Grand Junction's New Baseball Team Embraces Endangered Fish

The Razorback Suckers name honors a native species and continues a years-long controversy over the team's identity.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:30pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting featuring overlapping planes of bright blue, red, and yellow, abstractly depicting a baseball game with the Razorback Suckers team's logo prominently displayed.The Razorback Suckers' new logo and team identity celebrate the endangered native fish and the community's connection to its local environment.Grand Junction Today

Baseball is returning to Grand Junction, Colorado, with a new independent league team called the Razorback Suckers. The name pays homage to an endangered native fish and continues a years-long debate over the team's identity that began when a fan suggested the team be called the Humpback Chubs in 2019. While the Humpback Chubs name was initially rejected, it eventually became a temporary identity for the previous team before they left town. Now the new Razorback Suckers team is embracing the local wildlife theme, with a logo featuring a determined-looking fish gripping a baseball.

Why it matters

The Razorback Suckers name highlights the community's connection to its local environment and endangered species. It also continues a saga that captivated baseball fans and fish enthusiasts alike, raising awareness about threatened native fish in the Colorado River Basin.

The details

The Grand Junction Rockies, previously affiliated with the Colorado Rockies, played in the city until 2019. That year, a fan suggested the team change its name to the Humpback Chubs, an endangered native fish. The team's management rejected the idea, calling it 'offensive' and blocking anyone who brought it up. But the Humpback Chubs name eventually became a temporary identity for the team in 2025 before they left town. Now the new Razorback Suckers team, part of the independent Pecos League, is embracing the local wildlife theme with a logo featuring the endangered fish.

  • In 2019, a fan suggested the Grand Junction Rockies change their name to the Humpback Chubs.
  • In 2025, the previous Grand Junction team briefly adopted the Humpback Chubs name for certain home games.
  • In 2026, the new Razorback Suckers team is set to begin play in Grand Junction.

The players

Ian Lummis

The baseball fan who first suggested the Humpback Chubs name in 2019, which he calls the 'godfather' of the idea. He's excited the new Razorback Suckers team is continuing to raise awareness about threatened native fish.

Andrew Dunn

The director of the new Razorback Suckers team, who helped select the name after the Humpback Chubs idea was rejected by Grand Junction city leaders.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Man, I love that name. That would've been the best name you ever had, I tell you.”

— Andrew Dunn, Razorback Suckers team director

“I'm happy that just a year later we got a new team with another fun name and hopefully that will build some good momentum moving forward.”

— Ian Lummis, Baseball fan

What’s next

The Razorback Suckers will begin play in Grand Junction this summer, with a focus on creating a unique game-day experience for fans with fewer games but more promotions and special events.

The takeaway

The Razorback Suckers name continues a saga that captivated baseball fans and fish enthusiasts, highlighting the community's connection to its local environment and endangered species. It's a creative solution that builds on the previous team's Humpback Chubs idea, keeping the wildlife theme alive in Grand Junction.