| St. Paul Freezers | |
| Firstseason: | 1886 |
| City: | St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Class Level: | Independent (1886) |
| League: | Northwestern League (1886) |
| Majorleague: | None |
| Nickname: | St. Paul Freezers (1886) |
| Ballpark: | West Seventh Street Park (1886) |
| Leaguenum: | 0 |
| Leaguechamps: | None |
The St. Paul Freezers were a minor league baseball team based in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1886, the "Freezers" played as members of the Independent level Northwestern League, placing fourth in the six-team league. The St. Paul Freezers hosted minor league home games at the West Seventh Street Park. The team became known as the "Freezers" after a cold spring forced early season games to be postponed.
Organized baseball in St. Paul was reported in local newspapers as early as 1859.[1] Minor league baseball in St. Paul began in 1877, when the St. Paul "Red Caps" joined the League Alliance, which organized numerous teams under some common opponents.[2] [3] The 1884 St. Paul Apostles of the Northwestern League preceded the St. Paul Freezers in minor league play.[4]
The St. Paul "Freezers" nickname was given to the team by local reporters after cold spring temperatures in 1886 caused the cancellation of some St. Paul games.[5]
In 1886, the St. Paul "Freezers" began play as members of the six-team Independent level Northwestern League, which had reformed after not playing in 1885.[6] The Duluth Jayhawks, Eau Claire Lumbermen, Milwaukee Brewers, Minneapolis Millers and Oshkosh teams joined St. Paul in beginning league play on May 6, 1886.[7] [8]
Playing the season under manager John Barnes, the Freezers ended the 1886 season in fourth place. With a record of 37–43, the Freezers finished 9.5 games behind the champion Duluth Jayhawks when the Northwestern League season schedule ended on September 30, 1886. The league held no playoffs.[9]
Overall, the St, Paul Freezers finished behind Duluth (46–33), Eau Claire (43–36), Oshkosh (39–39) and ahead of the Minneapolis Millers (36–26) and Milwaukee Brewers in the 1886 Northwestern League final standings.[9]
In 1887, the team was renamed and the St. Paul Saints continued play under returning manager John Barnes, with the franchise remaining as members of the Northwestern League.[10] [11] The "Saints" is a nickname that has remained in use in the over one century of play since.[12]
Today, the St. Paul Saints continue minor league play as the Class AAA level affiliate of the Minnesota Twins in the International League.[13]
The 1886 St. Paul Freezers hosted minor league home games at the new West Seventh Street Park, also called the "St. Paul Grounds." The St. Paul Apostles had played at a nearby ballpark of the same name the previous two seasons. The relocated ballpark was located on Jefferson Street between Toronto Avenue & Warsaw Street, near West 7th Street. Nearby was the Short Line railroad tracks. Today, the St. Clair Playground park is across from the former ballpark site.[14] [15] [16]