The 2009 International League season will be the 125th season of the International League.
Before the Season[]
Affiliation changes[]
Before the 2009 season, three IL teams signed player development contracts (PDC) with different parent clubs.
The Columbus Clippers signed a four-year PDC with the Cleveland Indians through 2012 on September 18, 2008. The Clippers had previously been affiliated with the Washington Nationals for two years after ending their 28-year partnership with the New York Yankees. The Indians become the Clippers' third affiliate in four years.
The Syracuse Chiefs signed a two-year PDC with the Washington Nationals through 2010 on September 20, 2008. The Chiefs had previously been affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays since 1978 and had been the only Triple-A affiliate in Toronto's history.
The Buffalo Bisons signed a two-year PDC with the New York Mets through 2010 on September 21, 2008. The Bisons had previously been affiliated with the Cleveland Indians for 14 seasons, winning three league championships (2 in the IL, 1 in the AA). The Bisons adopted a new logo and the Mets' team colors as their own to reflect the new partnership.
Team changes[]
After 43 seasons and 5 Governor's Cup championships, the Richmond Braves moved to Lawrenceville, Georgia becoming the Gwinnett Braves. One factor in the franchise's decision to relocate was reportedly a failure to reach an agreement on building a new ballpark in Richmond.
New stadiums[]
The Columbus Clippers moved from Cooper Stadium to Huntington Park in Columbus' Arena District. The stadium, which cost $56 million and will seat 10,000, will open on April 18 as the Clippers host their rival Toledo Mud Hens. Columbus-based bank holding company Huntington Bancshares Inc., bought the stadium's naming rights $12 million over 23 years.
The newly relocated Gwinnett Braves (formerly Richmond Braves) will move into Gwinnett County Ballpark in Lawrenceville, a suburb of Atlanta. The 10,000 seat stadium will be a focal point of a planned mixed-use entertainment district and will open on April 17 as the Braves host the Norfolk Tides. As of February 2009, the naming rights to the stadium have not been sold.
Regular season standings[]
| International League | |||||
| Rank | Club | Wins | Losses | Win % | GB |
| North Division | |||||
| 1st | Buffalo Bisons (NYM) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| 2nd | Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| 3rd | Pawtucket Red Sox (BOS) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| 4th | Rochester Red Wings (MIN) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| 5th | Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (NYY) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| 6th | Syracuse Chiefs (WSH) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| South Division | |||||
| 1st | Charlotte Knights (CWS) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| 2nd | Durham Bulls (TB) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| 3rd | Gwinnett Braves (ATL) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| 4th | Norfolk Tides (BAL) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| West Division | |||||
| 1st | Columbus Clippers (CLE) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| 2nd | Indianapolis Indians (PIT) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| 3rd | Louisville Bats (CIN) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
| 4th | Toledo Mud Hens (DET) | 0 | 0 | .000 | -- |
League leaders[]
Batting leaders[]
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| AVG | ||
| HR | ||
| RBI | ||
| R | ||
| H | ||
| SB |
Pitching leaders[]
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| W | ||
| L | ||
| ERA | ||
| SO | ||
| IP | ||
| SV |
External links[]
| International League | ||||
| North Division | South Division | West Division | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bisons | Ottawa Lynx | Pawtucket Red Sox | Rochester Red Wings | Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees | Syracuse Chiefs | Charlotte Knights | Durham Bulls | Norfolk Tides | Richmond Braves | Columbus Clippers | Indianapolis Indians | Louisville Bats | Toledo Mud Hens | ||