Isotopes hit new year with big announcements

ALBUQUERQUE — At Isotopes Park, the Grounds Crews are wiping the sleep from their eyes. (Just kidding Grounds Crew. We know you don’t have an off-season.) The grass is shaking off the winter frost. The hallway lights are buzzing back to life. And faintly, at the back of everyone’s mind, they’re starting to think: “Baseball is back, baby!”

And to welcome in the new year, the Albuquerque Isotopes have come out of the gate with a slew of big announcements.

First, the Isotopes are set to begin their 22nd season on Mar. 28 at 7:45 p.m. when they take on the Sacramento River Cats in a three-game road series. More importantly, the 2025 Home Opener at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park is slated for Tuesday, Apr. 1 at 6:35 p.m. against the Salt Lake Bees.

Secondly, on Jan. 29, the Isotopes announced their official coaching staff for the 2025 season.

“The Albuquerque Isotopes, in conjunction with the Colorado Rockies, today announced their 2025 coaching staff with the return of third-year Manager Pedro Lopez, Bench Coach Michael Ryan, Hitting Coach Jordan Pacheco, and Pitching Coach Chris Michalak,” the team said in a news release.

Lopez, now entering his third year at the helm (fifth overall with the club), is the eighth manager in Isotopes history. A native of Puerto Rico, Lopez has managed for 21 years in the Minor Leagues and, according to the news release, “He won his 1,000th game as a manager June 4, 2023, in a 7-1 victory over Salt Lake.”

Ryan begins his second season as the Isotopes’ bench coach after serving in the role last year.

Pacheco, an Albuquerque native and La Cueva grad, is back for his fourth season as the Isotopes hitting coach.

Michalak returns for his third year as Albuquerque’s pitching coach.

Head Athletic Trainer Hoshi Mizutani is returning in his same role for a fifth season in Albuquerque. Physical Performance Coach Mason Rook will also return for his third year with the club.

Finally, the team released their 2025 Promotional Schedule. That’s the listing of all of their specialty nights and fun themes for the season.

Event highlights include 16 fireworks shows, six Mariachi nights, a Dukes Retro Night, the ever-popular Green Chile Cheeseburgers Night and, of course, the annual July 4th blowout!

The ‘Topes will also have numerous nights for giveaways including jerseys, hats, Mariachi ponchos, and “Lowrider paint-your-own bobbleheads”.

Mariachi nightsThe Mariachis six-pack, which guarantees a seat to every Mariachis game and comes with an exclusive specialty Mariachis hat, goes on sale Wednesday, Feb. 12 for just $145, a significant savings off the game day price.

Apr. 5: Adult Mariachis poncho giveaway

May 4: Cuatro de Mayo Celebración plus an adult Mariachis jersey giveaway

June 14: Dia de Los Ninos plus post-game fireworks show

July 5: Lowrider Night plus paint-your-own lowrider bobbleheads giveaway

Aug. 9: Tamalewood Night plus post-game fireworks show

Sept. 21: Final Fiesta plus adult Mariachis jersey giveaway

Fireworks showsApr. 19: Power Ford

May 2: Rio Metro RTD and New Mexico Rail Runner Express

May 3: New Mexico Aging Services

May 16: No theme listed

May 17: Melloy Los Lunas

May 31: Eastern New Mexico University

June 14: New Mexico Highlands University Rio Rancho Center

June 15: AARP

July 3: Rio Grande Credit Union

July 4: International Protective Service

July 19: No theme listed

Aug. 2: New Mexico Mutual

Aug. 9: Fireworks

Aug. 23: Fireworks

Sept. 19: Fireworks

Sept. 20: Fireworks

Giveaway nightsApr. 1: Orbit Beanies

Apr. 4: Magnet schedules

Apr. 5: Mariachis ponchos

Apr. 19: Flags

May 4 :Adult Mariachis jerseys

May 30: Cowbells

June 1:Hats

June 13: Hats

July 5: Paint-your-own lowrider bobbleheads

Aug. 1: Jumbo Softee baseballs

Aug. 3: Lunch bags

Aug. 22: Orbit vinyl figurines

Aug. 7: Albuquerque The Magazine

Sept. 21: Adult Mariachis jerseys

Holiday gamesApril 20: Easter (pre-game candy hunt on the field)

June 15: Father’s Day (pre-came catch on the field) | Juneteenth Celebration

July 4: Independence Day

Bark in the ParkApril 6 and Sept. 7

Dollar Dog NightsThe annual favorite “Dollar Dog Night” returns for two games this season. Feed the whole family for just $1 per hot dog as you enjoy our National Pastime: April 29 and July 29.

Additional theme nightsApril 15: Jackie Robinson Night

April 18: Malmö Oat Milkers, presented by Oatly

May 15: Asian American Pacific Islander Night

May 18: Salute to Services

May 30: Country night

May 31: Science night

June 1: Pride night

June 11: Youth Summer Program Day

July 1: Taco Tuesday

July 2: Youth Summer Program Day

July 6: Orbit’s Birthday Celebration

July 18: First Responders Night

July 19: Green Chile Cheeseburgers Night

Aug. 1: Stand Up to Cancer Night

Aug. 2: Dukes Retro Night/Albuquerque Baseball Hall of Fame Induction

Aug. 8: Native American Heritage Night

Aug. 10: All Faiths Night

Aug. 20: Nacho Average Wednesday

Aug. 22: Deaf Culture Night

Sept. 4: Women in Sports Night

Sept. 6: Looney Tunes Day/Saturday Morning Cartoons

Sept. 19-21: Fan Appreciation Weekend