The 1981 California League was a Class A baseball season played between April 10 and August 30. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, as four teams qualified for the playoffs.
The Lodi Dodgers won the California League championship, as they defeated the Visalia Oaks in the final round of the playoffs.
League changes As the league went down to eight teams, the divisional format was abandoned in 1981.
Team changes The Salinas Angels disbanded. The Redwood Pioneers began a new affiliation with the California Angels. The San Jose Missions ended their affiliation with the Seattle Mariners.
Teams 1981 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 Redwood Pioneers Rohnert Park, California California Angels Rohnert Park Stadium Reno Silver Sox Reno, Nevada San Diego Padres Moana Stadium San Jose Missions San Jose, California None San Jose Municipal Stadium Stockton Ports Stockton, California Milwaukee Brewers Billy Hebert Field 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 1978.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed November 9, 2025 California League Team Win Loss % GB Visalia Oaks 87 53 – Reno Silver Sox 81 58 5.5 Lodi Dodgers 73 67 14 Stockton Ports 68 71 18.5 Modesto A's 67 71 19 Redwood Pioneers 66 74 22 Fresno Giants 63 77 25 San Jose Missions 53 87 35
League Leaders Batting leaders 1981 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 9, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Kent Hrbek, Visalia Oaks .379 H George Hinshaw, Reno Silver Sox 189 R Steve Garcia, Reno Silver Sox 120 2B Scotti Madison, Visalia Oaks 32 3B Lyle Brackenridge, Visalia Oaks Joe Scherger, Reno Silver Sox 10 HR Rob Deer, Fresno Giants 33 RBI George Hinshaw, Reno Silver Sox 131 SB Rusty McNealy, San Jose Missions 63
Pitching leaders 1981 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 9, 2025 Stat Player Total W Paul Voigt, Visalia Oaks 16 ERA Ron Romanick, Redwood Pioneers 2.91 CG Scott Arrington, Visalia Oaks Lou Marietta, San Jose Missions Frank Williams, Fresno Giants 14 SHO Sam Arrington, Visalia Oaks 4 SV Mike Couchee, Reno Silver Sox 16 IP Ron Romanick, Redwood Pioneers 207.0 SO Ron Romanick, Redwood Pioneers 178
Playoffs The playoff format changed to a 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 semi-final round. The Lodi Dodgers won their third California League championship, as they defeated the Visalia Oaks in five games.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Kent Hrbek, Visalia Oaks
See also 1981 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website