El Paso Diablos
El Paso Diablos revolutionized independent baseball with creative promotions.
The El Paso Diablos is a name shared by two distinct professional baseball teams from El Paso, Texas. The later version played in the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, an independent league that has never been an MLB affiliate. Both teams called Cohen Stadium home from 1990 until 2013. In Spanish, "Diablos" translates to "devils."
The modern Diablos franchise traces its lineage to the 1974 team, not directly to earlier clubs. However, baseball in El Paso dates back further: the 1913 El Paso Mavericks competed in the Copper League, a minor league, alongside teams from Silver City, Hurley, and Santa Rita, New Mexico. They finished third that season; claims of winning a postseason tournament or a 'Southwestern Champions' title are unverified. By 1915, the Mavericks had joined the Class D Rio Grande Association, which folded after one year, though the team continued in some form.
In 1924, Dudley Field—named after Mayor R.M. "Dick" Dudley—was built in South El Paso. It was not actually a dome, though it was later nicknamed the "Dudley Dome" when Jim Paul renamed it in the 1970s. As an open-air stadium, its interior temperature naturally matched the outdoors. The grandstand’s foundation was made of adobe, and the field’s cozy dimensions (340-395-340) made it notoriously hitter-friendly, forcing pitchers to fight for ERAs below five. In 1922, brothers Syd and Andy Cohen played for the Mavericks before reaching the majors: Andy as a second baseman for the New York Giants, and Syd as a pitcher who became the last to strike out Babe Ruth. Syd also pitched in the Mexican leagues and later managed the Juarez team.
By 1930, the team—now called the El Paso Texans—joined the Arizona State League, replacing the defunct Mesa Jewels. That league included teams from Phoenix, Tucson, and Douglas. El Paso, the only Texas team in the league, missed the pennant by half a game, losing to the Bisbee Bees. The league became the Arizona–Texas League in 1931, running through 1932 and reviving from 1937 to 1941, when it was upgraded to Class C. Play stopped from 1942 to 1946 due to World War II, though the Texans played one season in the Mexican National League in 1946.
Quick Facts
- City
- El Paso, Texas
- Past Class Level
- Independent (2005–2013) / Class AA (1962–1970, 1972–2004) / Class D (1961) / Class B (1955–1957) / Class C (1947–1954) / Class B (1946) / Class C (1940–1941) / Class D (1915, 1930–1932, 1937–1941)
- Ballpark
- Cohen Stadium
- Pastparks
- Dudley Field
- Mascot
- Kasey the Chicken (1990-2013) / Scoops the Tiger (2002-2013) / Chilli D. (1999-2004)
- Leaguechamps
- 12 (1931, 1937, 1940, 1949, 1950, 1956, 1962, 1968, 1972, 1978, 1986, 1994)
- Divisionchamps
- 12 (1968, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1993, 1994)
- Firsthalfchamps
- 9 (1977, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1994)
- Secondhalfchamps
- 12 (1977, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2000)
- Owner
- Tigua Native American Tribe
- Manager
- Tim Johnson
- Gm
- Matt LaBranche
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In 1974, Jim Paul bought the team for $1000 and assumed $52,000 in debt, changing the name to the Diablos. He painted Dudley Field bright yellow with 'BASEBALL' in twelve-foot red letters, renaming it the 'Dudley Dome.' The home dugout read 'Diablos,' the visitors' dugout 'Enemy.' Fans received tissues for 'Bye, Bye, Baby' when the visiting pitcher was replaced, accompanied by Janis Joplin's song. Notable victim Dennis Eckersley tipped his hat; others made obscene gestures, leading to a Texas League fine.
Reader's Guide
The Diablos' significance lies in Jim Paul's marketing innovations, which drew record crowds despite mediocre performance. In 1975, the team finished 18½ games out of first but attracted 162,395 fans—more than any other Class AA team and 16 of 24 Triple-A teams. Paul was named Sporting News' Class Double A Executive of the Year in 1974 and 1975. The team's promotions, such as 10¢ hotdog night and nickel beer night, influenced minor league and major league baseball. The Diablos' legacy is as a model for fan engagement in professional baseball.
Did You Know?
- The Diablos name means 'devils' in Spanish.
- Fans waved tissues to the Janis Joplin song 'Bye, Bye, Baby' when the visiting pitcher was replaced.
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