The 1953 California League was a Class C baseball season played between April 17 and September 7. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, as the top four teams qualified for the playoffs.
The San Jose Red Sox won the California League championship, defeating the Stockton Ports in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Bakersfield Indians ended their affiliation with the Cleveland Indians and began a new affiliation with the Detroit Tigers. The Modesto Reds ended their affiliation with the Pittsburgh Pirates and began a new affiliation with the Milwaukee Braves. The Stockton Ports ended their affiliation with the St. Louis Browns and began a new affiliation with the Chicago Cubs. The Ventura Braves ended their affiliation with the Boston Braves. The club was renamed to the Ventura Oilers. The Visalia Cubs ended their affiliation with the Chicago Cubs. The club was renamed to the Visalia Stars.
Teams 1953 California League Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium Bakersfield Indians Bakersfield, California Detroit Tigers Sam Lynn Ballpark Fresno Cardinals Fresno, California St. Louis Cardinals Fresno State College Park Modesto Reds Modesto, California Milwaukee Braves 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 Chicago Cubs Billy Hebert Field Ventura Oilers Ventura, California None Babe Ruth Field Visalia Stars Visalia, California None Recreation Ballpark
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The San Jose Red Sox finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time since in team history.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed October 9, 2025 California League Team Win Loss % GB San Jose Red Sox 93 47 – Bakersfield Indians 75 65 18 Santa Barbara Dodgers 74 66 19 Stockton Ports 72 68 21 Visalia Stars 67 73 26 Fresno Cardinals 64 77 29.5 Modesto Reds 64 77 29.5 Ventura Oilers 52 88 41
League Leaders Batting leaders 1953 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed October 9, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG José Pérez, Ventura Oilers .373 H Jim O'Brien, Stockton Ports 181 R Ray Perry, Bakersfield Indians 120 2B Bill Garbe, Bakersfield Indians Ray Perry, Bakersfield Indians 41 3B Jay Roundy, Visalia Stars 12 HR Ray Perry, Bakersfield Indians 36 RBI Edward Sobczak, San Jose Red Sox 142 SB Marty Keough, San Jose Red Sox Donald Lopes, Bakersfield Indians 28
Pitching leaders 1953 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed October 9, 2025 Stat Player Total W Tony Freitas, Stockton Ports 22 ERA Tex Clevenger, San Jose Red Sox 1.51 CG Tony Freitas, Stockton Ports 28 SHO Art Demery, Bakersfield Indians Guy Fletcher, Modesto Reds Tony Freitas, Stockton Ports Clair Parkin, San Jose Red Sox Solon Shaw, Visalia Stars Bud Watkins, Stockton Ports 3 IP Tony Freitas, Stockton Ports Tony Ponce, Ventura Oilers 279.0 SO Clair Parkin, San Jose Red Sox 192
Playoffs The San Jose Red Sox won their second California League championship, defeating the Stockton Ports in six games.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Tex Clevenger, San Jose Red Sox
See also 1953 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website