Obscure Teams: Amarillo Sod Poodles


Okay, my first question when I saw this team name was - what is a sod poodle?   The first image that came to my mind was a poodle that had wallowed in a mud puddle.  The name is actually referencing to prairie dogs which live in West Texas.  

The Sod Poodles beat out other names such as "Boot Scooters", "Bronc Busters" and "Jerky".   That's quite a list of name choices.

The Amarillo Sod Poodles are a Double-A minor league baseball team located in Amarillo, Texas.  They play in the Texas League are affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The team began with the San Antonio Missions franchise moving to Amarillo which began play in 2019.  In their first season, the Sod Poodles defeated the Arkansas Travelers for the league championship.  

The Sod Poodles are currently in second place in the South Division of the Texas League which is in their second half of the league season.  Leftfielder Dominic Canzone leads the team in hitting with a .368 batting average.  Centerfielder Corbin Carroll and First Basemen Leandro Cedeno both lead the team in home runs with 16.  Slade Cecconi is the leading pitcher with a 4-3 record and ERA of 4.36.

The team plays their home games at Hodgetown in downtown Amarillo.   The stadium is named in honor of Amarillo pharmacist, businessman, philanthropist, and 26th Mayor of Amarillo Jerry Hodge.

Ruckus is the official mascot for the Sod Poodles.

Amarillo has a long history of minor league baseball prior to the Sod Poodles.  Here is a list of the previous minor league franchises which have played in Amarillo:
  • American Association - Texas AirHogs(2016)
  • American Association - Amarillo Thunderheads(2015)
  • American Association - Amarillo Sox(2011 - 2014)
  • Texas-Louisiana League, United League, Central League - Amarillo Dillas(1994 - 2010)
  • West Texas-New Mexico League, Texas League, Western League - Amarillo Gold Sox(1939 - 1982)
  • Texas League, Texas League (Dixie Association) - Amarillo Giants(1968 - 1974)
  • Texas League - Amarillo Sonics(1965 - 1967)
  • Western League - Amarillo Texans(1927 - 1928)
  • West Texas League, Panhandle-Pecos Valley League - Amarillo Gassers(1922 - 1923)
For more information on the Amarillo Sod Poodles, click here.


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