View source for Albuquerque Isotopes

{{Short description|Minor league baseball team in New Mexico, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
|name            = Albuquerque Isotopes
|founded         = 2003
|city            = Albuquerque, New Mexico
|misc            =
|logo            = AlbuquerqueIsotopes.png
|uniformlogo     = AlbuquerqueIsotopesCap.png
|class level     = [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] (2003–present)
|past class level=
|current league  = [[Pacific Coast League]] (2003–present)
|conference      = 
|division        = East Division
|past league     = 
|majorleague     = [[Colorado Rockies]] (2015–present)
|pastmajorleague = {{Plainlist|
*[[Los Angeles Dodgers]] (2009–2014)
*[[Florida Marlins]] (2003–2008)
}}
|leaguenum       = 0
|leaguechamps    = None
|confnum         =
|conferencechamps=
|divnum          = 3
|divisionchamps  = {{hlist|2003|2009|2012}}
|nickname        = Albuquerque Isotopes (2003–present)
|pastnames       = 
|colors          = Black, red, white<br>{{color box|#000000}} {{color box|#F61D30}} {{color box|#fff}}
|mascot          = Orbit
|ballpark        = [[Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park]] (2003–present)
|pastparks       =
|owner            = [[Diamond Baseball Holdings]]<ref name=DBH>{{cite web|last=Reichard|first=Kevin|url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2023/10/17/norfolk-tides-albuquerque-isotopes-sold-to-diamond-baseball-holdings/|title=Norfolk Tides, Albuquerque Isotopes Sold to Diamond Baseball Holdings|website=Ballpark Digest|date=October 17, 2023|access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref>
|manager         = Pedro Lopez<ref>{{cite news |title=Isotopes Announce Warren Schaeffer as New Manager |url=https://www.milb.com/albuquerque/news/isotopes-announce-warren-schaeffer-as-new-manager-312241250 |access-date=April 12, 2020 |work=[[Minor League Baseball]] |date=December 17, 2019}}</ref>
|gm              = John Traub
|website         = {{URL|https://www.milb.com/albuquerque|milb.com/albuquerque}}
}}

The '''Albuquerque Isotopes''' are a [[Minor League Baseball]] team of the [[Pacific Coast League]] and the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] affiliate of the [[Colorado Rockies]]. They play home games at [[Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park]] in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]], at an [[elevation]] of {{convert|5100|ft|round=5}} above [[sea level]].

In 2003, the [[Calgary Cannons]] moved from [[Alberta]] to Albuquerque and became the Isotopes playing in the [[Pacific Coast League]]. The team was affiliated with the [[Florida Marlins]] until 2008, the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] from 2009 to 2014 and the [[Colorado Rockies]] since 2015. In conjunction with [[Major League Baseball]]'s restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Isotopes were organized into the [[Triple-A West]], which was renamed the Pacific Coast League in 2022. The team won division titles in 2003, 2009, and 2012; it has never won a league championship.

The Isotopes' [[mascot]] is Orbit, a yellow, orange, and red alien (similar to the [[Houston Astros|Houston Astros']] [[Orbit (mascot)|mascot of the same name]]). In 2016, ''[[Forbes]]'' listed the team as the 14th-most valuable Minor League Baseball team with a value of $34 million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Klebnikov|first=Sergei|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/gkle45ffh/14-albuquerque-isotopes/#8cc73b57241f|title=Minor League Baseball's Most Valuable Teams – 14. Albuquerque Isotopes|website=Forbes|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref>

==Background==
The Isotopes were preceded in minor league baseball play by the [[Albuquerque Dukes]] of the 1915 [[Rio Grande Association]], followed by the [[Albuquerque Dons]] and [[Albuquerque Cardinals]], who played as members of the [[Arizona-Texas League]] from 1932 to 1941. In 1946, the Albuquerque Dukes began a long era of play as members of the [[West Texas-New Mexico League]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=Albuquerque, New Mexico Encyclopedia|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

Albuquerque's previous minor-league team was the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]-affiliated [[Albuquerque Dukes]], which won several [[List of Pacific Coast League champions|PCL championships]] in the 1970s and 1980s. The team was sold to Marshall Glickman and Mike Higgins, who moved it to [[Oregon]] in March 2000 and renamed it the [[Portland Beavers]].

In January 2001, a group of businessmen led by Ken Young and Mike Koldyke agreed to buy the [[Calgary Cannons]] with the intention of bringing the team to Albuquerque for the 2003 season. But Young and Koldyke told the city of Albuquerque that they would only buy the team if the city would fund a new stadium or renovate the existing [[Albuquerque Sports Stadium]]. In May 2001, the city approved a vote to spend $25 million on a renovation. Ken Young and Mike Koldyke then bought the Cannons, moved the team to Albuquerque, and renamed it the Isotopes.

===Name origins===
The team's name recalls the fictional 'Springfield Isotopes' from the long-running TV series ''[[The Simpsons]]'', first appearing in the Season 2 episode "[[Dancin' Homer]]" (aired in 1990) in which the main character [[Homer Simpson]] temporarily becomes his local baseball team's mascot. In the episode "[[Hungry, Hungry Homer]]", which first aired on March 4, 2001, Homer 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&nbsp;percent of the 120,000 votes cast.<ref>{{cite news |title=Doh! Go Isotopes! |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |page=C8 |date=May 13, 2003}}</ref>  "Dancin' Homer" writer [[Ken Levine (screenwriter)|Ken Levine]] said he was surprised when many Albuquerque journalists started calling him regarding the team name, as Isotopes had been chosen as "the funniest, goofiest name we could come up with" and he never thought it had potential for a real team, while adding that he had always liked the city's previous minor league team, the [[Albuquerque Dukes]], as it was the farm team of the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] he supported.<ref name="levine">{{cite web |date=August 9, 2013 |title=Ken Levine interview |url=https://www.milb.com/video/ken-levine-interview-c29550709 |accessdate=August 12, 2022 |website=[[Minor League Baseball]]}}</ref>

Though team president Ken Young admitted that the name came from the series,<ref>{{cite news |first=Dennis |last=Latta |title=Team President Throws Isotopes Name Into Play |work=[[Albuquerque Journal]] |publisher=Albuquerque Publishing Company |page=A1 |date=September 5, 2002 |url=http://www.abqjournal.com/quirky/isotopes09-05-02.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030822101516/http://www.abqjournal.com/quirky/isotopes09-05-02.htm |archive-date=August 22, 2003 |access-date=June 11, 2007}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oakly |first=Steve |date=2002-09-12 |title=To attract Homer, Isotopes need to have Duff on draft |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/zxlbmxhcaegsofdaimmnkghaoidyipen_ip-10-166-46-166_1744340367959 |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=[[San Diego Union-Tribune]] |page=D2 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]]}}</ref> The "[[Isotope]]s" 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 in New Mexico|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 previous [[Albuquerque Dukes]] had sold in any single season,<ref name="Register">{{Cite news |last=Latta |first=Dennis |date=2002-12-15 |title=Isotopes Hit a Leadoff Homer at Cash Register |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/albuquerque-journal-isotopes-hit-a-leado/157849702/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |work=Albuquerque Journal |page=37 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> and led minor league baseball in merchandising revenue in 2003.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ruiz |first=Don |date=August 1, 2004 |title=In Search of Elusive Huntington Tapes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-in-search-of-elusive-hu/170050067/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |work=[[The News Tribune]] |page=C8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Register"/> The team has no working agreements with the rightsholders of ''The Simpsons''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Latta |first=Dennis |date=2003-02-01 |title='Topes, Simpsons Aren't in the Mix |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/albuquerque-journal-topes-simpsons-are/157849632/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |work=Albuquerque Journal |page=D8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> However, statues of [[Homer Simpson|Homer]], [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], and [[Marge Simpson]] (originally created as a promotional item for [[The Simpsons Movie|the 2007 film]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Benjamin |date=2014-04-30 |title=From celluloid to infield with the Isotopes |url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/from-celluloid-to-infield-with-the-isotopes-73836538 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=[[Minor League Baseball]]}}</ref>) are located at RGCU Field at Isotopes Park.<ref name="milbhomerandmarge">{{Cite web |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-8674194 |title=Homer and Marge |publisher=Minor League Baseball |access-date=2019-10-02}}</ref>

==Team history==
The planned renovation eventually turned into the construction of a new baseball facility, [[Isotopes Park]], around the old playing field.

The Isotopes played their first official game in Albuquerque on April 11, 2003, three 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Albuquerque Baseball History |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-497563 |access-date=May 7, 2017 |website=Albuquerque Isotopes |language=en}}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Randy |last2=Sickenger |first2=Ken |date=2017-04-05 |title=Notable moments in Isotopes history |url=https://www.abqjournal.com/983469/notable-moments-in-isotopes-history.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610231318/https://www.abqjournal.com/983469/notable-moments-in-isotopes-history.html |archive-date=2017-06-10 |website=www.abqjournal.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

In conjunction with [[Major League Baseball]]'s restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Isotopes were organized into the [[Triple-A West]].<ref name=JMayo2-12-2021>{{cite web|last=Mayo|first=Jonathan|title=MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/new-minor-league-baseball-structure|website=Major League Baseball|date=February 12, 2021|access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref> Albuquerque ended the season in fourth place in the Eastern Division with a 52–68 record.<ref name=MILB2021>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/standings/pacific-coast/2021?standingsType=firstHalf&standingsView=division|title=2021 Triple-A West Standings|website=Minor League Baseball|access-date=October 5, 2021}}</ref> No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner.<ref name=MiLB7-14-2021>{{cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/triple-a-classification-to-add-10-games-to-2021-schedule |title=MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021 |website=Minor League Baseball |date=July 14, 2021 |accessdate=July 16, 2021}}</ref> However, 10&nbsp;games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage.<ref name=MiLB7-14-2021/> Albuquerque finished the tournament tied for seventh place with a 6–4 record.<ref name=2021FinalStretch>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/standings/pacific-coast/2021|title=2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings|website=Minor League Baseball|access-date=October 5, 2021}}</ref> In 2022, the Triple-A West became known as the Pacific Coast League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.<ref name=PCLrename>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/minor-league-baseball-historical-league-names-to-return-in-2022|title=Historical League Names to Return in 2022|website=Minor League Baseball|date=March 16, 2022|access-date=March 16, 2022}}</ref>

The franchise was purchased by [[Diamond Baseball Holdings]] following the 2023 season.<ref name=DBH/>

==Season-by-season records==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:85%"
|+Table key
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|'''League'''
|The team's final position in the league standings
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|'''Division'''
|The team's final position in the divisional standings
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|'''GB'''
|[[Games behind]] the team that finished in first place in the division that season
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center; background-color:#FFBBBB"|{{‡|alt=Class champions}}
|Class champions (2003–present)
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center; background-color:#FFE6BD"|{{†|alt=League champions}}
|League champions (2003–present)
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center; background-color:#FFFFBB"|§
|Conference champions (2003–2020)
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center; background-color:#DDFFDD"|* 
|Division champions (2003–2022)
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|+Season-by-season records
!rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#F61D30 5px solid; color:#000000"|Season
!rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#F61D30 5px solid; color:#000000"|League
!colspan="5" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#000000 5px solid; color:#000000"|Regular-season
!colspan="3" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#000000 5px solid; color:#000000"|Postseason
!rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#F61D30 5px solid; color:#000000"|MLB affiliate
!class="unsortable" rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#F61D30 5px solid; color:#000000"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#F61D30 5px solid; color:#000000"|Record
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#F61D30 5px solid; color:#000000"|Win %
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#F61D30 5px solid; color:#000000"|League
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#F61D30 5px solid; color:#000000"|Division
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#F61D30 5px solid; color:#000000"|{{Abbr|GB|Games behind}}
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#F61D30 5px solid; color:#000000"|Record
!scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#F61D30 5px solid; color:#000000"|Win %
!class="unsortable" rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-bottom:#F61D30 5px solid; color:#000000"|Result
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center; background:#DDFFDD"|2003<br>*
| PCL
| 74–70
| .514
| {{sort|04.1|4th (tie)}}
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| 1–3
| {{sort|250|.250}}
| bgcolor="#DDFFDD"|''Won American Conference Central Division title''<br />Lost American Conference title vs. [[Nashville Sounds]], 3–1<ref name=PCLChamps>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-148679|title=Pacific Coast League Champions|website=Pacific Coast League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=September 1, 2014}}</ref>
| [[Florida Marlins]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=aa2858dc|title=2003 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2004
| PCL
| 67–77
| .465
| {{sort|12.0|12th}}
| {{sort|04.0|4th}}
| {{sort|12.5|{{frac|12|1|2}}}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Florida Marlins]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=c08f9965|title=2004 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2005
| PCL
| 78–66
| .542
| {{sort|05.0|5th}}
| {{sort|02.0|2nd}}
| {{sort|02.5|{{frac|2|1|2}}}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Florida Marlins]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=7cf2c40c|title=2005 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2006
| PCL
| 70–72
| .493
| {{sort|10.0|10th}}
| {{sort|04.0|4th}}
| {{sort|14.0|14}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Florida Marlins]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=4de400ea|title=2006 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2007
| PCL
| 72–70
| .507
| {{sort|08.1|8th (tie)}}
| {{sort|02.0|2nd}}
| {{sort|02.0|2}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Florida Marlins]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=9bb85c40|title=2007 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2008
| PCL
| 68–75
| .476
| {{sort|10.0|10th}}
| {{sort|02.0|2nd}}
| {{sort|07.5|{{frac|7|1|2}}}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Florida Marlins]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=0c7928c7|title=2008 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center; background:#DDFFDD"|2009<br>*
| PCL
| 80–64
| .556
| {{sort|02.0|2nd}}
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|0.3|0–3}}
| {{sort|001|.000}}
| bgcolor="#DDFFDD"|''Won American Conference Southern Division title''<br />Lost American Conference title vs. [[Memphis Redbirds]], 3–0
| [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=5f155166|title=2009 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2010
| PCL
| 72–71
| .503
| {{sort|10.0|10th}}
| {{sort|02.0|2nd}}
| {{sort|01.0|1}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=b6ca3ab2|title=2010 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2011
| PCL
| 70–74
| .486
| {{sort|08.1|8th (tie)}}
| {{sort|02.0|2nd}}
| {{sort|17.0|17}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=2b849127|title=2011 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center; background:#DDFFDD"|2012<br>*
| PCL
| 80–64
| .556
| {{sort|04.0|4th}}
| {{sort|01.0|1st}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| 2–3
| {{sort|400|.400}}
| bgcolor="#DDFFDD"|''Won American Conference Southern Division title''<br />Lost American Conference title vs. [[Omaha Storm Chasers]], 3–2
| [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=0dccdf2c|title=2012 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2013
| PCL
| 76–68
| .528
| {{sort|06.1|6th (tie)}}
| {{sort|02.0|2nd}}
| {{sort|06.0|6}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=3219ab1a|title=2013 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2014
| PCL
| 62–80
| .437
| {{sort|14.0|14th}}
| {{sort|03.0|3rd}}
| {{sort|18.0|18}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=1b5c335f|title=2014 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2015
| PCL
| 62–82
| .431
| {{sort|14.0|14th}}
| {{sort|03.0|3rd}}
| {{sort|16.0|16}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Colorado Rockies]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=b685db87|title=2015 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2016
| PCL
| 71–72
| .497
| {{sort|07.1|7th (tie)}}
| {{sort|02.0|2nd}}
| {{sort|02.0|2}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Colorado Rockies]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=33b6dd69|title=2016 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2017
| PCL
| 68–73
| .482
| {{sort|10.1|10th (tie)}}
| {{sort|03.0|3rd}}
| {{sort|04.5|{{frac|4|1|2}}}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Colorado Rockies]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=a81c8ceb|title=2017 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2018
| PCL
| 63–77
| .450
| {{sort|14.0|14th}}
| {{sort|04.0|4th}}
| {{sort|19.5|{{frac|19|1|2}}}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Colorado Rockies]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=2e132070|title=2018 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2019
| PCL
| 60–80
| .429
| {{sort|15.0|15th}}
| {{sort|04.0|4th}}
| {{sort|23.0|23}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Colorado Rockies]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=d9339ccc|title=2019 Pacific Coast League|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"| 2020
| PCL
| colspan="8"|''Season cancelled ([[COVID-19 pandemic]])''<ref name=2020can>{{cite news |title=2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved|url=https://www.milb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-shelved|website=Minor League Baseball|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
| [[Colorado Rockies]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/isotopes-release-2020-schedule-311124788|title=Isotopes Release 2020 Schedule|website=Minor League Baseball|date=October 10, 2019|access-date=September 8, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2021
| AAAW
| 52–68
| .433
| {{sort|08.0|8th}}
| {{sort|04.0|4th}}
| {{sort|19.0|19}}
| 6–4
| {{sort|600|.600}}
| ''Won series vs. [[Reno Aces]], 4–1''<br/>Lost series vs. [[Sacramento River Cats]], 3–2<br/>Placed 7th (tie) in the Triple-A Final Stretch<ref name=2021FinalStretch/>
| [[Colorado Rockies]]
| <ref name=MILB2021/>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2022
| PCL
| 62–86
| .419
| {{sort|10.0|10th}}
| {{sort|05.0|5th}}
| {{sort|22.0|22}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Colorado Rockies]]
| <ref name=BR2022>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=39e6d58a|title=2022 Pacific Coast League|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=September 29, 2022}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2023
| PCL
| 68–82
| .453
| {{sort|07.0|7th}}
| {{sort|03.0|3rd}}
| {{sort|23.0|23}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Colorado Rockies]]
| <ref name=BR2023>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=4ac4afa3|title=2023 Pacific Coast League|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=September 28, 2023|archive-date=September 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928141512/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=4ac4afa3}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2024
| PCL
| 58–92
| .387
| {{sort|10.0|10th}}
| {{sort|05.0|5th}}
| {{sort|35.5|{{frac|35|1|2}}}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Colorado Rockies]]
| <ref name=BR2024>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=1522c7d0|title=2024 Pacific Coast League|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=September 25, 2024|archive-date=September 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925121542/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=1522c7d0|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|2025
| PCL
| 62–87
| .416
| {{sort|10.0|10th}}
| {{sort|05.0|5th}}
| {{sort|21.5|{{frac|21|1|2}}}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| {{sort|00.0|—}}
| [[Colorado Rockies]]
| <ref name=BR2025>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=e379cb03|title=2025 Pacific Coast League|work=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=September 23, 2025|archive-date=September 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250923152729/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=e379cb03|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- class="sortbottom"
!scope="row" style="text-align:center"|'''Totals'''
! —
! 1,495–1,650
! {{winpct|1495|1650}}
! —
! —
! —
! 9–13
! {{winpct|9|13}}
! —
! —
! —
|}

==Roster==
{{Albuquerque Isotopes roster}}

==Awards==
[[File:Joc Pederson.jpg|thumb|[[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]].<ref>{{cite web| last=Hill| first=Benjamin| url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-6981782| archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717115428/http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090915&content_id=6981782&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp| url-status=live| archive-date=July 17, 2012| title=Jones slugs way to Bauman Award: Home run crown, first big league action mark milestone season| work=[[Minor League Baseball]]| date=September 15, 2009| publisher=Minor League Baseball| access-date=February 7, 2012}}</ref>
*In 2014, [[Joc Pederson]], after leading the league in OBP (.435), runs (106), home runs (33), walks (100), and OPS (1.017),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/leader.cgi?type=bat&id=1b5c335f|title=2014 Pacific Coast League batting leaders|work=Baseball Reference.com|access-date=September 2, 2014}}</ref> and setting Isotopes single-season records for walks and runs scored,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-pederson-pcl-mvp-20140828-story.html|title=Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson, already PCL's top rookie, is named MVP|work=LA Times|first=Steve|last=Dilbeck|date=August 28, 2014|access-date=September 1, 2014}}</ref> was voted the 2014 [[Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player Award|PCL Most Valuable Player]], named to the post-season All-PCL team, and named the [[Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year Award|PCL Rookie of the Year]], which is awarded to a player in his first year at the Triple-A level.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-91344588|title=2014 All-PCL Team Announced|work=[[Minor League Baseball]]|date=August 25, 2014|access-date=August 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-91509304|title=Joc Pederson Tabbed PCL Rookie of the Year|work=[[Minor League Baseball]]|date=August 26, 2014|access-date=August 28, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-91893372|title=Pederson captures PCL's MVP Award|work=[[Minor League Baseball]]|date=August 28, 2014|access-date=August 28, 2014}}</ref> He was also selected to ''Baseball America'''s 2014 Minor League All-Star team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-star-team-2014/|title=Minor League All-Star Team 2014|first=Matt|last=Eddy|work=Baseball America|date=September 2, 2014|access-date=September 2, 2014}}</ref>

==Notable broadcasters==
*[[Mike Roberts (sportscaster)|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

==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 (TV network)|AMC]] series ''[[Breaking Bad]]'', which is set in Albuquerque, [[Walter White (Breaking Bad)|Walter White]] can be seen wearing an Isotopes hat.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wild |first=Danny |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-64237776 |title=Isotopes pay tribute to 'Breaking Bad' |work=[[Minor League Baseball]] |date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=December 3, 2013}}</ref> In the ''Breaking Bad'' prequel series ''[[Better Call Saul]]'', [[Mike Ehrmantraut]] watches an Isotopes game on TV in the [[Smoke (Better Call Saul)|opening episode]] of Season 4 (set in 2003). Additionally, in a [[flashforward]] the same episode, an Isotopes air freshener can be seen hanging in [[Jeff (Better Call Saul)|Jeff's]] cab when he picks up "[[Saul Goodman|Gene Takavic]]" in Omaha, Nebraska.
*In the [[NBC]] series ''[[The Voice (U.S. TV series)|The Voice]]'', music producer [[Adam Blackstone]] wore an Albuquerque Isotopes hat during Season One Battle Rounds preparations.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.adamblackstone.com/featured/catch-adam-as-musical-advisor-to-adam-levine/| title=Catch Adam as Musical Advisor to Adam Levine | date=May 20, 2011 | work= adamblackstone.com | publisher=[[Adam Blackstone]] | access-date=February 7, 2012}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website}}

{{Colorado Rockies}}
{{Pacific Coast League}}
{{New Mexico Sports}}
{{Diamond Baseball Holdings}}

[[Category:Albuquerque Isotopes| ]]
[[Category:Sports in Albuquerque, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Pacific Coast League teams]]
[[Category:Baseball teams established in 2003]]
[[Category:Professional baseball teams in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Colorado Rockies minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Dodgers minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:Miami Marlins minor league affiliates]]
[[Category:2003 establishments in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Triple-A West teams]]