Toronto Maple Leafs
From SoSH
| Location: | Toronto, Ontario |
| Established: | 1896 |
| MLB Affiliation: | Boston Red Sox (1947, 1965-1967) |
| League: | International League |
| Level: | AAA |
| Ballpark: | Maple Leaf Stadium |
| Championships: | 4 |
| Division Titles: | 8 |
| Wild Card: | 0 |
Contents |
History with the Red Sox
The Toronto Maple Leafs were first associated with the Red Sox for one year, in 1947. It was the second AAA team the Sox fielded that season (the Louisville Colonels were the other. Although the Sox expanded from 10 minor league affiliates to 13 in 1948, they dropped down to only one AAA team... and that team was not the Maple Leafs.
The Sox returned to Canada in 1965, as the Sox sold their Seattle Rainiers team, and affiliated with the Maple Leafs. The marriage was succesful right away, as Dick Williams led the team to consecutive Governor's Cups in 1965 (defeating Columbus) and 1966 (defeating Richmond). Williams would move up to manage the Impossible Dream in 1967... and the Maple Leafs would play their last season that year as well. Toronto, who had led the league in attendance in the 1950s, was having difficulty drawing crowds to dilapidated Maple Leaf Stadium (built in 1926). The team would be bought by Walter J. Dilbeck, who moved the team to Louisville, and revived the old Louisville Colonels name.
Teams and Records
- 1965 81-64-2 Manager: Dick Williams
- 1966 82-65 Manager: Dick Williams
- 1967 64-75-1 Manager: Eddie Kasko
Awards
League Champions
- 1965, 1966
Most Valuable Player
- 1965 Joe Foy
Most Valuable Pitcher
- 1966 Gary Waslewski
League Leaders
Batting Average
- 1965 - Joe Foy .302
- 1966 - Reggie Smith .320
Wins
- 1966 - Gary Waslewski - 18
No Hitters
- 1967 - David Vineyard
Maple Leafs to the Majors
Trivia
- The Maple Leaf name was first given to the Baseball team in 1896. The Hockey team would not adapt the name until 1927.
