From the El Paso Times 4 June, 1987
Couple wins wedding in front of Diablo fans
By Marco R. della Cava
El Paso Times
Outside the crowded office of Diablos owner Jim Paul, Dudley Dome stadium lights blazed into the cool night. But there was no baseball joy in these closed quarters. The five judges of the Grand Slam Wedding contest could not decide on the winning essay - a ticket to wed at the Dudley Dome June. 21.
Time was fleeting. Tension mounted. Beads of sweat formed on the foreheads of representatives from four of the 13 contest's sponsors: Southwest Airlines, the El Paso Times, K-LITE radio and Channel 7-KVIA.
Then after yet another reading of the contest finalist, the judges chose the winner.
A lyrical poem with a baseball lilt earned Miguel Silva and Mia Tognaczi of Mesquite, N.M., the chance to step up to home plate and recite their vows before thousands of cheering, hot-dog-chewing fans.
Here's an excerpt from their prize-winning prose:
We want to get married at the Dudley Dome because marriage is the ultimate sacrifice play ... you start with a single. With a lot of teamwork, you win the game with a grand slam ... when he finally enters the batter's box, I promise not to throw a knuckleball ... Baseball and marriage is American, and after all, a diamond is a girl's best friend."
The grand prize also includes a trip for two to San Francisco, as well as $1,000 toward the couple's wedding rings at Glenn Cutter Jewelers
I use to go to Dudley with my dad and sister when I was a young girl. I enjoyed the photos.
Posted by: Miller Girl | April 21, 2008 at 10:21 PM
WOW!! Those Pictures are GREAT!! Picture number 6 almost made me cry. Joe Manago is my Grandfather. I have never felt so proud in my life to see an old picture of his work like that. Would I be able to see if there are any more pictures like this of Dudley? Please E-Mail me if you can...Thank You for making my day
-Ray Jackson
Posted by: Ray Jackson | April 22, 2008 at 03:01 AM
Is that couple still together?
Posted by: Mark Andrew Holmes | April 25, 2008 at 05:56 AM
I did a quick search and didn't find Miguel Silva in Mesquite. Maybe someone who knows this couple will let us know.
Posted by: Trish Long | April 25, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Even though it was only for a few summers (before the Diablos moved to Cohen stadium)I have great childhood memories of going to baseball games with my dad and my two brothers.
Thanks for the old photos Trish! I look forward to seeing more in your future posts.
Posted by: SunCityCynic | April 27, 2008 at 11:43 PM
picture one is awesome
Posted by: wedding rings | January 12, 2010 at 11:08 PM
What about the winning girl's best friend, the diamond? Did she get one? I hope it was a james allen diamond ring...
Posted by: redhair22 | February 24, 2010 at 08:10 AM
Excellent entry! I'm been looking for topics as interesting as this. Looking forward to your next post.
Posted by: Web Development Karachi | March 17, 2010 at 07:14 AM
Getting married in Dudley Dome stadium, how I never thought about it?
Maybe a little crowded, but hey, lots of checks and gifts:)
And about your title - if I'll promise my fiancee a diamond ring, will she agree to marry me in some sport's stadium\arena?
Posted by: Vintage Wedding Rings | April 08, 2010 at 10:26 AM
there are different views on this topic
I think what best we can do is tell it first and then give a review of weight ...
very nice pictures!
Posted by: generic viagra | April 14, 2010 at 11:24 AM
That sounds sweet, I wonder whom of them thought that up. If diamonds are a girl's best friend then - for this occasion - it would be appropriate to say a baseball stadium is a man's best friend. But the union of two differing ideas... now that's marriage.
Posted by: Bridget Rossi | July 21, 2011 at 07:35 AM