A summer without baseball is like the spring without rain.
A summer without baseball is like the spring without rain. It is silent – so sadly silent – as the warm breezes float through beautiful Southwest University Park, where the boys of summer go to make magic, that place where they go to make their dreams live or die. This
A summer without baseball is like the spring without rain.
It is silent – so sadly silent – as the warm breezes float through beautiful Southwest University Park, where the boys of summer go to make magic, that place where they go to make their dreams live or die.
This ballpark and so many parks around the nation have been our summer playground, the place where wide eyed children and so many men and women who are still children at heart go to cheer and jeer and fill the air with laughter and joy.
It is the sound of our lives.
But now it is silent.
Now, though, we have been knocked down, taken a high inside fastball under the chin. We have been knocked down as a city, a state, a nation and the world. And it is serious.
There have been tears, tears of terrible loss. And there has been fear, fear of jobs and bills and so much worse.
Southwest University Park has been this city’s playground since 2014, since the Chihuahuas introduced so much summer baseball fun. Millions have pushed through the turnstiles to watch our summer game, our boys of summer.
And the park has already created so many memories.
We have all reveled in the joy of watching baseball brilliance – the former Major Leaguers, the future Major Leaguers, the near-Major Leaguers.
The good spirits have already created special memories, moments that will be forever etched in the mind’s memory bouquet, like some sort of old sepia-toned photograph that will linger for a lifetime.
At least we have television baseball. At least we can watch a frenetic, shortened season unfold on our screens at home, watch as it races toward a World Series in Arlington.
It Is not the same, of course. Nothing is like a trip to the ballpark with family and friends, munching on a hot dog and sipping a beverage, sitting and watching and marveling with friends and people we do not even know.
The Chihuahuas have given us so many memories already. So many have that first playoff series in 2015 etched into a special place, nights when the players said it was so loud it was like a Major League game.
We will never forget all the playoff runs since and, of course, the electricity of that Pacific Coast League championship season in 2016.
We love our local heroes and we have had so many already. Cody Decker, the wise-cracking, joke playing, home run slugging character was probably our first Chihuahua memory maker.
Alex Dickerson, the left hander with the honey smooth batting stroke, will long be in our memories – along with his 29-game hitting streak.
And, of course, there were the Core Four of that special championship season – catcher Austin Hedges, second baseman Carlos Asuaje, right fielder Hunter Renfroe with the shotgun arm and a bat loaded with long balls and center fielder Manuel Margot, the fleet one who had a glove where triples went to die.
The San Diego Padres were good enough to keep those Core Four in El Paso long enough to win a championship and make special memories.
There have been others – like big Franmil Reyes and second baseman Luis Urias and pitcher Dinelson Lamet and more.
There will be more to come someday, one day in the future when fear is behind us and joy is once again our co-pilot. For now, though, we must watch our summer game on televisions.
The Padres will be in the playoffs and Lamet will be a key figure in their rotation. He has been outstanding. But the Padres have dealt the other players. What does that mean? It means we can watch our Chihuahuas all around the league.
Fans around the nation saw what El Pasoans saw not so long ago – that sweet swing of Dickerson. They watched as he hit three home runs and two doubles for the San Francisco Giants, watched as he tied the great Willie Mays for most total bases (16) in a single game. He continues to hit home runs for the Giants.
Fans around the country saw Reyes go 5-for-5 with two doubles and a home run for the playoff Cleveland Indians. They saw Urias lace a double for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Renfroe and Margot are now playing for the division leading Tampa Bay Rays. Hedges and Josh Naylor and pitchers Cal Quantrill and Phil Maton are with Cleveland.
Long ball hitting Franchy Cordero hit a couple out of the park for Kansas City recently. Jedd Gyorko, who hit one of the longest home runs at Southwest University Park (over the center field wall, bouncing on the curb outside and skittering across Santa Fe Street) is now a long ball threat for Milwaukee.
Breaking into a small smile after that long home run at Southwest University Park, Gyorko said, “Yeah, I thought I got that one pretty good.”
Pretty good.
One of last season’s Chihuahua heroes, Ty France, is now hitting well in Seattle.
Of course, we all wait. We all struggle to rise. We wait for more nights at our own ball parks, for the opportunity to watch the creation of more Chihuahua heroes.
We will rise. It is what we do when we get a fastball high and tight.
One of the things we always rely on is our teammates. There is that musical clatter of cleats as we walk toward the playing field. We come together. Our teammates have our back. And we know we are all in it together.
Well, in this instance, we have the world as our teammates.
We rise, we get up and get back in the box and we fight on together – clinging, ever clinging, to those two most beautiful four letter words, Love and Hope.
Love and Hope are our North Stars, the guiding lights that will lead us through this darkness.
As Maya Angelou so beautifully wrote:
“Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I rise.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear,
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear,
I rise.”
And so we get up, we dust ourselves off, and we dig in – carrying Love and Hope in our hearts and with our teammates at our back.
We know all about teammates and we know one thing is as certain as the day and the night.
We are better together.
We are always better together.
And one day soon, the cheers will roar through Southwest University Park again.
It will be silent no more.
People of all ages and sizes, all races and religions – friends and family and friends we have yet to meet – will sit next to each other, elbow to elbow and the laughter and cheers and jeers will float through the beautiful ballpark.
There will be joy.
And it will be as if the rain is back in the spring.
Bill Knight is a feature writer for the El Paso Chihuahuas and may be reached at bknight3721@gmail.com.
Chihuahuas Split Doubleheader in Albuquerque Sunday
Albuquerque 4 El Paso 3 – Sunday – Game 1 – Eight Innings WP: Mejia (1-0) LP: Blanchard (2-1) S: None Time: 2:33 Attn: 4,917 Trevor Boone hit a game-ending sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth inning Sunday to give the Albuquerque Isotopes a 4-3 win over the
Chihuahuas Postponed in Albuquerque Saturday
Saturday night’s scheduled game between the El Paso Chihuahuas and Albuquerque Isotopes has been postponed due to weather. The two teams will play a doubleheader Sunday afternoon beginning at 12:05 p.m. Mountain Time at Rio Grade Credit Union Field in Albuquerque. Both games will be seven innings.
Chihuahuas Tie Team Record for Runs in an Inning Friday
El Paso 13 Albuquerque 6 – Friday WP: Benjamin (1-1) LP: Molina (0-3) S: None Time: 3:07 Attn: 3,420 The El Paso Chihuahuas scored 10 runs in the fifth inning Friday night and beat the Albuquerque Isotopes 13-6 at Rio Grande Credit Union Field. The 10 runs tied the Chihuahuas’
Campusano Homers Twice in Thursday Loss
Albuquerque 11 El Paso 8 – Thursday WP: Rolison (2-0) LP: Brito (1-2) S: Agnos (2) Time: 2:50 Attn: 4,359 The Albuquerque Isotopes defeated the El Paso Chihuahuas 11-8 Thursday afternoon at Rio Grande Credit Union Field. The Chihuahuas had come back from a 6-1 deficit to take a 7-6
Chihuahuas Win 9-6 Wednesday in Albuquerque
El Paso 9 Albuquerque 6 – Wednesday WP: Blanchard (2-0) LP: Palmquist (1-2) S: Knehr (1) Time: 2:47 Attn: 6,511 The El Paso Chihuahuas beat the Albuquerque Isotopes 9-6 Wednesday night at Rio Grande Credit Union Field, giving both teams one win through the first two games of the series.
Chihuahuas Drop Road Trip Opener Tuesday
Albuquerque 7 El Paso 2 – Tuesday WP: Yan (1-1) LP: Cruz (0-1) S: None Time: 2:35 Attn: 6,977 The El Paso Chihuahuas led 2-1 in the sixth inning in Albuquerque Tuesday night but the Isotopes came back to win 7-2. It was the first matchup between the two teams
Campusano Homers in Chihuahuas Loss Sunday
Las Vegas 13 El Paso 6 – Sunday WP: Krook (2-0) LP: Krob (0-1) S: None Time: 2:59 Attn: 7,512 The Las Vegas Aviators had 16 hits in their 13-6 win over the El Paso Chihuahuas Sunday afternoon at Southwest University Park. The Aviators won four of the six games
Chihuahuas Fall to Las Vegas 11-2 Saturday Night
Las Vegas 11 El Paso 2 – Saturday WP: Lopez (2-0) LP: Benjamin (0-1) S: None Time: 3:01 Attn: 7,654 The Las Vegas Aviators scored 10 runs in the first five innings Saturday night at Southwest University Park and beat the El Paso Chihuahuas 11-2. Las Vegas has won three
Chihuahuas Win Second Straight Game Friday Night
El Paso 7 Las Vegas 3 – Friday WP: Marinaccio (1-0) LP: Harris (0-1) S: None Time: 2:27 Attn: 7,757 The El Paso Chihuahuas scored four runs in a nine-batter bottom of the seventh inning Friday night to break a late tie in their 7-3 win over the Las Vegas
Brooks Hits Walk-Off Home Run for Chihuahuas Thursday
El Paso 7 Las Vegas 6 – Thursday WP: Knehr (1-1) LP: Baum (0-2) S: None Time: 2:47 Attn: 4,277 Trenton Brooks hit a high home run over the right field fence in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday to give the El Paso Chihuahuas a 7-6 walk-off win
Ornelas Hits First Home Run in 6-4 Loss Wednesday
Las Vegas 6 El Paso 4 – Wednesday WP: Krook (1-0) LP: Bergert (0-1) S: Alvarado (2) Time: 2:34 Attn: 6,737 The Las Vegas Aviators beat the El Paso Chihuahuas 6-4 Wednesday afternoon to win for the second time in as many days at Southwest University Park. Las Vegas is
Las Vegas Comes Back to Win Tuesday in El Paso
Las Vegas 11 El Paso 7 – Tuesday WP: Cusick (1-0) LP: Chirino (0-1) S: Holman (3) Time: 3:09 Attn: 4,338 The Las Vegas Aviators trailed 7-3 in the sixth inning but came back to beat the El Paso Chihuahuas 11-7 Tuesday night at Southwest University Park. It was the
PEANUTS™ Jersey Auction Highlights Chihuahuas Homestand
FIND YOUR SEATS PROMOTIONS EL PASO – April 8, 2025 – The Chihuahuas are honoring the 75th anniversary of PEANUTS™ with a game-worn jersey auction and Fireworks Spectacular as part of a six-game homestand that kicks off tonight, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, versus the Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s affiliate).
Chihuahuas Close Road Trip with 6-4 Win Sunday
El Paso 6 Oklahoma City 4 – Sunday WP: Blanchard (1-0) LP: Miller (0-1) S: Davis (1) Time: 2:59 Attn: 3,369 The El Paso Chihuahuas never trailed in their 6-4 win over the Oklahoma City Comets Sunday afternoon at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The Chihuahuas won the final two games of
Chihuahuas Score Four in Ninth to Win 12-8 in OKC
El Paso 12 Oklahoma City 8 – Saturday WP: Cosgrove (1-0) LP: Hernandez (0-1) S: None Time: 3:20 Attn: 4,231 The El Paso Chihuahuas scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning Saturday night to break a late tie and beat the Oklahoma City Comets 12-8 at Chickasaw
Gonzalez and Dungan Homer in 11-6 Loss Friday
Oklahoma City 11 El Paso 6 – Friday WP: Jarvis (1-0) LP: Kollar (0-2) S: None Time: 3:00 Attn: 4,530 The Oklahoma City Comets held the El Paso Chihuahuas without a hit until the eighth inning Friday night in their 11-6 win at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The Comets have won
Chihuahuas Pitching Sets Team Strikeout Record in Loss
Oklahoma City 6 El Paso 5 – Thursday – 11 Innings WP: Jacques (1-0) LP: Knehr (0-1) S: None Time: 3:40 Attn: 2,638 James Outman hit a game-ending single to right field with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning Thursday to give the Oklahoma City Comets a
Gonzalez Homers Twice for El Paso in Loss Wednesday
Oklahoma City 9 El Paso 4 – Wednesday WP: Frasso (1-0) LP: Higginbotham (0-1) S: None Time: 2:53 Attn: 2,983 The Oklahoma City Comets scored nine runs in a 13-batter bottom of the fourth inning and beat the El Paso Chihuahuas 9-4. The Comets have won the first two games
Chihuahuas Drop First Road Game of 2025 Season
Oklahoma City 4 El Paso 1 – Tuesday WP: Sublette (2-0) LP: Brito (1-1) S: Carlson (1) Time: 2:23 Attn: 5,261 The El Paso Chihuahuas lost to the Oklahoma City Comets 4-1 Tuesday in their first road game of the 2025 season. El Paso’s lone run came on a 429-foot
Chihuahuas Win Two of Three in Season's First Series
El Paso 13 Salt Lake 2 – Sunday WP: Kolek (1-0) LP: Dana (0-1) S: None Time: 2:56 Attn: 4,982 The El Paso Chihuahuas beat the Salt Lake Bees 13-2 in the finale of a season-opening three-game series Sunday. The Chihuahuas won two of the three games and outscored the
Chihuahuas Fall 7-6 to Bees Saturday Night
Salt Lake 7 El Paso 6 – Saturday WP: V. González (1-0) LP: Kollar (0-1) S: Crouse (1) Time: 2:57 Attn: 6,989 The El Paso Chihuahuas put the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position in the bottom of the eighth inning Saturday but lost to the Salt Lake Bees
Chihuahuas Win 10-3 on Opening Night
El Paso 10 Salt Lake 3 – Friday WP: Brito (1-0) LP: S. Anderson (0-1) S: None Time: 2:41 Attn: 8,211 The El Paso Chihuahuas scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning Friday night to pull ahead of the Salt Lake Bees and win 10-3. It was
Chihuahuas Announce 2025 Opening Day Roster
The El Paso Chihuahuas and San Diego Padres have announced the 2025 Triple-A Opening Day roster. It includes 12 returning players and 16 players with MLB experience. The Chihuahuas open the 2025 season on Friday, March 28 at 6:35 p.m. at home against the Salt Lake Bees, the Triple-A affiliate
Chihuahuas Opening Series, Presented by Mattress Firm, Kicks Off Friday
EL PASO, TEXAS – March 25, 2025 – Baseball is back! The Chihuahuas kick off the 2025 season on Friday, March 28, against the Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels affiliate), with first pitch slated for 6:35 p.m. at Southwest University Park. Tickets are on sale now at epchihuahuas.com. The