For more than two decades, baseball in Albuquerque had a constant.One leader.One vision.One voice guiding the Albuquerque Isotopes from the ground up (literally).When John Traub arrived in 2002, there wasn’t an established operation waiting for him. There wasn’t even a fully built ballpark. The foundation of the franchise — both physically and figuratively — was still taking shape.“I came in without a desk, without a phone, without anything,” Traub said. “We just kind of put it all together.”What followed was more than 20 years of steady leadership. Under Traub, the Isotopes became more than a Triple-A affiliate — they became part of the fabric of the city. A place where summer nights, community and baseball intersected.But long before this transition became official, the next chapter was already unfolding inside the same building.Learning the SystemIn 2004, Chrissy Baines joined the organization.She didn’t arrive as a future General Manager. She just arrived at work.Starting in merchandise before moving into ticketing and operations, Baines built her career the same way the organization had been built — step by step. Over time, she took on more responsibility, eventually rising to assistant general manager of business operations.Along the way, she wasn’t just working under Traub — she was learning from him.That progression didn’t go unnoticed.”Chrissy has been part of the backbone of this operation for 23 years,” Traub said.“Over the years, you could see her growth,” said Isotopes radio broadcaster Josh Suchon, who has been with the organization since 2014. “She wasn’t just doing her job — she was helping lead behind the scenes.”A Natural TransitionIn many organizations, leadership changes can feel abrupt—a break from the past.This one didn’t.As Traub transitioned into an advisory role, Baines was named general manager — becoming the first female GM in Albuquerque professional baseball history.Inside the building, though, the moment felt less like change and more like continuation.“It felt natural,” Josh said. “It’s going to be a continuation of what we had under John. But there’s also going to be some changes, and I’m excited to see what they are.”For Traub, that familiarity made the decision easier.”There’s a million things she does right,” Traub said. “Her intelligence, her ability to be so detail oriented — dotting I’s and crossing T’s is something she does very, very well.”There was trust in who was taking over. And confidence in what came next.”I’m really looking forward to the future and seeing Chrissy’s fingerprint,” Traub said. “It’s going to be great.”Carrying It ForwardBaines now steps into a role shaped by more than two decades of consistency, growth and connection to the community.But her leadership won’t be about starting over.It’s about building on what’s already there.She brings a different perspective, a new voice and her own vision — while maintaining the foundation that made the organization successful in the first place.And while her appointment marks a historic moment, those inside the organization see something even more important.Readiness.”She has the respect of the staff,” Suchon said and laughingly added, “I think there might have been a mutiny if she hadn’t gotten general manager.” Home Plate –> The Next ChapterIn baseball, every run ends at home plate, and every new one begins there, too.But before you move forward, you have to remember where you’ve been.For Traub, that understanding came from a moment he never forgot.Years ago, he ran into an older man (someone in his 80s) walking through Isotopes Park late one night. When Traub asked how he was doing, the answer caught him off guard.”Not good,” he said.The man told him his house had burned down earlier that day. Completely gone.Traub asked the obvious question — why are you here?Without hesitation: “That was my house,” he said, “but this is my home, and I want to be here.”A simple moment that said everything.What started as a ballpark became something more. A place people return to. A place that holds meaning beyond the game itself. And that’s what makes this transition different.This transition from Traub to Baines isn’t about replacing what was built. It’s about extending it.A continuation of a culture.A passing of responsibility.A new era shaped by the same foundation that starts at home.Because in Albuquerque, the game doesn’t reset.It moves forward.
For more than two decades, baseball in Albuquerque had a constant.
One leader.
One vision.
One voice guiding the Albuquerque Isotopes from the ground up (literally).
When John Traub arrived in 2002, there wasn’t an established operation waiting for him. There wasn’t even a fully built ballpark. The foundation of the franchise — both physically and figuratively — was still taking shape.
“I came in without a desk, without a phone, without anything,” Traub said. “We just kind of put it all together.”
What followed was more than 20 years of steady leadership.
Under Traub, the Isotopes became more than a Triple-A affiliate — they became part of the fabric of the city. A place where summer nights, community and baseball intersected.
But long before this transition became official, the next chapter was already unfolding inside the same building.
Learning the System
In 2004, Chrissy Baines joined the organization.
She didn’t arrive as a future General Manager. She just arrived at work.
Starting in merchandise before moving into ticketing and operations, Baines built her career the same way the organization had been built — step by step. Over time, she took on more responsibility, eventually rising to assistant general manager of business operations.
Along the way, she wasn’t just working under Traub — she was learning from him.
That progression didn’t go unnoticed.
“Chrissy has been part of the backbone of this operation for 23 years,” Traub said.
“Over the years, you could see her growth,” said Isotopes radio broadcaster Josh Suchon, who has been with the organization since 2014. “She wasn’t just doing her job — she was helping lead behind the scenes.”
A Natural Transition
In many organizations, leadership changes can feel abrupt—a break from the past.
This one didn’t.
As Traub transitioned into an advisory role, Baines was named general manager — becoming the first female GM in Albuquerque professional baseball history.
Inside the building, though, the moment felt less like change and more like continuation.
“It felt natural,” Josh said. “It’s going to be a continuation of what we had under John. But there’s also going to be some changes, and I’m excited to see what they are.”
For Traub, that familiarity made the decision easier.
“There’s a million things she does right,” Traub said. “Her intelligence, her ability to be so detail oriented — dotting I’s and crossing T’s is something she does very, very well.”
There was trust in who was taking over. And confidence in what came next.
“I’m really looking forward to the future and seeing Chrissy’s fingerprint,” Traub said. “It’s going to be great.”
Carrying It Forward
Baines now steps into a role shaped by more than two decades of consistency, growth and connection to the community.
But her leadership won’t be about starting over.
It’s about building on what’s already there.
She brings a different perspective, a new voice and her own vision — while maintaining the foundation that made the organization successful in the first place.
And while her appointment marks a historic moment, those inside the organization see something even more important.
Readiness.
“She has the respect of the staff,” Suchon said and laughingly added, “I think there might have been a mutiny if she hadn’t gotten general manager.”
Home Plate –> The Next Chapter
In baseball, every run ends at home plate, and every new one begins there, too.
But before you move forward, you have to remember where you’ve been.
For Traub, that understanding came from a moment he never forgot.
Years ago, he ran into an older man (someone in his 80s) walking through Isotopes Park late one night. When Traub asked how he was doing, the answer caught him off guard.
“Not good,” he said.
The man told him his house had burned down earlier that day. Completely gone.
Traub asked the obvious question — why are you here?
Without hesitation: “That was my house,” he said, “but this is my home, and I want to be here.”
A simple moment that said everything.
What started as a ballpark became something more. A place people return to. A place that holds meaning beyond the game itself.
And that’s what makes this transition different.
This transition from Traub to Baines isn’t about replacing what was built. It’s about extending it.
A continuation of a culture.
A passing of responsibility.
A new era shaped by the same foundation that starts at home.
Because in Albuquerque, the game doesn’t reset.
It moves forward.
