Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Playoffs: AAA

By Keith Antigiovanni

The first round of the AAA Playoffs have concluded as the final four teams remain: Columbus, Omaha, Lehigh Valley and Sacramento.

The Pacific Coast League will pit Omaha against Sacramento. Omaha is trying to win its' first league title since 1990 while Sacramento won the PCL title in 2007 and 2008. Omaha has an impressive tradition of winning going back to its' day in the Western League (1902-1954) and American Association (1955-1998).

Their teams have appeared in 11 previous league finals (1952, 1955, 1969, 1970, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1988, 1989, 1990) and won four titles (1969, 1970, 1978, 1990).Despite the success Omaha has yet to win a AAA title and seek their first PCL title since they joined in 1998.

The International League final (Governors' Cup) will be the Columbus Clippers against the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs. Columbus also has an incredible history in professional baseball going back to 1902 as charter members of the American Association before they joined the International League in 1955. Columbus won the American Association title 8 times (1933, 1934, 1937, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1948,1950) won 6 AAA World Series titles (1933, 1934, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1950).

The Clippers began in 1977 and have continued the great tradition appearing in 11 Governors' Cup 11 times (1979, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 2010) and winning 8 of them (1979, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1996, 2010). In 2010 they won another AAA title when they defeated PCL champion Tacoma.

Columbus' opponent are the Wild Card team Lehigh Valley. Lehigh lost a close pennant race to Pawtucket then defeated them in the first round of the playoffs and hopes to win its' first title in its' fourth year of existence.

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