Padres Fans - Introducing....the El Paso Chihuahuas?

Jaypers · 10-22-2013, 06:11 PM

Chihuahuas rule the day in El Paso
Small dog breed wins naming contest for Padres' Triple-A club

From Muckdogs to RockHounds, RiverDogs to Sea Dogs, Minor League Baseball is home to a wide variety of canine entities. But in 2014, a brand new breed is set to appear on the scene.

El Paso's new Pacific Coast League franchise announced Tuesday that, yes, they will be known as "The Chihuahuas" in 2014 and beyond. The smallest of the world's dog breeds was chosen over four other finalists in a "Name The Team" contest that garnered over 5,000 submissions, triumphing over Aardvarks, Buckaroos, Desert Gators and Sun Dogs. The Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, will compete in a downtown stadium currently under construction. The team is moving to El Paso after three seasons in Tucson, where they were simply known as the Padres, marking affiliated baseball's first appearance in the city since the Double-A Diablos departed following the 2004 campaign.

El Paso general manager Brad Taylor said Chihuahuas was chosen as the team name because they "represent fun and are fiercely loyal."

"Through the entire [branding] process, our focus was on fun and on finding something that could appeal to kids," he continued. "You have to believe in the brand, and stand by it, because the brand isn't just something that people hear -- it's something they see."

And what people will see is a variety of "Chihuahua" imagery, with the primary logo featuring the team name emblazoned in front of the snarling titular canine. The road cap features a stylized upwards-tilting "EP" upon a red background, while a more whimsical alternate logo depicts a Chihuahua swinging a bone as though it was a baseball bat.

The logos were designed by Casey White and Jason Klein of Brandiose (formerly Plan B Branding), the company behind attention-grabbing efforts such as the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Omaha Storm Chasers. Chihuahuas is an equally flashy choice for team name, and as such, Taylor is aware it may take some time for the community to fully embrace it.

"If everyone liked the logo, then it'd probably be something very boring. This is something that you can't take too seriously; imagine seeing it through the eyes of a child because, again, it's all about fun," he said. "It might take some time to warm up to it, but we know people will grow to love the brand once they see how we do things."

Taylor should know, as he's been down this road before. Prior to taking the job with El Paso, he was the first employee of the Midwest League's Bowling Green Hot Rods and played a significant role in shaping that franchise's identity. With the unveiling out of the way, now he'll begin a media blitz with the intent of spreading the Chihuahua gospel.

"I'm sure I'm going to be hearing all sorts of views, but we're standing by this," he said. "We have friends in a lot of other places, like the Iron Pigs or the [Fort Wayne] Tin Caps, who stepped outside of their comfort zone to create a brand. That's what we're doing here."

Chihuahuas rule the day in El Paso | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball

Matt Ryan · 10-22-2013, 06:30 PM

Somewhere Paris Hilton is smiling.

Personally I liked the Desert Gators. I don't think a player would want to play for a pansy, ankle biting mascot.

GO CHALUPAS!

Abbienormal · 10-22-2013, 06:35 PM

If the Rays can have the Montgomery Biscuits, then the Padres should embrace the Chihuahuas.

Figuratively, of course.

padremurph · 10-22-2013, 07:41 PM

Love how all the affiliates have a "swinging" logo to take after the swinging friar.

CincinnatiReds · 10-22-2013, 07:52 PM

This is going to be in sports illustrated as one of the "Sign Of The Appocolypse" stories.

briscogun · 10-22-2013, 08:00 PM

One more reason to NOT want to be in the Padres farm system...

olivetree · 10-22-2013, 08:07 PM

You know something I am currently living in El Paso and I just hated this news today. It brought me down since I was so excited for the team to come. I don't even consider the Chihuahuas a breed of dog. So so sad. As a players I would rather stay in double A. Shame

10-22-2013, 06:11 PM	#1
Jaypers Bowman Scout Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: IL Posts: 50,430 cardboardconglomerate	Padres Fans - Introducing....the El Paso Chihuahuas? Chihuahuas rule the day in El Paso Small dog breed wins naming contest for Padres' Triple-A club From Muckdogs to RockHounds, RiverDogs to Sea Dogs, Minor League Baseball is home to a wide variety of canine entities. But in 2014, a brand new breed is set to appear on the scene. El Paso's new Pacific Coast League franchise announced Tuesday that, yes, they will be known as "The Chihuahuas" in 2014 and beyond. The smallest of the world's dog breeds was chosen over four other finalists in a "Name The Team" contest that garnered over 5,000 submissions, triumphing over Aardvarks, Buckaroos, Desert Gators and Sun Dogs. The Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, will compete in a downtown stadium currently under construction. The team is moving to El Paso after three seasons in Tucson, where they were simply known as the Padres, marking affiliated baseball's first appearance in the city since the Double-A Diablos departed following the 2004 campaign. El Paso general manager Brad Taylor said Chihuahuas was chosen as the team name because they "represent fun and are fiercely loyal." "Through the entire [branding] process, our focus was on fun and on finding something that could appeal to kids," he continued. "You have to believe in the brand, and stand by it, because the brand isn't just something that people hear -- it's something they see." And what people will see is a variety of "Chihuahua" imagery, with the primary logo featuring the team name emblazoned in front of the snarling titular canine. The road cap features a stylized upwards-tilting "EP" upon a red background, while a more whimsical alternate logo depicts a Chihuahua swinging a bone as though it was a baseball bat. The logos were designed by Casey White and Jason Klein of Brandiose (formerly Plan B Branding), the company behind attention-grabbing efforts such as the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Omaha Storm Chasers. Chihuahuas is an equally flashy choice for team name, and as such, Taylor is aware it may take some time for the community to fully embrace it. "If everyone liked the logo, then it'd probably be something very boring. This is something that you can't take too seriously; imagine seeing it through the eyes of a child because, again, it's all about fun," he said. "It might take some time to warm up to it, but we know people will grow to love the brand once they see how we do things." Taylor should know, as he's been down this road before. Prior to taking the job with El Paso, he was the first employee of the Midwest League's Bowling Green Hot Rods and played a significant role in shaping that franchise's identity. With the unveiling out of the way, now he'll begin a media blitz with the intent of spreading the Chihuahua gospel. "I'm sure I'm going to be hearing all sorts of views, but we're standing by this," he said. "We have friends in a lot of other places, like the Iron Pigs or the [Fort Wayne] Tin Caps, who stepped outside of their comfort zone to create a brand. That's what we're doing here." Chihuahuas rule the day in El Paso \| MiLB.com News \| The Official Site of Minor League Baseball __________________ BlueSky = @Jaypers

10-22-2013, 06:35 PM	#3
Abbienormal Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 244 teamhoffman23	If the Rays can have the Montgomery Biscuits, then the Padres should embrace the Chihuahuas. Figuratively, of course. __________________ PC: Starling Marte

10-22-2013, 07:52 PM	#5
CincinnatiReds Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 567 samssoprtscards CincinnatiReds	This is going to be in sports illustrated as one of the "Sign Of The Appocolypse" stories. __________________ Youtube: samthecardcollector Collecting: Jay Bruce I'm Just A 14 Year-Old Who Loves Sports and Cardboard As Much As Everyone Else Here!

10-22-2013, 08:00 PM	#6
briscogun Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 4,668 Briscogun	One more reason to NOT want to be in the Padres farm system... __________________ "I see great things in baseball. It's our game--the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us." -Walt Whitman

10-22-2013, 08:07 PM	#7
olivetree Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 612	You know something I am currently living in El Paso and I just hated this news today. It brought me down since I was so excited for the team to come. I don't even consider the Chihuahuas a breed of dog. So so sad. As a players I would rather stay in double A. Shame __________________ Arismendy Alcantara #1 Fan

10-22-2013, 06:30 PM	#2
Matt Ryan Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 1,273 Bolts1923	Somewhere Paris Hilton is smiling. Personally I liked the Desert Gators. I don't think a player would want to play for a pansy, ankle biting mascot. GO CHALUPAS!

10-22-2013, 07:41 PM	#4
padremurph Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,892 lakermurph	Love how all the affiliates have a "swinging" logo to take after the swinging friar.