The El Paso Chihuahuas have been such a big hit I hate to see the season end Monday. I mean, Paul Foster and Co. have brought so much joy, fun
And it isn’t just because of baseball. Oh, the quality of the Chihuahuas players and others in the Pacific Coast League is like nothing we in El Paso had ever seen before. The players are so close to Major League quality that they move up and down from the big leagues. We have seen better hitting, better pitching, better fielding than ever before.
Oh, and better arms. I’ve covered baseball in El Paso for decades and the thing that impressed me most this year about Triple A players was their arms — from pitchers to fielders to catchers. With such strong throwing arms, players have to think twice before taking an extra base on a hit or stealing a base.
BUT IT WAS more than baseball that made the team such a big hit. Southwest University Stadium was a place to go, a place to mingle, a place to sit under the sun or stars. In short, it was fun and entertainment.
More than half a million people streamed through the gates. They watched and they cheered when the Chihuahuas won and groaned when they lost but, oh, what fun they had.
And they spent money. They bought tickets and peanuts and hotdogs and beverages and caps and shirts and other souvenirs. That the owners got some of their investment back, I say good for them.
AN EXTRA blessing for baseball nuts is that if you couldn’t attend every Chihuahuas game, like most of us, you could enjoy them on radio. The Chihuahuas have a young play by play announcer that is an absolute delight: Tim Hagerty.
He had been the voice of the Tucson Padres and the Chihuahuas wisely brought him to El Paso.
Tommy Johnson, a good friend of mine and an all-around sports enthusiast, points out that Hagerty is not only an outstanding play by play announcer but is extremely knowledgeable not only about the Chihuahuas but about all teams in the Pacific Coast League. Hagerty tells you who’s going where and who’s doing what throughout the league.
The Chihuahuas have already announced their schedule for next year. They’ll open the home season on April 9 against the Tacoma Rainiers.
I can hardly wait.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who holds the Major League pitching record for most wins in a season, and what is the record? Answer at end.
RESPONSES to my crystal ball’s prediction that UTEP will win six game this season were quick. Following are three:
Charles Hill, Miners’ statistician – “I like the crystal ball’s optimism but I am not quite that optimistic. I see a slight improvement with maybe a 3-5 conference record and a 4-8 record overall. The Miners might win 5 games if they can beat New Mexico on Saturday. I see possible wins against NMSU, Old Dominion, Southern Miss, and maybe either Western Kentucky or North Texas.”
Alton Setliff, longtime El Paso sports fan — “Six games max. A lot depends on how much Coach (Sean) Kugler lets (quarterback Jameill) Showers throw the ball. I hope last year’s game vs. UNM was not a preview. No passes during that last drive, including down near the goal line. Best receiver saw that and said ‘I’m outta here.’ I’ll be a doubting Thomas until Coach proves me wrong.”
Julius Lowenberg, outstanding former high school coach, stating it short and simply – “The Miners will go to a bowl this season.”
ANSWER to trivia question: Cy Young with 511 victories between 1890 and 1911. That record will probably never be broken. A player would have to average 25 wins in 20 seasons just to get to 500.