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List of Huntsville Stars seasons

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Baseball players in blue, white, and red uniforms and caps posed in three rows standing, sitting in chairs, and sitting on the ground on a baseball field
The 1987 Stars finished with a 74–70 (.514) record playing as the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics in the Southern League.

The Huntsville Stars were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Huntsville, Alabama, in the Southern League (SL) for 30 seasons from 1985 to 2014, at the Double-A level. Huntsville was affiliated with Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics (1985–1998) and Milwaukee Brewers (1999–2014).[1] The club played 4,211 regular-season games and compiled a win–loss record of 2,112–2,099 (.502). They appeared in the postseason on 14 occasions in which they had a record of 44–45 (.494) in 89 games. Combining all 4,300 regular-season and postseason games, Huntsville had an all-time record of 2,156–2,144 (.501).[2][3]

The Stars began play in 1985 after the Nashville Sounds' Southern League franchise was relocated from Nashville, Tennessee, to Huntsville in 1985. The team remained in the league until relocating to Biloxi, Mississippi, after the 2014 campaign and becoming the Biloxi Shuckers.[4][5]

The Stars' best regular-season record occurred in 1994 when they finished 81–57 (.587).[2] Their lowest season record was 59–85 (.410), which they recorded in 1988.[2] Of the two Major League Baseball teams with which Huntsville was affiliated, they experienced a better record as the Double-A farm club of the Athletics from 1985 to 1998. In the 14-year affiliation, the Stars compiled a win–loss record of 1,029–961 (.517). They reached the postseason eight times, going 24–24 (.500) and winning two Southern League championships (1985 and 1994). Conversely, Huntsville incurred a 1,083–1,138 (.488) record over 16 seasons with the Brewers. They made six playoff appearances and won one SL championship (2001) while going 20–21 (.488). Over their complete 30-year run, the Stars won eight division titles (1985, 1986, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2007) and three Southern League championships (1985, 1994, and 2001).

History

[edit]

Oakland Athletics (1985–1998)

[edit]

The Huntsville Stars began play in 1985 in the Southern League as the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.[6] The league used a split-season schedule wherein the division winners from each half qualified for the postseason championship playoffs. The Southern League introduced a wild card format in 1982. If the same team won both halves, the wild card would be awarded to the team with the next-best overall record, allowing them to qualify for the playoffs despite not winning a half outright.[7] The 1985 team defeated the Knoxville Blue Jays to win the First-Half title,[8] as well as the Western Division title, after overcoming a 2–0 deficit,[9] before winning their first Southern League championship against the Charlotte O's.[10][11] The 1986 Stars repeated with another First-Half title and won the Western Division against Knoxville.[12][13] However, they were defeated in the finals by the Columbus Astros.[10][14] In 1987, they reached the postseason for the third consecutive season by winning the second-half but fell to the Birmingham Barons in the division series.[15][16] This was followed by a 59–85 (.410) record in 1988, the lowest in franchise history.[2] The 1989 Stars returned to the playoffs having won the second-half,[17] but were again defeated by Birmingham in the division finals.[18] After failing to reach the postseason for two seasons, Huntsville qualified via a wild card berth in 1992, but they were defeated by the Chattanooga Lookouts, winners of both halves of the season, in the division series.[19]

The Stars returned to the playoffs in 1994 with a First-Half win,[20] and then bested Chattanooga for the Western Division title.[21] Huntsville won its second Southern League championship versus the Carolina Mudcats.[22] The 1994 club set a franchise record with their 81–57 (.587) season.[2] The Stars did not return to the postseason until 1997. They won the second-half before beating the Mobile BayBears for the division before ultimately losing the championship to the Greenville Braves.[23][24][25] The 1998 team qualified for the playoffs with a wild card berth but was swept by the BayBears in the Western Division finals.[26] After the 1998 season, the Huntsville Stars terminated their affiliation with the Oakland Athletics.[27] Through 14 years with the Athletics, the Stars had amassed a record of 1,053–985 (.517).[2][3]

Milwaukee Brewers (1999–2014)

[edit]

Huntsville became the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers in 1999.[28] After posting losing records in each of the first two seasons of the new affiliation, the Stars returned to the playoffs in 2001 with the First-Half Western Division title.[29] They won the division against Birmingham, but the September 11 attacks prompted the cancellation of the championship series before it could begin.[30] Huntsville and the Eastern Division champion Jacksonville Suns were declared co-champions.[31] In 2003, the First-Half champion Stars won the Western Division versus Birmingham,[32][33] but lost in the Southern League championship series to Carolina.[34] Missing the playoffs in 2004 and 2005, they made another championship attempt in 2006, winning the second-half,[35] defeating Chattanooga for the Northern Division title,[36] but losing the league crown to the Montgomery Biscuits.[37] The 2007 team returned to the playoffs after winning both halves of the season.[38] They proceeded to capture the division title over the Tennessee Smokies.[39] Once again, they were defeated by Montgomery in the finals.[40][41] The Stars won the 2009 First-Half title but lost the Northern Division to Tennessee.[42][43] Sub-.500 teams from 2010 to 2013 failed to reach the playoffs, the longest postseason drought in team history.

Prior to the 2014 season, an ownership group based in Biloxi, Mississippi, purchased the team with the intent of relocating the club.[44] The Stars played the 2014 season in Huntsville while a new ballpark was built in Biloxi. In their 30th and final season, the Stars won the First-Half title,[45] but lost in the Northern Division series to Chattanooga.[46] Over 16 years as a Brewers affiliate, Huntsville compiled a record of 1,103–1,159 (.488). The franchise's composite record over their entire 30-year run was 2,156–2,144 (.501).[2][3]

Season-by-season records

[edit]
Key
League The team's final position in the league standings
Division The team's final position in the divisional standings
GB Games behind the team that finished in first place in the division that season
League champions
Division champions
* Postseason berth
Season-by-season results
Season Regular-season Postseason MLB affiliate Ref.
Record Win % League Division GB Record Win % Result
1985
* † ‡
78–66 .542 4th 2nd 1+12 6–3 .667 Won First-Half Western Division title[8]
Won Western Division title vs. Knoxville Blue Jays, 3–1
[9]
Won SL championship vs. Charlotte O's, 3–2
[11]
Oakland Athletics [47]
1986
* †
78–63 .553 1st 1st 5–3 .625 Won First-Half Western Division title[12]
Won Western Division title vs. Knoxville Blue Jays, 3–1
[13]
Lost SL championship vs. Columbus Astros, 3–1[14]
Oakland Athletics [48]
1987
*
74–70 .514 3rd 1st 0–3 .000 Won Second-Half Western Division title[15]
Lost Western Division title vs. Birmingham Barons, 0–3[16]
Oakland Athletics [49]
1988 59–85 .410 10th 5th 22+12 Oakland Athletics [50]
1989
*
82–61 .573 2nd 2nd 6 1–3 .250 Won Second-Half Western Division title[17]
Lost Western Division title vs. Birmingham Barons, 3–1[18]
Oakland Athletics [51]
1990 79–65 .549 3rd 1st Oakland Athletics [52]
1991 61–83 .424 9th (tie) 4th (tie) 16+12 Oakland Athletics [53]
1992
^
81–63 .563 3rd 2nd 9+12 1–3 .250 Lost Western Division title vs. Chattanooga Lookouts, 3–1[19] Oakland Athletics [54]
1993 71–70 .504 6th (tie) 4th 6+12 Oakland Athletics [55]
1994
* † ‡
81–57 .587 1st 1st 6–1 .857 Won First-Half Western Division title[20]
Won Western Division title vs. Chattanooga Lookouts, 3–0
[21]
Won SL championship vs. Carolina Mudcats, 3–1
[22]
Oakland Athletics [56]
1995 70–74 .486 6th 3rd 13+12 Oakland Athletics [57]
1996 66–74 .471 7th 5th 15+12 Oakland Athletics [58]
1997
† *
77–62 .554 1st 1st 5–5 .500 Won Second-Half Western Division title[23]
Won Western Division title vs. Mobile BayBears, 3–2
[24]
Lost SL championship vs. Greenville Braves, 3–2[25]
Oakland Athletics [59]
1998
*
72–68 .514 3rd 2nd 14 0–3 .000 Lost Western Division title vs. Mobile Bay Bears, 0–3[26] Oakland Athletics [60]
1999 64–77 .454 8th 5th 20 Milwaukee Brewers [61]
2000 64–75 .460 9th (tie) 5th 16+12 Milwaukee Brewers [62]
2001
* † ‡
75–63 .543 4th 3rd 4 3–2 .600 Won First-Half Western Division title[29]
Won Western Division title vs. Birmingham Barons, 3–2
[30]
SL championship vs. Jacksonville Suns[n 1]
Milwaukee Brewers [63]
2002 70–69 .504 5th 4th 8+12 Milwaukee Brewers [64]
2003
* †
75–63 .543 2nd 1st 5–5 .500 Won First-Half Western Division title[32]
Won Western Division title vs. Birmingham Barons, 3–2
[33]
Lost SL championship vs. Carolina Mudcats, 3–2[34]
Milwaukee Brewers [65]
2004 65–75 .464 8th 4th 8+12 Milwaukee Brewers [66]
2005 60–79 .432 8th 4th 23 Milwaukee Brewers [67]
2006
* †
67–71 .486 6th 4th 13 4–3 .571 Won Second-Half Northern Division title[35]
Won Northern Division title vs. Chattanooga Lookouts, 3–0
[36]
Lost SL championship vs. Montgomery Biscuits, 3–1[37]
Milwaukee Brewers [68]
2007
* †
75–62 .547 3rd 1st 5–5 .500 Won First and Second-Half Northern Division titles[38]
Won Northern Division title vs. Tennessee Smokies, 3–2
[39]
Lost SL championship vs. Montgomery Biscuits, 3–2[41]
Milwaukee Brewers [69]
2008 73–67 .521 4th 2nd 7 Milwaukee Brewers [70]
2009
*
63–75 .457 9th 4th 7 1–3 .250 Won First-Half Northern Division title[42]
Lost Northern Division title vs. Tennessee Smokies, 3–1[43]
Milwaukee Brewers [71]
2010 67–73 .479 6th 3rd 19+12 Milwaukee Brewers [72]
2011 64–73 .467 8th 4th 17+12 Milwaukee Brewers [73]
2012 65–74 .468 8th 4th 13+12 Milwaukee Brewers [74]
2013 59–79 .428 8th (tie) 4th 17 Milwaukee Brewers [75]
2014
*
77–63 .550 4th 1st 2–3 .400 Won First-Half Northern Division title[45]
Lost Northern Division title vs. Chattanooga Lookouts, 3–2[46]
Milwaukee Brewers [76]
Totals 2,112–2,099 .502 44–45 .494

Franchise totals

[edit]

By affiliation

[edit]
Franchise totals by affiliation[3]
Affiliation Regular-season Postseason Composite
Record Win % Appearances Record Win % Record Win %
Oakland Athletics (1985–1998) 1,029–961 .517 8 24–24 .500 1,053–985 .517
Milwaukee Brewers (1999–2014) 1,083–1,138 .488 6 20–21 .488 1,103–1,159 .488
Totals 2,112–2,099 .502 14 44–45 .494 2,156–2,144 .501

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The series was canceled due to the September 11 attacks. Both teams were declared co-champions by the league.[31]

References

[edit]
Specific
  1. ^ Cortes, Tony (April 19, 2025). "40 years since inaugural Huntsville Stars game at Joe Davis Stadium". Yahoo Sports-US. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Huntsville, Alabama encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d "League records (1964–present)". 2019 Southern League Media Guide. Southern League. pp. 134–139. Archived from the original on May 30, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  4. ^ "City: Reports indicate Huntsville Stars moving to Biloxi". waff.com. WAFF. December 18, 2013. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  5. ^ Hill, Benjamin (January 16, 2014). "Batting around: Stars on the move". milb.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  6. ^ Woody, Larry (July 1, 1996). Schmittou: A Grand Slam in Baseball, Business, and Life. Nashville: Eggmann Publishing Company. pp. 101–102. ISBN 1-886371-33-4.
  7. ^ Webb, Lori M.; Musterer, Donna J. (2020). 2020 Southern League Media Guide and Record Book (PDF). pp. 131–132. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2025 – via Minor League Baseball.
  8. ^ a b "Stars' clincher a 'natural'". The Huntsville Times. Knoxville. June 21, 1985. p. 9. Archived from the original on June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b "When K-Jays lost their momentum, it was all over". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. September 9, 1985. p. 22. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b "Southern League past champions". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on March 30, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Stars win to the tune of rocky". The Huntsville Times. Charlotte. September 14, 1985. p. 11. Archived from the original on May 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b Terry, Yvonne (June 16, 1986). "Stars lose to the Chicks, win first half pennant". The Huntsville Times. p. 7. Archived from the original on June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b "Stars win SL West Division title". The Birmingham News. Knoxville. September 8, 1986. p. 13. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b Pruett, John (September 12, 1986). "Columbus comeback too much for Stars". The Huntsville Times. p. 11-US. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b Marshall, Mike (August 30, 1987). "Stars tumble, but clinch tie". The Huntsville Times. p. 57. Archived from the original on June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ a b "Barons oust Stars". The Huntsville Times. September 6, 1987. p. 73. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b "Stars continue to dominate Barons". The Huntsville Times. August 26, 1989. p. 17. Archived from the original on June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ a b Davis, Rick (September 6, 1989). "The game was the last for some Stars". The Huntsville Times. p. 22. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ a b Davis, Rick (September 11, 1992). "Season is over for Stars". Chattanooga. p. 31. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ a b Davis, Rick (June 18, 1994). "Stars win SL West". The Huntsville Times. Chattanooga. p. 17. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ a b Davis, Rick (September 8, 1994). "Greenville start likely for series". The Huntsville Times. Chattanooga. p. 31. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ a b McCarter, Mark (September 14, 2014). "This day in Huntsville history: Stars celebrate Southern League championship". al.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  23. ^ a b Ponder, Darrell (August 31, 1997). "Stars finally get second-half title". The Huntsville Times. Mobile. p. 51. Archived from the original on June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ a b "Huntsville's title in the Stars". The Huntsville Times. September 8, 1997. p. 17. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ a b Davis, Rick (September 14, 1997). "Greenville beats Stars for SL title". The Huntsville Times. Greenville. p. 49. Archived from the original on June 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ a b Hicks, Tommy (September 13, 1998). "BayBears open title chase Monday". The Mobile Register. p. 38. Archived from the original on June 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ McCarter, Mark (August 30, 1998). "A's Stars' divorce has been brewing". The Huntsville Times. Huntsville. p. C-4. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Brewers move to Huntsville". Ironwood Daily Globe. Ironwood. September 16, 1998. p. 10. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ a b Ponder, Darrell (June 16, 2001). "Stars rally, clinch title for division crown". The Huntsville Times. Jackson. p. 21. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ a b "Outshine the Suns? Stars try for crown". The Huntsville Times. September 11, 2001. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ a b "Southern League declares co-champs". The Jackson Sun. Huntsville. September 14, 2001. p. 15. Archived from the original on May 31, 2025.
  32. ^ a b Gattis, Paul (June 13, 2003). "Stars have a champagne jam". The Huntsville Times. Hoover. p. 25. Archived from the original on June 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ a b "Huntsville beats Birmingham in SL East Division championship". chattanoogan.com. September 9, 2003. Archived from the original on May 30, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  34. ^ a b "No doubt throughout". The News and Observer. September 16, 2003. p. B1. Archived from the original on June 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ a b "Stars bubbly all over after 2nd-half title". The Huntsville Times. September 2, 2006. p. 44. Archived from the original on June 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ a b "Stars". The Huntsville Times. September 9, 2006. p. 46. Archived from the original on June 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ a b Long, A. Stacy (September 16, 2006). "Biscuits toast title". The Montgomery Advertiser. p. 17. Archived from the original on June 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ a b "Another crown for Huntsville". The Huntsville Times. Birmingham. September 3, 2007. p. 17. Archived from the original on June 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ a b "Huntsville Stars beat Tennessee Smokies to advance to Southern League championship". chattanoogan.com. September 11, 2007. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  40. ^ "Montgomery Repeats as Southern League Champions". DRaysBay. September 16, 2007. Archived from the original on May 30, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  41. ^ a b Long, A. Stacy (September 17, 2007). "Biscuits win". The Montgomery Advertiser. Huntsville. p. 1B. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ a b "Stars clinch on final day". The Huntsville Times. Birmingham. June 22, 2009. p. 23. Archived from the original on June 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ a b Gates, Nick (September 14, 2009). "Smokies send Stars packing". The Huntsville Times. Sevierville. p. 25. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "Groundbreaking set for Biloxi stadium". Clarion-Ledger. Jackson. January 18, 2014. p. 10A. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ a b Emery, Mark (June 3, 2014). "No win, no matter: Huntsville clinches title". milb.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  46. ^ a b "Lookouts advance to Southern League championship!". milb.com. September 8, 2014. Archived from the original on May 30, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  47. ^ "1985 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on February 17, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  48. ^ "1986 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on February 17, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  49. ^ "1987 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  50. ^ "1988 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on December 24, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  51. ^ "1989 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  52. ^ "1990 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  53. ^ "1991 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  54. ^ "1992 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  55. ^ "1993 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  56. ^ "1994 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  57. ^ "1995 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  58. ^ "1996 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  59. ^ "1997 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  60. ^ "1998 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  61. ^ "1999 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  62. ^ "2000 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  63. ^ "2001 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  64. ^ "2002 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  65. ^ "2003 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  66. ^ "2004 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
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  68. ^ "2006 Southern League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
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General