Chihuahuas Unveil 1970s Padres Inspired Specialty Jerseys & Caps
They were so bad then, they’re awesome now.
The El Paso Chihuahuas have unveiled the specialty jerseys and caps that will be worn during the May 7th game when the team takes on the Fresno Grizzlies (Houston Astros).
The 70s style throwback jerseys pay homage to the Chihuahuas Major League affiliate, the San Diego Padres. The jerseys feature a brown body, yellow sleeves with brown trim and yellow 1970s Padres lettering.
There will be mixed feelings.
ESPN Senior Writer David Schoenfield once wrote, “The Padres have had a troubled uniform history, starting with the unfortunate decision to go with brown as a primary team color in the early years. When McDonald’s co-founder Ray Kroc purchased the team in 1974, he emphasized the brown-and-yellow color palette even more strongly.”
The brown-and-yellow combo jerseys are the colors of a reborn Padres, and harken back to the days of free agency.
After eight losing seasons in the 70s, according to Schoenfield, the Padres signed Oscar Gamble as a free agent in 1978, traded Dave Tomlin to the Rangers for Gaylord Perry (he’d win the NL Cy Young Award) and installed a rookie named Ozzie Smith at shortstop. The team had a winning season. That’s when they put the full name of the team on both its home and road jerseys. The experiment lasted only one season.
The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off with the net proceeds benefiting Mike Dee’s Big Adventure. Dee is the Executive Producer and host of the Morning Show on iHeart’s Power 102.1 FM.
Heading into its eighth year, Mike Dee’s Big Adventure offers children with disabilities a trip of a lifetime to San Antonio, Texas. The trip allows the selected children the opportunity to learn lifeskills and independent living by stepping out of their everyday life and having an unforgettable experience. Dee knows a thing or two about disabilities, as he himself is visually impaired.
Gates open at 6 p.m. with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Southwest University Park.
The jersey auction will begin at 6 p.m. and will end at the final out of the fifth inning. Auction winners must pay in full by the end of the game in order to receive the jersey. Winners will be escorted to the field postgame to receive their signed jersey.
Saturday’s game also features a Fireworks Spectacular, presented by KVIA and KISS FM, choreographed to hits from the decade.
Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early at epchihuahuas.com, by calling (915) 533-BASE or visiting the Southwest University Park Box Office located on the corner of Durango and Franklin. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or until the end of a home game.
