Southern League All-Star Game
The Southern League All-Star Game was an annual baseball game sanctioned by Minor League Baseball between professional players from the teams of the Double-A Southern League. Each division, North and South, fielded a team composed of players in their respective divisions as voted on by the managers, general managers, and broadcasters from each of the league's eight clubs.
Southern League All-Star Game | |
---|---|
Frequency | Annual |
Location(s) | Varies (see prose) |
Inaugurated | July 13, 1964 (Rickwood Field, Birmingham, Alabama, United States) |
Most recent | June 18, 2019 (MGM Park, Biloxi, Mississippi, United States) |
Previous event | June 19, 2018 (Regions Field, Birmingham, Alabama, United States) |
Participants | Southern League minor league baseball players |
Organized by | Southern League |
Website | Official website |
From the first All-Star Game in 1964 through 1998, the event predominantly consisted of a single team of the league's All-Stars versus a Major League Baseball team. The division versus division format was used from 1999 to 2019. No game was held from 1991 to 1995 as the Southern League and the other two Double-A leagues, the Eastern League and Texas League, participated in the Double-A All-Star Game instead.
Traditionally, the game took place during the three-day All-Star break between the first and second halves of the season.[1] The game was meant to mark the halfway-point in the season with the first 70 games being played before and the remaining 70 after.[1] Some additional events, such as the Home Run Derby and All-Star Fan Fest occurred each year during this break in the regular season.[2]
History
The first Southern League All-Star Game was played in 1964 at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. In the inaugural game, held in the league's first season of operation, the hosting Birmingham Barons served as the competition for a team of Southern League All-Stars as they held first place at a predetermined point in the season.[3] Through 1998, the game usually pitted an All-Star team versus a Major League Baseball (MLB) team, sometimes the host's major league affiliate. The Atlanta Braves participated in 12 All-Star Games, the most among MLB teams. The Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and Seattle Mariners also competed in one game each.[4]
Other arrangements were also utilized. On seven occasions, a Southern League team, usually the league's leader at a given point before the game, was selected to compete against the All-Stars. These were the Birmingham Barons, Columbus Confederate Yankees, Mobile A's, Montgomery Rebels, Memphis Chicks, Nashville Sounds, and Mobile BayBears. In such instances, players from the rival team who were voted onto All-Star teams played for their own clubs, or the league prohibited voting for players on the host team and chose to recognize all players on those teams as All-Stars.[5] Triple-A teams twice served as the All-Stars' opponents: in 1986 against Nashville, which had moved to the American Association, and in 1987 versus the International League's Richmond Braves. In 1990, one team was made up of All-Stars from American League affiliates and the other of National League affiliates.[4]
A division versus division format, where each division fields a team composed of players in their respective divisions, was used intermittently—first in 1975 and again in 1984 and 1988. This format was readopted in 1999 and has been utilized each year since. From 1999 to 2004, it was East against West. Since realignment in 2005, it has been North versus South.[4]
No game was held from 1991 to 1995 as the Southern League and the other two Double-A leagues, the Eastern League and Texas League, participated in the Double-A All-Star Game instead.[6] The Southern League continued to participate in the Double-A All-Star Game through its final contention in 2002 but resumed holding its own All-Star Game in 1996.[4][7]
The 2019 All-Star Game in Biloxi, Mississippi, became the final one to be held. The 2020 event planned to occur in Jackson, Tennessee, was cancelled along with the entire season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] Prior to the 2021 season, Major League Baseball assumed control of Minor League Baseball and the Southern League ceased operations.[9]
Structure
In the final 2019 All-Star Game, each division's roster consisted of 25 players,[10] as voted on by the managers, general managers, and broadcasters from each of the league's eight clubs.[11] The actual number of players on gameday may have been less due to call-ups, injuries, or players choosing not to participate.[12] Nonparticipants retained their All-Star status.[12] The game itself consisted of a single nine-inning game to determine a champion. The division in which the host city competes was considered the home team for the game and the other team was designated the visiting team. Designated hitters batted in place of the pitchers.
Historically, players wore their respective team's uniforms. Typically, players on the home team wore their club's white home uniforms, while players on the away team wore their club's gray road uniforms. This changed in 2019 when players wore division-specific jerseys paired with the appropriate home/road pants and their respective team's cap.[13]
Results
Most Valuable Player Award
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award was bestowed on the player with the best performance at each All-Star Game. No award was given in the first eight games (1964–1971) or in 1973's rain-shortened game, but it was awarded continuously 1974 to 2019. Eight players from the Birmingham Barons were selected for the MVP Award, more than any other team in the league. The Jacksonville Expos/Suns had the second-most with five MVPs. Seven players from the Chicago White Sox organization won the MVP Award, the most of any Major League Baseball organization. They are followed by the Detroit Tigers with five MVPs and the Atlanta Braves and Florida Marlins with four winners each. The only player to win the MVP Award more than once is Birmingham's Jeff Inglin, who won back-to-back in 1999 and 2000.[4]
Notes
- The game was cancelled due to rain.[18]
- The game was called due to a loss of power from high winds in the top of the sixth inning.[19]
- The game was called due to rain after five innings.[23]
- The game was originally scheduled for June 27 at Birmingham but was rescheduled for August 13 at Jacksonville to accommodate the Minnesota Twins.[24]
- The game was cancelled due to rain.[31]
- The game was originally scheduled to be played in Savannah against the Atlanta Braves, but was changed to Memphis against the Chicks due to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike.[32]
- The game was called after 10 innings due to a lack of available pitchers on the All-Star Team.[39]
- The game was cancelled due to rain.[70]
- The game was cancelled on May 18 due to COVID-19 pandemic.[8]
References
- Specific
- "Southern League Announces 2019 Schedule". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. August 1, 2008. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- "Biloxi to Host 2019 Southern League All-Star Game". Ballpark Digest. July 30, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- "SL Sets First All-Star Tilt". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. July 13, 1964. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- "League Records (1964–present)". 2019 Southern League Media Guide. Southern League. p. 141. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- Squires, Tom (June 19, 1983). "Sounds Host Kuhn, All-Star Contest at Greer". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 1-C – via Newspapers.com.
- "SL Sets First All-Star Tilt". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. July 11, 1991. p. B-4 – via Newspapers.com.
- Gonzalez, Roberto (July 11, 2002). "End Comes in Seventh". Hartford Courant. Hartford. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Southern League Announces Cancelation of All-Star Events in Jackson". Jackson Generals. Minor League Baseball. May 18, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- Reichard, Kevin (February 12, 2021). "Minor League Baseball Overhaul Unveiled". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- McMasters, Jared (June 14, 2019). "Minor League Standings Update & All-Star Game Rosters". Baseball America. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- "2019 All-Star Game: South Division Roster". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. June 6, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- "2019 All-Star Game: Updated Rosters". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. June 10, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- Vilona, Bill (June 18, 2019). "Robert Puts on Show at All-Star Game". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- Browning, Wilt (July 14, 1964). "Barons Outshine All-Stars, 7–2". The Charlotte Observer. Charlotte. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- Holliman, Ray (July 20, 1964). "Yanks Clip Stars in Squeaker, 4–3". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- Doane, Jack (August 9, 1965). "Bando Shins As A's Upset All-Stars, 6–1". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Southern Stars Blank Braves". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. June 27, 1967. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- Ballenger, Bill (June 25, 1968). "All Wet". The Charlotte News. Charlotte. p. 10A – via Newspapers.com.
- Holliman, Ray (July 20, 1964). "SL All-Stars Scalp Braves 7–1". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
- Doane, Jack (August 18, 1970). "Braves Finally Beat All-Stars; Aaron Boys Lift Atlanta to 3–1 Win". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Leon Hitting Star in Loss to Braves". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. July 9, 1971. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
- Doane, Jack (July 15, 1972). "Ninth-Inning Home Run Gives Star 7–6 Win". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- Doane, Jack (June 15, 1973). "Braves, All-Stars Tie, 2–2". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- "All-Star Game Postponed". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. May 30, 1974. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
- Skutt, Bill (August 14, 1974). "Southern Stars Top Twins, 3–1". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Southern Stars Top Twins, 3–1". Alabama Journal. Montgomery. July 25, 1975. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- McCarthy, Larry (May 28, 1976). "O-Twin Pitchers Do Their Thing But Atlanta Flogs Southern Stars". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. p. 1-C – via Newspapers.com.
- McCarthy, Larry (July 8, 1977). "Southern League Stars Dump Braves, 6–4". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. p. 1-D – via Newspapers.com.
- Hanna, Jeff (July 14, 1978). "Braves Pitchers Stifle Southern All-Stars 5–1". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
- Squires, Tom (July 13, 1979). "Atlanta Yields to All-Stars 5–2". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
- "SL All-Stars Rained Out". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. June 24, 1980. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
- McCarthy, Larry (July 5, 1981). "Orlando Nearly Had the 'Stars'". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. p. 4-C – via Newspapers.com.
- Squires, Tom (July 7, 1981). "All-Stars Fix The Chicks, 10–3". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
- Morrow, Mike (July 23, 1982). "Reynolds, All-Stars Defeat Braves 7–4". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
- Squires, Tom (June 20, 1983). "Sounds Fall to All-Stars at Greer". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 1-C – via Newspapers.com.
- Kastner, Ernie (June 22, 1984). "SL's West Proves Best". The Greenville News. Greenville. p. 1-E – via Newspapers.com.
- "Astros Top SL All-Stars". The Anniston Star. Anniston. June 7, 1985. p. 5B – via Newspapers.com.
- "Sounds Silence Stars". The Greenville News. Greenville. July 24, 1986. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
- Kastner, Ernie (July 14, 1987). "Gant Helps Stars Gain Tie". The Greenville News. Greenville. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
- "Gant Most Valuable as Stars Tie Richmond". The Charlotte Observer. Charlotte. July 14, 1987. p. 5B – via Newspapers.com.
- "East Beats West in SL Classic". The Greenville News. Greenville. July 14, 1988. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
- "SL All-Stars 5, Blue Jays 3". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. June 2, 1989. p. B-4 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Mota Named MVP in Southern League All-Star Game". The Greenville News. Greenville. July 12, 1990. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
- Olson, Stan (July 14, 1992). "Walbeck Not Quite the Hero". The Charlotte Observer. Charlotte. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
- Higgins, Ron (July 13, 1993). "NL Romps, 12–7, in AA All-Star Game". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore. p. 9C – via Newspapers.com.
- Rosenberg, Cheryl (July 12, 1994). "AL Rides Homers". Press and Sun-Bulletin. Binghamton. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
- Feducia, Stacy; Ferrell, Scott (July 11, 1995). "Pork Chop Sizzles in Win". The Times. Shreveport. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
- Kauffman, Scott (May 31, 1996). "Southern Comfort Suits Cubs". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. p. C-1 – via Newspapers.com.
- Brannan, Patrick (July 22, 1997). "SL All-Stars Sock Seattle, 9–5". Rocky Mount Telegram. Rocky Mount. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
- "All-Stars Outlast Mobile". The Greenville News. Greenville. June 23, 1998. p. 3C – via Newspapers.com.
- Loup, Rich (June 24, 1999). "Simply the West". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
- Morris, Dan (June 24, 1999). "Fans Thrilled With Best of League". The Jackson Sun. Jackson. p. 3C – via Newspapers.com.
- Davis, Adam (June 21, 2000). "Inglin Again Top Southern Star". The Greenville News. Greenville. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
- "Borchard Lifts West Over East With 2-Run Blast". The Greenville News. Greenville. June 21, 2001. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.
- "West All-Stars Tops in Southern League". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. June 21, 2001. p. D5 – via Newspapers.com.
- Long, A. Stacy (July 9, 2003). "City: Purchase Approved". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. p. C3 – via Newspapers.com.
- Paschall, David (July 14, 2004). "Gutierrez Keys East to Victory". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
- Ensey, Tom (July 14, 2005). "North Slams South". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
- Gayle, Tim (July 11, 2006). "Northern Exposure". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
- Cleveland, Rick; Christensen, Mike (July 10, 2007). "Hosts Fizzle in TeePee". Clarion-Ledger. Jackson. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
- "Southern League All-Star Game". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. July 15, 2008. p. C3 – via Newspapers.com.
- Long, A. Stacy (July 14, 2009). "Biscuits Struggle in All-Star Effort". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. p. 3B – via Newspapers.com.
- Cutright, Guy (July 13, 2010). "SL North Withstands MVP Dominguez". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 4, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- "SOU South All-Stars vs. SOU North All-Stars Wrapup - 06/21/11". Minor League Baseball. June 19, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- "SOU South All-Stars vs. SOU North All-Stars Wrapup - 06/19/12". Minor League Baseball. June 19, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- "SOU North All-Stars vs. SOU South All-Stars Wrapup - 07/17/13". Minor League Baseball. July 17, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- "SOU South All-Stars vs. SOU North All-Stars Wrapup - 06/17/14". Minor League Baseball. June 24, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- "SOU South All-Stars vs. SOU North All-Stars Wrapup - 06/23/15". Minor League Baseball. June 23, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- "SOU North All-Stars vs. SOU South All-Stars Wrapup - 06/21/16". Minor League Baseball. June 21, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Lester, Brian (June 20, 2018). "Rain Washes Away Wass' All-Star Homecoming". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- "SOU South All-Stars vs. SOU North All-Stars Wrapup - 06/19/18". Minor League Baseball. June 19, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- "SOU North All-Stars vs. SOU South All-Stars Box Score - 06/18/19". Minor League Baseball. June 18, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- Springs, Tyler (July 20, 2019). "Jackson Generals to Host 2020 Southern League All-Star Game". Jackson Generals. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- "Southern League". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. July 7, 1981. p. 1-D – via Newspapers.com.
- "Southern League". The Tennessean. Nashville. June 20, 1983. p. 4-C – via Newspapers.com.
- "Astros Blank All-Stars". The Greenville News. Greenville. June 7, 1985. p. 3E – via Newspapers.com.
- Kauffman, Scott (May 31, 1996). "Sosa's Home Run is 1 of 4 Slugged by Cubs in Victory". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. p. C-5 – via Newspapers.com.
- Guidi, Gene (July 22, 1997). "Batista Cut; All-Star Encarnacion Hits 3 HRs". Detroit Free Press. Detroit. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
- Davis, Adam (June 21, 2000). "Southern". The Greenville News. Greenville. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.
- "Southern League All-Star Box Score". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. July 15, 2005. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
- "Monday's All-Star Box Score". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery. July 11, 2006. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
- "North 7, South 4". Clarion-Ledger. Jackson. July 10, 2007. p. 5C – via Newspapers.com.
- Rutledge, Josh (July 14, 2009). "SL North All-Star Pitchers Blank South". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 4, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Shields, Brandon (June 22, 2011). "Van Slyke Making a Name For Himself". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 4, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Cutright, Guy (June 20, 2012). "Marte Helps South End All-Star Skid". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 4, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Cutright, Guy (July 17, 2013). "South Tosses All-Star One-Hitter". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 4, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Cutright, Guy (June 17, 2014). "Motter Keeps Cooking at SL All-Star Game". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Wallace, Eric (June 24, 2015). "SL All-Star Anderson Enjoys Birthday". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- Sammon, William (June 22, 2016). "Ervin, Swanson Help South Rise to Victory". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on December 13, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- Northam, Mitchell (June 19, 2018). "Gibbons Helps Southern South Rally to Win". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- General
- "League Records (1964–present)". 2019 Southern League Media Guide. Southern League. p. 141. Retrieved April 18, 2020.