The 1968 International League was a Class AAA baseball season played between April 20 and September 18. Eight teams played a 148-game schedule, with the top four teams qualifying for the post-season.
The Jacksonville Suns won the Governors' Cup, defeating the Columbus Jets in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Toronto Maple Leafs relocated to Louisville, Kentucky and were renamed the Louisville Colonels. The club remained affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. The Buffalo Bisons ended their affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds and began an affiliation with the Washington Senators. The Toledo Mud Hens ended their affiliations with the New York Yankees and began an affiliation with the Detroit Tigers.
Teams 1968 International League Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium Buffalo Bisons Buffalo, New York Washington Senators War Memorial Stadium Columbus Jets Columbus, Ohio Pittsburgh Pirates Jets Stadium Jacksonville Suns Jacksonville, Florida New York Mets Wolfson Park Louisville Colonels Louisville, Kentucky Boston Red Sox Fairgrounds Stadium Richmond Braves Richmond, Virginia Atlanta Braves Parker Field Rochester Red Wings Rochester, New York Baltimore Orioles Red Wing Stadium Syracuse Chiefs Syracuse, New York New York Yankees MacArthur Stadium Toledo Mud Hens Toledo, Ohio Detroit Tigers Lucas County Stadium
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Toledo Mud Hens finished with the best record in the league for the first time in franchise history.
Standings 1968 IL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed 18 November 2024. International League Team Win Loss % GB Toledo Mud Hens 83 64 – Columbus Jets 82 64 0.5 Rochester Red Wings 77 69 5.5 Jacksonville Suns 75 71 7.5 Louisville Colonels 72 75 11 Syracuse Chiefs 72 75 11 Buffalo Bisons 66 81 17 Richmond Braves 59 87 23.5
League Leaders Batting leaders 1968 IL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed 18 November 2024. Stat Player Total AVG Merv Rettenmund, Rochester Red Wings .331 H Elvio Jiménez, Columbus Jets Bobby Pfeil, Jacksonville Suns 157 R Merv Rettenmund, Rochester Red Wings 104 2B George Thomas, Louisville Colonels 33 3B Bobby Mitchell, Louisville Colonels 15 HR Dave Nicholson, Richmond Braves 34 RBI Dave Nicholson, Richmond Braves 86 SB George Spriggs, Columbus Jets 46
Pitching leaders 1968 Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed 18 November 2024. Stat Player Total W Dave Roberts, Columbus Jets 18 L Jack Jenkins, Buffalo Bisons 14 ERA Galen Cisco, Louisville Colonels 2.21 CG Mike Marshall, Toledo Mud Hens 16 SHO Galen Cisco, Louisville Colonels 6 SO Jim Rooker, Toledo Mud Hens 206 IP Mike Marshall, Toledo Mud Hens 211.0
Playoffs The Jacksonville Suns won their first Governors' Cup, defeating the Columbus Jets in four games.
Playoff bracket
Awards International League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Merv Rettenmund, Rochester Red Wings Pitcher of the Year Dave Roberts, Columbus Jets Rookie of the Year Merv Rettenmund, Rochester Red Wings Manager of the Year Jack Tighe, Toledo Mud Hens
All-star team International League all-star team Position All-star Catcher Duffy Dyer, Jacksonville Suns Manny Sanguillén, Columbus Jets First base Al Oliver, Columbus Jets Second base Dave Campbell, Toledo Mud Hens Shortstop Gil Garrido, Richmond Braves Third base Mike Ferraro, Syracuse Chiefs Outfield Bob Christian, Toledo Mud Hens Amos Otis, Jacksonville Suns Merv Rettenmund, Rochester Red Wings Pitcher Mike Marshall, Toledo Mud Hens Dave Roberts, Columbus Jets Manager Jack Tighe, Toledo Mud Hens
See also 1968 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website