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Albuquerque Isotopes

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Albuquerque Isotopes
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassTriple-A (2003–present)
LeaguePacific Coast League (2003–present)
DivisionEast Division
Major league affiliations
TeamColorado Rockies (2015–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Division titles (3)
  • 2003
  • 2009
  • 2012
Team data
NameAlbuquerque Isotopes (2003–present)
ColorsBlack, red, white
     
MascotOrbit
BallparkRio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park (2003–present)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Diamond Baseball Holdings[1]
General managerJohn Traub
ManagerPedro Lopez[2]
Websitemilb.com/albuquerque

The Albuquerque Isotopes are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. They play home games at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at an elevation of 5,100 feet (1,555 m) above sea level.

In 2003, the Calgary Cannons moved from Alberta to Albuquerque and became the Isotopes playing in the Pacific Coast League. The team was affiliated with the Florida Marlins until 2008 and the Dodgers from 2009 to 2014. In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Isotopes were organized into the Triple-A West, which was renamed the Pacific Coast League in 2022. The team won division titles in 2003, 2009, and 2012; it has never won a league championship.

The Isotopes' mascot is Orbit, a yellow, orange, and red alien (similar to the Houston Astros' mascot of the same name). In 2016, Forbes listed the team as the 14th-most valuable Minor League Baseball team with a value of $34 million.[3]

Background

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The Isotopes were preceded in minor league baseball play by the Albuquerque Dukes of the 1915 Rio Grande Association, followed by the Albuquerque Dons and Albuquerque Cardinals, who played as members of the Arizona-Texas League from 1932 to 1941. In 1946, the Albuquerque Dukes began a long era of play as members of the West Texas-New Mexico League.[4]

Albuquerque's previous minor-league team was the Los Angeles Dodgers-affiliated Albuquerque Dukes, which won several PCL championships in the 1970s and 1980s. The team was sold to Marshall Glickman and Mike Higgins, who moved it to Oregon in March 2000 and renamed it the Portland Beavers.

In January 2001, a group of businessmen led by Ken Young and Mike Koldyke agreed to buy the Calgary Cannons with the intention of bringing the team to Albuquerque for the 2003 season. But Young and Koldyke told the city of Albuquerque that they would only buy the team if the city would fund a new stadium or renovate the existing Albuquerque Sports Stadium. In May 2001, the city approved a vote to spend $25 million on a renovation. Ken Young and Mike Koldyke then bought the Cannons, moved the team to Albuquerque, and renamed it the Isotopes.

Name origins

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The team's name recalls the fictional 'Springfield Isotopes' from the long-running TV series The Simpsons, first appearing in the Season 2 episode "Dancin' Homer" (aired in 1990) in which the main character Homer Simpson temporarily becomes his local baseball team's mascot. In the episode "Hungry, Hungry Homer", which first aired on March 4, 2001, Homer attempts to thwart the team's plan to move to Albuquerque by going on a hunger strike. Subsequently, when the Albuquerque Tribune asked its online readers to help choose a new name for the Cannons, "Isotopes" received 67 percent of the 120,000 votes cast.[5] "Dancin' Homer" writer Ken Levine said he was surprised when many Albuquerque journalists started calling him regarding the team name, as Isotopes had been chosen as "the funniest, goofiest name we could come up with" and he never thought it had potential for a real team, while adding that he had always liked the city's previous minor league team, the Albuquerque Dukes, as it was the farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers he supported.[6]

Though team president Ken Young admitted that the name came from the series,[7] he said at the name's unveiling, "We picked it because over the past year it has become a popular name, and it does have something to do with Albuquerque."[8] The "Isotopes" name was deemed appropriate, since New Mexico has a number of well-known scientific and military facilities dealing with nuclear technology, such as Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP), as well as the site of the Trinity test. In addition, uranium mining was a significant industry in the state during the Cold War.

In the three months after the team's name was announced in September 2002, before the team ever took the field, the team sold more merchandise than the previous Albuquerque Dukes had sold in any single season,[9] and led minor league baseball in merchandising revenue in 2003.[10] The team said they were able to tell when episodes featuring the Springfield Isotopes would air in different markets based on clusters of orders from different viewing areas.[9] The team has no working agreements with the rightsholders of The Simpsons.[11] However, statues of Homer, Bart, Lisa, and Marge Simpson (originally created as a promotional item for the 2007 film[12]) are located at RGCU Field at Isotopes Park.[13]

Team history

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The planned renovation eventually turned into the construction of a new baseball facility, Isotopes Park, around the old playing field.

The Isotopes played their first official game in Albuquerque on April 11, 2003, three years after the Dukes left for Portland. At Isotopes Park, the baseball team was greeted by over 12,000 fans in their opening day game. In the Isotopes' opening season, the baseball team saw over 575,000 fans enter their stadium to watch their newly acquired team perform. During the 2003 season, Albuquerque saw immediate success as their new team won the 2003 Central Division Title and in addition to that, entered the 2003 Pacific Coast League Playoffs.

In 2008, the Albuquerque Isotopes achieved a new feat when they reached a new franchise record in attendance with over 590,000 fans. [14]

In July 2009, Albuquerque received an unusual amount of nationwide attention following the arrival of Manny Ramirez. The outfielder at the time was under intense scrutiny for a suspension he received after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, more commonly known as PEDs, and was slated to play a total of three games with the Albuquerque Isotopes before returning to the major league. The Albuquerque Isotopes ran multiple promotions for the arrival of Manny Ramirez including advertisements, wigs bearing an extreme similarity to the hair of Manny Ramirez, etc. which ultimately led to a then-attendance record with over 15,000 fans attending the outfielder's opening game with the Isotopes. In addition to this, there was a large amount of harsh criticism towards the team from numerous sports media outlets including ESPN and sports commentators such as Bob Costas.[15]

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Isotopes were organized into the Triple-A West.[16] Albuquerque ended the season in fourth place in the Eastern Division with a 52–68 record.[17] No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner.[18] However, 10 games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage.[18] Albuquerque finished the tournament tied for seventh place with a 6–4 record.[19] In 2022, the Triple-A West became known as the Pacific Coast League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.[20]

The franchise was purchased by Diamond Baseball Holdings following the 2023 season.[1]

Season-by-season records

[edit]
Table key
League The team's final position in the league standings
Division The team's final position in the divisional standings
GB Games behind the team that finished in first place in the division that season
‡ Class champions (2003–present)
† League champions (2003–present)
§ Conference champions (2003–2020)
* Division champions (2003–present)
Season-by-season records
Season League Regular-season Postseason MLB affiliate Ref.
Record Win % League Division GB Record Win % Result
2003
* 		PCL 74–70 .514 4th (tie) 1st — 1–3 .250 Won American Conference Central Division title
Lost American Conference title vs. Nashville Sounds, 3–1[21] 		Florida Marlins [22]
2004 PCL 67–77 .465 12th 4th 12+1⁄2 — — — Florida Marlins [23]
2005 PCL 78–66 .542 5th 2nd 2+1⁄2 — — — Florida Marlins [24]
2006 PCL 70–72 .493 10th 4th 14 — — — Florida Marlins [25]
2007 PCL 72–70 .507 8th (tie) 2nd 2 — — — Florida Marlins [26]
2008 PCL 68–75 .476 10th 2nd 7+1⁄2 — — — Florida Marlins [27]
2009
* 		PCL 80–64 .556 2nd 1st — 0–3 .000 Won American Conference Southern Division title
Lost American Conference title vs. Memphis Redbirds, 3–0 		Los Angeles Dodgers [28]
2010 PCL 72–71 .503 10th 2nd 1 — — — Los Angeles Dodgers [29]
2011 PCL 70–74 .486 8th (tie) 2nd 17 — — — Los Angeles Dodgers [30]
2012
* 		PCL 80–64 .556 4th 1st — 2–3 .400 Won American Conference Southern Division title
Lost American Conference title vs. Omaha Storm Chasers, 3–2 		Los Angeles Dodgers [31]
2013 PCL 76–68 .528 6th (tie) 2nd 6 — — — Los Angeles Dodgers [32]
2014 PCL 62–80 .437 14th 3rd 18 — — — Los Angeles Dodgers [33]
2015 PCL 62–82 .431 14th 3rd 16 — — — Colorado Rockies [34]
2016 PCL 71–72 .497 7th (tie) 2nd 2 — — — Colorado Rockies [35]
2017 PCL 68–73 .482 10th (tie) 3rd 4+1⁄2 — — — Colorado Rockies [36]
2018 PCL 63–77 .450 14th 4th 19+1⁄2 — — — Colorado Rockies [37]
2019 PCL 60–80 .429 15th 4th 23 — — — Colorado Rockies [38]
2020 PCL Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)[39] Colorado Rockies [40]
2021 AAAW 52–68 .433 8th 4th 19 6–4 .600 Won series vs. Reno Aces, 4–1
Lost series vs. Sacramento River Cats, 3–2
Placed 7th (tie) in the Triple-A Final Stretch[19] 		Colorado Rockies [17]
2022 PCL 62–86 .419 10th 5th 22 — — — Colorado Rockies [41]
2023 PCL 68–82 .453 7th 3rd 23 — — — Colorado Rockies [42]
2024 PCL 58–92 .387 10th 5th 35+1⁄2 — — — Colorado Rockies [43]
Totals — 1,433–1,563 .478 — — — 9–13 .409 — — —

Roster

[edit]
Albuquerque Isotopes roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders


Manager

  • 16 Pedro Lopez

Coaches


7-day injured list
* On Colorado Rockies 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated September 4, 2024
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Pacific Coast League
 → Colorado Rockies minor league players

Awards

[edit]
Joc Pederson
  • In 2014, Joc Pederson, after leading the league in OBP (.435), runs (106), home runs (33), walks (100), and OPS (1.017),[45] and setting Isotopes single-season records for walks and runs scored,[46] was voted the 2014 PCL Most Valuable Player, named to the post-season All-PCL team, and named the PCL Rookie of the Year, which is awarded to a player in his first year at the Triple-A level.[47][48][49] He was also selected to Baseball America's 2014 Minor League All-Star team.[50]

Notable broadcasters

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Cultural references

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Reichard, Kevin (October 17, 2023). "Norfolk Tides, Albuquerque Isotopes Sold to Diamond Baseball Holdings". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  2. ^ "Isotopes Announce Warren Schaeffer as New Manager". MiLB.com. December 17, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  3. ^ Klebnikov, Sergei (July 8, 2016). "Minor League Baseball's Most Valuable Teams – 14. Albuquerque Isotopes". Forbes. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  4. ^ "Albuquerque, New Mexico Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. ^ "Doh! Go Isotopes!". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. May 13, 2003. p. C8.
  6. ^ "Ken Levine interview". Minor League Baseball. August 9, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  7. ^ Latta, Dennis (September 5, 2002). "Team President Throws Isotopes Name Into Play". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque Publishing Company. p. A1. Archived from the original on August 22, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2007.
  8. ^ Oakey, Steve (September 12, 2002). "To Attract Homer, Isotopes Need to Have Duff on Draft". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Copley Press. p. D2. Retrieved June 11, 2007.[dead link](subscription required)
  9. ^ a b Latta, Dennis (December 15, 2002). "Isotopes Hit a Leadoff Homer at Cash Register". Albuquerque Journal. p. 37. Retrieved October 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Ruiz, Don (August 1, 2004). "In Search of Elusive Huntington Tapes". The News Tribune. p. C08. Retrieved June 11, 2007.(subscription required)
  11. ^ Latta, Dennis (February 1, 2003). "'Topes, Simpsons Aren't in the Mix". Albuquerque Journal. p. D8. Retrieved October 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Hill, Benjamin (April 30, 2014). "From celluloid to infield with the Isotopes". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  13. ^ "Homer and Marge". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  14. ^ "Albuquerque Baseball History". Albuquerque Isotopes. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  15. ^ Harrison, Randy; Sickenger, Ken (April 5, 2017). "Notable moments in Isotopes history". www.abqjournal.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017.
  16. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  17. ^ a b "2021 Triple-A West Standings". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  18. ^ a b "MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021". Minor League Baseball. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  19. ^ a b "2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  20. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  21. ^ "Pacific Coast League Champions". Pacific Coast League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  22. ^ "2003 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  23. ^ "2004 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  24. ^ "2005 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  25. ^ "2006 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  26. ^ "2007 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  27. ^ "2008 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  28. ^ "2009 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  29. ^ "2010 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  30. ^ "2011 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  31. ^ "2012 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  32. ^ "2013 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  33. ^ "2014 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  34. ^ "2015 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  35. ^ "2016 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  36. ^ "2017 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  37. ^ "2018 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  38. ^ "2019 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  39. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  40. ^ "Isotopes Release 2020 Schedule". Minor League Baseball. October 10, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  41. ^ "2022 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  42. ^ "2023 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  43. ^ "2024 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  44. ^ Hill, Benjamin (September 15, 2009). "Jones slugs way to Bauman Award: Home run crown, first big league action mark milestone season". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  45. ^ "2014 Pacific Coast League batting leaders". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  46. ^ Dilbeck, Steve (August 28, 2014). "Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson, already PCL's top rookie, is named MVP". LA Times. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  47. ^ "2014 All-PCL Team Announced". milb.com. August 25, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  48. ^ "Joc Pederson Tabbed PCL Rookie of the Year". milb.com. August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  49. ^ "Pederson captures PCL's MVP Award". milb.com. August 28, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  50. ^ Eddy, Matt (September 2, 2014). "Minor League All-Star Team 2014". Baseball America. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  51. ^ Wild, Danny (December 3, 2013). "Isotopes pay tribute to 'Breaking Bad'". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  52. ^ "Catch Adam as Musical Advisor to Adam Levine". adamblackstone.com. Adam Blackstone. May 20, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
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