The 1988 International League was a Triple-A baseball season played between April 7 and September 9. Eight teams played a 142-game schedule, with the top teams in each division qualifying for the Governors' Cup.
The Rochester Red Wings won the Governors' Cup, defeating the Tidewater Tides in the final round of the playoffs.
League changes The league split into two four-team divisions, the East Division and the West Division. The top team in each division met for the Governors' Cup. This was the first year of the Triple-A Alliance in which the International League and American Association played 40 interleague games per team.
Team changes The Maine Guides were renamed the Maine Phillies. They continued their affiliation with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Toledo Mud Hens ended their affiliation with the Minnesota Twins and began a new affiliation with the Detroit Tigers.
Teams 1988 International League Division Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium East Maine Phillies Old Orchard Beach, Maine Philadelphia Phillies The Ball Park Pawtucket Red Sox Pawtucket, Rhode Island Boston Red Sox McCoy Stadium Richmond Braves Richmond, Virginia Atlanta Braves The Diamond Tidewater Tides Norfolk, Virginia New York Mets Met Park West Columbus Clippers Columbus, Ohio New York Yankees Cooper Stadium Rochester Red Wings Rochester, New York Baltimore Orioles Silver Stadium Syracuse Chiefs Syracuse, New York Toronto Blue Jays MacArthur Stadium Toledo Mud Hens Toledo, Ohio Detroit Tigers Ned Skeldon Stadium
Map of teams
Regular season
Summary The regular season scheduled was extended from 140-games to 142-games. The Tidewater Tides and Rochester Red Wings tied for the best record in the league, with each team winning their division. On June 27, John Mitchell of the Tidewater Tides pitched a seven-inning perfect game against the Indianapolis Indians. On July 28, Marvin Freeman of the Maine Phillies pitched a seven-inning no-hitter against the Richmond Braves.
Standings 1988 IL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed 27 November 2024. East Division Team Win Loss % GB Tidewater Tides 77 64 – Richmond Braves 66 75 11 Pawtucket Red Sox 63 79 14.5 Maine Phillies 62 80 15.5West Division Rochester Red Wings 77 64 – Syracuse Chiefs 70 71 7 Columbus Clippers 65 77 12.5 Toledo Mud Hens 58 84 19.5
League Leaders Batting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Steve Finley, Rochester Red Wings .314 H Steve Finley, Rochester Red Wings 143 R Tom Barrett, Maine Phillies Jeff Wetherby, Richmond Braves Eric Yelding, Syracuse Chiefs 69 2B Gerónimo Berroa, Syracuse Chiefs Dana Williams, Pawtucket Red Sox 29 3B Kevin Ward, Maine Phillies 9 HR Alan Griffin, Richmond Braves 21 RBI Ron Jones, Maine Phillies 75 SB Eric Yelding, Syracuse Chiefs 59
Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Scott Nielsen, Columbus Clippers Steve Searcy, Toledo Mud Hens 13 ERA David West, Tidewater Tides 1.80 CG Bob Milacki, Rochester Red Wings 11 SV Joe Boever, Richmond Braves 22 SO Steve Searcy, Toledo Mud Hens 176 IP John Mitchell, Tidewater Tides 190.0
Playoffs The Rochester Red Wings won their eighth Governors' Cup, defeating the Tidewater Tides in four games.
Playoff bracket
Awards International League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Craig Worthington, Rochester Red Wings Pitcher of the Year Steve Searcy, Toledo Mud Hens Rookie of the Year Steve Finley, Rochester Red Wings Manager of the Year Johnny Oates, Rochester Red Wings
All-star team International League all-star team Position All-star Catcher Bob Geren, Columbus Clippers First base Alan Griffin, Richmond Braves Second base Tom Barrett, Maine Phillies Shortstop Randy Velarde, Columbus Clippers Third base Craig Worthington, Rochester Red Wings Outfield Mark Carreon, Tidewater Tides Steve Finley, Rochester Red Wings Carlos Quintana, Pawtucket Red Sox Designated hitter Lonnie Smith, Richmond Braves Starting pitcher Steve Searcy, Toledo Mud Hens Relief pitcher Mark Huismann, Toledo Mud Hens
See also 1988 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website