The 1971 International League was a Class AAA baseball season played between April 16 and September 13. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, with the top four teams qualifying for the post-season.
The Rochester Red Wings won the Governors' Cup, defeating the Tidewater Tides in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Columbus Jets relocated to Charleston, West Virginia and were renamed the Charleston Charlies. The club remained affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Teams 1971 International League Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium Charleston Charlies Charleston, West Virginia Pittsburgh Pirates Watt Powell 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 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 Winnipeg Whips Winnipeg, Manitoba Montreal Expos Winnipeg Stadium
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Rochester Red Wings finished with the best record in the league for the first time since 1966. On June 24, 1971, an International League all-star team beat the New York Yankees, 15–13, in an exhibition game at Silver Stadium in Rochester, New York, before a crowd of 11,001—notable players on the all-star squad included Don Baylor, Carlton Fisk, and Bobby Grich.
Standings 1971 IL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed 18 November 2024. International League Team Win Loss % GB Rochester Red Wings 86 54 – Tidewater Tides 79 61 7 Charleston Charlies 78 62 8 Syracuse Chiefs 73 67 13 Louisville Colonels 71 69 15 Richmond Braves 69 71 17 Toledo Mud Hens 60 80 26 Winnipeg Whips 44 96 42
League Leaders Batting leaders 1971 IL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed 18 November 2024. Stat Player Total AVG Bobby Grich, Rochester Red Wings .336 H Johnny Jeter, Charleston Charlies 168 R Bobby Grich, Rochester Red Wings 124 2B Don Baylor, Rochester Red Wings Leroy Stanton, Tidewater Tides 31 3B Juan Beníquez, Louisville Colonels 16 HR Bobby Grich, Rochester Red Wings 32 RBI Richie Zisk, Charleston Charlies 109 SB Johnny Jeter, Charleston Charlies 36
Pitching leaders 1971 Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed 18 November 2024. Stat Player Total W Jim Bibby, Tidewater Tides Roric Harrison, Rochester Red Wings 15 ERA Buzz Capra, Tidewater Tides 2.19 CG Lynn McGlothen, Louisville Colonels 13 SHO Buzz Capra, Tidewater Tides 6 SV Don Koonce, Tidewater Tides 15 SO Roric Harrison, Rochester Red Wings 182 IP Gary Neibauer, Richmond Braves 194.0
Playoffs The Rochester Red Wings won their sixth Governors' Cup, defeating the Tidewater Tides in five games.
Playoff bracket
Awards International League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Bobby Grich, Rochester Red Wings Pitcher of the Year Roric Harrison, Rochester Red Wings Rookie of the Year Rusty Torres, Syracuse Chiefs Manager of the Year Joe Altobelli, Rochester Red Wings
All-star team International League all-star team Position All-star Catcher Johnny Oates, Rochester Red Wings George Pena, Syracuse Chiefs First base Dave McDonald, Winnipeg Whips Second base Rennie Stennett, Charleston Charlies Shortstop Bobby Grich, Rochester Red Wings Third base Len Boehmer, Syracuse Chiefs Outfield Don Baylor, Rochester Red Wings Johnny Jeter, Charleston Charlies Leroy Stanton, Tidewater Tides Pitcher Roric Harrison, Rochester Red Wings Brent Strom, Tidewater Tides Manager Joe Altobelli, Rochester Red Wings
See also 1971 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website