List of International League champions

"Governors' Cup" redirects here. For the basketball trophy, see PBA Governors' Cup.

The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball. A champion has been determined at the end of each season since the league was formed in 1884.

The Governors' Cup, awarded to winners of the International League playoffs from 1933 to 2020

Through 1932, champions were usually the regular-season pennant winners—the team with the best win–loss record at the conclusion of the season. From 1933 to 2020, postseason playoffs were held to determine champions. Participants from 1933 to 1987 were usually the four teams with the highest winning percentages. From 1988 to 2020, the four qualifiers were the division winners and one or two wild card teams. The winner of each season's playoffs was awarded the Governors' Cup. These playoffs and the issuing of trophy were discontinued in 2021, when the winner was the team with the best regular-season record. In 2022, the league championship was determined by a single playoff game between the East and West division winners. Beginning with the 2023 season, the league adopted a split season format, in which the league championship is determined by a best-of-three playoff series between the winners of each half of the season, with the winner meeting the champion of the Pacific Coast League in the Triple-A National Championship Game.^[1]

The Rochester Red Wings have won 19 International League championships, more than any other team, followed by the Columbus Clippers (11) and the Baltimore Orioles, original Buffalo Bisons, and Toronto Maple Leafs (10). Among active IL franchises, Rochester has won 19 championships, the most of all teams, followed by Columbus (11) and the Durham Bulls and Syracuse Mets (8). During the era of the Governors' Cup playoffs from 1933 to 2020, the most cup titles were won by Columbus (11), followed by Rochester (10) and Syracuse (8).

History

Pre-playoff era (1884–1932)

The Rochester Red Wings, known as the Hustlers in 1909, won nine championships during the pre-playoff era (1884–1932), more than any other team.

The International League was founded in 1884.^[2] The modern circuit traces its roots from several predecessor leagues: the Eastern League (1884), New York State League (1885), International League (1886–1887), International Association (1888–1890), Eastern Association (1891), and Eastern League (1892–1911).^[3] It adopted consistent use of the International League name in 1912.^[3] After the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic,^[4] the league was known as the Triple-A East in 2021 before reverting to the International League moniker in 2022.^[5][6]

A league champion has been determined at the end of each season. With few exceptions, champions from 1884 to 1932 were simply the regular-season pennant winners—the team with the best win–loss record at the conclusion of the regular championship season. The first league champions were the Trenton Trentonians, who won by four games over the Lancaster Ironsides in 1884.^[7] The 1891 and 1892 seasons were contested as split seasons or "double seasons". Under this format, the schedule was split into two parts. The team with the best record at the end of the first season won the first pennant. Standings were then reset so that all clubs had clean records to begin the second season. If the same team won both seasons, they were declared the league champion.^[8] This was the case in 1891 when the original Buffalo Bisons won both halves.^[9] If a different team won the second season, the two winners would meet in a playoff series to determine the champion.^[8] This happened in 1892 when the Binghamton Bingoes, winners of the second season, defeated the Providence Clamdiggers, winners of the first season, four games to two.^[10] In 1932, the Newark Bears became the last team to win the championship by virtue of winning the regular-season pennant before a recurring series of playoffs were instituted.^[11]

Governors' Cup era (1933–2020)

Frank Shaughnessy devised a playoff system that was used for the Governor's Cup playoffs to determine a league champion.

Frank Shaughnessy, general manager of the International League's Montreal Royals, was interested in developing a way for multiple clubs to share in the excitement of postseason play. His new playoff format, devised to maintain the interest of fans and players alike during the Great Depression, provided an opportunity for four teams to compete for the league's championship. In 1933, he introduced his plan to league president Charles H. Knappe, and the result was the Governors' Cup playoffs. Several other leagues noticed the success of the "Shaughnessy Plan" and began using the system as well.^[12]

The governors of Maryland, New Jersey, and New York and the lieutenant governors of the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, in which the league's eight teams were located at the time, sponsored a trophy to be awarded annually to the winner of the International League playoffs. The original trophy, designed by the supervisor of the league's umpires and silversmith W. B. Carpenter, was created out of solid silver.^[12] In 1988, IL president Harold Cooper donated the trophy to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, where it is on permanent display. A new trophy was minted in its place to be presented to the winner of the Governors' Cup playoffs.^[12]

Under this system, the top four teams in the league, based on winning percentage, competed for the championship. From 1933 to 1987, the first round typically consisted of a best-of-seven-games series between the first and fourth-place teams and a series between the second and third-place teams. The winners of these semifinals then faced one another for the championship in a best-of-seven series. The first Governors' Cup was won in 1933 by the original Buffalo Bisons, who defeated the Rochester Red Wings, 4–2.^[13] Sporadically from 1966 to 1980, one or both rounds were reduced to best-of-five series. From 1981 to 2020, both rounds were the best-of-five.

The IL utilized a divisional alignment for the first time in 1963. The first-place teams from each division, North and South, met in the first round, as did the second-place teams, with the winners meeting in the finals.^[14] The circuit reverted to having no divisions in 1964 but returned to the same playoff format with North and South Divisions for 1973 and 1974.^[15][16]

From 1988 to 1991, the International League held an interleague partnership with the American Association, called the Triple-A Alliance, in which they played an interlocking schedule, and the leagues' champions met in the Triple-A Classic.^[17] During this period, the IL was divided into East and West Divisions, and the division winners faced off in a best-of-five series to determine champions. After the dissolution of the Triple-A Alliance following the 1991 season, the International League maintained this divisional alignment but returned to having a semifinal round wherein the top two teams in each division played each other to qualify for the Governors' Cup finals.^[17][18]

The league was split into three divisions, North, South, and West, from 1998 to 2020. Under this arrangement, the three division winners and a wild card team, the team with the best second-place record, qualified for the playoffs. The best-of-five semifinals pitted the North Division winner against the wild card team, and the South and West Division winners against each other. The winners then played in a best-of-five round to determine the champion.^[19] The last team to win the championship this way was the Columbus Clippers, who won the last Governors' Cup in 2019.^[20] The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[4]

Current era (2021–present)

The International League ceased operations before the 2021 season in conjunction with Major League Baseball's (MLB) reorganization of Minor League Baseball.^[5] In place of the International League, MLB created the Triple-A East, a circuit divided into three divisions, Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast.^[21] Prior to the 2022 season, MLB renamed the Triple-A East the International League, and it carried on the history of the IL prior to reorganization.^[6] Rather than hold playoffs for its championship, the Triple-A East's 2021 title was awarded to the team with the best regular-season record.^[22] The Durham Bulls won this championship by four-and-a-half games ahead of the Buffalo Bisons.^[23][24]

Along with these changes, all references to the Governors' Cup as the championship of the International League were discontinued and a different trophy was awarded.^[25][26][27] In 2022, the league was reorganized in East and West Divisions.^[28] Under this alignment, the winners of each division met in a single game to determine the league champion.^[29]

Beginning in 2023, the regular-season was split into two halves, and the winners of each half meet in a best-of-three series for the league championship.^[30][31]

Champions

Pre-playoff champions (1884–1932)

Key

Record	Regular-season win–loss record
GA	Games ahead of the second-place team

Champions

Year	Champion	Record	GA	Runner-up	Ref.
1884	Trenton Trentonians	46–39	4	Lancaster Ironsides	[7]
1885	Syracuse Stars	52–37	3+1⁄2	Utica Pent-Ups	[32]
1886	Utica Pent-Ups	62–34	5+1⁄2	Rochester Maroons	[33]
1887	Toronto Canucks	65–36	3	Buffalo Bisons	[34]
1888	Syracuse Stars	81–30	5+1⁄2	Toronto Canucks	[35]
1889	Detroit Wolverines	72–39	6+1⁄2	Syracuse Stars	[36]
1890	Detroit Wolverines[lower-alpha 1]	31–19	1	Toronto Canucks	[38]
1891	Buffalo Bisons	—[lower-alpha 2]	—	—	[9]
1892	Binghamton Bingoes	—[lower-alpha 3]	—	Providence Clamdiggers	[10]
1893	Erie Blackbirds	63–41	1	Springfield Ponies	[39]
1894	Providence Grays	78–34	18	Erie Blackbirds	[40]
1895	Springfield Maroons	79–36	6+1⁄2	Providence Grays	[41]
1896	Providence Grays	71–47	3+1⁄2	Buffalo Bisons	[42]
1897	Syracuse Stars	83–50	3+1⁄2	Toronto Maple Leafs	[43]
1898	Montreal Royals	68–48	3	Wilkes-Barre Coal Barons	[44]
1899	Rochester Bronchos	72–43	9	Montreal Royals	[45]
1900	Providence Clamdiggers	84–52	5+1⁄2	Rochester Bronchos	[46]
1901	Rochester Bronchos	89–49	9	Toronto Maple Leafs	[47]
1902	Toronto Maple Leafs	85–42	—[lower-alpha 4]	Buffalo Bisons	[48]
1903	Jersey City Skeeters	92–33	11+1⁄2	Buffalo Bisons	[49]
1904	Buffalo Bisons	88–46	8	Baltimore Orioles	[50]
1905	Providence Clamdiggers	83–47	1⁄2	Baltimore Orioles	[51]
1906	Buffalo Bisons	85–55	3+1⁄2	Jersey City Skeeters	[52]
1907	Toronto Maple Leafs	83–51	9	Buffalo Bisons	[53]
1908	Baltimore Orioles	83–57	2	Providence Grays	[54]
1909	Rochester Hustlers	90–61	5	Newark Indians	[55]
1910	Rochester Bronchos	92–61	4+1⁄2	Newark Indians	[56]
1911	Rochester Hustlers	98–54	3+1⁄2	Baltimore Orioles	[57]
1912	Toronto Maple Leafs	91–62	5	Rochester Hustlers	[58]
1913	Newark Indians	95–57	4	Rochester Hustlers	[59]
1914	Providence Grays	95–59	5+1⁄2	Buffalo Bisons	[60]
1915	Buffalo Bisons	86–50	2	Providence Grays	[61]
1916	Buffalo Bisons	82–58	5	Providence Grays	[62]
1917	Toronto Maple Leafs	93–61	1+1⁄2	Providence Grays	[63]
1918	Toronto Maple Leafs	88–39	1	Binghamton Bingoes	[64]
1919	Baltimore Orioles	100–49	8	Toronto Maple Leafs	[65]
1920	Baltimore Orioles	110–43	2+1⁄2	Toronto Maple Leafs	[66]
1921	Baltimore Orioles	119–47	20	Rochester Colts	[67]
1922	Baltimore Orioles	115–52	10	Rochester Tribe	[68]
1923	Baltimore Orioles	111–53	11	Rochester Tribe	[69]
1924	Baltimore Orioles	117–48	19	Toronto Maple Leafs	[70]
1925	Baltimore Orioles	105–61	4	Toronto Maple Leafs	[71]
1926	Toronto Maple Leafs	109–57	8	Baltimore Orioles	[72]
1927	Buffalo Bisons	112–56	10	Syracuse Stars	[73]
1928	Rochester Red Wings	90–74	—[lower-alpha 5]	Buffalo Bisons	[74]
1929	Rochester Red Wings	103–65	11	Toronto Maple Leafs	[75]
1930	Rochester Red Wings	105–62	8	Baltimore Orioles	[76]
1931	Rochester Red Wings	101–67	2	Newark Bears	[77]
1932	Newark Bears	109–59	15+1⁄2	Baltimore Orioles	[11]

Governors' Cup champions (1933–2020)

Key

Score	Score of the Governors' Cup championship series
P	Regular-season pennant winner (1933–1962, 1964–1972, 1975–1987)
N	North Division winner (1963, 1973–1974, 1998–2020)
S	South Division winner (1963, 1973–1974, 1998–2020)
E	East Division winner (1988–1997)
W	West Division winner (1988–2020)

Champions

Year	Champion	Score	Runner-up	Other playoff teams	Ref.
1933	Buffalo Bisons	4–2	Rochester Red Wings	Baltimore Orioles & Newark BearsP	[13]
1934	Toronto Maple Leafs	4–1	Rochester Red Wings	Albany Senators & Newark BearsP	[78]
1935	Syracuse Chiefs	4–3	Montreal RoyalsP	Buffalo Bisons & Newark Bears	[79]
1936	Buffalo BisonsP	4–2	Baltimore Orioles	Newark Bears & Rochester Red Wings	[80]
1937	Newark BearsP	4–0	Baltimore Orioles	Montreal Royals & Syracuse Chiefs	[81]
1938	Newark BearsP	4–1	Buffalo Bisons	Rochester Red Wings & Syracuse Chiefs	[82]
1939	Rochester Red Wings	4–3	Newark Bears	Buffalo Bisons & Jersey City GiantsP	[83]
1940	Newark Bears	4–3	Baltimore Orioles	Jersey City Giants & Rochester Red WingsP	[84]
1941	Montreal Royals	4–3	Newark BearsP	Buffalo Bisons & Rochester Red Wings	[85]
1942	Syracuse Chiefs	4–0	Jersey City Giants	Montreal Royals & Newark BearsP	[86]
1943	Syracuse Chiefs	4–2	Toronto Maple LeafsP	Montreal Royals & Newark Bears	[87]
1944	Baltimore OriolesP	4–3	Newark Bears	Buffalo Bisons & Toronto Maple Leafs	[88]
1945	Newark Bears	4–3	Montreal RoyalsP	Baltimore Orioles & Toronto Maple Leafs	[89]
1946	Montreal RoyalsP	4–1	Syracuse Chiefs	Baltimore Orioles & Newark Bears	[90]
1947	Syracuse Chiefs	4–3	Buffalo Bisons	Jersey City GiantsP & Montreal Royals	[91]
1948	Montreal RoyalsP	4–1	Syracuse Chiefs	Newark Bears & Rochester Red Wings	[92]
1949	Montreal RoyalsP	4–1	Buffalo Bisons	Jersey City Giants & Rochester Red Wings	[93]
1950	Baltimore Orioles	4–2	Rochester Red WingsP	Jersey City Giants & Montreal Royals	[94]
1951	Montreal RoyalsP	4–1	Syracuse Chiefs	Buffalo Bisons & Rochester Red Wings	[95]
1952	Rochester Red Wings	4–2	Montreal RoyalsP	Syracuse Chiefs & Toronto Maple Leafs	[96]
1953	Montreal Royals	4–0	Rochester Red WingsP	Baltimore Orioles & Buffalo Bisons	[97]
1954	Syracuse Chiefs	4–3	Montreal Royals	Rochester Red Wings & Toronto Maple LeafsP	[98]
1955	Rochester Red Wings	4–0	Toronto Maple Leafs	Havana Sugar Kings & Montreal RoyalsP	[99]
1956	Rochester Red Wings	4–3	Toronto Maple LeafsP	Miami Marlins & Montreal Royals	[100]
1957	Buffalo Bisons	4–1	Miami Marlins	Richmond Virginians & Toronto Maple LeafsP	[101]
1958	Montreal RoyalsP	4–1	Toronto Maple Leafs	Columbus Jets & Rochester Red Wings	[102]
1959	Havana Sugar Kings	4–2	Richmond Virginians	Buffalo BisonsP & Columbus Jets	[103]
1960	Toronto Maple LeafsP	4–1	Rochester Red Wings	Buffalo Bisons & Richmond Virginians	[104]
1961	Buffalo Bisons	4–1	Rochester Red Wings	Charleston Marlins & Columbus JetsP	[105]
1962	Atlanta Crackers	4–3	Jacksonville SunsP	Rochester Red Wings & Toronto Maple Leafs	[106]
1963	Indianapolis IndiansS	4–2	Atlanta Crackers	Syracuse ChiefsN & Toronto Maple Leafs	[14]
1964	Rochester Red Wings	4–2	Syracuse Chiefs	Buffalo Bisons & Jacksonville SunsP	[107]
1965	Toronto Maple Leafs	4–1	Columbus JetsP	Atlanta Crackers & Syracuse Chiefs	[108]
1966	Toronto Maple Leafs	4–1	Richmond Braves	Columbus Jets & Rochester Red WingsP	[109]
1967	Toledo Mud Hens	4–1	Columbus Jets	Richmond BravesP & Rochester Red Wings	[110]
1968	Jacksonville Suns	4–0	Columbus Jets	Rochester Red Wings & Toledo Mud HensP	[111]
1969	Syracuse Chiefs	4–1	Columbus Jets	Louisville Colonels & Tidewater TidesP	[112]
1970	Syracuse ChiefsP	3–1	Columbus Jets	Rochester Red Wings & Tidewater Tides	[113]
1971	Rochester Red WingsP	3–2	Tidewater Tides	Charleston Charlies & Syracuse Chiefs	[114]
1972	Tidewater Tides	3–2	Louisville ColonelsP	Charleston Charlies & Rochester Red Wings	[115]
1973	Pawtucket Red Sox	3–2	Charleston CharliesS	Rochester Red WingsN & Tidewater Tides	[15]
1974	Rochester Red WingsN	4–3	Syracuse Chiefs	Memphis BluesS & Richmond Braves	[16]
1975	Tidewater TidesP	3–1	Syracuse Chiefs	Charleston Charlies & Rochester Red Wings	[116]
1976	Syracuse Chiefs	3–1	Richmond Braves	Memphis Blues & Rochester Red WingsP	[117]
1977	Charleston Charlies	4–0	Pawtucket Red SoxP	Richmond Braves & Tidewater Tides	[118]
1978	Richmond Braves	4–3	Pawtucket Red Sox	Charleston CharliesP & Toledo Mud Hens	[119]
1979	Columbus ClippersP	4–3	Syracuse Chiefs	Richmond Braves & Tidewater Tides	[120]
1980	Columbus ClippersP	4–1	Toledo Mud Hens	Richmond Braves & Rochester Red Wings	[121]
1981	Columbus ClippersP	2–1[lower-alpha 6]	Richmond Braves	Rochester Red Wings & Tidewater Tides	[123]
1982	Tidewater Tides	3–0	Rochester Red Wings	Columbus Clippers & Richmond BravesP	[124]
1983	Tidewater Tides	3–1	Richmond Braves	Charleston Charlies & Columbus ClippersP	[125]
1984	Pawtucket Red Sox	3–2	Maine Guides	Columbus ClippersP & Toledo Mud Hens	[126]
1985	Tidewater Tides	3–1	Columbus Clippers	Maine Guides & Syracuse ChiefsP	[127]
1986	Richmond BravesP	3–2	Rochester Red Wings	Pawtucket Red Sox & Tidewater Tides	[128]
1987	Columbus Clippers	3–0	Tidewater TidesP	Pawtucket Red Sox & Rochester Red Wings	[129]
1988	Rochester Red WingsW	3–1	Tidewater TidesE	—	[130]
1989	Richmond BravesW	3–1	Syracuse ChiefsE	—	[131]
1990	Rochester Red WingsE	3–2	Columbus ClippersW	—	[132]
1991	Columbus ClippersW	3–0	Pawtucket Red SoxE	—	[133]
1992	Columbus ClippersW	3–2	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red BaronsE	Pawtucket Red Sox & Richmond Braves	[18]
1993	Charlotte KnightsW	3–2	Rochester Red WingsE	Ottawa Lynx & Richmond Braves	[134]
1994	Richmond BravesW	3–0	Syracuse Chiefs	Charlotte Knights & Pawtucket Red SoxE	[135]
1995	Ottawa Lynx	3–1	Norfolk TidesW	Richmond Braves & Rochester Red WingsE	[136]
1996	Columbus ClippersW	3–0	Rochester Red Wings	Norfolk Tides & Pawtucket Red SoxE	[137]
1997	Rochester Red WingsE	3–2	Columbus ClippersW	Charlotte Knights & Pawtucket Red Sox	[138]
1998	Buffalo BisonsN	3–2	Durham BullsS	Louisville RedbirdsW & Syracuse SkyChiefs	[19]
1999	Charlotte Knights	3–1	Durham BullsS	Columbus ClippersW & Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red BaronsN	[139]
2000	Indianapolis IndiansW	3–2	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons	Buffalo BisonsN & Durham BullsS	[140]
2001	Louisville RiverBatsW	1–0[lower-alpha 7]	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons	Buffalo BisonsN & Norfolk TidesS	[142]
2002	Durham BullsS	3–0	Buffalo Bisons	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red BaronsN & Toledo Mud HensW	[143]
2003	Durham BullsS	3–0	Pawtucket Red SoxN	Louisville BatsW & Ottawa Lynx	[144]
2004	Buffalo BisonsN	3–1	Richmond BravesS	Columbus ClippersW & Durham Bulls	[145]
2005	Toledo Mud HensW	3–0	Indianapolis Indians	Buffalo BisonsN & Norfolk TidesS	[146]
2006	Toledo Mud HensW	3–2	Rochester Red Wings	Charlotte KnightsS & Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red BaronsN	[147]
2007	Richmond Braves	3–2	Durham BullsS	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre YankeesN & Toledo Mud HensW	[148]
2008	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre YankeesN	3–1	Durham BullsS	Louisville BatsW & Pawtucket Red Sox	[149]
2009	Durham BullsS	3–0	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre YankeesN	Gwinnett Braves & Louisville BatsN	[150]
2010	Columbus Clippers	3–1	Durham BullsS	Louisville BatsW & Scranton/Wilkes-Barre YankeesN	[151]
2011	Columbus ClippersW	3–1	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Durham BullsS & Pawtucket Red SoxN	[152]
2012	Pawtucket Red Sox	3–0	Charlotte KnightsS	Indianapolis IndiansW & Scranton/Wilkes-Barre YankeesN	[153]
2013	Durham BullsS	3–1	Pawtucket Red SoxN	Indianapolis IndiansW & Rochester Red Wings	[154]
2014	Pawtucket Red Sox	3–2	Durham BullsS	Columbus ClippersW & Syracuse ChiefsN	[155]
2015	Columbus ClippersW	3–2	Indianapolis Indians	Norfolk TidesS & Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRidersN	[156]
2016	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRidersN	3–1	Gwinnett BravesS	Columbus ClippersW & Lehigh Valley IronPigs	[157]
2017	Durham BullsS	3–1	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRidersN	Indianapolis IndiansW & Lehigh Valley IronPigs	[158]
2018	Durham BullsS	3–2	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders	Lehigh Valley IronPigsN & Toledo Mud HensW	[159]
2019	Columbus ClippersW	3–0	Durham Bulls	Gwinnett StripersS & Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRidersN	[20]
2020	None (season canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic)				[4]

2021–present

Key

Score	Score of the championship series

Champions

Year	Champion	Score	Runner-up	Ref.
2021	Durham Bulls	—[lower-alpha 8]	Buffalo Bisons	[24]
2022	Durham Bulls	1–0	Nashville Sounds	[160]
2023	Norfolk Tides	2–1	Durham Bulls	[161]
2024	Omaha Storm Chasers	2–1	Columbus Clippers	[162]

Wins by team

Active International League teams appear in bold.

Team	Wins	Year(s)
Rochester Red Wings (Rochester Bronchos/Hustlers)	19	1899, 1901, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1939, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1988, 1990, 1997
Columbus Clippers	11	1979, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1996, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2019
Baltimore Orioles	10	1908, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1944, 1950
Buffalo Bisons (1886–1970)		1891, 1904, 1906, 1915, 1916, 1927, 1933, 1936, 1957, 1961
Toronto Maple Leafs		1902, 1907, 1912, 1917, 1918, 1926, 1934, 1960, 1965, 1966
Durham Bulls	8	2002, 2003, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022
Montreal Royals		1898, 1941, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1958
Syracuse Mets (Syracuse Chiefs)		1935, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1954, 1969, 1970, 1976
Norfolk Tides (Tidewater Tides)	6	1972, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 2023
Newark Bears	5	1932, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1945
Providence Grays (Providence Clamdiggers)		1894, 1896, 1900, 1905, 1914
Richmond Braves		1978, 1986, 1989, 1994, 2007
Pawtucket Red Sox	4	1973, 1984, 2012, 2014
Syracuse Stars	3	1885, 1888, 1897
Toledo Mud Hens		1967, 2005, 2006
Buffalo Bisons (1979–present)	2	1998, 2004
Charlotte Knights		1993, 1999
Detroit Wolverines		1889, 1890
Indianapolis Indians		1963, 2000
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees)		2008, 2016
Atlanta Crackers	1	1962
Binghamton Bingoes		1892
Charleston Charlies		1977
Erie Blackbirds		1893
Havana Sugar Kings		1959
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Jacksonville Suns)		1968
Jersey City Skeeters		1903
Louisville Bats (Louisville RiverBats)		2001
Newark Indians		1913
Omaha Storm Chasers		2024
Ottawa Lynx		1995
Springfield Maroons		1895
Toronto Canucks		1887
Trenton Trentonians		1884
Utica Pent-Ups		1886

Governors' Cup wins by team

Team	Governors' Cup wins	Year(s)
Columbus Clippers	11	1979, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1996, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2019
Rochester Red Wings	10	1939, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1988, 1990, 1997
Syracuse Mets (Syracuse Chiefs)	8	1935, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1954, 1969, 1970, 1976
Montreal Royals	7	1941, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1958
Durham Bulls	6	2002, 2003, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2018
Norfolk Tides (Tidewater Tides)	5	1972, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985
Richmond Braves		1978, 1986, 1989, 1994, 2007
Buffalo Bisons (1886–1970)	4	1933, 1936, 1957, 1961
Newark Bears		1937, 1938, 1940, 1945
Pawtucket Red Sox		1973, 1984, 2012, 2014
Toronto Maple Leafs		1934, 1960, 1965, 1966
Toledo Mud Hens	3	1967, 2005, 2006
Baltimore Orioles	2	1944, 1950
Buffalo Bisons (1979–present)		1998, 2004
Charlotte Knights		1993, 1999
Indianapolis Indians		1963, 2000
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees)		2008, 2016
Atlanta Crackers	1	1962
Charleston Charlies		1977
Havana Sugar Kings		1959
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Jacksonville Suns)		1968
Louisville Bats (Louisville RiverBats)		2001
Ottawa Lynx		1995

See also

• Baseball portal

• List of American Association champions
• List of Pacific Coast League champions

Notes

1. The league disbanded on July 9.^[37] Of the teams remaining in the league at the time, Detroit was in first place, making them the de facto champions.
2. The 1891 season was contested as a double season. Buffalo won the championship by virtue of having won both halves.
3. The 1892 season was contested as a double season. Providence won the first half, and Binghamton won the second. In the championship series, Binghamton defeated Providence, 4–2.
4. Toronto won the championship with a winning percentage of .669 (85–42) versus Buffalo's .662 (88–45).
5. Rochester won the championship with a winning percentage of .549 (90–74) versus Buffalo's .548 (92–76).
6. Columbus, with a 2–1 series lead, was declared the champion after the playoffs were canceled due to rain and unplayable field conditions.^[122]
7. Louisville, with a 1–0 series lead, was declared the champion after the playoffs were canceled in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.^[141]
8. No playoffs were held. Durham won the championship by virtue of having the league's best regular-season record (77–43). They finished 4+1⁄2 games ahead of Buffalo.^[23]

References

1. "2023 Triple-A National Championship Game Set for Sept. 30 in Las Vegas". Minor League Baseball. March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
2. Terranova, Rob (March 17, 2022). "Then and Now: International League". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
3. "International League Yearly Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
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General

• "International League Champions". International League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
• "International League Governors' Cup Championship". Triple-A Baseball. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
• O'Neal, Bill (1992), The International League: A Baseball History 1884–1991, Eakin Press, ISBN 978-0-89015-856-2
• Wright, Marshall (2005), The International League: Year-by-Year Statistics 1884–1953, McFarland, ISBN 978-0-7864-0458-2