The 1976 California League was a Class A baseball season played between April 13 and August 29. 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 defeated the Salinas Angels in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Bakersfield Dodgers took a leave of absence from the league. The Visalia Mets took a leave of absence from the league. The Lodi Orioles ended their affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles and began a new affiliation with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The club was renamed to the Lodi Dodgers. The Salinas Packers are renamed to the Salinas Angels. The club remained affiliated with the California Angels.
Teams 1976 California League Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium Fresno Giants Fresno, California San Francisco Giants John Euless Park Lodi Dodgers Lodi, California Los Angeles Dodgers Lawrence Park Modesto A's Modesto, California Oakland Athletics Del Webb Field Reno Silver Sox Reno, Nevada Minnesota Twins San Diego Padres Moana Stadium Salinas Angels Salinas, California California Angels Salinas Municipal Stadium San Jose Bees San Jose, California Cleveland Indians San Jose Municipal Stadium
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Salinas Angels finished with the best record in the league for the first time in team history.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed November 6, 2025 California League Team Win Loss % GB Salinas Angels 91 49 – Fresno Giants 77 63 14 Reno Silver Sox 75 62 14.5 Modesto A's 65 72 24.5 Lodi Dodgers 64 76 27 San Jose Bees 45 95 46
League Leaders Batting leaders 1976 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 6, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Daniel Argee, Modesto A's .356 H Doc Estes, Reno Silver Sox 184 R Hosken Powell, Reno Silver Sox 118 2B Daniel Argee, Modesto A's 35 3B Doc Estes, Reno Silver Sox 13 HR Dan Graham, Reno Silver Sox 29 RBI Dan Graham, Reno Silver Sox 115 SB Thad Bosley, Salinas Angels 90
Pitching leaders 1976 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 6, 2025 Stat Player Total W Kenny Califano, Salinas Angels 15 ERA Greg Heydeman, Lodi Dodgers 3.46 CG Greg Heydeman, Lodi Dodgers Doug Schaefer, Fresno Giants Alan Wirth, Fresno Giants 12 SHO Bruce MacPherson, Reno Silver Sox 3 SV Gus Quiros, Modesto A's 18 IP Greg Heydeman, Lodi Dodgers 195.0 SO Greg Heydeman, Lodi Dodgers 159
Playoffs The Reno Silver Sox won their second consecutive, and fourth overall, California League championship, as they defeated the Salinas Angels in four games.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Thad Bosley, Salinas Angels
See also 1976 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website