Jim Paul
Far right
For my project i decided to interview the famous Jim Paul, the owner of the Diablos begining in 1974 which was considered its prime. He is very busy because he is a director of Hospice if El Paso.
4/28/11 3:59 p.m.
Q: When would you say the organization's prime was (profit & success-wise)?
A: After the first year at Cohen Stadium everything got better, I'd say from 1991 to 1997.
Q: Do you know if there are any plans to reaffiliate the Diablos back with M.L.B.?
A: A group almost brought AAA baseball to El Paso in 2010. If they keep pursuing they might actually get a AAA team here, AA is the hardest to get for some reason.
Q: Since the Diablos aren't affiliated with M.L.B., where do they get new players from?
A: They have to find their own players by tryouts, getting players released from the M.L.B. system, and signing players from junior colleges that went unscouted.
Q: How have the Diablos been important to El Paso's history?
A: The biggets effect in minor leagues was the promotions started in 1974. It was the first team to sell nachos in their stadium in a game in 1975-76, Jim Paul worked with Tet's foods. Also it was the only team to play Rock'n'Roll over the intercom. Other managers came to see the seminars put on to over 300 people by Jim Paul to spread the word about the new trend. Many people came to this because the Diablos were breaking attendance records and became the first team ever to be featured on the cover of National Geographic.
Q: How did the Diablos impact the history of minor league baseball?
A: Quality of life issue. Every summer families come to enjoy the games. It also brought a lot more revenue was produced.
Q: Who were some of the most important people in the history of the Diablos?
A: In 1961-1962 gentlemen that wanted El Paso to have a AA team. (John Thelan, Dave Morrs, Andy and Sid Cohen, Harry Elliot, Dan Ponder, Bob Haynesworth). My sister, Karen Paul, my sister and Rick Parr, my first manager.
4/28/11 3:59 p.m.
Q: When would you say the organization's prime was (profit & success-wise)?
A: After the first year at Cohen Stadium everything got better, I'd say from 1991 to 1997.
Q: Do you know if there are any plans to reaffiliate the Diablos back with M.L.B.?
A: A group almost brought AAA baseball to El Paso in 2010. If they keep pursuing they might actually get a AAA team here, AA is the hardest to get for some reason.
Q: Since the Diablos aren't affiliated with M.L.B., where do they get new players from?
A: They have to find their own players by tryouts, getting players released from the M.L.B. system, and signing players from junior colleges that went unscouted.
Q: How have the Diablos been important to El Paso's history?
A: The biggets effect in minor leagues was the promotions started in 1974. It was the first team to sell nachos in their stadium in a game in 1975-76, Jim Paul worked with Tet's foods. Also it was the only team to play Rock'n'Roll over the intercom. Other managers came to see the seminars put on to over 300 people by Jim Paul to spread the word about the new trend. Many people came to this because the Diablos were breaking attendance records and became the first team ever to be featured on the cover of National Geographic.
Q: How did the Diablos impact the history of minor league baseball?
A: Quality of life issue. Every summer families come to enjoy the games. It also brought a lot more revenue was produced.
Q: Who were some of the most important people in the history of the Diablos?
A: In 1961-1962 gentlemen that wanted El Paso to have a AA team. (John Thelan, Dave Morrs, Andy and Sid Cohen, Harry Elliot, Dan Ponder, Bob Haynesworth). My sister, Karen Paul, my sister and Rick Parr, my first manager.