Then and now: Eastern League
Following Major League Baseball's announcement that historical league names are returning to the Minors in 2022, MiLB.com provides a refresher on each of the 11 circuits from Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Single-A -- including past champions, famous alumni and more.
Following Major League Baseball's announcement that historical league names are returning to the Minors in 2022, MiLB.com provides a refresher on each of the 11 circuits from Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Single-A -- including past champions, famous alumni and more.
Make a stop in the Eastern League -- the largest Double-A circuit in the Minors -- where Hall of Famers are made, spuds take on a new level of celebrity and an ostrich jockey displays 80-grade arm strength.
Eastern League
Established in 1923, known in 2021 as the Double-A Northeast
Northeast Division
Binghamton Rumble Ponies: New York Mets, Mirabito Stadium -- Binghamton, NY (Ballpark Guide)
Hartford Yard Goats: Colorado Rockies, Dunkin' Donuts Park -- Hartford, CT (Ballpark Guide)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats: Toronto Blue Jays, Delta Dental Stadium -- Manchester, NH (Ballpark Guide)
Portland Sea Dogs: Boston Red Sox, Hadlock Field -- Portland, ME (Ballpark Guide)
Reading Fightin Phils: Philadelphia Phillies, FirstEnergy Stadium -- Reading, PA (Ballpark Guide)
Somerset Patriots: New York Yankees, TD Bank Ballpark -- Bridgewater Township, NJ (Ballpark Guide)
Southwest Division
Akron RubberDucks: Cleveland Guardians, Canal Park -- Akron, OH
Altoona Curve: Pittsburgh Pirates, Peoples Natural Gas Field -- Altoona, PA (Ballpark Guide)
Bowie Baysox: Baltimore Orioles, Prince George's Stadium -- Bowie, MD (Ballpark Guide)
Erie SeaWolves: Detroit Tigers, UPMC Park -- Erie, PA (Ballpark Guide)
Harrisburg Senators: Washington Nationals, FNB Field -- Harrisburg, PA (Ballpark Guide)
Richmond Flying Squirrels: San Francisco Giants, The Diamond -- Richmond, VA (Ballpark Guide)
2021 champion: Akron RubberDucks (Double-A Northeast champion)
Most championships, all-time: Binghamton Triplets (10)
Tradition runs deep for the Harrisburg Senators.@TylerMaun explains how the club is still evolving nearly 35 years later.https://t.co/O4RoysywXm
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 25, 2020
Did you know? The Eastern League once boasted four teams in Québec, Canada during the 1970s: Québec City, Thetford Mines, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières. The Detroit Tigers also had an Eastern League affiliate in London, Ontario from 1989-1993.
Notable alumni: Richie Ashburn, Jim Bunning, Carlton Fisk, Whitey Ford, Lefty Gomez, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome, John Smoltz, Ralph Kiner, Tony Lazzeri, Greg Maddux, Heinie Manush, Juan Marichal, Bill Mazeroski, Jim Palmer, Robin Roberts, Nolan Ryan, Mike Schmidt, Warren Spahn, Earl Weaver and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Like father, like son!
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 12, 2018
See more of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s hitting clinic with Carlos Peña on #PlayBall at 10am ET! pic.twitter.com/H8GmIvNc0x
The most recently established of the three Double-A circuits, the Eastern League has been the largest loop at the level since expanding to 12 teams in 1999. The league was first established as the New York-Pennsylvania League in 1923 and rebranded to the Eastern League when the first New Jersey member was introduced in 1938. By then, the Eastern League moniker, which had been an original name for the International League, was not in use.
The circuit eventually expanded into Ohio and Virginia, as teams were usually placed further Northeast. Richmond is the only club in the league's history to make its home in Virginia, moving from Norwich, Connecticut in 2010. The Akron club moved to the city in 1988 but can trace its roots to the very beginning of the Eastern League. In fact, the club was first established as the Binghamton Triplets -- whose 10 titles are still the most all time -- back in 1923. The current Binghamton franchise did not move to that city until it was purchased by the Mets in 1991 and began play the following year.
2022 marks the 35th anniversary of the Great Potato Caper, which happened in Bowman Field (home of the Williamsport @crosscutters) https://t.co/jffdCufb6n
— Benjamin Hill (@bensbiz) January 24, 2022
All told, 44 alumni of the Eastern League have been enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. But that’s not the only Hall of Fame with Eastern League ties. The co-holder of the Eastern League’s single-season home run record is Football Hall of Famer Ken Strong, who belted 41 homers for the Hazelton Mountaineers in 1930. The Eastern League also claims alumni in the Basketball Hall of Fame (Bill Sharman played for the Elmira Pioneers in 1950) and College Football Hall of Fame (Glenn Killinger for the Harrisburg Senators in 1928).
Although the Eastern League has been a stepping stone for the game's brightest stars, its legends might be lesser known. Dave Bresnahan and "The Great Potato Caper" will live in infamy in the circuit. Bresnahan was the backup catcher for Williamsport in 1987 when he pranked Reading with a spud masquerading as a baseball and brought a comedic end to his own career. Then there's Tim Tebow, the NCAA football legend and Hall of Famer who gave it the old college try in the Minors. He reached Triple-A and might have even made it to the Majors with the Mets if not for some poorly timed injuries. Tebow had his best season in the Eastern League in 2018, batting .273 and making the All-Star team in his second professional season.
What’s new: Somerset replaced Trenton in 2021, slotting into the Northeast Division with Binghamton, Reading, Hartford, New Hampshire and Portland. This year will mark the Patriots’ first official season in Eastern League play.
What’s familiar: The league retains its Double-A classification, with 11 of its 12 teams remaining from 2019. (Trenton is the only team no longer around.) Long-running clubs returning to the fold include Akron and Bowie, who faced off for last year’s league title. In fact, the Baysox reached the league championship series in 2019 and 2021, falling short both times. Akron’s ‘21 title was its third since 2012.
A look back at our inaugural season as the @yankees Double-A affiliate.
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) September 19, 2021
For the record: In Eastern League history, five players have won the offensive Triple Crown by leading the circuit in home runs, RBIs and batting average: Joe Munson (1925 Harrisburg Senators), Bob Chance (1963 Charleston Indians), George Scott (1965 Pittsfield Red Sox), Danny Thomas (1976 Berkshire Brewers) and Lou Montanez (2008 Bowie Baysox). ... Before he won three Word Series with the Orioles, Eddie Watt lit up the Eastern League for Elmira in 1965. That season, he became the only pitcher in the history of the circuit to throw two no-hitters in the same season, even giving Johnny Vander Meer a run for his money, collecting both milestones in his first three starts of the season.
on this date in 1965, Elmira's Eddie Watt hurled his second no-hitter of the season as the Pioneers defeated the Reading Indians
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 6, 2011
Ben's Biz memory: Witnessing Reading's legendary Crazy Hot Dog Vendor
"He's a guy named Matt Jackson who's a front office employee, but the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor is his alter ego. One of the early road trips I went on in like 2010 or something, I visited the team for Crazy Hot Dog Vendor Night, and it was amazing. All these kids showed up in the uniform. Some even had their own pet ostriches to ride. But they were wearing those vertical red and white striped shirts, the hats, the glasses. Through the years they've given away just all manner of Crazy Hot Dog Vendor merchandise. He's like a true cult hero in Reading. And the last time I was there, which I believe was 2017, I went on the field with him when he did his between-inning act where he rides Rodrigo the Ostrich out on to the field and screams maniacally and throws hot dogs. And to capture that video of his primal scream and the way he was throwing out these hot dogs, I just think -- One, it just shows his dedication to the craft. And, two, it maybe helps to illustrate why he's not just a quirky after thought but a core part of the Reading Fightin' Phils experience that I think everyone should go see."
.@ReadingFightins Crazy Hot Dog Vendor ends routine with primal scream. pic.twitter.com/GH2aTPHRcZ
— Benjamin Hill (@bensbiz) August 2, 2017
What to look for in 2022: Somerset will be looking to build on its initial success after topping the Northeast Division in 2021. Top Giants prospect Marco Luciano and No. 1 Mets prospect Francisco Álvarez appear poised to make their Eastern League debuts this summer, and the top two Yankees prospects -- Anthony Volpe and Jasson Dominguez -- could appear as well. Other Top 100 prospects eying their Eastern League debuts include a pair of Pirates -- Quinn Priester (No. 49) and Nick Gonzales (No. 62) -- and the Guardians' Daniel Espino (No. 92).
Joe Trezza is a writer for MiLB.com
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring
'Hungry' Alcántara hoping to pounce on big league prey in '25
MESA, Ariz. -- The thing about jaguars is, you don’t want to see one when it’s hungry. So when Cubs legend Sammy Sosa spoke to the organization’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- and the No. 89 prospect overall -- the former slugger gave him some apt advice. “His
Rainiers broadcaster Pay talks historic role on MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Prospect Santos 'electric' in Spring Breakout start
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Malcolm Moore knew Winston Santos was locked in before he even threw a pitch. In the second annual Spring Breakout game, Santos -- the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was throwing to Moore, the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect and highest-ranked catcher. The battery more
Switch-pitcher Cijntje deals from both sides in Spring Breakout
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening. The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,”
Fans in this Minor League town are hungry for ... the Spicy Meatballs?!?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Chandler adds mix to upper-90s heat in stellar Spring Breakout start
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.