AAA baseball returning to Tucson

[BigMac12]

Found this on MILB.com

Portland moving to Tucson

[RyanB06]

Well with PGE Park being renovated into a soccer-specific facility, something had to happen in re the Beavers. Sad to see the city not being able (or willing, perhaps) to step up and save the team.

[Seadragon76]

Well, since they're moving to Tucson, let me say this: Bring back the Toros.

[Gary]

it's for one season, they'll be moving to California next year.

[TalktoChuck]

This is a shame, the Beavers had such a geat identity.

[NJTank]

This is a shame, the Beavers had such a geat identity.

Agreed

[RyanB06]

it's for one season, they'll be moving to California next year.

Only if Escondido passes a stadium-funding bill. Otherwise it's hello, Tuscon - long term.

[Brian in Boston]

it's for one season, they'll be moving to California next year.

While the former Portland Beavers may eventually make their way to California, I wouldn't bet on it happening in time for 2012.

San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad has purchased the Beavers and he's made it known that he'd like to ultimately relocate the franchise to a yet-to-be-built ballpark in Escondido, California. The problem with getting said facility approved, financed and constructed in time for 2012 is that a couple of Escondido politicians who enthusiastically supported public-financing of the project - namely, Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler and Councilman Dick Daniels - failed to win re-election to the Escondido City Council on Tuesday. Further, former councilman Ed Gallo - an opponent of public-financing for the project - secured a spot on the new council. Additionally, Mayor-elect Sam Abed and Councilwoman Olga Diaz have both gone on the record as saying that any City Council vote on the ballpark plan should be delayed until the new council is seated in December. Moorad had wanted such a vote to take place on November 30th, while the current council was still in power.

In other words, this could be more than a one year stop-over for the Padres' Triple-A affiliate in Tucson.

[Mac the Knife]

This franchise has held many historic names during its day:

1904-1957: Los Angeles Angels (though, not of Anaheim)

1958-1971: Spokane Indians

1972-2000: Albuquerque Dukes

2001-2010: Portland Beavers

Strange how what was perhaps the Tucson Toros biggest rival (the Dukes) now very well may become the Toros.

It's a damned shame that one of the better new identity packages in recent memory will be gone though.

[Lee.]

I keep forgetting how the Dukes actually left town to be replaced by the Isotopes, rather than just a name change.

[Gary]

This franchise has held many historic names during its day:

1904-1957: Los Angeles Angels (though, not of Anaheim)

1958-1971: Spokane Indians

1972-2000: Albuquerque Dukes

2001-2010: Portland Beavers

Strange how what was perhaps the Tucson Toros biggest rival (the Dukes) now very well may become the Toros.

It's a damned shame that one of the better new identity packages in recent memory will be gone though.

Do you really think they'd go back to the Toros? If they were to stay in Tucson for 2011 and beyond, i'd take on an entire new identity.

[Lee.]

They could always go the Colorado route and take on the name of a former local sports team. Like "Coyotes."

[AJM]

Well, since they're moving to Tucson, let me say this: Bring back the Toros.

The Toros are back as part of the GBL, however they will take the 2011 season off as to not conflict with the new AAA team and supposedly will return to the GBL in 2012.

Unless the Portland team plays the 2011 season as the Toros...I do not see this happening since ultimately the goal for this team is to only play one season in Tucson and move to Esco. If they stayed longer, I'd love to see a true revival of the Toros as a AAA team. Unfortunately, either way the games are played at Tucson Electric Park versus Hi Corbett.

[Mac the Knife]

I didn't realize it was apparently a one-year move. That said, it won't be the Toros. It'd be foolish to use that name for a single season. In fact, I'd probably simply call 'em the Tucson Beavers, just for grits and shins.

[Lee.]

When the time comes, I'll be submitting "Escondido Dandies" as a write-in candidate for the Name the Team contest.

In the meantime, are there any old Sidewinders uniforms lying around?

[FiddySicks]

When the time comes, I'll be submitting "Escondido Dandies" as a write-in candidate for the Name the Team contest.

In the meantime, are there any old Sidewinders uniforms lying around?

I went to the Reno Aces first ever game last season, and in the team shop they were actually trying to sell a good amount of old Tucson Sidewinders gear

[AJM]

I didn't realize it was apparently a one-year move. That said, it won't be the Toros. It'd be foolish to use that name for a single season. In fact, I'd probably simply call 'em the Tucson Beavers, just for grits and shins.

I think the current placeholder for the team is Tucson Padres, but that could change...

[McCall]

The only way Portland should be without a Triple-A team is if they have a Major League team.

[Brian in Boston]

Should this franchise eventually land in Escondido, I'm suggesting Escondido Diablos as the team's new name.

[Lee.]

"Diablos" is too hard of a turnaround after "Escondido." I understand your Padres/Diablos dichotomy here, but the flow of the name is just wrong.

"Dandies" is a winner.