Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes | |||||
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Minor league affiliations | |||||
Class | Triple-A (2003–present) | ||||
League | Pacific Coast League (2003–present) | ||||
Division | East Division | ||||
Major league affiliations | |||||
Team | Colorado Rockies (2015–present) | ||||
Previous teams |
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Minor league titles | |||||
League titles (0) | None | ||||
Division titles (3) |
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Team data | |||||
Name | Albuquerque Isotopes (2003–present) | ||||
Colors | Black, red, white | ||||
Mascot | Orbit | ||||
Ballpark | Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park (2003–present) | ||||
Owner(s)/ Operator(s) | Diamond Baseball Holdings[1] | ||||
General manager | John Traub | ||||
Manager | Pedro Lopez[2] |
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a
In 2003, the
The Isotopes' mascot is Orbit, a yellow, orange, and red alien. In 2016, Forbes listed the team as the 14th-most valuable Minor League Baseball team with a value of $34 million.[3]
Background
The Isotopes were preceded in minor league baseball play by the
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
The team's name recalls the fictional 'Springfield Isotopes' from the long-running TV series
Though team president Ken Young admitted that the name came from the series,
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
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
The franchise was purchased by Diamond Baseball Holdings following the 2023 season.[1]
Season-by-season records
League | The team's final position in the league standings |
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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 | 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] |
Totals | — | 1,375–1,471 | .483 | — | — | — | 9–13 | .409 | — | — | — |
Roster
Players | Coaches/Other | |||
Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
60-day injured list
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Awards
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Joc_Pederson.jpg/180px-Joc_Pederson.jpg)
- In September 2009, minor league baseball.[43]
- In 2014,
Notable broadcasters
- Mike Roberts, longtime (1966–2013) Albuquerque sports announcer on TV and radio for local news, professional baseball, college football and basketball, and high school sports broadcasts
- Bob Socci, 2003–2006
- Russ Langer 1996–2000, former Montreal Expos and Baltimore Orioles fill-in broadcaster
Cultural references
- In the USA Network series In Plain Sight, the character Raphael Ramirez (Cristián de la Fuente) plays for the Isotopes.
- In the AMC series Breaking Bad, which is set in Albuquerque, Walter White can be seen wearing an Isotopes hat.[50]
- In the The Voice, music producer Adam Blackstone wore an Albuquerque Isotopes hat during Season One Battle Rounds preparations.[51]
- In the AMC series Better Call Saul, prequel to Breaking Bad, an Isotopes air freshener hangs in a cab and Mike Ehrmantrautwatches an Isotopes game on TV in the opening episode of Season 4.
References
- ^ a b Reichard, Kevin (October 17, 2023). "Norfolk Tides, Albuquerque Isotopes Sold to Diamond Baseball Holdings". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ "Isotopes Announce Warren Schaeffer as New Manager". MiLB.com. December 17, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
- ^ Klebnikov, Sergei (July 8, 2016). "Minor League Baseball's Most Valuable Teams – 14. Albuquerque Isotopes". Forbes. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
- ^ "Albuquerque, New Mexico Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Doh! Go Isotopes!". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. May 13, 2003. p. C8.
- ^ "Ken Levine interview". Minor League Baseball. August 9, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.(subscription required)
- ^ a b Latta, Dennis (December 15, 2002). "Isotopes Hit a Leadoff Homer at Cash Register". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque Publishing Company. p. D1. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2007.(subscription required)
- ^ Ruiz, Don (August 1, 2004). "In Search of Elusive Huntington Tapes". The News Tribune. p. C08. Retrieved June 11, 2007.(subscription required)
- ^ Latta, Dennis (February 1, 2003). "'Topes, Simpsons Aren't in the Mix". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque Publishing Company. p. D8. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2007.(subscription required)
- ^ "From celluloid to infield with the Isotopes".
- ^ "Homer and Marge". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
- ^ "Albuquerque Baseball History | Albuquerque Isotopes News". Albuquerque Isotopes. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
- ^ Journal, Randy Harrison, Ken Sickenger of the. "Notable moments in Isotopes history". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "2021 Triple-A West Standings". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ a b "MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021". Minor League Baseball. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ a b "2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ "Pacific Coast League Champions". Pacific Coast League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
- ^ "2003 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2004 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2005 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2006 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2007 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2008 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2009 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2010 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2011 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2012 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2013 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2014 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2015 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2016 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2017 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2018 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2019 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Isotopes Release 2020 Schedule". Minor League Baseball. October 10, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
- ^ "2022 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
- ^ "2023 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ 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. Retrieved February 7, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "2014 Pacific Coast League batting leaders". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ^ Dilbeck, Steve (August 28, 2014). "Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson, already PCL's top rookie, is named MVP". LA Times. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
- ^ "2014 All-PCL Team Announced". milb.com. August 25, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ "Joc Pederson Tabbed PCL Rookie of the Year". milb.com. August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ "Pederson captures PCL's MVP Award". milb.com. August 28, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ^ Eddy, Matt (September 2, 2014). "Minor League All-Star Team 2014". Baseball America. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ^ Wild, Danny (December 3, 2013). "Isotopes pay tribute to 'Breaking Bad'". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
- ^ "Catch Adam as Musical Advisor to Adam Levine". adamblackstone.com. Adam Blackstone. May 20, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)