The 1986 California League was a Class A baseball season played between April 11 and August 31. Ten teams played a 142-game schedule, as the winner of each half of the season qualified for the playoffs.
The Stockton Ports won the California League championship, as they defeated the Visalia Oaks in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Lodi Crushers franchise is re-activated and relocated to Ventura, California and were renamed to the Ventura County Gulls. The club joined the South Division and began an affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Redwood Pioneers relocated to Palm Springs, California and were renamed to the Palm Springs Angels. The club moved from the North Division to the South Division and remained affiliated with the California Angels. The Salinas Spurs move from the South Division to the North Division.
Teams 1986 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 Ventura County Gulls Ventura, California Toronto Blue Jays Ventura College Ballpark Visalia Oaks Visalia, California Minnesota Twins Recreation Park
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Palm Springs Angels finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time in team history.
Standings CALL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed November 13, 2025 North Division Team Win Loss % GB Stockton Ports 83 59 – Salinas Spurs 77 65 6 Reno Padres 73 69 10 Modesto A's 69 73 14 San Jose Bees 65 77 18South Division Team Win Loss % GB Palm Springs Angels 87 55 – Visalia Oaks 75 67 12 Ventura County Gulls 75 67 12 Fresno Giants 66 76 21 Bakersfield Dodgers 40 102 47
League Leaders Batting leaders 1986 CALL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 13, 2025 Stat Player Total AVG Roberto Alomar, Reno Padres .346 H Norio Tanabe, San Jose Bees 166 R Tim Schwarz, Visalia Oaks 102 2B Ty Dabney, Fresno Giants 36 3B Rob DeWolf, Stockton Ports 14 HR Brad Pounders, Reno Padres 35 RBI Ty Van Burkleo, Palm Springs Angels 108 SB Rob DeWolf, Stockton Ports 51
Pitching leaders 1986 CALL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed November 13, 2025 Stat Player Total W Jeff Peterek, Stockton Ports 15 ERA Mike Christ, Salinas Spurs 2.69 CG Hisanori Yokota, San Jose Bees 10 SHO Jeff Peterek, Stockton Ports 3 SV Randy McCament, Fresno Giants 19 IP Ed Puig, Reno Padres 178.2 SO Dennis Cook, Fresno Giants 173
Playoffs The Stockton Ports won their seventh California League championship, as they defeated the Visalia Oaks in three games.
Playoff bracket
Awards California League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Ty Dabney, Fresno Giants
See also 1986 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website