1975 Bakersfield Dodgers baseball program from the California League

Bakersfield Dodgers (1968-1975)

California League (1968-1975)

Tombstone

Born: October 18, 1967 – The Santa Barbara Dodgers relocate to Bakersfield, CA1UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL. “S.B. Dodgers Go To Bakersfield”. The Ventura County Star (Ventura, CA). October 19, 1967
Died: October 1975

First Game: April 19, 1968 (W 5-3 vs. Visalia Mets)
Last Game: August 31, 1975 (L 13-0 & L 3-2 vs. Visalia Mets)

California League Champions: 1970

Stadium

Sam Lynn Park (4,500)21975 San Jose Bees Program

Ownership & Affiliation

Owners:

Major League Affiliation: Los Angeles Dodgers

Attendance

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Source: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (3rd ed.), Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, 2007. Pages 542 – 570.

 

Background

The original Bakersfield Dodgers were a Class A farm club of the L.A. Dodgers from 1968 to 1975. The Dodgers replaced the Bakersfield Bears (1957-1967) in the California League membership in 1968.

A number of future Major League stars spent time at Bakersfield’s Sam Lynn Park during this era, including:

  • Outfielder Tom Paciorek (Bakersfield ’68-’69)
  • Shortstop Bill Russell (Bakersfield ’68)
  • Third baseman Ron Cey (Bakersfield ’69)
  • 1981 World Series MVP Steve Yeager (Bakersfield ’69)
  • Outfielder Lee Lacy (Bakersfield ’70)
  • Outfielder Jeff Leonard (Bakersfield ’75)
  • 1984 National League Cy Young Award winner Rick Sutcliffe (Bakersfield ’75)

Demise & Revival

At the end of the 1975 season Los Angeles withdrew their support of Bakersfield and moved their California League operation to Lodi.

The Dodgers returned in 1984 and the new version of the Bakersfield Dodgers played 11 seasons from 1984 to 1994.

 

Bakersfield Dodgers Shop

 

 

In Memoriam

Outfielder Glenn Burke (Bakersfield ’73-’74) died of AIDS-related causes on May 30, 1995 at age 42. New York Times obituary.

 

Links

California League Media Guides

California League Programs

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