The 2002 California League was a Class A-Advanced baseball season played between April 4 and September 1. Ten teams played a 140-game schedule, as three teams from each division qualified for the post-season, the winner of each half of the season plus playoff qualifiers.
The Stockton Ports won the California League championship, as they defeated the Lake Elsinore Storm in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Mudville Nine are renamed to the Stockton Ports. The club continued their affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds.
Teams 2002 California League Division Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium North Bakersfield Blaze Bakersfield, California Tampa Bay Devil Rays Sam Lynn Ballpark Modesto A's Modesto, California Oakland Athletics John Thurman Field San Jose Giants San Jose, California San Francisco Giants San Jose Municipal Stadium Stockton Ports Stockton, California Cincinnati Reds Billy Hebert Field Visalia Oaks Visalia, California Oakland Athletics Recreation Park South High Desert Mavericks Adelanto, California Milwaukee Brewers Maverick Stadium Lake Elsinore Storm Lake Elsinore, California San Diego Padres Lake Elsinore Diamond Lancaster JetHawks Lancaster, California Arizona Diamondbacks The Hangar Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Rancho Cucamonga, California Anaheim Angels Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter San Bernardino Stampede San Bernardino, California Seattle Mariners Arrowhead Credit Union Park
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Stockton Ports finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time since 1992. The Visalia Oaks defeated the Bakersfield Blaze in a tie-breaking game to clinch the third playoff position in the North Division.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed November 23, 2025 North Division Team Win Loss % GB Stockton Ports 89 51 – Modesto A's 78 62 11 Visalia Oaks 70 71 19.5 Bakersfield Blaze 69 72 20.5 San Jose Giants 68 72 21South Division Team Win Loss % GB San Bernardino Stampede 77 63 – Lake Elsinore Storm 75 65 2 Lancaster JetHawks 63 77 14 High Desert Mavericks 60 80 17 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 52 88 25
League Leaders Batting leaders 2002 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 22, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Jon Knott, Lake Elsinore Storm .341 H José López, San Bernardino Stampede 169 R Jonny Gomes, Bakersfield Blaze 102 2B José López, San Bernardino Stampede 39 3B Dave Krynzel, High Desert Mavericks 12 HR Jorge Soto, Visalia Oaks 31 RBI Jesús Cota, Lancaster JetHawks 101 SB Marcus Nettles, Lake Elsinore Storm 58
Pitching leaders 2002 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 23, 2025 Stat Player Total W Russ Morgan, San Bernardino Stampede Ryan Mottl, Stockton Ports 13 ERA Jeff Clark, San Jose Giants 2.06 CG Rich Fischer, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5 SHO Rich Fischer, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 4 SV Jared Hoerman, San Bernardino Stampede 29 IP Ryan Mottl, Stockton Ports 180.0 SO Clint Nageotte, San Bernardino Stampede 214
Playoffs The Stockton Ports won their tenth California League championship, as they defeated the Lake Elsinore Storm in four games.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Rocco Baldelli, Bakersfield Blaze
See also 2002 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website