1972 California League season
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| 1972 California League season | |
|---|---|
| League | California League |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Duration | April 14 – August 31 |
| Games | 140 |
| Teams | 8 |
| Regular season | |
| League champions | Bakersfield Dodgers |
| Season MVP | Skip James, Fresno Giants |
| Playoffs | |
| League champions | Modesto Reds |
| Runners-up | Bakersfield Dodgers |
The 1972 California League was a Class A baseball season played between April 14 and August 31. 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 defeated the Bakersfield Dodgers in the final round of the playoffs.
- The Lodi Padres ended their affiliation with the San Diego Padres and began a new affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles. The club was renamed to the Lodi Orions.
- The Stockton Ports ended their affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles and began a new affiliation with the California Angels.
Teams
Map of teams
Regular season
Summary
- The Bakersfield Dodgers finished with the best record in the regular season for the first time since 1970.
Standings
| California League | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Win | Loss | % | GB |
| Bakersfield Dodgers | 88 | 52 | .629 | – |
| Modesto Reds | 76 | 63 | .547 | 11.5 |
| San Jose Bees | 76 | 64 | .543 | 12 |
| Fresno Giants | 74 | 64 | .536 | 13 |
| Visalia Mets | 73 | 67 | .521 | 15 |
| Lodi Orions | 67 | 73 | .479 | 21 |
| Stockton Ports | 52 | 85 | .380 | 34.5 |
| Reno Silver Sox | 50 | 88 | .362 | 37 |
League Leaders
Batting leaders
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| AVG | Glenn Monroe, Reno Silver Sox | .349 |
| H | Bob Randall, Bakersfield Dodgers | 184 |
| R | Skip James, Fresno Giants | 111 |
| 2B | Gordon Carter, Fresno Giants | 30 |
| 3B | Jim Dwyer, Modesto Reds | 13 |
| HR | Skip James, Fresno Giants | 32 |
| RBI | Skip James, Fresno Giants | 123 |
| SB | Bob Bailor, Lodi Orions | 63 |
Pitching leaders
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| W | Rick Nitz, Bakersfield Dodgers | 18 |
| ERA | Paul Pelz, San Jose Bees | 2.36 |
| CG | John D'Acquisto, Fresno Giants | 17 |
| SHO | Michael Browne, Stockton Ports | 4 |
| SV | Richard Dorsch, Bakersfield Dodgers | 14 |
| IP | Rick Nitz, Bakersfield Dodgers | 211.0 |
| SO | John D'Acquisto, Fresno Giants | 245 |
Playoffs
- The Modesto Reds won their fifth California League championship, defeating the Bakersfield Dodgers in two games.
Playoff bracket
| Finals | ||||
| 1 | Bakersfield | 0 | ||
| 2 | Modesto | 2 | ||
Awards
| California League awards | |
|---|---|
| Award name | Recipient |
| Most Valuable Player | Skip James, Fresno Giants |