1959 California League season
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| 1959 California League season | |
|---|---|
| League | California League |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Duration | April 21 – September 7 |
| Number of games | 140 |
| Number of teams | 6 |
| Regular season | |
| League champions | Modesto Reds |
| Season MVP | Willie Davis, Reno Silver Sox |
| Playoffs | |
| League champions | Modesto Reds |
| Runners-up | Bakersfield Bears |
The 1959 California League was a Class C baseball season played between April 21 and September 7. Six 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, defeating the Bakersfield Bears in the final round of the playoffs.
- The Las Vegas Wranglers fold.
- The Salinas Packers fold.
- The Stockton Ports ended their affiliation with the St. Louis Cardinals and began a new affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles.
Teams
Map of teams
Regular season
Summary
- The Modesto Reds finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time in team history.
Standings
| California League | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Win | Loss | % | GB |
| Modesto Reds | 86 | 55 | .610 | – |
| Reno Silver Sox | 81 | 58 | .583 | 4 |
| Stockton Ports | 76 | 63 | .547 | 9 |
| Bakersfield Bears | 70 | 71 | .496 | 16 |
| Visalia Redlegs | 63 | 77 | .450 | 22.5 |
| Fresno Giants | 44 | 96 | .314 | 41.5 |
League Leaders
Batting leaders
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| AVG | Pedro González, Modesto Reds | .371 |
| H | Willie Davis, Reno Silver Sox | 187 |
| R | Willie Davis, Reno Silver Sox | 135 |
| 2B | Willie Davis, Reno Silver Sox | 40 |
| 3B | Willie Davis, Reno Silver Sox | 16 |
| HR | Rich Barry, Modesto Reds | 37 |
| RBI | Ronald Wiley, Bakersfield Bears | 125 |
| SB | Chico Ruiz, Visalia Redlegs | 61 |
Pitching leaders
Playoffs
- The playoffs were shortened to only the final round.
- The championship series was lengthened to a best-of-seven series.
- The winners of each half of the season qualified for the post-season.
- The Modesto Reds won their third California League championship, defeating the Bakersfield Bears in six games.
Playoff bracket
| Finals | ||||
| 1 | Bakersfield | 2 | ||
| 2 | Modesto | 4 | ||
Awards
| California League awards | |
|---|---|
| Award name | Recipient |
| Most Valuable Player | Willie Davis, Reno Silver Sox |