The 1987 California League was a Class A baseball season played between April 9 and August 30. Ten teams played a 142-game schedule, as the winner of each half of the season qualified for the playoffs.
The Fresno Giants won the California League championship, as they defeated the Reno Padres in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Ventura County Gulls relocated to San Bernardino, California and were renamed to the San Bernardino Spirit. The club ended their affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays. The team remained in the South Division.
Teams 1987 California League Division Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium North Modesto A's Modesto, California Oakland Athletics John Thurman Field Reno Padres Reno, Nevada San Diego Padres Moana Stadium Salinas Spurs Salinas, California Seattle Mariners Salinas Municipal Stadium San Jose Bees San Jose, California None San Jose Municipal Stadium Stockton Ports Stockton, California Milwaukee Brewers Billy Hebert Field South Bakersfield Dodgers Bakersfield, California Los Angeles Dodgers Sam Lynn Ballpark Fresno Giants Fresno, California San Francisco Giants John Euless Park Palm Springs Angels Palm Springs, California California Angels Angels Stadium San Bernardino Spirit San Bernardino, California None Perris Hill Park Visalia Oaks Visalia, California Minnesota Twins Recreation Park
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Stockton Ports finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time since 1980.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed November 13, 2025 North Division Team Win Loss % GB Stockton Ports 94 48 – Modesto A's 79 63 15 Reno Padres 76 66 18 Salinas Spurs 64 78 30 San Jose Bees 33 109 61South Division Team Win Loss % GB Fresno Giants 80 63 – Bakersfield Dodgers 78 65 2 San Bernardino Spirit 70 72 9.5 Palm Springs Angels 69 73 10.5 Visalia Oaks 68 74 11.5
League Leaders Batting leaders 1987 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 13, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Jimmy Lester, Reno Padres .331 H Luis Lopez, Bakersfield Dodgers 181 R Jeff Carter, Fresno Giants 109 2B Luis Lopez, Bakersfield Dodgers 43 3B Jeff Carter, Fresno Giants 11 HR Bill Stevenson, Reno Padres 21 RBI Gary Sheffield, Stockton Ports 103 SB Rodney McCray, Reno Padres 65
Pitching leaders 1987 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 13, 2025 Stat Player Total W Tim Burcham, Palm Springs Angels Mike Pitz, Bakersfield Dodgers 17 ERA Dave Snell, Salinas Spurs 1.96 CG Taketo Kanei, San Jose Bees 16 SHO Taketo Kanei, San Jose Bees Cork McCorkle, Salinas Spurs Ed Puig, Stockton Ports 3 SV Mike Mills, Reno Padres 26 IP Mike Pitz, Bakersfield Dodgers 205.1 SO Park Pittman, Visalia Oaks 198
Playoffs The Fresno Giants earned a bye in the division finals as they finished the season in first place in the South Division in both halves of the season. The division finals was shortened to a best-of-three series. The finals were lengthened to a best-of-seven series. The Fresno Giants won their ninth California League championship, as they defeated the Reno Padres in seven games.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Luis Lopez, Bakersfield Dodgers
See also 1987 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website