Rebirth
Professional baseball was not played in El Paso again until 1961 when a group of 40 people, known as the Sports Development Committee of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce, took it upon themselves to revive it. John Phelan, the Texans former manager, was named Vice President and General Manager. Each of the 40 people put up to $500 to help finance the team. Phelan and the committee managed to get the organization into the Class D Sophmore League and renamed the team the El Paso Sun Kings. The Sun Kings had a terrific season, finishing in third, and for the first time, turned a profit.
In 1962, the Sun Kings joined the Class AA Texas League. The organization's rookie season was a huge success, as they won the Texas League championship. In 1963, the team hit 207 home runs, setting a new league record for most home runs in a season.
From 1961 to 1964, the El Paso team had been affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, their most notable player coming through the system at the time Jesus Alou of the famous baseball family.In 1965, the Sun Kings became a farm team for the California Angels. The Sports Development Committee sold the team to Angels owner Gene Autry for $1, fulfilling their mission of bringing professional baseball back to El Paso. John Stanfill replaced John Phelan as general manager in 1967, and the team came in second to Albuquerque, which won the Texas League pennant that season. During the Sun Kings' tenure as an Angel Affiliate, one of their most famous prospects passed through their system: a young second base prospect by the name of Kurt Russell. Russell led the league in hitting with a .563 batting average. However, during a play, he was hit in the shoulder by another player running to second base, the collision resulting in a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder. The injury forced his retirement from baseball in 1973, and he returned to acting. Russell recently told Sports Illistrated that before his injury he was going to be called up.
The partnership with the Angels lasted till 1970. The team was without an affiliate for one season until 1972, when the L.A. Dodgers brought theirs to El Paso.
In 1962, the Sun Kings joined the Class AA Texas League. The organization's rookie season was a huge success, as they won the Texas League championship. In 1963, the team hit 207 home runs, setting a new league record for most home runs in a season.
From 1961 to 1964, the El Paso team had been affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, their most notable player coming through the system at the time Jesus Alou of the famous baseball family.In 1965, the Sun Kings became a farm team for the California Angels. The Sports Development Committee sold the team to Angels owner Gene Autry for $1, fulfilling their mission of bringing professional baseball back to El Paso. John Stanfill replaced John Phelan as general manager in 1967, and the team came in second to Albuquerque, which won the Texas League pennant that season. During the Sun Kings' tenure as an Angel Affiliate, one of their most famous prospects passed through their system: a young second base prospect by the name of Kurt Russell. Russell led the league in hitting with a .563 batting average. However, during a play, he was hit in the shoulder by another player running to second base, the collision resulting in a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder. The injury forced his retirement from baseball in 1973, and he returned to acting. Russell recently told Sports Illistrated that before his injury he was going to be called up.
The partnership with the Angels lasted till 1970. The team was without an affiliate for one season until 1972, when the L.A. Dodgers brought theirs to El Paso.