St. Paul Saints Explained

St. Paul Saints
Founded:1993
City:St. Paul, Minnesota
Uniformlogo:STP Saints.PNG
Class Level:Triple-A (2021–present)
Past Class Level:Independent (1993–2020)
Current League:International League (2021–present)
Division:West Division
Majorleague:Minnesota Twins (2021–present)
Leaguenum:5
Divnum:9
Firsthalfnum:6
Secondhalfnum:6
Nickname:St. Paul Saints (1993–present)
Colors:Blue, white, red, yellow
Mascots:-->
Ballpark:CHS Field (2015–present)
Pastparks:Midway Stadium (1993–2014)
Owner:Diamond Baseball Holdings[1]
Gm:Derek Sharrer
Manager:Toby Gardenhire

The St. Paul Saints are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They are located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and have played their home games at CHS Field since 2015.[2] They previously played at Midway Stadium from 1993 to 2014.

From their founding in 1993 through 2020, the Saints were an independent baseball team with no affiliation with Major League Baseball (MLB). They played in the Northern League from 1993 to 2005 and the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball from 2006 to 2020. The Saints became an MLB-affiliated team in conjunction with the reorganization of the minor leagues beginning with the 2021 season. They were placed in the Triple-A East, but this was renamed the International League in 2022.

Before the arrival of the Minnesota Twins from Washington, D.C. in 1961, there was a long history of minor league baseball teams called the St. Paul Saints, as well as their crosstown rivals the Minneapolis Millers. One incarnation of the Saints participated in the Union Association, a short-lived major league, in 1884. A second incarnation was active in the Western League from 1894 to 1899, and became a forerunner of the modern Chicago White Sox. The third and most long-lived incarnation of the Saints was active in the American Association from 1915 to 1960.

History

St. Paul Saints (1894–1899)

See main article: Chicago White Sox. As described in Lee Allen's book, The American League Story (Putnam, 1962), the team began as the Sioux City Cornhuskers franchise in a minor league called the Western League. This circuit had reorganized itself in November 1893, with Ban Johnson as president. Johnson, a Cincinnati-based reporter, had been recommended by his friend Charles Comiskey, former major league star with the St. Louis Browns in the 1880s, who was then managing the Cincinnati Reds. After the 1894 season, when Comiskey's contract with the Reds was up, he decided to take his chances at ownership. He bought the Sioux City team and transferred it to St. Paul, where it enjoyed some success over the next five seasons.

In 1900, the Western League changed its name to the American League. It was still officially a minor league, a part of the National Agreement and an underling of the National League. The National League gave permission to the American League to put a team in Chicago, and on March 21, 1900, Comiskey moved his St. Paul club to the South Side, where they became the Chicago White Sox.

St. Paul Saints (1901–1960)

See main article: St. Paul Saints (1901–60).

Another team called the Saints played Minor League Baseball in the American Association from 1901 to 1960. The Saints finished first in the American Association nine times, and won the Little World Series in 1924. During this period, the Saints were a farm club of the Chicago White Sox (1936–1942), the Brooklyn Dodgers (1944–1957), and the Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–1960).

During the 1948 season, Brooklyn Dodger Roy Campanella was reassigned to the Saints. On May 18, he become the first person to break the color barrier in the American Association when he took the field in a game.[3] [4]

The Saints played streetcar home and away double headers with their local rivals, the Minneapolis Millers. When the Minnesota Twins came to town in 1961, the Saints became the Omaha Dodgers while the Millers ceased operations and their role as affiliate to the Boston Red Sox was filled by the Seattle Rainiers. Lexington Park served as the Saints' home stadium for most of those years.

During the six decades of the original American Association minor league, the Minneapolis Millers and St. Paul Saints engaged in vigorous rivalry known as the Streetcar Series. This series has been documented in a book by Rex Hamann entitled The Millers and the Saints, Baseball Championships of the Twin Cities Rivals (2014).

Current franchise

Independent baseball (1993–2020)

The current inception of the St. Paul Saints was formed in 1993 in the Northern League, one of several independent leagues not affiliated with Major League Baseball. The Saints are known for promotions that are sometimes over-the-top even by the standards of Minor League Baseball. In this regard, Mike Veeck, owner of the team from its inception until 2023, was seen as following in the footsteps of his father Bill Veeck, who was famous for conceiving outlandish promotions as an owner of the major league St. Louis Browns, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox. Marvin Goldklang and actor Bill Murray were also founders and owners of the team with Veeck until 2023.

Despite the considerable naysaying at their inception, the Saints became one of the most successful teams in the Northern League and all of independent baseball. From 2002 to 2004, the Saints saw severely reduced attendance, owing partially to renewed interest in the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball, who won the 2002, 2003, and 2004 American League Central Division championships. In spite of an initially cool, if not outright hostile reception, the Saints and their major league neighbor (less than away) have worked together for several years to promote the sport of baseball.

The Saints have figured prominently in the creation of modern independent baseball. The team has been featured in books (Rebel Baseball by Steve Perlstein, 1993; Slouching Toward Fargo by Neal Karlen, 1998) and a cable network series (Baseball, Minnesota, FX Network, 1996–97). Mike Veeck wrote a book that covered the mantra "Fun is Good" (2005) and describes the business approach he has used for many years. The team's history is also featured in the documentary film For The Fun Of The Game, which was released in 2018.

On May 31, 1997, the Saints became the first professional men's baseball team since integration to have a female on their roster. Ila Borders, a pitcher, played with the team out of the bullpen for a month before being traded.

On September 29, 2005, the Saints left the Northern League, along with the Lincoln Saltdogs, Sioux City Explorers, and the Sioux Falls Pheasants to start the American Association for the 2006 season.

In June 2009, the Saints began a push to build a new stadium in Downtown Saint Paul. The proposed 7,500-seat stadium would be located in the Lowertown neighborhood near a planned maintenance facility for the METRO Green Line light rail. The city of Saint Paul requested $25 million in its 2010 bonding wish list to the Minnesota Legislature.[5] [6] [7] [8]

During their final 5 years in the American Association and their first 5 years in CHS Field, the Saints consistently led the league in attendance, averaging more than 8,000 fans in the regular season during the period of2015-19.[9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

In 2020, the Saints competed as one of six teams in a condensed 60-game season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] They played much of their season away from their home stadium, CHS Field, and were instead based at Sioux Falls Stadium, where they shared a home field with the Sioux Falls Canaries. On August 4, 2020, the Saints returned to play at CHS Field.[15]

The beginnings of a closer relationship with the local Major League Baseball franchise, the Minnesota Twins, came in the summer of 2020. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 MLB season was modified in several ways, including the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season. Because of this, teams were allowed to use taxi squads located at nearby facilities where non-active minor league players were allowed to train. The Twins made use of the Saints' CHS Field facilities as home for their taxi squad.[16]

Notable players to have played for the Saints during their independent baseball years include Shane Costa, Glenn Davis, J. D. Drew, Leon "Bull" Durham, Gavin Fingleson, Dan Johnson, Brandon Kintzler, Kevin Millar, Minnie Miñoso, Jack Morris, Darryl Motley, Matt Nokes, Rey Ordóñez, Tanner Scheppers, Dave Stevens, Darryl Strawberry and Caleb Thielbar.

Affiliated baseball (2021–present)

Due to the 2021 full-scale reorganization of Minor League Baseball, there was much speculation as to what would happen to independent leagues such as the American Association and specifically the Saints.[17] [18] On November 11, 2020, it was reported that the Minnesota Twins ended their 18-year affiliation with their Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings. At this time it was also reported that the Saints were a front-runner to be the Twins' new Triple-A affiliate. The main barrier to a deal was said to be the $20 million fee required for affiliation.[19] The Twins aided in this by becoming minority shareholders in the Saints and placing their Triple-A affiliation in St. Paul beginning with the 2021 season.[20] The Saints were organized into the Triple-A East.[21] At a distance of 12.9 miles (along Interstate 94, including surface streets), CHS Field is the closest Triple-A ballpark to its MLB parent team.

The Saints began competition as a Twins affiliate on May 4, 2021, with an 8–2 loss to the Omaha Storm Chasers at Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska.[22] St. Paul ended the season in third place in the Midwestern Division with a 61–59 record.[23] No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner.[24] However, 10 games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage.[24] St. Paul finished the tournament tied for seventh place with a 6–4 record.[25] In 2022, the Triple-A East became known as the International League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.[26]

In March 2023, it was announced that The Goldklang Group was selling the team to Diamond Baseball Holdings for an undisclosed sum. Diamond Baseball Holdings owns a number of minor league teams, including the Iowa Cubs and the Minnesota Twins' Class AA affiliate Wichita Wind Surge.

Notable promotions

In an attempt to gain publicity in a metropolitan area that hosts five major pro sports teams and a major college program, the Saints create unique promotions that have received media attention numerous times.[27]

Season-by-season records

League
The team's final position in the league standings
DivisionThe team's final position in the divisional standings
GBGames behind the team that finished in first place in the division that season
Class champions (from 2021)
League champions (1993–present)
Division champions (1993–present)
^Postseason berth (1993–2020)
Season!rowspan="2" scope="col" style="background-color:#ffffff; border-top:#0053a1 5px solid; border-bottom:#0053a1 5px solid; color:#0053a1"
LeagueRegular-seasonPostseasonMLB affiliate
RecordWin %LeagueDivisionRecordWin %Result
1993
^
NL42–29.5923–1Won Second Half title
Won NL championship vs. Rochester Aces, 3–1[42]
Independent[43]
1994NL43–36.544Independent[44]
1995
^
NL53–31.6313–1Won First and Second Half titles
Won NL championship vs. Winnipeg Goldeyes, 3–1
Independent[45]
1996
^ *
NL45–40.5296–0Won First Half East Division title vs. Madison Black Wolf, 1–0
Won Second Half East Division title
Won East Division title vs. Madison Black Wolf, 2–0
Won NL championship vs. Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, 3–0
Independent[46]
1997
^
NL45–39.5362–3Won First Half East Division title
Lost East Division title vs. Duluth-Superior Dukes, 3–2
Independent[47]
1998
^ *
NL40–46.4653–5Won Second Half East Division title
Won East Division title vs. Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks, 3–2
Lost NL championship vs. Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, 3–0
Independent[48]
1999NL38–47.447Independent[49]
2000
^
NL43–43.5001–3Won First Half East Division title
Lost East Division title vs. Duluth-Superior Dukes, 3–1[50]
Independent[51]
2001NL37–53.411Independent[52]
2002NL39–50.438Independent[53]
2003
^
NL52–38.5782–3Won First Half North Division title
Lost North Division title vs. Winnipeg Goldeyes, 3–2[54]
Independent[55]
2004
^ *
NL61–34.6426–3Won Second Half North Division title
Won North Division title vs. Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, 3–1
Won NL championship vs. Schaumburg Flyers, 3–2[56]
Independent[57]
2005
^
NL55–40.5792–3Won First Half South Division title
Lost South Division title vs. Gary SouthShore RailCats, 3–2[58]
Independent[59]
2006
^ *
AA54–42.5635–4Won North Division title vs. Lincoln Saltdogs, 3–1
Lost AA championship vs. Fort Worth Cats, 3–2[60]
Independent[61]
2007
^ *
AA57–39.5945–3Won Second Half North Division title[62]
Won North Division title vs. Lincoln Saltdogs, 3–0
Lost AA championship vs. Fort Worth Cats, 3–2[63]
Independent[64]
2008AA42–54.438Independent[65]
2009AA49–47.510Independent[66]
2010AA45–51.469Independent[67]
2011
^
AA56–44.5605–5Won semifinals vs. Winnipeg Goldeyes, 3–2
Lost AA championship vs. Grand Prairie AirHogs, 3–2[68]
Independent[69]
2012AA52–48.520Independent[70]
2013AA47–53.470Independent[71]
2014AA48–52.480Independent[72]
2015
*
AA74–26.7401–3Won North Division title
Lost semifinals vs. Sioux City Explorers, 3–1[73]
Independent[74]
2016
*
AA61–39.6102–3Won North Division title
Lost semifinals vs. Winnipeg Goldeyes, 3–2[75]
Independent[76]
2017AA48–52.480Independent[77]
2018
^ *
AA59–41.5904–4Won North Division title vs. Gary SouthShore RailCats, 3–1
Lost AA championship vs. Kansas City T-Bones, 3–1[78]
Independent[79]
2019
*
AA64–36.6406–2Won North Division title
Won semifinals vs. Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks, 3–2
Won AA championship vs. Sioux City Explorers, 3–0[80]
Independent[81]
2020AA30–30.500Independent[82]
2021AAAE61–59.5086–4Won series vs. Iowa Cubs, 4–1
Lost series vs. Toledo Mud Hens, 3–2
Placed 7th (tie) in the Triple-A Final Stretch
Minnesota Twins
2022IL74–75.497Minnesota Twins[83]
2023IL84–64.568Minnesota Twins[84]
Totals1,598–1,37862–50

References

Specific

General

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Johnson . Brooks . After 30 years, St. Paul Saints founders sell team to new ownership group . Star Tribune . 2 September 2023.
  2. News: Lowertown ballpark FAQs. August 1, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050409/http://lowertownballpark.com/faq/. August 8, 2014.
  3. Web site: Top Five Black Players In St. Paul Saints History . 2023-05-11 . MiLB.com . en.
  4. News: Borzi . Pat . 2019-05-17 . With City of Baseball Museum, the Saints add a side of history to CHS Field . . 2023-05-11.
  5. Havens, Chris (June 26, 2009) "Wish list: New home for Saints" Star Tribune. Retrieved on June 27, 2009
  6. Orrick, Dave (June 25, 2009) "Now batting for the Saints: Bill Murray" Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved on June 27, 2009
  7. Kimball, Joe (June 25, 2009) "Bill Murray shows his stripes; pushes stadium, skips mayor" MinnPost.com Retrieved on June 27, 2009
  8. McClure, Jane (July 1, 2009) "City Unveils 2010 bonding requests" Villager
  9. Web site: American Association - attendance Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  10. Web site: American Association - attendance Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  11. Web site: American Association - attendance Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  12. Web site: American Association - attendance Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  13. Web site: American Association - attendance Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  14. Web site: American Association unveils plans for 2020 season. americanassociationbaseball.com. June 12, 2020. June 13, 2020.
  15. Web site: Saints Wrap up 2020 Season With 7-4 Loss to Redhawks. St. Paul Saints. September 10, 2020. December 2, 2020.
  16. Web site: Helfand . Betsy . Twins plan to use empty CHS Field in St. Paul as training site . Twin Cities . Pioneer Press . December 1, 2020 . June 29, 2020.
  17. Web site: Cooper . J. J. . Sources: Minor League Baseball Ready To Agree To Significant Reduction In Teams . www.baseballamerica.com . April 21, 2020 . December 1, 2020.
  18. Web site: Neal III . La Velle E. . Twins-Saints affiliation could be a possibility, but there are hurdles to overcome . Star Tribune . December 1, 2020.
  19. Web site: Neal III . La Velle E. . Twins drop Rochester as AAA affiliate, eye St. Paul as replacement . Star Tribune . December 1, 2020.
  20. News: Reichard . Kevin . Twins revamp farm system with new St. Paul, Wichita affiliates . Ballpark Digest - Chronicling the Business and Culture of Baseball Ballparks--MLB, Milb, College . December 9, 2020 . December 9, 2020.
  21. Web site: Mayo. Jonathan. MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues. Major League Baseball. February 12, 2021. February 12, 2021.
  22. Web site: Saints vs. Storm Chasers Box Score 05/04/21. Minor League Baseball. May 4, 2021. May 5, 2021.
  23. Web site: 2021 Triple-A East Standings. Minor League Baseball. October 3, 2021.
  24. News: MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021 . Minor League Baseball . July 14, 2021 . July 16, 2021.
  25. Web site: 2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings. Minor League Baseball. October 3, 2021.
  26. Web site: Historical League Names to Return in 2022. Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. March 16, 2022.
  27. Web site: Rovell . Darren . April 17, 2006. Another last laugh for the St. Paul Saints. ESPN.com. April 18, 2006.
  28. News: BringMeTheNews. Saints throw massive food fight in spirit of 'Animal House'. 2021-04-27. Bring Me The News. en.
  29. Web site: The St. Paul Saints painted 56,000 dots on the field for a massive game of Twister. 2021-04-27. MLB.com. August 22, 2017. en.
  30. Web site: Saint Paul Saints hold world's largest pillow fight. Burlington Free Press. December 26, 2016.
  31. Web site: St. Paul Saints Baseball, Fun, & Pillows. Twins Daily. December 26, 2016.
  32. Web site: St. Paul Saints to replace umpires with judge and jury during May 11 exhibition game . Mark . Townsend . Big League Stew . . April 27, 2013 . July 17, 2014.
  33. Web site: Gryboski. Michael. Minn. Baseball Team Changes Name From Saints to 'Aints' for Atheist Event. Christian Post. July 18, 2012. June 15, 2013.
  34. News: Atheists and the 'Aints' — seeking to dispel preconceived notions about our (non)beliefs . MinnPost . July 29, 2013 . August 3, 2013 . Jayne, Eric.
  35. Web site: Minn. Minor League Baseball Team Goes Atheist For One Night . NPR . August 8, 2013 . August 13, 2013 . Block, Melissa.
  36. Web site: St. Paul's atheists are coming out of the closet . Pioneer Press . August 4, 2014 . August 31, 2014 . Shaw, Bob.
  37. News: St. Paul Saints go ahead with 'Tweeting Wiener Boxer Shorts' giveaway despite congressman's resignation . Richard . Chin . . June 17, 2011 . July 17, 2014.
  38. News: Saints' gimmick jabs at Senate race . Associated Press . ESPN.com . May 23, 2009 . May 23, 2009.
  39. News: Minn. team's promotional giveaway features 'bobble foot' in toilet stall. May 26, 2008. May 22, 2008. USA Today.
  40. Web site: Saints Continue to Slide at Home Lose 7-3 . January 10, 2008. August 20, 2007.
  41. Web site: November 3, 2004 . Minor League Bobblehead Election Accurately Predicted the Real Deal . https://web.archive.org/web/20200929123816/http://www.bobble--heads.com/bobbleheads/bobbleheads-election.html . September 29, 2020 . bobble--heads.com . St. Paul, Minnesota.
  42. Web site: 1993 Northern League Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  43. Web site: 1993 Northern League. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  44. Web site: 1994 Northern League Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  45. Web site: 1995 Northern League Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  46. Web site: 1996 Northern League Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  47. Web site: 1997 Northern League Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  48. Web site: 1998 Northern League Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  49. Web site: 1999 Northern League. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  50. Web site: 2000 Northern League Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  51. Web site: 2000 Northern League. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  52. Web site: 2001 Northern League. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  53. Web site: 2002 Northern League. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  54. Web site: 2003 Northern League Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  55. Web site: 2003 Northern League. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  56. Web site: 2004 Northern League Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  57. Web site: 2004 Northern League. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  58. Web site: 2005 Northern League Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  59. Web site: 2005 Northern League. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  60. Web site: 2006 American Association Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  61. Web site: 2006 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  62. News: Miller Sparks Eden Prairie. Newspapers.com. Star Tribune. Minneapolis. August 25, 2007. C9.
  63. Web site: 2007 American Association Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  64. Web site: 2007 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  65. Web site: 2008 American Association Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  66. Web site: 2009 American Association Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  67. Web site: 2010 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  68. Web site: 2011 American Association Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  69. Web site: 2011 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  70. Web site: 2012 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  71. Web site: 2013 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  72. Web site: 2014 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  73. Web site: 2015 American Association Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  74. Web site: 2015 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  75. Web site: 2016 American Association Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  76. Web site: 2016 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  77. Web site: 2017 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  78. Web site: 2018 American Association Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  79. Web site: 2018 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  80. Web site: 2019 American Association Standings. Stats Crew. November 17, 2020.
  81. Web site: 2019 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  82. Web site: 2020 American Association. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 17, 2020.
  83. Web site: 2022 International League. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. September 29, 2022.
  84. Web site: 2023 International League. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. September 25, 2023. September 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230925124946/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=e94f4b04. live.