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Eastern League (1938–present)

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(Redirected fromDouble-A Northeast)

Eastern League
ClassificationDouble-A
SportBaseball
Founded1923(101 years ago)(1923)
No. of teams12
CountryUnited States
Most recent
champion(s)
Erie SeaWolves(2023)
Most titlesBinghamton Triplets(10)
Official websitemilb

TheEastern League(EL) is aMinor League Baseball(MiLB)sports leaguethat has operated under that name since 1938, with the exception of the 2021 season, during which the league operated under the monikerDouble-A Northeast.The league has played at theDouble-Alevel since 1963, and consists primarily of teams located in theNortheastern United States.

History[edit]

The league was founded in 1923 as theNew York–Pennsylvania League.The first team outside the two original states was created in 1936 when theYork White RosesofYork, Pennsylvania,moved toTrenton, New Jersey,and were renamed theTrenton Senators.The league was renamed as the Eastern League in 1938 when theScranton MinersofScranton, Pennsylvania,moved toHartford, Connecticut,and became theHartford Bees.

The league has had teams in a total of 52 different cities, located in 12 different states and two Canadian provinces. The league consisted of six to eight teams from 1923 until 1993. The league expanded to 10 teams in 1994 with the addition of thePortland Sea Dogsand theNew Haven Ravensand split into two divisions, the Northern Division and the Southern Division. The league expanded to 12 teams in 1999 with the addition of theAltoona Curveand theErie SeaWolves.The two divisions were restructured and renamed for the 2010 season as the Eastern Division and the Western Division because theConnecticut Defendersmoved toRichmond, Virginia,after the 2009 season, becoming theRichmond Flying Squirrels.

The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to theCOVID-19 pandemicbefore ultimately being cancelled.[1][2]

As part ofMajor League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues, the league was temporarily renamed the "Double-A Northeast"; theSomerset Patriots,formerly an independent team, joined the league, while theTrenton Thunderwere relegated to the newly-formedMLB Draft League.[3]Following MLB's acquisition of the rights to the names of the historical minor leagues, the Double-A Northeast was renamed the Eastern League effective with the 2022 season.[4]

Current teams[edit]

Complete list of Eastern League teams (1923–present)[edit]

Notes:This list includes teams in predecessorNew York–Pennsylvania League of 1923 to 1937.

Bold font indicates an active Eastern League team.

A "^" indicates that team's article redirects to an article of an active team formerly of the Eastern League.

A "†" indicates that team's article redirects to an article of a defunct Eastern League team.

Champions[edit]

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.[17]

TheBinghamton Tripletshave won 10 championships, the most among all teams in the league, followed by theElmira Colonels/Pioneers/Royals(8) and theScranton Miners/Red Sox(7). Among active franchises, theAkron Aeros/RubberDucksandHarrisburg Senatorshave each won 6 championships, the most in the league, followed by theReading Fightin Phils(4).[17]

Awards[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"A Message From Pat O'Conner".Minor League Baseball.March 13, 2020.RetrievedMay 5,2020.
  2. ^"2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved".Minor League Baseball.June 30, 2020.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.
  3. ^Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021)."MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues".Major League Baseball.RetrievedFebruary 12,2021.
  4. ^"Historical League Names to Return in 2022".Minor League Baseball.March 16, 2022.RetrievedMarch 16,2022.
  5. ^Knight, Graham (September 17, 2010)."NYSEG Stadium".Baseball Pilgrimages.RetrievedMay 4,2015.
  6. ^Mock, Joe."Dunkin' Donuts Park".baseballparks.Grand Slam Enterprises, Inc.RetrievedSeptember 27,2017.
  7. ^"2012 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Media Guide"(PDF).Minor League Baseball. April 9, 2012.RetrievedMay 4,2015.
  8. ^Knight, Graham (July 6, 2010)."Hadlock Field – Portland Sea Dogs".Baseball Pilgrimages.RetrievedMay 4,2015.
  9. ^Leon, Matt (May 17, 2011)."Minor League Ballpark Guide".KYW.Philadelphia.RetrievedMay 4,2015.
  10. ^"TD Bank Ballpark".MiLB.RetrievedMay 10,2024.
  11. ^"Akron RubberDucks Canal Park".Minor League Baseball.November 27, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 27,2017.
  12. ^"2012 Altoona Curve Media Guide".Minor League Baseball. 2012.RetrievedMay 4,2015.
  13. ^"Bowie Baysox Baysox/Stadium Info".Minor League Baseball.March 11, 2009.RetrievedMay 4,2015.
  14. ^"Jerry Uht Park".Erie County Convention Center Authority. Archived fromthe originalon July 30, 2012.RetrievedAugust 3,2012.
  15. ^Reichard, Kevin (June 28, 2010)."Metro Bank Park / Harrisburg Senators".Ballpark Digest.RetrievedMay 4,2015.
  16. ^O'Connor, John (March 27, 2010)."Bleacher Banners Give Diamond New Look, Fewer Seats".Richmond Times-Dispatch.RetrievedFebruary 23,2014.
  17. ^ab"Past Champions".Eastern League.Minor League Baseball.RetrievedAugust 10,2017.

External links[edit]