The 1972 California League was a Class A baseball season played between April 14 and August 31. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, as the winner of each half of the season qualified for the California League championship round.
The Modesto Reds won the California League championship, as they defeated the Bakersfield Dodgers in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Lodi Padres ended their affiliation with the San Diego Padres and began a new affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles. The club was renamed to the Lodi Orions. The Stockton Ports ended their affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles and began a new affiliation with the California Angels.
Teams 1972 California League Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium Bakersfield Dodgers Bakersfield, California Los Angeles Dodgers Sam Lynn Ballpark Fresno Giants Fresno, California San Francisco Giants John Euless Park Lodi Orions Lodi, California Baltimore Orioles Lawrence Park Modesto Reds Modesto, California St. Louis Cardinals Del Webb Field Reno Silver Sox Reno, Nevada Cleveland Indians Moana Stadium San Jose Bees San Jose, California Kansas City Royals San Jose Municipal Stadium Stockton Ports Stockton, California California Angels Billy Hebert Field Visalia Mets Visalia, California New York Mets Recreation Park
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Bakersfield Dodgers finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time since 1970.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed November 5, 2025 California League Team Win Loss % GB Bakersfield Dodgers 88 52 – Modesto Reds 76 63 11.5 San Jose Bees 76 64 12 Fresno Giants 74 64 13 Visalia Mets 73 67 15 Lodi Orions 67 73 21 Stockton Ports 52 85 34.5 Reno Silver Sox 50 88 37
League Leaders Batting leaders 1972 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 5, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Glenn Monroe, Reno Silver Sox .349 H Bob Randall, Bakersfield Dodgers 184 R Skip James, Fresno Giants 111 2B Gordon Carter, Fresno Giants 30 3B Jim Dwyer, Modesto Reds 13 HR Skip James, Fresno Giants 32 RBI Skip James, Fresno Giants 123 SB Bob Bailor, Lodi Orions 63
Pitching leaders 1972 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 5, 2025 Stat Player Total W Rick Nitz, Bakersfield Dodgers 18 ERA Paul Pelz, San Jose Bees 2.36 CG John D'Acquisto, Fresno Giants 17 SHO Michael Browne, Stockton Ports 4 SV Richard Dorsch, Bakersfield Dodgers 14 IP Rick Nitz, Bakersfield Dodgers 211.0 SO John D'Acquisto, Fresno Giants 245
Playoffs The Modesto Reds won their fifth California League championship, defeating the Bakersfield Dodgers in two games.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Skip James, Fresno Giants
See also 1972 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website