The 1961 California League was a Class C baseball season played between April 25 and September 4. Six teams played a 140-game schedule, as the winner of each half of the season qualified for the California League championship round.
The Reno Silver Sox won the California League championship, as they won both halves of the season.
Teams 1961 California League Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium Bakersfield Bears Bakersfield, California Philadelphia Phillies Sam Lynn Ballpark Fresno Giants Fresno, California San Francisco Giants John Euless Park Modesto Reds Modesto, California New York Yankees Del Webb Field Reno Silver Sox Reno, Nevada Los Angeles Dodgers Moana Stadium Stockton Ports Stockton, California Baltimore Orioles Billy Hebert Field Visalia A's Visalia, California Kansas City Athletics Recreation Ballpark
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Reno Silver Sox finished with the best record in the regular season for the second consecutive season.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed October 15, 2025 California League Team Win Loss % GB Reno Silver Sox 97 43 – Bakersfield Bears 82 58 15 Fresno Giants 68 72 29 Visalia A's 60 79 36.5 Modesto Reds 57 82 39.5 Stockton Ports 54 84 42
League Leaders Batting leaders 1961 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed October 15, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Don Williams, Reno Silver Sox .363 H Don Williams, Reno Silver Sox 197 R Don Williams, Reno Silver Sox 132 2B Lou Ertle, Reno Silver Sox Dick Nen, Reno Silver Sox 34 3B Jim Ray Hart, Fresno Giants 14 HR Dick Nen, Reno Silver Sox 32 RBI Dick Nen, Reno Silver Sox 144 SB Billy Sorrell, Bakersfield Bears 43
Pitching leaders 1961 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed October 11, 2025 Stat Player Total W Bruce Gardner, Reno Silver Sox 20 ERA Joe Moeller, Reno Silver Sox 1.82 CG Bruce Gardner, Reno Silver Sox 18 SHO Joe Moeller, Reno Silver Sox 5 IP José Santiago, Visalia A's 222.0 SO José Santiago, Visalia A's 218
Playoffs There were no playoffs held, as the Reno Silver Sox won both halves of the regular season. The Reno Silver Sox won their second consecutive California League championship.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Don Williams, Reno Silver Sox
See also 1961 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website