The 1970 International League was a Class AAA baseball season played between April 17 and September 12. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, with the top four teams qualifying for the post-season.
The Syracuse Chiefs won the Governors' Cup, defeating the Columbus Jets in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Buffalo Bisons ended their affiliation with the Washington Senators and began an affiliation with the Montreal Expos. During the season, the Buffalo Bisons relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba and were renamed the Winnipeg Whips.
Teams 1970 International League Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium Buffalo Bisons Winnipeg Whips Buffalo, New York Winnipeg, Manitoba Montreal Expos War Memorial Stadium Winnipeg Stadium Columbus Jets Columbus, Ohio Pittsburgh Pirates Jets Stadium 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 Silver Stadium Syracuse Chiefs Syracuse, New York New York Yankees MacArthur Stadium Tidewater Tides Norfolk, Virginia New York Mets Met Park Toledo Mud Hens Toledo, Ohio Detroit Tigers Lucas County Stadium
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Syracuse Chiefs finished with the best record in the league for the first time in franchise history. On June 4, the Buffalo Bisons relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba and were renamed the Winnipeg Whips.
Standings 1970 IL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed 18 November 2024. International League Team Win Loss % GB Syracuse Chiefs 84 56 – Columbus Jets 81 59 3 Rochester Red Wings 76 64 8 Tidewater Tides 74 66 10 Richmond Braves 73 67 11 Louisville Colonels 69 71 15 Buffalo Bisons/Winnipeg Whips 52 88 32 Toledo Mud Hens 51 89 33
League Leaders Batting leaders 1970 IL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed 18 November 2024. Stat Player Total AVG Ralph Garr, Richmond Braves .386 H Roger Freed, Rochester Red Wings 168 R Don Baylor, Rochester Red Wings 127 2B Don Baylor, Rochester Red Wings 34 3B Don Baylor, Rochester Red Wings 15 HR Hal Breeden, Richmond Braves 37 RBI Roger Freed, Rochester Red Wings 130 SB Ralph Garr, Richmond Braves 39
Pitching leaders 1970 Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed 18 November 2024. Stat Player Total W Rob Gardner, Syracuse Chiefs 16 ERA Rob Gardner, Syracuse Chiefs 2.93 CG Ernie McAnally, Buffalo / Winnipeg 14 SHO Rob Gardner, Syracuse Chiefs 4 SO Ernie McAnally, Buffalo / Winnipeg 178 IP Rob Gardner, Syracuse Chiefs Ernie McAnally, Buffalo / Winnipeg 192.0
Playoffs The Governors' Cup finals was reduced from a best-of-seven series to a best-of-five series. The Syracuse Chiefs won their second consecutive Governors' Cup, and seventh overall, defeating the Columbus Jets in four games. This was the fourth consecutive season that the Columbus Jets lost in the final round.
Playoff bracket
Awards International League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Roger Freed, Rochester Red Wings George Kopacz, Columbus Jets Pitcher of the Year Rob Gardner, Syracuse Chiefs Rookie of the Year Roger Freed, Rochester Red Wings Manager of the Year Frank Verdi, Syracuse Chiefs
All-star team International League all-star team Position All-star Catcher Milt May, Columbus Jets Bob Montgomery, Louisville Colonels First base George Kopacz, Columbus Jets Second base Len Boehmer, Syracuse Chiefs Shortstop Frank Baker, Syracuse Chiefs Third base Mike Ferraro, Rochester Red Wings Outfield Don Baylor, Rochester Red Wings Roger Freed, Rochester Red Wings Ralph Garr, Richmond Braves Pitcher Rob Gardner, Syracuse Chiefs Ernie McAnally, Buffalo / Winnipeg Hal Reniff, Syracuse Chiefs Manager Frank Verdi, Syracuse Chiefs
See also 1970 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website