Albuquerque Isotopes - wikipedia Albuquerque Isotopes Albuquerque Isotopes Founded in 2003 Albuquerque, New Mexico Team logo Cap insignia Class - level Current Triple - A ( 2003 -- present ) Minor league affiliations League Pacific Coast League Conference Pacific Conference Division Southern Division Major league affiliations Current Colorado Rockies ( 2015 -- present ) Previous Los Angeles Dodgers ( 2009 -- 2014 ) Florida Marlins ( 2003 -- 2008 ) Minor league titles Division titles ( 3 ) 2003 2009 2012 Team data Nickname Albuquerque Isotopes ( 2003 -- present ) Previous names Calgary Cannons ( 1985 -- 2002 ) Salt Lake City Gulls ( 1971 -- 1984 ) Colors Black, red, white Mascot Orbit Ballpark Isotopes Park ( 2003 -- present ) Owner ( s ) / Operator ( s ) Albuquerque Baseball Club, LLC Manager Glenallen Hill General Manager John Traub Albuquerque Location in the United States Albuquerque Location in New Mexico The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team in the southwest United States, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the Pacific Coast League, the team is the Triple - A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies in the National League. The team was affiliated with the Florida Marlins from 2003 to 2008 and the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2009 to 2014. Albuquerque was previously represented in the PCL as a Dodgers ' affiliate by the Albuquerque Dukes, who won several PCL championships in the 1970s and 1980s before relocating to Oregon as the Portland Beavers in 2001. The Isotopes began play in 2003 when the Calgary Cannons relocated from Alberta to New Mexico. In 2016, Forbes listed the Isotopes as the 14th-most valuable Minor League Baseball team with a value of $34 million. The Isotopes ' mascot is Orbit, a yellow, orange, and red alien. Home games are played at Isotopes Park ; the elevation of the playing field exceeds 5,100 feet ( 1,555 m ) above sea level. Contents 1 Name origins 2 Roster 3 Team History ( 2001 - Present ) 4 Notable broadcasters 5 Awards 6 Cultural references 7 References 8 External links Name origins The team 's name recalls the fictional Springfield Isotopes from the long - running TV series The Simpsons, first appearing in the 1990 Season 2 episode `` Dancin ' Homer '' where main character Homer Simpson temporarily becomes their mascot, the titular Dancin ' Homer. In the episode `` Hungry, Hungry Homer '', which first aired on March 4, 2001, main character Homer Simpson 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 % of the 120,000 votes cast. Though team president Ken Young admitted that the name came from the series, 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. '' 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 Albuquerque Dukes sold in any single season, and led minor league baseball in merchandising revenue in 2003. 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. The team has no working agreements with the Fox Broadcasting Company or The Simpsons. However, statues of Homer, Bart, Lisa, and Marge Simpson are located at Isotopes Park. Roster Albuquerque Isotopes roster Players Coaches / Other Pitchers 36 Yency Almonte * 35 Shane Broyles 47 Jairo Díaz * -- Carlos Estévez # 24 Matt Flemer 41 Nelson Gonzalez 54 Keith Hessler 30 Jeff Hoffman * 28 David Holman 34 David Holmberg 16 Austin House 32 Sam Howard * 13 Chris Jensen 34 D.J. Johnson 22 Scott McGough 50 Brooks Pounders 21 Jerry Vasto Catchers 2 Anthony Bemboom 23 Tom Murphy * 6 Jan Vazquez Infielders 1 Daniel Castro 7 Josh Fuentes 8 Derrik Gibson 10 Jordan Patterson * 18 Anthony Phillips -- Elliot Soto Outfielders -- Stephen Cardullo 15 Raimel Tapia * -- Mike Tauchman * 11 Drew Weeks Manager 31 Glenallen Hill Coaches 4 Tim Doherty ( hitting ) 27 Brandon Emanuel ( pitching ) 7 - day disabled list * On Colorado Rockies 40 - man roster # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporary inactive list Roster updated April 23, 2018 Transactions → More MiLB rosters → Colorado Rockies minor league players Team history ( 2001 - present ) In the first month of 2001, a group of businessmen spearheaded by a businessman named Ken Young and an entrepreneur named Mike Koldyke entered into an agreement with the current owners of the Calgary Cannons with the sole intention of bringing the team to Albuquerque for the 2003 season. Albuquerque, at the time, had been without a baseball team since March 2000 as the prior team, the Albuquerque Dukes, had been moved to Portland, Oregon, following the sale of the franchise to Marshall Glickman and Mike Higgins. After the two sides agreed to the sale of the Calgary Cannons, Ken Young and Mike Koldyke gave the city of Albuquerque a major condition before making the move to Albuquerque. The city of Albuquerque would have to either build a new stadium or renovate the pre-existing Albuquerque Sports Stadium. A few months later, in May 2001, the city of Albuquerque approved a vote to allocate $25 million towards the renovation of Albuquerque Sports Stadium, thus completing all contingencies required for the move of the Calgary Cannons. Ken Young and Mike Koldyke then finalized the purchase of the Calgary Cannons and, prior to the 2003 season, completed the move to Albuquerque as well as changing the team name from the Cannons to the Isotopes. As it turned out, the renovation of Albuquerque Sports Stadium turned into a construction of a completely new facility, Isotopes Park. While Isotopes Park retained its predecessor 's general structure and dimensions, all that remained of the old stadium was the playing field. The team immediately saw a tremendous amount of success and popularity come their way in the following baseball seasons. Following the move to Albuquerque, the Isotopes played their first official game in Albuquerque on April 11, 2003 ; 3 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. 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. 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 Awards Joc Pederson In September 2009, Mitch Jones was named the winner of the Joe Bauman Home Run Award, for the most home runs, 35, in minor league baseball. In 2014, Joc Pederson, after leading the league in OBP (. 435 ), runs ( 106 ), home runs ( 33 ), walks ( 100 ), and OPS ( 1.017 ), and setting Isotopes single - season records for walks and runs scored, 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. He was also selected to Baseball America 's 2014 Minor League All - Star team. 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. In the NBC series The Voice, music producer Adam Blackstone wore an Albuquerque Isotopes hat during Season One Battle Rounds preparations. References Jump up ^ Klebnikov, Sergei ( July 8, 2016 ). `` Minor League Baseball 's Most Valuable Teams -- 14. Albuquerque Isotopes ''. Forbes. Retrieved September 23, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Doh ! Go Isotopes ! ''. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. May 13, 2003. p. C8. Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ 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 ) ^ Jump up to : Latta, Dennis ( December 15, 2002 ). `` Isotopes Hit a Leadoff Homer at Cash Register ''. Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque Publishing Company. p. D1. Retrieved June 11, 2007. ( subscription required ) Jump up ^ Ruiz, Don ( August 1, 2004 ). `` In Search of Elusive Huntington Tapes ''. The News Tribune. p. C08. Retrieved June 11, 2007. ( subscription required ) Jump up ^ Latta, Dennis ( February 1, 2003 ). `` ' Topes, Simpsons Are n't in the Mix ''. Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque Publishing Company. p. D8. Retrieved June 11, 2007. ( subscription required ) Jump up ^ `` Albuquerque Isotopes / Isotopes Park / Homer and Marge ''. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved February 7, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Albuquerque Baseball History Albuquerque Isotopes News ''. Albuquerque Isotopes. Retrieved May 7, 2017. Jump up ^ Journal, Randy Harrison, Ken Sickenger of the. `` Notable moments in Isotopes history ''. www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved May 7, 2017. Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ `` 2014 Pacific Coast League batting leaders ''. Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2014. Jump up ^ Dilbeck, Steve ( August 28, 2014 ). `` Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson, already PCL 's top rookie, is named MVP ''. LA Times. Retrieved September 1, 2014. Jump up ^ `` 2014 All - PCL Team Announced ''. milb.com. August 25, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Joc Pederson Tabbed PCL Rookie of the Year ''. milb.com. August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Pederson captures PCL 's MVP Award ''. milb.com. August 28, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014. Jump up ^ Eddy, Matt ( September 2, 2014 ). `` Minor League All - Star Team 2014 ''. Baseball America. Retrieved September 2, 2014. Jump up ^ Wild, Danny ( December 3, 2013 ). `` Isotopes pay tribute to ' Breaking Bad ' ''. MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 3, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Catch Adam as Musical Advisor to Adam Levine ''. adamblackstone.com. Adam Blackstone. May 20, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2012. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Albuquerque Isotopes. Official website Albuquerque Isotopes fan website Colorado Rockies Established in 1993 Based in Denver, Colorado Franchise History Expansion Expansion Draft Seasons Records No - hitters Players First - round draft picks Managers Owners and executives Broadcasters Opening Day starting pitchers Ballparks Mile High Stadium Coors Field Spring training Hi Corbett Field Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Culture Dinger Blake Street Bombers `` Hey ! Baby '' ( DJ Ötzi song ) `` Rocky Mountain Way '' ( Joe Walsh song ) Continental League Mike Coolbaugh `` The Losing Edge '' ( South Park ) Lore Rocktober 2007 NL Wild Card tie - breaker 2017 NL Wild Card Game Key personnel Owners : Charlie and Dick Monfort President : vacant General Manager : Jeff Bridich Manager : Bud Black National League pennants ( 1 ) 2007 Wild card berths ( 4 ) 1995 2007 2009 2017 Minor league affiliates Albuquerque Isotopes ( AAA ) Hartford Yard Goats ( AA ) Lancaster JetHawks ( A Adv. ) Asheville Tourists ( A ) Boise Hawks ( Short A ) Grand Junction Rockies ( Rookie Adv. ) DSL Colorado ( Rookie ) DSL Rockies ( Rookie ) Broadcasting Television AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain Radio KOA ( AM ) Radio network affiliates Broadcasters Drew Goodman Jeff Huson Ryan Spilborghs Jack Corrigan Jerry Schemmel Seasons ( 26 ) 1990s 1990 1991 1992 1993 1995 2000s 2007 2008 2009 2010s 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Pacific Coast League American Conference Northern Division Colorado Springs Sky Sox Iowa Cubs Oklahoma City Dodgers Omaha Storm Chasers Southern Division Memphis Redbirds Nashville Sounds New Orleans Baby Cakes Round Rock Express Pacific Conference Northern Division Fresno Grizzlies Reno Aces Sacramento River Cats Tacoma Rainiers Southern Division Albuquerque Isotopes El Paso Chihuahuas Las Vegas 51s Salt Lake Bees All - Star Game Champions Defunct teams Hall of Fame Manager of the Year Award MVP Award No - hitters and perfect games Pitcher of the Year Award Records Rookie of the Year Award Rosters Stadiums Triple - A Championship Sports teams based in New Mexico Baseball PCL Albuquerque Isotopes PL Roswell Invaders Ruidoso Osos Santa Fe Fuego White Sands Pupfish Football CIF Duke City Gladiators Roller derby WFTDA Duke City Derby Soccer Albuquerque Sol FC College athletics ( NCAA Division I ) New Mexico Lobos New Mexico State Aggies Coordinates : 35 ° 04 ′ 12 '' N 106 ° 37 ′ 44 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 35.07 ° N 106.629 ° W ﻿ / 35.07 ; - 106.629 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Albuquerque_Isotopes&oldid=838893433 '' Categories : Sports in Albuquerque, New Mexico Pacific Coast League teams Sports clubs established in 2003 Professional baseball teams in New Mexico Colorado Rockies minor league affiliates Los Angeles Dodgers minor league affiliates Miami Marlins minor league affiliates The Simpsons 2003 establishments in New Mexico Hidden categories : Pages containing links to subscription - only content Use mdy dates from January 2018 Articles with hCards Official website not in Wikidata Coordinates not on Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia Dansk Français Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 29 April 2018, at 23 : 38. 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Question: who are the albuquerque isotopes a farm team for
Answer: the Colorado Rockies in the National League