The California League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in California. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues. The league temporarily operated for the 2021 season as the Low-A West before reassuming its original moniker in 2022.
Frank Leroy Chance was an American professional baseball player. A first baseman, Chance played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees from 1898 through 1914. He also served as manager of the Cubs, Yankees, and Boston Red Sox.
George Edward "Duffy" Lewis was an American professional baseball left fielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees, and the Washington Senators from 1910 to 1921.
John Wesley Coombs, nicknamed "Colby Jack" after his alma mater, was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics (1906–14), Brooklyn Robins (1915–18), and Detroit Tigers (1920). In 1910, Coombs won 31 games during the regular season and three games in the World Series to lead the Athletics to the championship. A two-way player, he also occasionally played as an outfielder.
Daniel Ralph Glaze was an American sportsman and coach who played as a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, and later became a football and baseball coach and administrator at several colleges.
The Oakland Athletics' 1987 season involved the A's finishing third in the American League West with a record of 81 wins and 81 losses. Mark McGwire set a rookie record by hitting 49 home runs. At the beginning of the season, the word "Athletics" returned, in script lettering, to the front of the team's jerseys. Former A's owner, Charles O. Finley banned the word "Athletics" from the club's name in the past because he felt that name was too closely associated with former Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack. In his first full Major League season, Mark McGwire hit 49 home runs, a single-season record for a rookie; he was named the American League Rookie of the Year. McGwire would be the first American League rookie since Al Rosen of the Cleveland Indians in 1950 to lead the American League in home runs. The 1987 season also saw the return of Reggie Jackson to Oakland.
The Southern Michigan League was a Minor League Baseball circuit which operated between 1906 and 1912. It was classified as a Class D league from 1906 to 1910 and as a Class C league from 1911 to 1912. After that, the league was known as the Southern Michigan Association between 1913 and 1915.
The Central League was a minor league baseball league that operated sporadically in 1900, from 1903–1917, 1920–1922, 1926, 1928–1930, 1934, and 1948–1951. In 1926, the league merged mid-season with the Michigan State League and played under that name for the remainder of the season. The Central League later reformed in 1928.
The Northwestern League was a professional sports league in minor league baseball that operated from 1905 to 1917. It was represented by teams based in British Columbia, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The league became the Pacific Coast International League in 1918.
There were at least three class D California State Leagues in operation at some point in minor league baseball history. Two lasted just a single season and the other lasted three seasons 1913 through 1915.
The Central California League was a minor league baseball league that played in the 1910 and 1911 seasons. The Class D level league franchises were based exclusively in California. The league had a multitude of franchise relocations, before it permanently folded during the 1911 season. The 1910 Alameda Alerts and 1911 San Leandro Cherry Pickers captured league championships.
Minor league baseball teams were based in South Bend, Indiana in various seasons beginning in 1888 through 1932, setting the foundation for the current franchise, who began play in 1988.
Minor league baseball teams played in Saginaw, Michigan in various seasons between 1884 and 1951. Saginaw teams played as members of the Northwestern League (1884), Michigan State League (1889), Ohio-Michigan League (1893), Michigan State League (1897), International League, Interstate Association (1906), Southern Michigan League, Michigan-Ontario League (1919–1926), Michigan State League and Central League (1948–1951).
The Richmond Merchants were a minor league baseball team based in Richmond, California. In the 1910 and 1911 seasons, the Merchants played as members of the Class D level Central California League, winning the league pennant in the 1910 season.
The Hayward Cubs were a minor league baseball team based in Hayward, California. In 1910 and 1911, Heyward teams played as members of the Class D level Central California League. The 1910 Heyward team played a partial season after San Rafael relocated to Heyward, who then moved to Fruitvale. The 1911 Cubs resumed league play and finished in seventh place. The Heyward teams hosted minor league home games at the Boosters' Club Baseball Grounds.
The Oakland Emery Arms were a minor league baseball team based in Oakland, California. In 1910 and 1911, Oakland teams played as members of the Class D level Central California League. The 1910 "Oakland Basches" preceded the Emery Arms and played a partial season in the league.
The Berkeley Clarions were a minor league baseball team based in Berkeley, California. In the 1910 and 1911 seasons, the Clarions played as members of the Class D level Central California League, with the team playing partial seasons in both years. Berkeley hosted home minor league games at the Dwight Way Grounds.
The Jackson Convicts were a minor league baseball team based in Jackson, Michigan. From 1906 to 1915, Jackson teams played as members of the Southern Michigan League for the duration of the league but did not claim a league championship in their tenure. In 1914 and 1915, Jackson played one season each known as the "Chiefs" and "Vets." Jackson teams hosted home minor league teams at Keeley Park. The team "Convicts" nickname corresponded to Jackson serving as home to the Michigan State Prison in the era.
