I'm still amazed that they actually named their team this...I posted the article because the abq journal is a register-subscription site.
Isotopes All Dressed Up, Ready
By Dennis Latta
Journal Staff Writer
The Albuquerque Isotopes will take their place in Pacific Coast
League history tonight by playing their first game, and they'll do it
in their own uniforms.
With a new team that will be playing its home games in an
almost-new stadium, everything is coming down to the last minute for
the Isotopes.
They will play their first game to start the Class Triple-A PCL
season at AutoZone Stadium in downtown Memphis tonight.
The first of four sets of uniforms was shipped from the factory
straight to Memphis and arrived Wednesday afternoon. The night before
they played their first game, the Isotopes saw their uniforms for the
first time.
The uniforms are gray pants with red jerseys and red jackets. The
hats are multi-colored.
The team left spring training in Florida and flew to Memphis on
Tuesday. Manager Dean Treanor held a workout at AutoZone Stadium on
Wednesday night.
''Sean Bergman will be the opening-day pitcher,'' Treanor said in
a phone interview. ''That's just the way it worked out in spring
training.''
Bergman, 32, has spent the last two years pitching in Japan. He
leads the Isotopes in major league experience, having pitched for
Detroit, Houston, San Diego, Minnesota and Atlanta.
''We will go with a five-man rotation,'' Treanor said. ''The order
was set in spring training.''
The pitching rotation for the 'Topes will start with Bergman and
then go to Mike Judd, who pitched for the Albuquerque Dukes during
their last three seasons of existence. The Dukes franchise was sold
and moved to Portland, Ore., at the end of the 2000 season.
Nate Bump, Kevin Olsen and Nate Teut will be the other starters.
Olsen will be the starting pitcher for the Isotopes when they play
their first home game on April 11, ''if there's not a rainout,''
Treanor said.
Injuries already have forced changes for the Isotopes. First
baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who is expected to be a power hitter, stayed
in Jupiter, Fla., to rehab a hamstring injury. He's expected to join
the team in time for the home opener next week.
Pitcher Justin Wayne, who was expected to be in the rotation, also
stayed in Florida. ''They wouldn't say how long before we can expect
him to be ready,'' Treanor said.
So, before the first game, Treanor has done some juggling. Jason
Wood was expected to start at third but will replace Gonzalez at
first. Matt Erickson will play third.
Nothing has changed up the middle. Kevin Hooper will be at
shortstop and Jesus Medrano at second base with Chad Allen in center
tonight.
Robert Stratton, who is expected to be Albuquerque's top home run
hitter, will start in right with Chris Wakeland in left and Matt
Treanor (no relation to the manager) catching.
''We have an experienced team with guys who have played well at
this level,'' Dean Treanor said.
''For this club, I think it's important to start fast. We need a
good road trip.'' The Isotopes play four games in Memphis and four
more in Nashville before playing their first home game.
''Our whole outfield and (Matt) Treanor were with the big club all
spring and didn't get as many at-bats as I would like," the manager
said. "It might take them a while to get into this. I'm not sure how
long it will take.''
'TOPES NOTES: A free open house will be held at Isotopes Park from
11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday with the team mascot unveiled at noon.
Concession stands and the merchandising shop will be open.
... The Hispanic Cultural Center will host a 'Dukes' tailgate
party before the first home game on April 11. Thomas Ch�vez, executive
director, led an effort for the new franchise to continue with the
name Dukes because of its historical importance. The party is
scheduled to start at 4:11 p.m. with food and music. People are
invited to wear Dukes apparel.