The 1979 Southern League was a Class AA baseball season played between April 16 and September 2. Ten teams played a 144-game schedule, with the top team in each division in each half of the season qualifying for the post-season.
The Nashville Sounds won the Southern League championship, as they defeated the Columbus Astros in the playoffs.
Teams 1979 Southern League Division Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium East Charlotte Orioles Charlotte, North Carolina Baltimore Orioles Jim Crockett Memorial Park Columbus Astros Columbus, Georgia Houston Astros Golden Park Jacksonville Suns Jacksonville, Florida Kansas City Royals Wolfson Park Orlando Twins Orlando, Florida Minnesota Twins Tinker Field Savannah Braves Savannah, Georgia Atlanta Braves Grayson Stadium West Chattanooga Lookouts Chattanooga, Tennessee Cleveland Indians Engel Stadium Knoxville Sox Knoxville, Tennessee Chicago White Sox Bill Meyer Stadium Memphis Chicks Memphis, Tennessee Montreal Expos Tim McCarver Stadium Montgomery Rebels Montgomery, Alabama Detroit Tigers Paterson Field Nashville Sounds Nashville, Tennessee Cincinnati Reds Herschel Greer Stadium
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Columbus Astros finished the season with the best record in the league for the first time since 1970.
Standings 1979 SOUL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed March 3, 2025 East Division Team Win Loss % GB Columbus Astros 84 59 – Charlotte Orioles 73 69 10.5 Jacksonville Suns 69 72 14 Orlando Twins 60 81 23 Savannah Braves 60 83 24West Division Nashville Sounds 83 61 – Memphis Chicks 82 62 1 Chattanooga Lookouts 75 69 8 Knoxville Sox 65 76 16.5 Montgomery Rebels 62 81 20.5
League Leaders Batting leaders 1979 SL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed March 3, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Joe Charboneau, Chattanooga Lookouts .352 H Danny Heep, Columbus Astros 171 R Tim Raines, Memphis Chicks 104 2B Tom Wiedenbauer, Columbus Astros 31 3B Duane Walker, Nashville Sounds 15 HR Alan Knicely, Columbus Astros 33 RBI Dave Hostetler, Memphis Chicks 114 SB LaMart Harris, Jacksonville Suns 68
Pitching leaders 1979 SL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed March 3, 2025 Stat Player Total W Del Leatherwood, Columbus Astros 15 ERA Scott Brown, Nashville Sounds 2.40 CG Billy Smith, Columbus Astros 19 SHO Del Leatherwood, Columbus Astros 4 SV Geoff Combe, Nashville Sounds 27 IP Del Leatherwood, Columbus Astros 202.0 SO Bob Veselic, Orlando Twins 151
Playoffs The final round of the playoffs is extended to a best-of-five series. The Nashville Sounds won their first Southern League championship, defeating the Columbus Astros in four games.
Playoff bracket
Awards Southern League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Danny Heep, Columbus Astros Alan Knicely, Columbus Astros Pitcher of the Year Geoff Combe, Nashville Sounds Manager of the Year Jimmy Johnson, Columbus Astros
See also 1979 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website