Albuquerque Dukes
Encyclopedia
The Albuquerque Dukes were a minor league baseball
team based in Albuquerque
, New Mexico
, USA.
Albuquerque was host to two other Class-D minor-league teams (the Dons and the Cardinals, the latter for which Tingley Field
was built) before the Dukes returned in 1942, this time with the Class-D West Texas-New Mexico League. The Dukes went 24-30, but withdrew from competition in June of that year. The league was silent from 1943 to 1945 due to World War II
, but play resumed in 1946 with the Dukes returning to the league, which was reclassified as Class-C. In 1955 the West Texas-New Mexico League stepped up one more level, to Class-B.
In 1956 the Dukes began play in the Class-A Western League as an affiliate of the New York Giants
(now San Francisco). In 1958 they switched to being the Cincinnati Reds
affiliate, but the Western League folded at the end of the season.
The Dukes returned to Albuquerque in 1960, playing as an affiliate for the Kansas City Athletics (now Oakland) in the Class-D Sophomore League. In 1962 Kansas City management moved the team to the Double-A Texas League, but dropped the team at the end of the season. The Los Angeles Dodgers
took over as the Dukes' parent organization, allowing the team to stay in the Texas League as the Albuquerque Dodgers. In 1969, the Dukes moved from Tingley Field to the Albuquerque Sports Stadium
, a fully modern facility on the south edge of town in the University of New Mexico
area.
In 1972, the Dukes moved up one more rung on the minor-league ladder, this time to the Triple-A Pacific Coast League
. The AAA franchise, which had chartered in the PCL as the Los Angeles Angels and had become the Spokane Indians
. With future Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda
at the helm, the Dukes amassed a 92-58 record and won the PCL championship, the first of eight for the franchise. That 1972 team, featuring future big leaguers Burt Hooton
, Charlie Hough
, Davey Lopes
, Ron Cey
, Larry Hisle
, Tom Paciorek
, and Von Joshua
(among others).
The 1981 club, powered by sluggers Mike Marshall and Candy Maldonado, and managed by Del Crandall was also a dominant team. Minor LeagueBaseball.com, the official site of minor league baseball, voted the 1981 Dukes the 11th best minor league baseball team in history, and the only team in the top 25 to play after 1955. During that season, KTLA
, a Los Angeles area television station, broadcast several games live from Albuquerque Sports Stadium during the players' strike that disrupted the season
. The station even brought along Don Drysdale
to be the announcer. In addition, when the 1981 players strike ended, the Dukes played an exhibition game against the Dodgers at Dodger stadium as a tune-up for the Dodgers, the Dukes won the game 1-0. The game was televised in Albuquerque on KNAT-TV23.
In the early 1990s, future stars such as Mike Piazza
, Pedro Martínez
, John Wetteland
, Raúl Mondesí
, Paul Konerko
, and many more came through on their way to 'The Show.' The team won PCL titles in 1990 and '94, and posted the PCL's best overall record in 1991. In 2000, however, the Lozinak family, absentee owners who resided in Maryland, sold the franchise to an interest group in Portland, Oregon
. Following that season, the Dukes were moved and renamed the Portland Beavers
. The Dodgers traded Triple-A franchises with the San Diego Padres
, who had the Las Vegas Stars
franchise as an affiliate, but who had a history in Portland. San Diego took over the Beavers/Dukes, and Los Angeles took Las Vegas, renaming the team the Las Vegas 51s
for the famed alleged UFO spaceport, Area 51
, near Las Vegas, Nevada
.
. That, and the team name reflecting Spanish nobility
, likely reflect New Mexico's history as the earliest center of Spanish colonization
in the present-day United States.
It is generally believed that the city of Albuquerque was named in honor of Don Francisco Fernández de la Cueva, viceroy of New Spain from 1653 to 1660. One of de la Cueva's aristocratic titles was Duke of Alburquerque, referring to the Spanish town of Alburquerque. Thus, the moniker "Dukes" commemorated the original Duke of Alburquerque, for whom the city of Albuquerque is named..
, Paul Konerko
, Pedro Martínez
, Orel Hershiser
, Kirk Gibson
(on major league rehab assignment), John Wetteland
, Darryl Strawberry
(on major league rehab assignment), Eric Karros, Mike Maddux
, Raúl Mondesí
, Chan Ho Park, Mike Scioscia
, Dave Stewart
, Rick Sutcliffe, Fernando Valenzuela
, Jose Vizcaino
, Sid Bream
, Rick Rhoden
, Steve Sax
, Greg Gagne
, Eric Young
, Mickey Hatcher
, Tim Wallach
(on major league rehab assignment), Davey Lopes
, Steve Yeager
, Tom Paciorek
, Jose Offerman
, Larry Hisle
, Éric Gagné
, Todd Hollandsworth
, and Paul Lo Duca
. One of the most popular players in Dukes history was Brian Traxler
, who only played 14 games in the major leagues.
Among the managers of the Dukes were Lasorda, Del Crandall
, Bill Russell, Kevin Kennedy
, Rick Dempsey
, and eventual 2002 World Series
winning manager, and Mike Scioscia
were moved to Albuquerque as the Albuquerque Isotopes
, a Triple-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins
at the time. In 2009, the Isotopes became an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers
, reuniting Albuquerque's relationship with the Dodgers.
The Isotopes play at Isotopes Park, the completely renovated stadium that now stands at the site of the Dukes former home field. This award-winning stadium is where the Isotopes play 72 regular season home games, and where the University of New Mexico Lobos men's baseball team also plays 27 home games each year.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team based in Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, USA.
History
The first Dukes team was formed in 1915 as part of the Class-D Rio Grande Association. The team finished in third place with a 32-25 record. Frank Huelman was the league leader in home runs, hitting 10 dingers for the season. These Dukes folded that same year.Albuquerque was host to two other Class-D minor-league teams (the Dons and the Cardinals, the latter for which Tingley Field
Tingley Field
Tingley Field was a baseball stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which served as the home of professional baseball in Albuquerque from 1937 to 1968...
was built) before the Dukes returned in 1942, this time with the Class-D West Texas-New Mexico League. The Dukes went 24-30, but withdrew from competition in June of that year. The league was silent from 1943 to 1945 due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but play resumed in 1946 with the Dukes returning to the league, which was reclassified as Class-C. In 1955 the West Texas-New Mexico League stepped up one more level, to Class-B.
In 1956 the Dukes began play in the Class-A Western League as an affiliate of the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(now San Francisco). In 1958 they switched to being the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
affiliate, but the Western League folded at the end of the season.
The Dukes returned to Albuquerque in 1960, playing as an affiliate for the Kansas City Athletics (now Oakland) in the Class-D Sophomore League. In 1962 Kansas City management moved the team to the Double-A Texas League, but dropped the team at the end of the season. The Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
took over as the Dukes' parent organization, allowing the team to stay in the Texas League as the Albuquerque Dodgers. In 1969, the Dukes moved from Tingley Field to the Albuquerque Sports Stadium
Albuquerque Sports Stadium
Albuquerque Sports Stadium was a baseball stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, which was built in 1969 as a modern replacement for the aging Tingley Field. The ballpark had a seating capacity of 10,510, though it occasionally accommodated much larger crowds....
, a fully modern facility on the south edge of town in the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
area.
In 1972, the Dukes moved up one more rung on the minor-league ladder, this time to the Triple-A Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. The AAA franchise, which had chartered in the PCL as the Los Angeles Angels and had become the Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
. With future Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda
Tommy Lasorda
Thomas Charles Lasorda is a former Major League baseball player and manager. marked his sixth decade in one capacity or another with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers organization, the longest non-continuous tenure anyone has had with the team, edging Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully...
at the helm, the Dukes amassed a 92-58 record and won the PCL championship, the first of eight for the franchise. That 1972 team, featuring future big leaguers Burt Hooton
Burt Hooton
Burt Carlton Hooton , nicknamed "Happy" , is a coach and former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball...
, Charlie Hough
Charlie Hough
Charles Oliver Hough is a former Major League Baseball knuckleball pitcher. He is currently a senior adviser of player development for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Playing career:...
, Davey Lopes
Davey Lopes
David Earle Lopes is a former second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He batted and threw right-handed. He is currently the first base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.He is of Cape Verdean descent.-Playing:...
, Ron Cey
Ron Cey
Ronald Charles Cey |Washington]]) is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics . Cey batted and threw right-handed...
, Larry Hisle
Larry Hisle
Larry Eugene Hisle is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played with the Philadelphia Phillies , Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers . He batted and threw right-handed...
, Tom Paciorek
Tom Paciorek
Thomas Marian Paciorek is a former Major League outfielder and first baseman for 18 seasons between 1970 and 1987...
, and Von Joshua
Von Joshua
Von Everett Joshua was an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers , San Francisco Giants , Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres ....
(among others).
The 1981 club, powered by sluggers Mike Marshall and Candy Maldonado, and managed by Del Crandall was also a dominant team. Minor LeagueBaseball.com, the official site of minor league baseball, voted the 1981 Dukes the 11th best minor league baseball team in history, and the only team in the top 25 to play after 1955. During that season, KTLA
KTLA
KTLA, virtual channel 5, is a television station in Los Angeles, California, USA. Owned by the Tribune Company, KTLA is an affiliate of the CW Television Network. KTLA's studios are on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, and its transmitter is located atop Mount Wilson...
, a Los Angeles area television station, broadcast several games live from Albuquerque Sports Stadium during the players' strike that disrupted the season
1981 Major League Baseball season
-First half:-Second half:-Overall record:-Statistical leaders:-Postseason:NOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half...
. The station even brought along Don Drysdale
Don Drysdale
Donald Scott "Don" Drysdale was a Major League Baseball player and Hall of Fame right-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was one of the dominant starting pitchers of the 1960s, and became a radio and television broadcaster following his playing career...
to be the announcer. In addition, when the 1981 players strike ended, the Dukes played an exhibition game against the Dodgers at Dodger stadium as a tune-up for the Dodgers, the Dukes won the game 1-0. The game was televised in Albuquerque on KNAT-TV23.
In the early 1990s, future stars such as Mike Piazza
Mike Piazza
Michael Joseph "Mike" Piazza ; born September 4, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics....
, Pedro Martínez
Pedro Martínez
Pedro Jaime Martínez is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and 2004 World Series champion...
, John Wetteland
John Wetteland
John Karl Wetteland is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who specialized as a closer. During a 12-year career , he pitched for four different teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers.-Playing career:Wetteland was signed by the Dodgers as their second...
, Raúl Mondesí
Raúl Mondesí
Raúl Ramón Mondesí Avelino is a former Major League Baseball player and the current mayor of San Cristóbal Province in the Dominican Republic. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1994 as a right fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers...
, Paul Konerko
Paul Konerko
Paul Henry Konerko is an American professional baseball first baseman who has played for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball since 1999. He previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds . Konerko helped the Chicago White Sox win the 2005 World Series, the...
, and many more came through on their way to 'The Show.' The team won PCL titles in 1990 and '94, and posted the PCL's best overall record in 1991. In 2000, however, the Lozinak family, absentee owners who resided in Maryland, sold the franchise to an interest group in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. Following that season, the Dukes were moved and renamed the Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
. The Dodgers traded Triple-A franchises with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, who had the Las Vegas Stars
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
franchise as an affiliate, but who had a history in Portland. San Diego took over the Beavers/Dukes, and Los Angeles took Las Vegas, renaming the team the Las Vegas 51s
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
for the famed alleged UFO spaceport, Area 51
Area 51
Area 51 is a military base, and a remote detachment of Edwards Air Force Base. It is located in the southern portion of Nevada in the western United States, 83 miles north-northwest of downtown Las Vegas. Situated at its center, on the southern shore of Groom Lake, is a large military airfield...
, near Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
.
Team name and logo
The Dukes' logo depicted a smiling cartoon version of a Spanish conquistadorConquistador
Conquistadors were Spanish soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who brought much of the Americas under the control of Spain in the 15th to 16th centuries, following Europe's discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492...
. That, and the team name reflecting Spanish nobility
Spanish nobility
Spanish nobles are persons who possess the legal status of hereditary nobility according to the laws and traditions of the Spanish monarchy. A system of titles and honours of Spain and of the former kingdoms that constitute it comprise the Spanish nobility...
, likely reflect New Mexico's history as the earliest center of Spanish colonization
Santa Fe de Nuevo México
Santa Fe de Nuevo México was a province of New Spain and later Mexico that existed from the late 16th century up through the mid-19th century. It was centered on the upper valley of the Rio Grande , in an area that included most of the present-day U.S. state of New Mexico...
in the present-day United States.
It is generally believed that the city of Albuquerque was named in honor of Don Francisco Fernández de la Cueva, viceroy of New Spain from 1653 to 1660. One of de la Cueva's aristocratic titles was Duke of Alburquerque, referring to the Spanish town of Alburquerque. Thus, the moniker "Dukes" commemorated the original Duke of Alburquerque, for whom the city of Albuquerque is named..
Notable players
Among the well-known players to have served with the Dukes are Mike PiazzaMike Piazza
Michael Joseph "Mike" Piazza ; born September 4, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics....
, Paul Konerko
Paul Konerko
Paul Henry Konerko is an American professional baseball first baseman who has played for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball since 1999. He previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds . Konerko helped the Chicago White Sox win the 2005 World Series, the...
, Pedro Martínez
Pedro Martínez
Pedro Jaime Martínez is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and 2004 World Series champion...
, Orel Hershiser
Orel Hershiser
Orel Leonard Hershiser IV is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is currently an analyst for Baseball Tonight and Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN and a professional poker player for...
, Kirk Gibson
Kirk Gibson
Kirk Harold Gibson is a former Major League Baseball player and currently the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. As a player, Gibson was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed...
(on major league rehab assignment), John Wetteland
John Wetteland
John Karl Wetteland is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who specialized as a closer. During a 12-year career , he pitched for four different teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers.-Playing career:Wetteland was signed by the Dodgers as their second...
, Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Eugene Strawberry is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder who is well-known both for his play on the field and for his controversial behavior off it...
(on major league rehab assignment), Eric Karros, Mike Maddux
Mike Maddux
Michael Ausley Maddux is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and the pitching coach of the Texas Rangers. He is the older brother of four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux....
, Raúl Mondesí
Raúl Mondesí
Raúl Ramón Mondesí Avelino is a former Major League Baseball player and the current mayor of San Cristóbal Province in the Dominican Republic. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1994 as a right fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers...
, Chan Ho Park, Mike Scioscia
Mike Scioscia
Michael Lorri Scioscia is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has worked in that capacity since the 2000 season, and is the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball....
, Dave Stewart
Dave Stewart (baseball player)
David Keith Stewart is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball during the late 1980s and early 1990s. A 20-game winner for 4 consecutive years, he was known for his post-season performance and for staring down batters when pitching to them...
, Rick Sutcliffe, Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship...
, Jose Vizcaino
José Vizcaíno
José Luis Vizcaíno Pimental is a former Major League Baseball player. He was a backup infielder for most of his MLB career. In , he played a significant role with the Chicago Cubs, having 551 at-bats and being 9th in the National League with 131 singles as well as second in the NL with 9 sacrifice...
, Sid Bream
Sid Bream
Sidney Eugene "Sid" Bream is an American former Major League Baseball player. He played his entire 11-year career in the National League...
, Rick Rhoden
Rick Rhoden
Richard Alan Rhoden is a professional golfer and was a Major League Baseball pitcher. During his 16 year baseball career, he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros of the National League; and the New York Yankees of the American League.-Early years:Rhoden was...
, Steve Sax
Steve Sax
Stephen Louis Sax is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. He was a right-handed batter for the Los Angeles Dodgers , New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , and the Oakland Athletics ....
, Greg Gagne
Greg Gagne (baseball player)
Gregory Carpenter Gagne is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball. He played 10 seasons for the Minnesota Twins from 1983 to 1992, including both of the Twins' World Series championship teams in 1987 and 1991...
, Eric Young
Eric Young (baseball player)
Eric Orlando Young is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and left fielder and current first base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks...
, Mickey Hatcher
Mickey Hatcher
Michael Vaughn Hatcher is a former Major League Baseball player and a current coach. Most notably, he was Kirk Gibson's replacement for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1988 World Series, batting .368 with two home runs and five RBI...
, Tim Wallach
Tim Wallach
Timothy Charles Wallach , nicknamed "Eli" in reference to actor Eli Wallach, is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, and California Angels. He won three Gold Glove awards for defensive excellence and 2 Silver Slugger...
(on major league rehab assignment), Davey Lopes
Davey Lopes
David Earle Lopes is a former second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He batted and threw right-handed. He is currently the first base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.He is of Cape Verdean descent.-Playing:...
, Steve Yeager
Steve Yeager
Stephen Wayne "Steve" Yeager is an American right-handed former major league baseball catcher. Yeager spent 14 of the 15 seasons of his Major League Baseball career, from through , with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His last year, , he played for the Seattle Mariners...
, Tom Paciorek
Tom Paciorek
Thomas Marian Paciorek is a former Major League outfielder and first baseman for 18 seasons between 1970 and 1987...
, Jose Offerman
José Offerman
José Antonio Offerman Dono is a former professional baseball player who played professional baseball for nearly 20 years...
, Larry Hisle
Larry Hisle
Larry Eugene Hisle is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played with the Philadelphia Phillies , Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers . He batted and threw right-handed...
, Éric Gagné
Éric Gagné
Éric Serge Gagné is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in 1995, Gagné began his career as a starting pitcher...
, Todd Hollandsworth
Todd Hollandsworth
Todd Mathew Hollandsworth is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played with the Los Angeles Dodgers , Colorado Rockies , Texas Rangers , Florida Marlins , Chicago Cubs , Atlanta Braves , Cleveland Indians , and Cincinnati Reds...
, and Paul Lo Duca
Paul Lo Duca
Paul Anthony Lo Duca is a television personality and a former Major League Baseball catcher. Previously, Lo Duca played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Florida Marlins , New York Mets , and Washington Nationals...
. One of the most popular players in Dukes history was Brian Traxler
Brian Traxler
Brian Lee Traxler was a United States Major League Baseball first baseman. He was an alumnus of the University of New Orleans....
, who only played 14 games in the major leagues.
Among the managers of the Dukes were Lasorda, Del Crandall
Del Crandall
Delmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves...
, Bill Russell, Kevin Kennedy
Kevin Kennedy (baseball)
Kevin Curtis Kennedy is a former manager in American Major League Baseball and a former television host for Fox Sports' baseball coverage. He was given the nickname "The Skipper" by Fox Sports due to his prior managerial career...
, Rick Dempsey
Rick Dempsey
John Rikard Dempsey is an American former professional baseball player. He played for 24 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to , most notably for the Baltimore Orioles...
, and eventual 2002 World Series
2002 World Series
The 2002 World Series was a best-of-seven playoff series to determine the champion of Major League Baseball for the 2002 season. It was the 98th such contest between the champions of the American League and National League , and featured the AL champion Anaheim Angels against the NL champion San...
winning manager, and Mike Scioscia
Replacement
When the Dukes left Albuquerque in 2000, no replacement team had been found. In 2003, the Calgary CannonsCalgary Cannons
The Calgary Cannons were a minor league baseball team located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for 18 seasons, from 1985 until 2002. They were a member of the AAA Pacific Coast League and played at Foothills Stadium. The Cannons replaced the Calgary Expos who played in the rookie level Pioneer League...
were moved to Albuquerque as the Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
, a Triple-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
at the time. In 2009, the Isotopes became an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, reuniting Albuquerque's relationship with the Dodgers.
The Isotopes play at Isotopes Park, the completely renovated stadium that now stands at the site of the Dukes former home field. This award-winning stadium is where the Isotopes play 72 regular season home games, and where the University of New Mexico Lobos men's baseball team also plays 27 home games each year.