From 1884 to 1953, the International League enjoyed a measure of stability that was the envy of many other minor leagues. With franchises located in cities along the East Coast and Canada--including Newark, Toronto, Baltimore, Montreal, and Providence--the circuit produced a brand of baseball that was only a bit below that of the majors.

This is the complete, year-by-year, team-by-team statistical history of the first 70 years of the International League, from its beginnings with the Eastern League in 1854, to 1953 when longtime member Baltimore was forced to relocate its franchise to make way for a major league team. For each season, there is a brief essay that covers the league's highlights and its champion. Full rosters for each team are then provided, with complete statistics for all players.