Tuesday 'Topes Notebook: It's Mariachis jersey giveaway week — here's a look at the popular promotion

Minor League Baseball has a few go-tos to get a big crowd.

Among them: giveaways, fireworks shows, cheap hot dogs, Little League nights and finding a unique local promotion the community embraces.

That part, the Albuquerque Isotopes have down. It’s one of the reasons the Isotopes have led the Pacific Coast League in attendance in each of the past three seasons despite losing records on the field.

But then there’s the timing of these promotions. Ideally, you spread them out.

That part, the Albuquerque Isotopes don’t seem to get.

They’re doing them all this week. Some even overlapping in the same game. (To be fair, they’ll do them all again at various points throughout the season).

From Tuesday’s Dollar Hot Dog Night to Friday and Saturday night each featuring Little League nights and postgame fireworks shows to Sunday’s big one: The ever-popular Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico game (this year on May 4 since there is a league-wide off day on Cinco de Mayo, when the Isotopes usually like to host a game) as well as the first of two Mariachis adult jersey giveaways for the first 3,000 fans through the gates.

Anytime there is a Mariachis game, and especially when jerseys are given away, fans start lining up for several hours before first pitch.

“Our philosophy, on the Mariachis games specifically, is to make big days even bigger and to pour more resources into them,” said Isotopes Vice President and General Manager John Traub. “It’s something the fans have been passionate about and we’ve been passionate about. You want to make it as big an event as possible.”

The Mariachis, alter-ego of the Isotopes, started in 2018 as part of MILB’s Copa de la Diversión initiative and was instantly adopted in Albuquerque as arguably the team’s most popular tradition.

Now, the ballclub has one Mariachis home game a month with music, dancing and various promotions and since 2019 have included at least one specially designed Mariachis jersey (two designs and two giveaways a year since 2023).

Often designed by Rebecca Zook, the Isotopes digital and social media marketing manager, with intricate patterns and hidden imagery, Sunday’s papel picado-themed jersey was primarily designed by Creative Services Coordinator Nicole Psota. Traub said it’s getting harder and harder to meet the challenge of one-upping the previous year’s design, especially since fans begged for more of the 2023 serape theme.

“That one raised the bar to a new level,” Traub said. “And since then, it’s been about what are we going to do for the next one? What’s the next one?”

Know the foe

The Isotopes (11-16, tied for ninth in the PCL, Colorado Rockies affiliate) host the Salt Lake Bees (11-16, tied for ninth in the PCL, Los Angeles Angels affiliate) for a six-game series, Tuesday through Sunday at Isotopes Park.

Let’s eat!

Aside from Tuesday’s Dollar Dog night, Sunday’s Cuatro de Mayo game features four specialty food items:

- Carne Asada Fries (available at Batter’s Up stand near section 108)

- Chalupa (available at Pecos River near section 118)

- Burrito-chilada, a burrito enchilada creation (available at Pecos River near section 118)

- Churro donuts (available at the Sweet Spot near section 115)

Hammerin’ Hilliard

This homestand will be the first since 1996 with a new Albuquerque professional baseball home run king.

Outfielder Sam Hilliard’s Friday home run in Reno was the 80th he’s hit in an Isotopes uniform, extending his club record but he also now takes over the all-time home run mark set by any professional player in Albuquerque, passing Mike Busch (1993-1996 with the Albuquerque Dukes).

Reno-no-no-no

While the Isotopes started last week’s series in Reno with a pair of wins, they lost the next four and have now lost 20 of their last 24 games played at Greater Nevada Field.

The last time the Isotopes won a series against the Aces was May 8-11, 2018.

Fast food

Chile race standings:

5 wins — Salsa jar

3 wins — Taco

2 wins — Green Chile

1 wins — Red Chile

At the top

The Isotopes are first in several PCL stat categories:

• Triples, 12

• Home runs by a team, 36

• Home runs by an individual, 7 — RF Yanquiel Fernandez (tied for first with Las Vegas 1B Nick Kurtz)

• Walks, 22 — SS Ryan Ritter (tied for first with Las Vegas 2B Logan Davidson and Sugar Land SS Zack Short)

• Strikeouts per nine innings, 10.8 —Carson Palmquist

Homestand highlights

TUESDAY, 6:35 p.m.: Dollar Dog night!

THURSDAY, 11:05 a.m.: School Day Matinee with hundreds of kids from around the state attending the game.

FRIDAY, 6:35 p.m.: Gates open at 5 p.m.; Little League night featuring a pregame outfield parade; pregame autographs on concourse level inside the third base gates (5:30 to 5:50 p.m.); postgame fireworks.

SATURDAY, 6:35 p.m.: Gates open at 5 p.m.; Little League night (different teams from Friday) featuring a pregame outfield parade; postgame fireworks.

SUNDAY, 1:35 p.m.: Gates open at noon; “Cuatro de Mayo” celebration; Mariachis adult jersey giveaway to first 3,000 fans ages 16 or older; Specialty food items available at select stands.