians
          Midwest                                               A         Dubuque Packers
         Carolina                                                B         Burlington Indians
         Alabama - Florida *                                          Selma Cloverleafs

1963 International                                         AAA    Jacksonville Suns
         Eastern                                                 AA       Charleston Indians
         Carolina                                               A Advanced   Burlington Indians
         Midwest                                               A          Dubuque Packers

1964 Pacific Coast League                           AAA    Portland Beavers  
         Eastern                                                 AA       Charleston Indians
         Carolina                                               A Advanced   Burlington Indians
         Midwest                                               A          Dubuque Packers

1965 Pacific Coast League                           AAA    Portland Beavers
         Eastern                                                 AA       Reading Indians
         California                                             A Advanced  Salinas Indians
         Midwest                                               A          Dubuque Packers

1966 Pacific Coast League                           AAA     Portland Beavers
         Eastern                                                 AA        Pawtucket Indians
         California                                             A Advanced  Reno Silver Fox
         Midwest                                                A         Dubuque Packers

1967 Pacific Coast League                            AAA    Portland Beavers
         Eastern                                                  AA       Pawtucket Indians
         California                                              A Advanced   Reno Silver Fox
         South Atlantic                                       A         Rock Hill Indians

1968 Pacific Coast League                            AAA    Portland Beavers
         Eastern                                                  AA       Waterbury Indians
         California                                              A Advanced    Reno Silver Fox
         South Atlantic                                       A          Rock Hill Indians

1969 Pacific Coast League                            AAA    Portland Beavers
         Eastern                                                  AA      Waterbury Indians
         California                                              A Advanced   Reno Silver Fox
         South Atlantic                                       A         Statesville/Monroe Indians
  
1970 American Association                          AAA    Wichita Aeros
         Eastern                                                  AA       Waterbury Indians
         California                                              A Advanced   Reno Silver Fox
          South Atlantic                                      A          Sumter Indians
  
1971 American Association                          AAA    Wichita Aeros
         Southern                                               AA       Savannah Indians
         California                                             A Advanced    Reno Silver Fox

1972 Pacific Coast League                           AAA     Portland Beavers
         Southern                                               AA       Jacksonville Suns
         California                                             A Advanced   Reno Silver Fox

1973 American Association                          AAA    Oklahoma City 89's
         Eastern                                                  AA       Elmira Pioneers
         California                                             A Advanced    Reno Silver Fox

1974 American Association                          AAA    Oklahoma City 89's
         Texas                                                    AA        San Antonio Brewers
         California                                             A Advanced    Reno Silver Fox

1975 American Association                          AAA    Oklahoma City 89's
         Texas                                                    AA       San Antonio Brewers
         California                                              A Advanced   San Jose Bees
  
1976 Eastern                                                  AA       Wiliamsport Tomahawks
         California                                              A Advanced    San Jose Bees
         New York- Pennsylvania                      A Short Season    Batavia Trojans

1977 International                                          AAA    Toledo Mud Hens
         Eastern                                                  AA        Jersey City Indians
          Midwest                                               A          Waterloo Indians
         New York- Pennsylvania                      A Short Season    Batavia Trojans

1978 Pacific Coast League                            AAA     Portland Beavers
          Eastern                                                 AA       Chattanooga Lookouts
          Midwest                                               A          Waterloo Indians
          New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season   Batavia Trojans

1979 Pacific Coast League                           AAA    Tacoma Tugs
          Southern                                              AA      Chattanooga Lookouts
          Midwest                                              A         Waterloo Indians
          New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season   Batavia Trojans

1980 Pacific Coast League                           AAA    Tacoma Tigers
         Southern                                              AA       Chattanooga Lookouts
         Midwest                                               A          Waterloo Indians
         New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season   Batavia Trojans

1981 International                                         AAA    Charleston Charlies
         Southern                                               AA       Chattanooga Lookouts
         Midwest                                               A          Waterloo Indians
         New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season    Batavia Trojans

1982 International                                         AAA    Charleston Charlies
          Southern                                              AA       Chattanooga Lookouts           Midwest                                               A         Waterloo Indians
          New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season    Batavia Trojans

1983 International                                         AAA     Charleston Charlies
          Southern                                              AA        Chattanooga Lookouts
          Midwest                                               A          Waterloo Indians
          New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season   Batavia Trojans

1984 International                                         AAA     Maine Guides
         Eastern                                                  AA       Buffalo Bisons
          Midwest                                               A         Waterloo Indians
          New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season   Batavia Trojans

1985 International                                          AAA    Maine Guides
          Eastern                                                 AA       Buffalo Bisons
          Midwest                                               A Waterloo Indians
          New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season    Batavia Trojans

1986 International                                          AAA    Maine Guides
          Eastern                                                 AA       Williamsport Bills
          Midwest                                               A          Waterloo Indians
          New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season   Batavia Trojans
          Appalachian                                         Rookie  Burlington Indians

1987 American Association                           AAA     Buffalo Bisons
          Eastern                                                 AA        Williamsport Bills
          Carolina                                               A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          Midwest                                               A          Waterloo Indians
          Appalachian                                         Rookie   Burlington Indians

1988 Pacific Coast League                            AAA    Colorado Springs Sky Sox
         Eastern                                                  AA       Williamsport Bills
         Carolina                                                A Advanced   Kinston Indians
         Midwest                                                Rookie   Burlington Indians

1989 Pacific Coast League                            AAA    Colorado Springs Sky Sox
         Eastern                                                  AA       Williamsport Bills
         Carolina                                                A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season   Watertown Indians
          Appalachian                                        Rookie   Burlington Indians

1990 Pacific Coast League                           AAA    Colorado Springs Sky Sox
          Eastern                                                AA       Canton-Akron Indians
          Carolina                                              A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          New York- Pennsylvania                   A Short Season   Watertown Indians
          Appalachian                                        Rookie    Burlington Indians

1991 Pacific Coast League                           AAA     Colorado Springs Sky Sox
         Eastern                                                 AA       Canton-Akron Indians
         Carolina                                               A Advanced   Kinston Indians
         South Atlantic                                      A          Columbus Red Stixx
         New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season   Watertown Indians
         Appalachian                                         Rookie   Burlington Indians

1992 Pacific Coast League                           AAA    Watertown Indians
          Eastern                                                AA        Canton-Akron Indians
          Carolina                                               A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                      A         Columbus Red Stixx
          New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season    Watertown Indians
          Appalachian                                         Rookie    Burlington Indians

1993 International                                         AAA     Charlotte Knights
          Eastern                                                AA       Canton-Akron Indians
          Carolina                                              A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                     A          Columbus Red Stixx
          New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season   Watertown Indians
          Appalachian                                        Rookie  Burlington Indians
 
1994 International                                         AAA    Charlotte Knights
          Eastern                                                AA       Canton-Akron Indians
          Carolina                                              A Advanced  Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                     A         Columbus Red Stixx
          New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season   Watertown Indians
          Appalachian                                        Rookie    Burlington Indians

1995 American Association                         AAA     Buffalo Bisons
          Eastern                                                AA       Canton-Akron Indians
          Carolina                                              A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                     A          Columbus Red Stixx
         New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season   Watertown Indians
         Appalachian                                         Rookie   Burlington Indians
  
1996 American Association                         AAA    Buffalo Bisons
         Eastern                                                 AA       Canton-Akron Indians
         Carolina                                               A Advanced   Kinston Indians
         South Atlantic                                     A          Columbus Red Stixx
         New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season   Watertown Indians
         Appalachian                                         Rookie   Burlington Indian
s
1997 American Association                         AAA     Buffalo Bisons
         Eastern                                                 AA       Canton-Akron Indians
         Carolina                                               A Advanced   Kinston Indians
         South Atlantic                                      A          Columbus Red Stixx
         New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season   Watertown Indians
         Appalachian                                         Rookie   Burlington Indians

1998 International                                         AAA    Buffalo Bisons
          Eastern                                                 AA       Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                               A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                      A          Columbus Red Stixx
          New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season   Watertown Indians
         Appalachian                                          Rookie   Burlington Indians
  
1999 International                                          AAA    Buffalo Bisons
          Eastern                                                 AA       Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                               A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                      A          Columbus Red Stixx
          New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season  Mahoning Valley Scrappers
          Appalachian                                        Rookie   Burlington Indians

2000 International                                         AAA     Buffalo Bisons
          Eastern                                                 AA       Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                               A Advanced  Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                      A          Columbus Red Stixx
          New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season  Mahoning Valley Scrappers
          Appalachian                                         Rookie   Burlington Indians

2001 International                                         AAA    Buffalo Bisons
          Eastern                                                AA       Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                              A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                     A          Columbus Red Stixx
          New York-Pennsylvania                    A Short Season  Mahoning Valley Scrappers
          Appalachian                                       Rookie   Burlington Indians

2002 International                                         AAA    Buffalo Bisons
          Eastern                                                AA        Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                              A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                     A          Columbus Red Stixx
          New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season  Mahoning Valley Scrappers
          Appalachian                                        Rookie   Burlington Indians

2003 International                                         AAA     Mahoning Valley Scrappers
          Eastern                                                AA        Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                              A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                     A          Lake County Captains
          New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season  Mahoning Valley Scrappers
          Appalachian                                         Rookie  Burlington Indians


 2004 International                                        AAA    Buffalo Bisons
          Eastern                                                AA       Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                              A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                     A          Lake County Captains
          New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season  Mahoning Valley Scrappers
          Appalachian                                         Rookie   Burlington Indians

2005 International                                         AAA     Buffalo Bisons
          Eastern                                                AA        Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                              A  Advanced   Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                     A           Lake County Captains
          New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season  Mahoning Valley Scrappers
          Appalachian                                         Rookie  Burlington Indians

2006 International                                       AAA     Buffalo Bisons
         Eastern                                             AA       Akron Aeros
         Carolina                                            A Advanced   Kinston Indians
         South Atlantic                                   A          Lake County Captains
         New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season Mahoning Valley Scrappers        
         Appalachian                                        Rookie   Burlington Indians

2007 International                                        AAA    Buffalo Bisons
          Eastern                                             AA       Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                            A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                   A          Lake County Captains
          New York- Pennsylvania                    A Short Season   Mahoning Valley Scrappers

2008 International                                        AAA     Buffalo Bisons
          Eastern                                             AA       Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                            A Advanced    Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                   A          Lake County Captains
          New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season   Mahoning Valley Scrappers

2009 International                                         AAA    Columbus Clippers
          Eastern                                             AA       Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                            A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          South Atlantic                                   A          Lake County Captains
          New York-Pennsylvania                      A Short Season   Mahoning Valley Scrappers

2010 International                                       AAA    Columbus Clippers
          Eastern                                            AA       Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                           A Advanced   Kinston Indians
          Midwest                                           A          Lake County Captains
          New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season    Mahoning Valley Scrappers
  
2011 International                                        AAA    Columbus Clippers
          Eastern                                            AA       Akron Aeros
          Carolina                                            A Advanced    Kinston Indians
          Midwest                                           A          Lake County Captains
          New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season    Mahoning Valley Scrappers

2012 Internatiomal                                        AAA    Columbus Clippers
          Eastern                                             AA        Akron Aeros
          Carolina League                                 A Advanced  Carolina Mudcats
          Midwest                                            A           Lake County Captains
          New York- Pennsylvania                     A Short Season   Mahoning Valley Scrappers


Now I could tell you that I'm so knowledgeable of the Indians that I just wrote this out this afternoon.
Or I could tell you that I spent weeks and weeks digging up long lost data to complete this list but actually I had some help.

Mike McCann.

Mike has this incredible site that lets you trace the entire minor league system for every team.

I'm sure many of you know about this, but if you don't, check it out !

2 comments:

  1. Well, I for one think that was AWESOME! What a great trip down Indians history lane! I have to ask, does the term "Pony League" come from the P-O-NY league of old? I grew up with folks always talking about "the pony leagues," but never really know what it was.

    ReplyDelete
  2. David - This is the professional PONY league.
    Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York (PONY) League (1939-1956), Class D (1939-1956), New York-Pennsylvania League (1957-present)

    When I was a kid, we had what they called "Pony League". You moved up to that after Little League and before High School ball.

    ReplyDelete