El Paso Diablos

Team history

The team traces its origins to 1892, when it was first called the El Paso Browns. The name later changed to the Mavericks. In 1913, the El Paso Mavericks competed in the Copper League, which included teams from Silver City, Hurley, and Santa Rita, New Mexico. That season they finished third but won the postseason tournament, becoming the Southwestern Champions of 1913. In 1915, the Mavericks joined the Rio Grande Association, a Class D minor league; the league folded after one year, but the Mavericks continued playing in some form. Dudley Field, constructed in 1924 in South El Paso, was named for Mayor R.M. "Dick" Dudley and was locally called the "Dudley Dome." Though not a true dome, the stadium was noted for avoiding rain showers and maintaining the same temperature inside as outside. The grandstand's substructure was built of adobe, and the field was notoriously hitter-friendly, with dimensions of 340-395-340, forcing pitchers to work hard to keep their ERAs below five. In 1922, Syd and Andy Cohen played for the Mavericks; both later reached the Major Leagues. Andy Cohen played second base for the New York Giants, and Syd Cohen pitched for several American League teams and was the last pitcher to strike out Babe Ruth. Syd also pitched in the Mexican leagues and later managed the Juarez team. In 1930, the team, now called the El Paso Texans, entered the Arizona State League, replacing the defunct Mesa Jewels. The league included teams from Phoenix, Tucson, and Douglas. El Paso, the only Texas team in the league, missed winning the pennant by half a game, losing to the Bisbee Bees.