Lorenzo Bundy and Branch Rickey III to be Inducted into Albuquerque Pro Baseball Hall of Fame

On June 27, Isotopes Park will honor two prominent figures in baseball as former manager Lorenzo Bundy and Branch Rickey III, a pivotal leader in the Pacific Coast League, are set to be inducted into the Albuquerque Professional Baseball Hall of Fame. This prestigious event will commence with a pregame ceremony at 6:10 p.m., followed by the annual Dukes Retro Night game at 6:35 p.m., featuring a postgame drone show sponsored by the Albuquerque Journal.

Lorenzo Bundy, who managed the Isotopes from 2011 to 2013, led the team to a remarkable 226 victories and was named the PCL Manager of the Year in 2012. His win percentage of .523 is just slightly below Tim Wallach's .530 from 2009-2010. Bundy's 2012 team also matched the franchise record with 80 wins, marking the last time the Isotopes reached the playoffs.

Branch Rickey III, grandson of the legendary Wesley Branch Rickey who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947, served as the president of the Pacific Coast League from 1998 to 2020. His efforts were crucial in relocating the Calgary Cannons to Albuquerque, where the Isotopes began their first season in 2003 after the Dukes' departure. During his presidency, Rickey facilitated the construction of ten new ballparks, including Isotopes Park, and played a significant role in Albuquerque hosting the 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game and the 2011 Triple-A Championship Game.

The Albuquerque Professional Baseball Hall of Fame was established by John Traub and the Isotopes to celebrate the city’s extensive professional baseball legacy, focusing on the achievements of the Albuquerque Dukes and the Isotopes, along with others who have made significant contributions to the sport.