Dodgers minor league affiliate adopts ‘inappropriate’ nickname… but minor league club insists it is ‘not trying to have fun’ with NSFW moniker

The Los Angeles Dodgers minor league affiliate, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, adopted an inappropriate slang word as their new nickname.

On Thursday, the Quakes announced that they will go by the ‘Chaquetas’ to pay homage to the iconic jackets worn by Mariachis during a three-event Copa de la Diversion series.

Although the word ‘chaqueta’ translates to ‘jacket’ in English, it is also slang for masturbation.

While the higher-ups seemingly missed the word’s secondary meaning, fans quickly called foul on the word’s urban definition on social media.

As a result, the team removed their announcement. Shortly after, the team backpedalled and put the moniker through a vetting process again.

The Spanish word ‘chaquetas’ means ‘jackets’ but is also used as a slang for masturbation 

‘We were immediately concerned: Have we made an irreversible mistake here?’ Quakes executive vice president and general manager Grant Riddle told the Los Angeles Times on Friday.

‘And so we immediately kind of reengaged those groups … and determined rather quickly that none of them were aware of it either. So that was not their immediate, first thought.

‘And just the idea that obviously [the slang definition] exists, but that our intention in no form was anything other than the literal translation. We’re not trying to have any fun with this.’

Hours later, the team front office doubled down on the name and reposted their announcement. They cited the presence and value of Mariachi music among the Mexican communities in Southern California.

‘In Southern California, Mariachi music is a treasured art form,’ the announcement read.

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes adopted the nickname as a tribute to the Mariachi jackets

Additionally, the name choice was – in part – a tribute to the Dodgers pitcher and Rancho Cucamonga resident Joe Kelly. During their White House visit in 2021, Kelly memorably wore a black mariachi jacket.

‘He wasn’t just making an exceptional style choice,’ the Quakes wrote. ‘Rather, the pitcher was honoring the music’s most esteemed qualities, many of which it shares with baseball: artistry, years of dedication to the craft, teamwork, and the privilege to put on such historically significant uniforms.’

Riddle also noted how the name ‘Mariachi’ has already been claimed by another team. His side previously adopted the nickname ‘Tremboles,’ which translates to ‘earthquakes.’

The team will continue to play as the Quakes in games outside the Copa de la Diversion.