The 1966 California League was a Class A baseball season played between April 19 and September 5. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, as the winner of each half of the season qualified for the California League championship round.
The Modesto Reds won the California League championship, as they had the best record in both halves of the season.
Team changes The Modesto Colts returned to the league following a one-year leave of absence. The club was renamed to the Modesto Reds and began an affiliation with the Kansas City Athletics. The Reno Silver Sox returned to the league following a one-year leave of absence. The club began an affiliation with the Cleveland Indians. The Salinas Indians relocated to Lodi, California and were renamed to the Lodi Crushers. The club ended their affiliation with the Cleveland Indians and began a new affiliation with the Chicago Cubs.
Teams 1966 California League Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium Bakersfield Bears Bakersfield, California Philadelphia Phillies Sam Lynn Ballpark Fresno Giants Fresno, California San Francisco Giants John Euless Park Lodi Crushers Lodi, California Chicago Cubs Lawrence Park Modesto Reds Modesto, California Kansas City Athletics Del Webb Field Reno Silver Sox Reno, Nevada Cleveland Indians Moana Stadium San Jose Bees San Jose, California California Angels San Jose Municipal Stadium Santa Barbara Dodgers Santa Barbara, California Los Angeles Dodgers Laguna Ball Park Stockton Ports Stockton, California Baltimore Orioles Billy Hebert Field
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Modesto Reds finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time since 1959. The Modesto Reds defeated the San Jose Bees in a tie-breaking game to win the first half of the season.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed October 16, 2025 California League Team Win Loss % GB Modesto Reds 88 53 – San Jose Bees 77 64 11 Fresno Giants 74 66 13.5 Reno Silver Sox 69 71 18.5 Santa Barbara Dodgers 69 71 18.5 Bakersfield Bears 68 72 19.5 Lodi Crushers 59 81 28.5 Stockton Ports 57 83 30.5
League Leaders Batting leaders 1966 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed October 16, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Gail Hopkins, Lodi Crushers .358 H Ed Bays, Reno Silver Sox 168 R Danny Greenfield, Modesto Reds 111 2B Ed Bays, Reno Silver Sox Jackie Disher, Fresno Giants 33 3B Al Gallagher, Fresno Giants 12 HR Dave Duncan, Modesto Reds 46 RBI Larry Wilson, Modesto Reds 117 SB Danny Greenfield, Modesto Reds 42
Pitching leaders 1966 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed October 16, 2025 Stat Player Total W Richard Armstrong, Santa Barbara Dodgers Greg Conger, Modesto Reds John Fouse, Reno Silver Sox 16 ERA Greg Conger, Modesto Reds 2.73 CG Tim Sommer, Stockton Ports 15 SHO Robert Barisoff, Santa Barbara Dodgers 5 IP Tim Sommer, Stockton Ports 226.0 SO Richard Armstrong, Santa Barbara Dodgers 186
Playoffs There were no playoffs held, as the Modesto Reds had the best record in both halves of the season. The Modesto Reds won their fourth California League championship.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Dave Duncan, Modesto Reds
See also 1966 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website