- This article refers to the former minor league that existed from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997. For the major league, which existed from 1882 to 1891, see American Association (19th century). For the independent league, which started play in 2006, see American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.
The American Association was a minor baseball league at the Class AAA (Triple-A) level of baseball in the United States from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997. Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the eastern half of the USA. For most of the Association's existence, in both incarnations, it was comprised of teams primarily from the central part of the US. The league's attendance base began to be eroded significantly in the 1950s and early 1960s, due to expansion and westward migration of major league teams into several of the AA's larger member cities: Milwaukee, Kansas City, and Minneapolis-St. Paul. By 1961, the league was down to six clubs. After the 1962 season, the American Association disbanded, and some of its member teams were distributed between the Pacific Coast League and the International League, while others (the Louisville Colonels and Omaha Dodgers) folded. The Indianapolis Indians were first assigned to the IL but then, in a geographic oddity, they were switched to the PCL. The Dallas Rangers, the Denver Bears, and the Oklahoma City 89ers also went to the PCL. With major league expansion in 1969, and the need for four new AAA-level farm teams, the time seemed right for reviving the league, which re-acquired its old Indianapolis territory, from the PCL, along with several cities that were new to the Association. After the 1997 season, the American Association disbanded for the second time, and its teams were again distributed to the remaining AAA-level leagues. The Iowa Cubs, Nashville Sounds, New Orleans Zephyrs, Oklahoma City 89ers (renamed the Oklahoma RedHawks), and Omaha Royals migrated to the west coast Pacific Coast League starting with the 1998 season. The Buffalo Bisons, Indianapolis Indians, and Louisville Redbirds became part of the International League, also starting in 1998. The Buffalo Bisons were the last league champions in 1997, and they still have the trophy in their possession.
