California League

The California League is a Minor League Baseball league which operates exclusively in the state of California. It is classified as a Class A league, four steps below Major League Baseball.

California League

Sport	Baseball
Founded	1941
President	Charlie Blaney[1]
No. of teams	8
Country	USA
Most recent champion(s)	Visalia Rawhide (2019)
Most titles	San Jose Giants (11) Stockton Ports (11)
Classification	Class A
Official website	www.californialeague.com

All of the current teams are affiliated with MLB teams located west of the Rockies. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, league attendance continued to increase each season, with over one million fans attending games per year, part of a general nationwide growth and expansion to smaller towns, cities, and regions below those in the National League or American League with Minor League Baseball at various levels of play in growing popularity in the last few decades. The league is divided into a Northern Division and a Southern Division.

History

There were various attempts in the late 1800s and early 1900s to form a "California League" on the West Coast, considering the distance of the two current major leagues which generally had teams only in the Northeast and were restricted at first until World War I by long-distance train travel. The first organized California League lasted from 1887 to 1889, then another followed in 1891, and 1893, and finally in 1899–1902. After the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, an organization of minor leagues was formed in 1902, (following the "truce" and agreements between the older National League of 1876 and the newly "upstart" American League of 1901), the California League operated outside the NAPBL system as an independent league in 1902 and again from 1907 to 1909. This led to huge differences in the quality of teams competing with each other. In 1907, the San Francisco team was 3-34, while later in 1908 San Francisco was 9-67 and Oakland was 4-71. Oakland and San Francisco competed in every year of these various state leagues, with San Francisco having two teams during 1887–88.

The current California League was founded in 1941, and included teams in Anaheim, Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Stockton. The following year, as a result of World War II, the league dropped to four teams, then ceased and suspended operations altogether, although major league baseball and some minor leagues continued as much as possible with limited availability of players during the war years. It reorganized and came back in 1946, adding teams in Visalia, San Jose, and Ventura by 1947. Further east, Reno, Nevada joined the league in 1955 with the movement of the old Channel Cities Oilers in Santa Barbara and continued as a member for 37 years.

Though nicknames and affiliations shifted, the California League's postwar configuration was largely stable by the late 1950s; four of the six cities in the league in 1960 would still be part of the league 50 years later. The league reached eight clubs in 1966 and would hold that for ten years, briefly dipped to six before wavering between eight and nine clubs in the early eighties, then reached ten in 1986 and held that configuration for thirty-one seasons. From 1996 to 2016, the league had a remarkably stable alignment for Class A baseball, with no teams moving or folding for twenty-one years. After the 2016 season, the Bakersfield Blaze, long dogged by inadequate facilities and unable to negotiate significant repairs, and the High Desert Mavericks, suffering from falling attendance and a lease dispute with the city of Adelanto, were folded; the High-A level replaced them by expanding the Carolina League to ten teams.[2]

The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30.[3][4] During the pandemic-shortened 2020 Major League season, the Oakland Athletics used the San Jose Giant's Excite Ballpark as its alternate roster training site.[5]

On December 10, 2020, the Lancaster JetHawks were folded and the Fresno Grizzlies, who were previously in the Triple-A level's Pacific Coast League, replaced them. The Visalia Rawhide moved to the Southern Division.

Current teams

Grizzlies

Nuts

Giants

Ports

66ers

Storm

Quakes

Rawhide

Current California League team locations:

  North Division

  South Division

Division	Team	MLB Affiliation	City	Stadium	Capacity
North	Fresno Grizzlies	Colorado Rockies	Fresno, California	Chukchansi Park	10,650
	Modesto Nuts	Seattle Mariners	Modesto, California	John Thurman Field	4,000
	San Jose Giants	San Francisco Giants	San Jose, California	Excite Ballpark	4,200
	Stockton Ports	Oakland Athletics	Stockton, California	Banner Island Ballpark	5,300
South	Inland Empire 66ers	Los Angeles Angels	San Bernardino, California	San Manuel Stadium	8,000
	Lake Elsinore Storm	San Diego Padres	Lake Elsinore, California	Lake Elsinore Diamond	7,866
	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes	Los Angeles Dodgers	Rancho Cucamonga, California	LoanMart Field	6,200
	Visalia Rawhide	Arizona Diamondbacks	Visalia, California	Recreation Park	2,468

Current team rosters

California League Champions

Year by Year list of league champions:

Complete team list (1941–42, 1946–present)

Anaheim Aces (1941), folded by onset of World War II, one of six minor league baseball teams in Orange County, California from 1901 to 1955. Atwater Angels Bakersfield (1941–42, 1946–1975, 1978–79, 1982–2016) Bakersfield Badgers in 1941–42; Bakersfield Indians in 1946–1955; Bakersfield Boosters in 1956; Bakersfield Bears in 1957–1967; Bakersfield Dodgers in 1968–1975, 1984–1994; Bakersfield Outlaws (1978–79); Bakersfield Mariners in 1982–83; Bakersfield Blaze (1995–2016). Central Valley Rockies see Visalia Oaks. Channel Islands Oilers Fresno Cardinals (1941–42), folded by onset of World War II. Fresno Giants Fresno Grizzlies High Desert Mavericks (1982–2016, as Salinas Spurs 1982–1987; as Riverside Red Wave in 1988–1990) Inland Empire 66ers (1941–42, 1946–present, as Fresno Cardinals in 1941–42, 1946–1956; as Fresno Sun Sox in 1957; as Fresno Giants in 1958–1987; as Fresno Suns in 1988; as Salinas Spurs in 1989–1992; as San Bernardino Spirit in 1993–1995; as San Bernardino Stampede in 1996–2002 under affiliations with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners). Lake Elsinore Storm (1979–present, as Santa Clara Padres in 1979; as Redwood Pioneers in 1980–1985; as Palm Springs Angels in 1986–1993). Lancaster JetHawks (1966–2020, as Reno Silver Sox in 1966–1981; as Reno Padres in 1982–1987; as Reno Silver Sox under affiliation with the Chicago White Sox in 1988–1992; as Riverside Pilots under affiliation with the Seattle Mariners in 1993–1995; and played some games in Palm Springs). Las Vegas Wranglers (1947–1958, as San Jose Red Sox in 1947–1955; as San Jose JoSox in 1956–57; as San Jose Pirates in 1958; moved to Salinas in mid-season 1958 and Las Vegas during 1959 season). Lodi Crushers/Orions/Orioles Merced Bears (1941), folded by onset of World War II, no California League team there ever since. Modesto Colts (1946–1964, as Modesto Reds in 1946–1961), folded by 1962. Modesto Nuts (1946–present, as Modesto Reds in 1946–1961; as Modesto Yankees 1962–1969, Modesto Cardinals 1970–1974 and Modesto A's 1975–2004) Oakland Oaks (1941, moved to Visalia as a result of World War II 1942–1945); Oakland became a Pacific Coast League city, while Visalia Oaks folded by 1944. Palm Springs Angels (1985–1993) before relocation to Lake Elsinore in 1994. Palm Springs was the former spring training camp for the then-California Angels from 1961 to 1993. Palm Springs held other minor league and collegiate teams in the 1990s and 2000s.

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (1966–present, as Lodi Crushers under affiliation with the San Francisco Giants in 1966–1969; as Lodi Padres in 1970–71; as Lodi Orioles in 1972; as Lodi Lions in 1973; as Lodi Orions 1974–75 all under affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles; as Lodi Dodgers in 1976–1983; as Lodi Crushers under affiliation with the Seattle Mariners in 1984; as Ventura County Gulls in 1986; as San Bernardino Spirit in 1987–1992) but another team with the name appeared. Reno Silver Sox (1947–64, as Ventura Yankees in 1947–1949; as Ventura Braves in 1950–1952; as Ventura Oilers in 1953; as Channel Cities Oilers under affiliation with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954–55; moved to Reno during 1955 season; as Reno Oilers in 1955; became Reno Silver Sox during 1955 season) to become Kansas City/Oakland A's and Minnesota Twins affiliate in 1961 to 1969. Riverside Reds (1941), when the city was the spring training camp for the Cincinnati Reds until the outbreak of World War II. Salinas Packers (1941–42, 1946–1958, as Santa Barbara Saints in 1941–42; as Santa Barbara Dodgers in 1946–1953). Salinas Indians (1946–1965, as Visalia Cubs in 1946–1956; as Visalia Redlegs in 1957–1959; as Visalia A's in 1960–61; as Visalia White Sox in 1962, as Salinas Mets in 1963–64). Salinas Angels (1946–1980, as Stockton Ports in 1946–1972; as Salinas Packers under affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1973–1975) San Bernardino Stars (1941) folded by onset of World War II. San Jose Giants (1988–present) San Jose Expos (1982) San Jose Missions (1979–1981) (Pacific Coast League 1977–1978). San Jose Bees (1962–1976) under affiliation of the Oakland A's, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners. San Jose Bees (1983–1987), two team: one under affiliation of the Baltimore Orioles, and the former Fresno team affiliated by the San Francisco Giants. San Jose Pirates (1958) relocated to Salinas in mid-season and to Las Vegas in 1959. San Jose Red Sox (1947–1955), *San Jose JoSox (1956–1957) under affiliation with the Boston Red Sox. San Jose Owls (1942), folded in mid-season. Stockton Flyers (1941), merged with the Anaheim Aces as both teams folded by onset of World War II. Stockton Ports (1978–present, as Stockton Mariners in 1978; as Stockton Ports in 1979–1999; as Mudville Nine in 2000–01) Ventura County Gulls (1985–86) under the Mariners and later Blue Jays. Visalia Mets (1962–1975, as Santa Barbara Rancheros in 1962–63; as Santa Barbara Dodgers in 1964–1967) before relocation to Bakersfield. Visalia Rawhide (1946–1962, 1968–1975, 1977–present), (1946–1952 and 1954–1956 as Visalia Cubs, 1953 as Visalia Stars, 1957–1959 as Visalia Redlegs, 1960–61 as Visalia A's, 1962 as Visalia White Sox, 1968–1975 as Visalia Mets, 1978–1992 and 1995–2008 as Visalia Oaks, Central Valley Rockies in 1993–94) while playing half of their games in Fresno.

The Los Angeles area, Riverside, San Bernardino, Palm Springs, Yuma (AZ) and Las Vegas (NV) were also major league spring training site cities, as well possessed California League teams on different occasions.

Cities that have had California League Teams (current in bold)

Adelanto (1991–2016) Anaheim (1941) ^AL Atwater (1960s) Bakersfield (1941–42, 1946–1975, 1978–79, 1982–2016) Fresno (1941–42, 1946–1988, 2020-present) ^PCL Lake Elsinore (1994–present) Lancaster (1996–2020) Las Vegas, Nevada (1958) ^PCL Lodi (1966–1984) Merced (1941) Modesto (1946–1964, 1966–present) Palm Springs (1986–1993)

Rancho Cucamonga (1993–present) Reno, Nevada (1955–1964, 1966–1992) ^PCL Riverside (1941, 1988–1990, 1993–1995) Rohnert Park (1980–1985) Salinas (1954–1958, 1963–1965, 1973–1980, 1982–1987, 1989–1992) San Bernardino (1941, 1987–present) San Jose (1942, 1947–1958, 1962–1976, 1979–present) Santa Barbara (1941–42, 1946–1953, 1962–1967) Santa Clara (1979) Stockton (1941, 1946–1972, 1978–present) Ventura (1947–1955, 1986) Visalia (1946–1962, 1968–1975, 1977–present)

[6]

Modesto has hosted a California League team longer than any other city, hosting a team in all but two of the CL's 65 seasons.

League timeline (1941-present)

Current team Former team

Team list (prior incarnations)

1906–1909

• Alameda Grays/Alameda Encinals 1906–1908
• Fresno Tigers/Fresno Raisin Growers 1908–09
• Oakland Commuters 1906–1909
• Sacramento Cordovas/Sacramento Senators 1906–1908
• San Francisco Orphans 1906–1909
• San Jose Prune Pickers 1906–1909
• Santa Cruz Sand Crabs 1908–09
• Stockton Millers 1906–1909

1896, 1898–1902

California of San Francisco 1896 Fresno 1898 Imperials of San Francisco 1896 Los Angeles Angels 1901–02 Oakland 1896 Oakland Reliance/Oaks/Commuters/Clamdiggers 1898–1902 Sacramento Gilt Edges 1899–1902 San Francisco Metropolitans 1896, 1898

San Francisco A's 1899 San Jose 1896, 1898 San Jose Brewers/San Francisco Brewers 1899–1900 San Francisco 1902 Santa Cruz Sand Crabs 1899 Stockton 1896, 1898 Stockton Wasps/San Francisco Wasps 1900–1901 Watsonville Hayseeds 1899

1879–1893

Los Angeles Seraphs/Los Angeles Angels 1892–1893 Oakland Colonels 1889-1893 Oakland Greenhood & Morans 1886-1888 Oakland Pioneers 1879 Sacramento Altas 1886–87, 1889 Sacramento Senators 1890-91 San Francisco 1880, 1884–85 San Francisco Athletics 1879-1881 San Francisco Bay City 1880 San Francisco Californias 1879–80, 1882–83 San Francisco Friscos/Metropolitans 1891-1893 San Francisco Haverlys 1883-1890

San Francisco Knickerbockers 1881 San Francisco Nationals 1882 San Francisco Mutuals 1879 San Francisco Niantic 1883 San Francisco Occidental 1884-85 San Francisco Pioneers 1886-1888 San Francisco Reddingtons 1883 San Francisco Reno 1881-82 San Francisco Star 1884-1886 San Jose Dukes 1891-92 Stockton 1888–1890 Stockton River Pirates/Sacramento Senators 1893

California League Hall of Fame

The California League inducted its first class of 15 inductees into its Hall of Fame in 2016.[7]

Awards

Most Valuable Player

The California League Most Valuable Player Award was established in 1941.

Pitcher of the Year

For award winners, see footnote.[8]

Rookie of the Year

For award winners, see footnote.[8]

Manager of the Year

For award winners, see footnote.[8]

Doug Harvey Award

The Doug Harvey Award—established in 2010—is for the umpire of the year.[8]

See also

• Baseball awards § California League

References

1. "Personnel and Staff". California League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
2. "Cal League to downsize in 2017". California League. Minor League Baseball. August 22, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
3. "A Message From Pat O'Conner". Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
4. "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
5. Didion, Alex. "A's to use San Jose as alternate training site for 2020 MLB season". Sports.Yahoo.com. Yahoo!. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
6. "California League (Adv A) Encyclopedia and History".
7. "California League League Hall of Fame". California League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
8. Go to the California League website (Minor League Baseball; retrieved on 2017-05-23), click on "About" and then "League Award Winners" and then scroll down through the five awards. The Doug Harvey Award is at the bottom.

External links

• California League web site