Minor League Baseball Organization of the Year Award

The Minor League Baseball Organization of the Year Award, formerly known as the John H. Johnson President's Award or simply the President's Award, is presented annually by Minor League Baseball (MiLB) to recognize "a 'complete' baseball franchise that has demonstrated franchise stability and significant contributions to its community, league, and the baseball industry."[1] It is considered MiLB's top honor and is usually awarded during baseball's Winter Meetings.[2] The award, first issued in 1974, was created by MiLB president Hank Peters as the President's Award.[3] It was renamed in 1988 in honor of John H. Johnson, who served as the president of Minor League Baseball from 1979 until his death in January 1988.[4][5] It became known as the MiLB Organization of the Year Award in 2021 after Major League Baseball assumed control of the minor leagues.[6][7]

Minor League Baseball
Organization of the Year Award
SportBaseball
LeagueMinor League Baseball
Awarded forBest franchise in Minor League Baseball
CountryUnited States
Canada
Mexico
Presented byMinor League Baseball
History
First awardRochester Red Wings (1974)
Most recentHartford Yard Goats (2024)

Forty-four teams have won the award. The Albuquerque Dukes, Billings Mustangs, Durham Bulls, Iowa Cubs, Rochester Red Wings, and Tacoma Rainiers have each won the award twice, more than any other teams. International League franchises have won the award nine times, more than any other league, followed by the Pacific Coast League (8); the American Association and Midwest League (5); the Eastern League (5); the Texas League (4); the Northwest League and Pioneer League (3); the California League and Carolina League (2); and the Appalachian League, Mexican League, South Atlantic League, and Southern League (1). Twenty-three winners have competed at the Triple-A classification level, more than any other class, followed by Double-A (10); Single-A/Class A (8); Rookie (4); High-A/Class A-Advanced (3); and Class A Short Season (2).

Winners

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Key
(#) Number of wins by teams who won the award multiple times
Winners
Year Team League Class Ref.
1974 Rochester Red Wings (1) International League Triple-A [8]
1975 Tacoma Twins (1) Pacific Coast League Triple-A [9]
1976 Diablos Rojos del México Mexican League Triple-A [10]
1977 Fresno Giants California League Class A [11]
1978 Iowa Oaks (1) American Association Triple-A [12]
1979 Denver Bears American Association Triple-A [13]
1980 Quad City Cubs Midwest League Class A [14]
1981 Great Falls Giants Pioneer League Rookie [15]
1982 Tacoma Tigers (2) Pacific Coast League Triple-A [16]
1983 Louisville Redbirds American Association Triple-A [17]
1984 Albuquerque Dukes (1) Pacific Coast League Triple-A [18]
1985 Las Vegas Stars Pacific Coast League Triple-A [19]
1986 El Paso Diablos Texas League Double-A [20]
1987 Syracuse Chiefs International League Triple-A [21]
1988 Indianapolis Indians American Association Triple-A [22]
1989 Durham Bulls (1) Carolina League Class A [23]
1990 Pawtucket Red Sox International League Triple-A [24]
1991 Albuquerque Dukes (2) Pacific Coast League Triple-A [25]
1992 Buffalo Bisons American Association Triple-A [26]
1993 Norfolk Tides International League Triple-A [27]
1994 Billings Mustangs (1) Pioneer League Rookie [28]
1995 Columbus Clippers International League Triple-A [29]
1996 Salt Lake Buzz Pacific Coast League Triple-A [30]
1997 Richmond Braves International League Triple-A [31]
1998 Lynchburg Hillcats Carolina League Class A-Advanced [32]
1999 Tulsa Drillers Texas League Double-A [33]
2000 Portland Sea Dogs Eastern League Double-A [34]
2001 Eugene Emeralds Northwest League Class A Short Season [35]
2002 Iowa Cubs (2) Pacific Coast League Triple-A [36]
2003 Reading Phillies Eastern League Double-A [37]
2004 Rochester Red Wings (2) International League Triple-A [38]
2005 Trenton Thunder Eastern League Double-A [39]
2006 Altoona Curve Eastern League Double-A [40]
2007 Midland RockHounds Texas League Double-A [41]
2008 Cedar Rapids Kernels Midwest League Class A [42]
2009 San Jose Giants California League Class A-Advanced [43]
2010 Billings Mustangs (2) Pioneer League Rookie [44]
2011 Tennessee Smokies Southern League Double-A [45]
2012 Dayton Dragons Midwest League Class A [46]
2013 Vancouver Canadians Northwest League Class A Short Season [47]
2014 Durham Bulls (2) International League Triple-A [48]
2015 South Bend Cubs Midwest League Class A [49]
2016 Fort Wayne TinCaps Midwest League Class A [50]
2017 Greenville Drive South Atlantic League Class A [51]
2018 Albuquerque Isotopes Pacific Coast League Triple-A [52]
2019 Pulaski Yankees Appalachian League Rookie [53]
2020 None selected (season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic) [54]
2021 Spokane Indians High-A West High-A [55]
2022 Nashville Sounds International League Triple-A [56]
2023 Amarillo Sod Poodles Texas League Double-A [57]
2024 Hartford Yard Goats Eastern League Double-A [58]

References

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Specific

  1. ^ "Minor League Baseball Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  2. ^ "TinCaps Win Johnson President's Award". Minor League Baseball. November 3, 2016. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  3. ^ "Rochester Called Best of Minors". The News Tribune. Tacoma. December 4, 1974. p. C-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "President Honored". The Tribune. Seymour. November 22, 1988. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Minor League Presidents". MiLB.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  6. ^ "MiLB Announces 2021 Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. December 7, 2021. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  7. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  8. ^ "1974 International League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  9. ^ "1975 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  10. ^ "1976 Mexican League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  11. ^ "1977 California League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  12. ^ "1978 American Association". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  13. ^ "1979 American Association". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  14. ^ "1980 Midwest League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  15. ^ "1981 Pioneer League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  16. ^ "1982 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  17. ^ "1983 American Association". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  18. ^ "1984 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  19. ^ "1985 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  20. ^ "1986 Texas League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  21. ^ "1987 International League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  22. ^ "1988 American Association". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  23. ^ "1989 Carolina League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  24. ^ "1990 International League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  25. ^ "1991 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  26. ^ "1992 American Association". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  27. ^ "1993 International League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  28. ^ "1994 Pioneer League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  29. ^ "1995 International League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  30. ^ "1996 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  31. ^ "1997 International League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  32. ^ "1998 Carolina League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  33. ^ "1999 Texas League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  34. ^ "2000 Eastern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  35. ^ "2001 Northwest League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  36. ^ "2002 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  37. ^ "2003 Eastern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  38. ^ "2004 International League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  39. ^ "2005 Eastern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  40. ^ "2006 Eastern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  41. ^ "2007 Texas League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  42. ^ "2008 Midwest League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  43. ^ "2009 California League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  44. ^ "2010 Pioneer League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  45. ^ "2011 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  46. ^ "2012 Midwest League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  47. ^ "2013 Northwest League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  48. ^ "2014 International League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  49. ^ "2015 Midwest League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  50. ^ "2016 Midwest League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  51. ^ "2017 South Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  52. ^ "2018 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  53. ^ "2019 Appalachian League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  54. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  55. ^ "Spokane Indians Named MiLB Organization of the Year". Minor League Baseball. December 7, 2021. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  56. ^ "MiLB Announces 2022 Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. December 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  57. ^ "MiLB Announces 2023 Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. November 8, 2023. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  58. ^ "Yard Goats Named Organization of the Year by Minor League Baseball". Minor League Baseball. October 8, 2024. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.

General