The 1987 Southern League was a Class AA baseball season played between April 8 and September 1. Ten teams played a 144-game schedule, with the top team in each division in each half of the season qualifying for the post-season.
The Birmingham Barons won the Southern League championship, as they defeated the Charlotte Orioles in the playoffs.
Teams 1987 Southern League Division Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium East Charlotte Orioles Charlotte, North Carolina Baltimore Orioles Jim Crockett Memorial Park Columbus Astros Columbus, Georgia Houston Astros Golden Park Greenville Braves Greenville, South Carolina Atlanta Braves Greenville Municipal Stadium Jacksonville Expos Jacksonville, Florida Montreal Expos Wolfson Park Orlando Twins Orlando, Florida Minnesota Twins Tinker Field West Birmingham Barons Birmingham, Alabama Chicago White Sox Rickwood Field Chattanooga Lookouts Chattanooga, Tennessee Seattle Mariners Engel Stadium Huntsville Stars Huntsville, Alabama Oakland Athletics Joe W. Davis Stadium Knoxville Blue Jays Knoxville, Tennessee Toronto Blue Jays Bill Meyer Stadium Memphis Chicks Memphis, Tennessee Kansas City Royals Tim McCarver Stadium
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Jacksonville Expos finished the season with the best record in the league for the first time since 1982.
Standings 1987 SOUL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed March 6, 2025 East Division Team Win Loss % GB Jacksonville Expos 85 59 – Charlotte Orioles 85 60 0.5 Greenville Braves 70 74 15 Columbus Astros 67 76 17.5 Orlando Twins 61 82 23.5West Division Huntsville Stars 74 70 – Memphis Chicks 72 71 1.5 Birmingham Barons 68 75 5.5 Chattanooga Lookouts 68 75 5.5 Knoxville Blue Jays 68 76 6
League Leaders Batting leaders 1987 SL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed March 6, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Dave Myers, Chattanooga Lookouts .328 H Dave Myers, Chattanooga Lookouts 160 R Bernie Tatis, Knoxville Blue Jays 101 2B Joe Xavier, Huntsville Stars 37 3B Jim Eisenreich, Memphis Chicks Eric Fox, Chattanooga Lookouts 10 HR Rondal Rollin, Birmingham Barons 39 RBI Tom Dodd, Charlotte Orioles 127 SB Bernie Tatis, Knoxville Blue Jays 55
Pitching leaders 1987 SL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed March 6, 2025 Stat Player Total W John Trautwein, Jacksonville Expos 15 ERA Brian Holman, Jacksonville Expos 2.50 CG Brian Holman, Jacksonville Expos 6 SHO Jeff Bumgarner, Orlando Twins Wally Whitehurst, Huntsville Stars 3 SV Kevin Price, Jacksonville Expos 19 IP José Mesa, Knoxville Blue Jays 193.1 SO Randy Johnson, Jacksonville Expos 163
Playoffs The Birmingham Barons won their third Southern League championship, defeating the Charlotte Orioles in four games.
Playoff bracket
Awards Southern League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Tom Dodd, Charlotte Orioles Pitcher of the Year Brian Holman, Jacksonville Expos Manager of the Year Tommy Thompson, Jacksonville Expos
See also 1987 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website