The 1952 California League was a Class C baseball season played between April 18 and September 7. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, as the top four teams qualified for the playoffs.
The Fresno Cardinals won the California League championship, defeating the San Jose Red Sox in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Stockton Ports began an affiliation with the St. Louis Browns.
Teams 1952 California League Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium Bakersfield Indians Bakersfield, California Cleveland Indians Sam Lynn Ballpark Fresno Cardinals Fresno, California St. Louis Cardinals Fresno State College Park Modesto Reds Modesto, California Pittsburgh Pirates Modesto Field San Jose Red Sox San Jose, California Boston Red Sox San Jose Municipal Stadium Santa Barbara Dodgers Santa Barbara, California Brooklyn Dodgers Laguna Park Stockton Ports Stockton, California St. Louis Browns Oak Park Field Ventura Braves Ventura, California Boston Braves Babe Ruth Field Visalia Cubs Visalia, California Chicago Cubs Recreation Ballpark
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Fresno Cardinals finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time since 1948.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed October 9, 2025 California League Team Win Loss % GB Fresno Cardinals 88 52 – San Jose Red Sox 74 66 14 Santa Barbara Dodgers 74 66 14 Visalia Cubs 72 68 16 Bakersfield Indians 70 70 18 Modesto Reds 67 73 21 Stockton Ports 59 81 29 Ventura Braves 56 84 32
League Leaders Batting leaders 1952 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed October 9, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Al Grandcolas, Fresno Cardinals .347 H Al Grandcolas, Fresno Cardinals 191 R Dave Cunningham, Visalia Cubs 132 2B Nap Gulley, Visalia Cubs 43 3B William Burton, Fresno Cardinals 11 HR Benjamin Downs, Fresno Cardinals 34 RBI Benjamin Downs, Fresno Cardinals 154 SB Dave Mann, Stockton Ports 59
Pitching leaders 1952 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed October 9, 2025 Stat Player Total W Larry Jackson, Fresno Cardinals 28 ERA Jake Abbott, Santa Barbara Dodgers 2.19 CG Larry Jackson, Fresno Cardinals 30 SHO Tony Freitas, Stockton Ports 7 IP Larry Jackson, Fresno Cardinals 300.0 SO Larry Jackson, Fresno Cardinals 351
Playoffs The Fresno Cardinals won their first California League championship, defeating the San Jose Red Sox in six games.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Larry Jackson, Fresno Cardinals
See also 1952 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website