The 1989 Carolina League was a Class A baseball season played between April 7 and August 30. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, with the winners of each half of the season competing in the playoffs.
The Prince William Cannons won the Carolina League championship, defeating the Durham Bulls in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Hagerstown Suns relocated to Frederick, Maryland and were renamed the Frederick Keys. The club remained affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles. The Prince William Yankees were renamed the Prince William Cannons. The club remained affiliated with the New York Yankees. The Virginia Generals were renamed the Peninsula Pilots.
Teams 1989 Carolina League Division Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium North Frederick Keys Frederick, Maryland Baltimore Orioles McCurdy Field Lynchburg Red Sox Lynchburg, Virginia Boston Red Sox City Stadium Prince William Cannons Woodbridge, Virginia New York Yankees Prince William County Stadium Salem Buccaneers Salem, Virginia Pittsburgh Pirates Salem Municipal Field South Durham Bulls Durham, North Carolina Atlanta Braves Durham Athletic Park Kinston Indians Kinston, North Carolina Cleveland Indians Grainger Stadium Peninsula Pilots Hampton, Virginia None War Memorial Stadium Winston-Salem Spirits Winston-Salem, North Carolina Chicago Cubs Ernie Shore Field
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Durham Bulls finished with the best record in the league for the first time since 1962. The Frederick Keys failed to qualify for the post-season despite finishing with the best record in the North Division, as the team did not finish in first place in either half of the season.
Standings 1989 CL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed December 18, 2024 North division Team Win Loss % GB Frederick Keys 73 65 – Prince William Cannons 72 66 1 Lynchburg Red Sox 70 66 2 Salem Buccaneers 63 75 10South division Durham Bulls 84 54 – Kinston Indians 76 60 7 Winston-Salem Spirits 64 71 18.5 Peninsula Pilots 44 89 37.5
League Leaders Batting leaders 1989 CL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed December 18, 2024 Stat Player Total AVG David Segui, Frederick Keys .317 H John Wehner, Salem Buccaneers 155 R Al Martin, Durham Bulls 84 2B Ken Pennington, Durham Bulls 34 3B Pat Kelly, Prince William Cannons 7 HR Phil Plantier, Lynchburg Red Sox 27 RBI Phil Plantier, Lynchburg Red Sox 105 SB Rod Lofton, Frederick Keys 62
Pitching leaders 1989 CL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed December 18, 2024 Stat Player Total W Mike Draper, Prince William Cannons 14 ERA Ray Mullino, Winston-Salem Spirits 2.32 CG Mike Aspray, Winston-Salem Spirits 10 SV Joe Ausanio, Salem Buccaneers 20 SO Derek Livernois, Lynchburg Red Sox 151 IP Mike Aspray, Winston-Salem Spirits 177.0
Playoffs The Prince William Cannons won their first Carolina League championship, defeating the Durham Bulls in four games.
Playoff bracket
Awards Carolina League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Phil Plantier, Lynchburg Red Sox Pitcher of the Year Charles Nagy, Kinston Indians Manager of the Year Grady Little, Durham Bulls
See also 1989 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website