The 1978 California League was a Class A baseball season played between April 13 and August 31. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, as the winner of each half of the season qualifying for the playoffs.
The Visalia Oaks won the California League championship, as they defeated the Lodi Dodgers in the final round of the playoffs.
League changes The California League split into two divisions beginning in 1978. The divisions were the North Division and the South Division.
Team changes The Bakersfield Outlaws joined the league as an expansion team and joined the South Division. The Stockton Mariners joined the league as an expansion and joined the North Division. The club began an affiliation with the Seattle Mariners.
Teams 1978 California League Division Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium North Lodi Dodgers Lodi, California Los Angeles Dodgers Lawrence Park Modesto A's Modesto, California Oakland Athletics Del Webb Field Reno Silver Sox Reno, Nevada San Diego Padres Moana Stadium Stockton Mariners Stockton, California Seattle Mariners Billy Hebert Field South Bakersfield Outlaws Bakersfield, California None Sam Lynn Ballpark Fresno Giants Fresno, California San Francisco Giants John Euless Park Salinas Angels Salinas, California California Angels Salinas Municipal Stadium Visalia Oaks Visalia, California Minnesota Twins Recreation Park
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Visalia Oaks finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time since 1957.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed November 8, 2025 North Division Team Win Loss % GB Lodi Dodgers 85 55 – Stockton Mariners 63 77 22 Reno Silver Sox 62 78 23 Modesto A's 61 79 24South Division Team Win Loss % GB Visalia Oaks 97 42 – Salinas Angels 84 56 13.5 Fresno Giants 59 80 38 Bakersfield Outlaws 48 92 49.5
League Leaders Batting leaders 1978 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 8, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Joe Charboneau, Visalia Oaks .350 H Steve Douglas, Visalia Oaks 192 R Steve Douglas, Visalia Oaks 142 2B Scott Ullger, Visalia Oaks 36 3B Steve Douglas, Visalia Oaks 17 HR Steven McManaman, Visalia Oaks 29 RBI Steven McManaman, Visalia Oaks 120 SB Richard Brewster, Salinas Angels 70
Pitching leaders 1978 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 8, 2025 Stat Player Total W Gene Robinson, Visalia Oaks Bob Veselic, Visalia Oaks 18 ERA Jim Lewis, Stockton Mariners 2.12 CG Bud Anderson, Stockton Mariners 16 SHO Dave Beard, Modesto A's Jim Lewis, Stockton Mariners 5 SV Mickey Lashley, Lodi Dodgers 17 IP Jim Lewis, Stockton Mariners 212.0 SO Jim Lewis, Stockton Mariners 189
Playoffs The playoffs expanded to two rounds, as a best-of-three divisional final was added. Both the Lodi Dodgers and Visalia Oaks finished in first place in each half of the season, therefore earning byes to the finals. The Visalia Oaks won their second California League championship, as they defeated the Lodi Dodgers in five games.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Steve Douglas, Visalia Oaks
See also 1978 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website