Albuquerque Dukes Stadium, Where have you gone?

The following story was originally published around 2002 in La Herencia, a quarterly publication out of Santa Fe , New Mexico that chronicles the rich history, culture and presence of the Spanish, Mexican and Hispanic community in New Mexico.

Pacific Coast League Baseball, Albuquerque Dukes-style

Dateline: 1970's

The thing is when I first read about the Albuquerque Dukes leaving after the 2000 season I actually felt a deep sense of loss. Lately when I’m in the neighborhood and look over at the north east corner of Avenida Cesar Chavez (formerly Stadium) and University Boulevard, I almost want to look away or cover one eye as a bit of sadness tends to surface. It’s like looking at a friend lie in state before the burial, laid bare for all to see, to mourn and pay last respects to. The UNM baseball team used the stadium during their 2001 season and that’s all good, but for me it is the end of a wonderful era in local professional baseball.

It goes back to a simpler time when my twin brother, Mark and I, like thousands of other kids in Albuquerque who loved sports, were eager to see the new baseball stadium open. We would soon be keeping an eye on guys like Skipper Tommy Lasorda, Ron Cey, Davey Lopes and Pedro Guerrero in the late 70s. Thankfully Mom came through and saw value in treating us to tickets, refreshment money and a ride to the game. It was March 30, 1972 at 4pm. For a buck-fifty we sat three rows from the field on shiny aluminum bleachers close to the Dukes dugout, next to the ramp leading to the clubhouse so we could get autographs. We savored every minute of the exhibition game between the L.A. Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. I’m not exactly sure who won it didn’t matter. That we were there at all, in our brand new ballpark was the thrill. We now had a fun place to experience sports served-up so well and with all the fixings. Our beloved Lobo’s have always been the big show in town as the roar of the fans in The Pit even today, continues to intimidate the toughest opponents. But another team arrived on the scene with a whole new look. Our interest in sports grew and carried over in our enthusiasm for organized sports in school and city leagues. It all tied in to being encouraged to do something positive and having a wholesome, healthy outlet to participate in.

As ticket stubs were taken, the organ player provided lively renditions of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game.” The smell of fresh popcorn, peanuts, cotton candy and sweaty kids filled the air. Barkers sold programs and people waited in line at the concession stands to get a jump start on the cokes, cold beer, corn dogs, candy and soft ice cream served in a plastic baseball helmet with the team logo of your choice. The souvenir stand attracted a constant smattering of people checking-out the latest in Dukes banners, shirts, hats and various Dodgers souvies. It was all there. Walking up the ramp onto the concourse to get an eye full of the stadium was nothing short of spectacular. The Sandia Mountains sitting stately off in the eastern skies was a site to behold. The chairs, bleachers and grassy areas surrounded the baseball field to the west and southern sides of the stadium. The green and brown diamond was manicured to perfection and the outfield wall was home to the scoreboards, billboards and flagpoles with flags of New Mexico and The United States. The National Anthem made us stand up straight and the seventh inning stretch prompted even more personal color commentaries and wise cracks about the game and the characters that watched and played.

The drive-up parking and picnic areas attracted baseball fans by the carload and when home runs were hit out to the rugged hill of lava rocks, the announcer could be heard over the public address system reminding fans not to retrieve the balls. Games were interrupted occasionally by planes flying low enough that spectators could see the landing gear lowered as aircraft made its way to nearby airports. A full moon rising from behind the Sandias during a game was incredible to watch and only added to the crisp, colorful moment. Special promotions and give a ways like Funny Nose and Glasses made for kooky times, but nothing drew bigger crowds than “Fireworks Nights.” People and dogs from miles away couldn’t help but pay attention to the commotion of sights and sounds coming from the stadium. We waited for our ride home by the big concrete baseball on the southwest corner of the block where a raucous round of King of the Mountain was usually in order.

At this writing (2002) the fate of professional baseball in the Duke City is unclear. What is clear is The Los Angeles Dodgers were represented well by their farm club here in the heart and crossroads of New Mexico. The Dukes earned a record eight Pacific Coast League Championships as tens of thousands of people visited The Albuquerque Stadium through the years to take it all in. I just wonder how such fleeting moments manage to create such endearing impressions?