Southern League (1964-Present)

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One Season in Rocket City

How the 1985 Huntsville Stars Brought Minor League Baseball Fever to Alabama

By Dale Tafoya

It’s 1984. Minor League Baseball mogul Larry Schmittou needs a new home for his Southern League Nashville Sounds franchise. Walt Jocketty, an Oakland A’s executive, searches for a new town for his Double-A club. Fate brings them together in Huntsville, Alabama, a city in need of an outlet to unite its residents. Thus the Huntsville Stars are born. One Season in Rocket City brings to life the baseball renaissance that shook up Huntsville, a city many doubted would support professional baseball.

Through interviews with former players, managers, executives, coaches, and beat writers who witnessed the Stars take the Southern League by storm, Dale Tafoya depicts the city’s romance with the club, success on the field, and push for a championship.

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Background

The Southern League formed in 1964 as the result of a name change by the old South Atlantic League, or “Sally League”.  The history of the original Sally League history traces back to the turn of the 20th century. (A newer, Class-A league has played under the South Atlantic League banner since 1980).

The teams listed here are only those that played under the Southern League banner since 1964. Some of these teams also existed prior to 1964 in the Sally League and came over with the name change.

In 2019, the Southern League consists of ball clubs in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee.  Historically, the Southern League has had clubs as far north as Virginia and as far West as Illinois.

Southern League Franchise List

[etable]

Franchise, Years Active, Southern League Champions

Asheville Orioles, 1972-1975, None

Asheville Tourists, 1964-1966 & 1968-1971, 1968

Biloxi Shuckers, 2015-Present, None

Birmingham A’s, 1967-1975, 1967

Birmingham Barons, 1964-1965, None

Birmingham Barons, 1981-Present, 1983-1987-1989-1993-2002-2013

Carolina Mudcats, 1991-2011, 1995-2003

Charlotte Hornets, 1964-1972, 1969-1971

Charlotte Knights, 1989-1992, None

Charlotte Orioles, 1976-1987, 1980-1984

Chattanooga Lookouts, 1964-1965, None

Chattanooga Lookouts, 1976-Present, 1988-2015-2017 (Co-Champions)

Columbus Astros, 1970-1988, 1970-1986

Columbus Confederate Yankees, 1964-1966, 1965

Columbus Mudcats, 1989-1990, None

Columbus White Sox, 1969, None

Evansville White Sox, 1966-1968, None

Greenville Braves, 1984-2004, 1992-1997

Huntsville Stars, 1985-2014, 1985-1994-2001 (Co-Champions)

Jackson Generals, 2011-2019, 2016

Jacksonville Expos, 1985-1990, None

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, 2017-2019, None

Jacksonville Suns, 1970-1984 & 1991-2016, 1996-2001 (Co-Champions)-2005-2009-2010-2014

Knoxville Blue Jays, 1980-1992, None

Knoxville Smokies, 1964-1967, None

Knoxville Smokies, 1993-1999, None

Knoxville Sox, 1972-1979, 1974-1978

Lynchburg White Sox, 1964-1965, 1964

Macon Peaches, 1964 & 1966-1967, None

Memphis Chicks, 1978-1997, 1990

Mississippi Braves, 2005-Present, 2008-2021

Mobile Athletics, 1966, 1966

Mobile Bay Bears, 1997-2019, 1998-2004 (Co-Champions)-2011-2012

Mobile White Sox, 1970, None

Montgomery Biscuits, 2004-Present, 2006-2007

Montgomery Rebels, 1965-1980, 1972-1973-1975-1976-1977

Nashville Sounds, 1978-1984, 1979-1982

Nashville Xpress, 1993-1994, None

Orlando Cubs, 1993-1996, None

Orlando Rays, 1997-2003, 1999

Orlando SunRays, 1990-1992, 1991

Orlando Twins, 1973-1989, 1981

Pensacola Blue Wahoos, 2012-Present, 2017 (Co-Champions)-2022

Port City Roosters, 1995-1996, None

Richmond Virginians, 1964, None

Rocket City Trash Pandas, 2021-Present, None

Savannah Braves, 1971-1983, None

Savannah Indians, 1970, None

Savannah Senators, 1968-1969, None

Tennessee Smokies, 2000-Present, 2004 (Co-Champions)

West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, 1998-2010, 2000

[/etable]

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