White Sox AAA Affiliates Before Charlotte Knights?

[StillMissOzzie]

Do any of you guys that regularly follow the Sox minor league teams know who the AAA affiliate was between the Nashville Sounds in 1993 and the Charlotte Knights in 1998 (or was it 1999)? Thanks!

SMO

[mccoydp]

Originally Posted by StillMissOzzie

Do any of you guys that regularly follow the Sox minor league teams know who the AAA affiliate was between the Nashville Sounds in 1993 and the Charlotte Knights in 1998 (or was it 1999)? Thanks!

SMO

I know Vancouver used to be, but that may have been pre-1993.

[OzzieBall2005]

I'm pretty sure the Nashville Sounds were a AAA affiliate. My dad bought a hat at Comiskey in the mid-90's of them.

[CallMeNuts]

I'm pretty sure it was the Edmonton Trappers

[ChiSoxRowand]

Originally Posted by StillMissOzzie

Do any of you guys that regularly follow the Sox minor league teams know who the AAA affiliate was between the Nashville Sounds in 1993 and the Charlotte Knights in 1998 (or was it 1999)? Thanks!

SMO

I think Calgary was in there.

[StillMissOzzie]

Originally Posted by CallMeNuts

I'm pretty sure it was the Edmonton Trappers

I'm slowly filling in the gaps, but I still don't have everything.

My research shows that the 1996 Edmonton Trappers were the AAA affiliate of the Oakland A's.
More research shows that the 1997 Nashville Sounds had one Magglio Ordonez, so we know they were affiliated with the Sox then. But, were they the Sox affiliate for ALL of the stretch from 1993-1997?

Thanks for any and all input, guys.

SMO

[chez742002]

The American Association played from 1969-1997. The league began in 1969 with six teams. The teams were the Indianapolis Indians (Reds), Iowa Oaks (A’s), Tulsa Oilers (Cardinals), Denver Bears (Twins), Oklahoma City 89ers (Astros) and Omaha Royals (Royals). In 1970 two more teams were added to account for the expansion in the majors the year before. The Evansville Triplets who were affiliated with the Twins and the Wichita Aeros who worked with the Indians joined the league. The Denver Bears replaced the Twins by signing a player development deal with the Washington Senators/Texas Rangers.

After the 1970 season the Twins left Evansville and were replaced by the Milwaukee Brewers. In 1971 the Cubs joined the league by taking over for the Indians in Wichita. Three teams changed affiliations following the 1972 season. The Astros left Oklahoma City and took over in Denver. Oklahoma City signed on with the Indians. Also after the 1972 season the Iowa Oaks became the final stop for White Sox prospects. There was only one change after the 1973 season as the Tigers took over in Evansville. In 1975 the Astros took over in Iowa for one year while the White Sox worked in Denver before they returned to Iowa in 1976. Also in 1976 the Denver Bears signed on with Montreal while Oklahoma City became the new AAA team for the Philadelphia Phillies.

After the 1976 season the Tulsa Drillers moved to New Orleans and took the name the Pelicans. They remained affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals though. The move to New Orleans only lasted one year though as they then moved once again to Springfield and became the Redbirds in 1978. There were no affiliation changes in 1979 or 1980. In 1981 the Cubs left Wichita for Iowa. They were replaced in Wichita by the Texas Rangers. In 1982 Wichita became the AAA team for the Expos, while the Rangers went to Denver. Also in 1982 the Springfield Redbirds moved to Louisville, but kept both the Redbirds nickname and the affiliation with the Cardinals.

Before the 1983 season the Rangers left Denver and signed on with the Oklahoma City 89ers. They were replaced by the White Sox in Denver. In 1984 the Denver Bears changed their name to the Denver Zephyrs but remained with the White Sox. Also in 1984 the Reds and Expos traded affiliates with the Reds taking over in Wichita and the Expos taking over in Indianapolis. In 1985 two American Association teams relocated. The Wichita Aeros moved to Buffalo and became the Buffalo Bisons. The Bisons became the affiliate of the White Sox. The Evansville Triplets moved to Nashville and were renamed the Nashville Sounds. The Sounds remained affiliated with the Tigers. The Reds made the Denver Zephyrs their third AAA team in as many years. There were no changes for the 1986 season. In 1987 three teams changed affiliates as the Reds took over in Nashville, the Indians became the parent time for Buffalo and the Brewers would now send their prospects to Denver. In 1988 the Pirates took control of the Buffalo Bisons. There would be no changes from 1989-1992.

In 1993 the American Association lost an original city has Denver was now the home to the major league Colorado Rockies. The Denver Zephyrs relocated to New Orleans, while continuing to work with the Brewers. Also in 1993 the Reds returned to Indianapolis after a nine year absence. They were replaced in Nashville by the White Sox. There were no changes for 1994 season. In 1995 the Indians became the parent club of the Buffalo Bisons. In 1996 there were no changes. For the final season the Astros took over the New Orleans Zephyrs from the Brewers.

After the decision to disband the American Association and expand the International and Pacific Coast Leagues the eight teams were split up. Buffalo, Indianapolis and Louisville joined the International League. Iowa, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Omaha joined the Pacific Coast League.

The White Sox, then without a AAA affiliate signed a 1 year pact with Calgary of the Pacific Coast League for the year of 1998. Not happy with the franchise, the White Sox management arranged a deal with the Charlotte Knights of the International League in 1999. The affiliation of the White Sox and the Charlotte Knights still exists today in 2005.

[StillMissOzzie]

Originally Posted by chez742002

Before the 1983 season the Rangers left Denver and signed on with the Oklahoma City 89ers. They were replaced by the White Sox in Denver. In 1984 the Denver Bears changed their name to the Denver Zephyrs but remained with the White Sox. Also in 1984 the Reds and Expos traded affiliates with the Reds taking over in Wichita and the Expos taking over in Indianapolis. In 1985 two American Association teams relocated. The Wichita Aeros moved to Buffalo and became the Buffalo Bisons. The Bisons became the affiliate of the White Sox. The Evansville Triplets moved to Nashville and were renamed the Nashville Sounds. The Sounds remained affiliated with the Tigers. The Reds made the Denver Zephyrs their third AAA team in as many years. There were no changes for the 1986 season. In 1987 three teams changed affiliates as the Reds took over in Nashville, the Indians became the parent time for Buffalo and the Brewers would now send their prospects to Denver. In 1988 the Pirates took control of the Buffalo Bisons. There would be no changes from 1989-1992.

chez742002,
Thank you so much for your extensive research. You've confirmed that the Sox AAA were in Nashville for all of 1993-1997, but you've raised a new question, based on the bold red portions I've highlighted above.
If the Indians took over the Buffalo Bisons in 1987, where were the AAA Sox in 1987-1993? I think some of these years were as the Vancouver Canadians, as I actually saw one of their games around this time.

SMO

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by StillMissOzzie

chez742002,
Thank you so much for your extensive research. You've confirmed that the Sox AAA were in Nashville for all of 1993-1997, but you've raised a new question, based on the bold red portions I've highlighted above.
If the Indians took over the Buffalo Bisons in 1987, where were the AAA Sox in 1987-1993? I think some of these years were as the Vancouver Canadians, as I actually saw one of their games around this time.

SMO

The Sox AAA affiliate in '87 was the Hawaii Islanders. From '88-'92 it was the Vancouver Canadians. (The Islanders franchise relocated after the '87 season and are now the Colorado Springs SkySox, the Canadians moved to Sacramento and became the River Cats in 2000)

Piecing together from various sources, these are the Sox AAA affiliates for the last 41 years:

Charlotte Knights ('99-present)
Calgary Cannons ('98)
Nashville Sounds ('93-'97)
Vancouver Canadians ('88-'92)
Hawaii Islanders ('87)
Buffalo Bisons ('85-'86)
Denver Bears/Zephyrs ('83-'84)
Edmonton Trappers ('81-'82)
Iowa Oaks ('76-'80)
Denver Bears ('75)
Iowa Oaks ('73-'74)
Tuscon Toros ('69-'72)
Hawaii Islanders ('68)
Indianapolis Indians ('64-'67)

[Tragg]

Originally Posted by OzzieBall2005

I'm pretty sure the Nashville Sounds were a AAA affiliate. My dad bought a hat at Comiskey in the mid-90's of them.

The sounds were the predecessors to the Charlotte Knights.

[DenverSock]

Originally Posted by chez742002

The American Association played from 1969-1997.

The AA, or American Assocition is actually far older. It is a direct descendant of the Original AA which was considered a major league in the 1870's. In 1951, The Denver Bears were promoted out of the Single A Western league into the American Assocition as the top farm club of the New York Yankees. The Yankees had more than one triple A team at the time and for some time thereafter, a not uncommon arrangement then. In 1969, The AA was reorganised. I don't mean to cavil. Just a point of personal pride I hope you understand.

[SouthSide_HitMen]

Originally Posted by MisterB

Piecing together from various sources, these are the Sox AAA affiliates for the last 41 years:

Charlotte Knights ('99-present)
Calgary Cannons ('98)
Nashville Sounds ('93-'97)
Vancouver Canadians ('88-'92)
Hawaii Islanders ('87)
Buffalo Bisons ('85-'86)
Denver Bears/Zephyrs ('83-'84)
Edmonton Trappers ('81-'82)
Iowa Oaks ('76-'80)
Denver Bears ('75)
Iowa Oaks ('73-'74)
Tuscon Toros ('69-'72)
Hawaii Islanders ('68)
Indianapolis Indians ('64-'67)

Updated for additional years

Charlotte Knights (1999 - current)
Calgary Cannons (1998)
Nashville Sounds (1993 - 1997)
Vancouver Canadians (1988 - 1992)
Hawaii Islanders (1987)
Buffalo Bisons (1985 - 1986)
Denver Bears (1983 - 1984)
Edmonton Trappers (1981 - 1982)
Iowa Oaks (1976 - 1980)
Denver Bears (1975)
Iowa Oaks (1973 - 1974)
Tuscon Toros (1969 - 1972)
Hawaii Islanders (1968)
Indianapolis Indians (1962 - 1967)
San Diego Padres (1960 - 1961)
Indianapolis Indians (1957 - 1959)

I can't find info before this time but if I do I will edit the post.