The 1973 California League was a Class A baseball season played between April 13 and August 29. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, as the winner of each half of the season qualified for the California League championship round.
The Lodi Lions won the California League championship, as they defeated the Bakersfield Dodgers in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Stockton Ports relocated to Salinas, California and were renamed to the Salinas Packers. The club remained affiliated with the California Angels. The Lodi Orions are renamed to the Lodi Lions. The club remained affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles.
Teams 1973 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 Lions 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 Salinas Packers Salinas, California California Angels Salinas Municipal Stadium San Jose Bees San Jose, California Kansas City Royals San Jose Municipal Stadium Visalia Mets Visalia, California New York Mets Recreation Park
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Lodi Lions and Salinas Packers finished with the best records in the league. Despite finishing tied for first place, the Salinas Packers did not qualify for the post-season due to not finishing in first place in either half of the season. The Lodi Lions finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time in team history. The Salinas Packers finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time in team history.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed November 5, 2025 California League Team Win Loss % GB Lodi Lions 77 63 – Salinas Packers 77 63 – San Jose Bees 75 65 2 Bakersfield Dodgers 70 70 7 Reno Silver Sox 70 70 7 Fresno Giants 69 71 14 Visalia Mets 62 78 15 Modesto Reds 60 80 11.5
League Leaders Batting leaders 1973 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 5, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Dave Cripe, San Jose Bees .310 H Mike Eden, Fresno Giants 159 R Rick Manning, Reno Silver Sox 101 2B Tim Steele, Bakersfield Dodgers Mike Vail, Modesto Reds 31 3B Rick Manning, Reno Silver Sox 14 HR John Balaz, Salinas Packers 28 RBI John Balaz, Salinas Packers 113 SB Kenzie Davis, San Jose Bees 82
Pitching leaders 1973 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 5, 2025 Stat Player Total W Dennis Leonard, San Jose Bees 15 ERA Curtis Isom, San Jose Bees 2.42 CG Dennis Leonard, San Jose Bees Larry McCall, Lodi Lions 16 SHO Dennis Eckersley, Reno Silver Sox Dennis Leonard, San Jose Bees 5 SV Dave Heaverlo, Fresno Giants 17 IP Curtis Isom, San Jose Bees 208.0 SO Curtis Isom, San Jose Bees 227
Playoffs The Lodi Lions won their first California League championship, defeating the Bakersfield Dodgers in two games.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player John Balaz, Salinas Packers
See also 1973 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website