BayBears first losing outright champ since 1987

The Mobile BayBears are the first losing team to win an outright Southern League championship in 25 years.

The BayBears finished 69-71 this season and the 1987 league champion Birmingham Barons were 68-75. In 2004, the 69-71 Tennessee Smokies were co-champions with Mobile. The final series was canceled due to Hurricane Ivan.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
2012: Mobile BayBears (69-71)
2011: Mobile BayBears (84-54)
2010: Jacksonville Suns (81-59)
2009: Jacksonville Suns (82-58)
2008: Mississippi Braves (73-66)
2007: Montgomery Biscuits (81-59)
2006: Montgomery Biscuits (77-62)
2005: Jacksonville Suns (79-61)
2004: Mobile BayBears (73-67)/Tennessee Smokies (69-71)
2003: Carolina Mudcats (80-58)
2002: Birmingham Barons (79-61)
2001: Huntsville Stars (75-63)/Jacksonville Suns (83-56)
2000: West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (80-58)
1999: Orlando Rays (70-68)
1998: Mobile BayBears (86-54)
1997: Greenville Braves (74-66)
1996: Jacksonville Suns (75-63)
1995: Carolina Mudcats (89-55)
1994: Huntsville Stars (81-57)
1993: Birmingham Barons (78-64)
1992: Greenville Braves (100-43)
1991: Orlando Sunrays (77-67)
1990: Memphis Chicks (73-71)
1989: Birmingham Barons (88-55)
1988: Chattanooga Lookouts (81-62)
1987: Birmingham Barons (68-75)
1986: Columbus Astros (70-70)
1985: Huntsville Stars (78-66)
1984: Charlotte O's (75-72)
1983: Birmingham Barons (91-54)
1982: Nashville Sounds (77-67)
1981: Orlando Twins (79-63)
1980: Charlotte O's (72-72)
1979: Nashville Sounds (83-61)
1978: Knoxville Sox (88-56)
1977: Montgomery Rebels (86-51)
1976: Montgomery Rebels (81-56)
1975: Montgomery Rebels (73-61)
1974: Knoxville Sox (72-63)
1973: Montgomery Rebels (80-58)
1972: Montgomery Rebels (78-61)
The 2001 and 2004 championship series were canceled because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Ivan, respectively.