The St. Paul Saints

Baseball in the Capital City

Author Stew Thornley

Minnesota Historical Society Press (April 1, 2015)

From Pig's Eye to a pig on the field, celebrate the St. Paul Saints--their players, owners, managers, fans, and ballparks old and new—and the history of baseball in the capital city!

Description

From Pig’s Eye to a pig on the field, the long and rich legacy of the St. Paul Saints is central to the history of baseball in Minnesota. Celebrate the players, owners, managers, and fans—and the Saints’ return to downtown St. Paul near the spot where the Olympic team first played in 1859.

Some fans remember the historic Saints, which provided top- notch baseball in the years before the Minnesota Twins. Others grew up with the current St. Paul Saints, which has pioneered the comeback of independent teams and leagues and left a significant mark on the baseball landscape, as well as adding the “Fun is Good” game- day atmosphere, illustrated best by co- owners Mike Veeck and Bill Murray. And, of course, there are the players, past and present, including Eric Tipton, Roy Campanella, Stan Williams, Ila Borders, J. D. Drew, and Darryl Strawberry, who have made invaluable contributions to the heritage of the game in the city, in the state, and in the Midwest. All of the fan favorite memories and baseball action are captured by Stew Thornley’s The St. Paul Saints.

Also of interest: Slouching Toward Fargo by Neal Karlen

Author information

Stew Thornley, “the most recognizable and respected local baseball historian and writer” (City Pages), is author of more than forty books, including Baseball in Minnesota.

Reviews and news

Advance Praise:

“The Saints have always embodied the true character of St. Paul and its residents—the revelries and eccentricities that bring us together and make others want to join in, pink pig and all. Stew Thornley has captured the Saints so inherently well that his book about baseball is a book about something so much bigger than nine innings.”
Chris Coleman, Mayor of St. Paul

“When I first got to St. Paul in 1991, I knew the Saints had to be a continuation of a great legacy. They had to be the St. Paul Saints—not the Minnesota Saints, not the Twin Cities Saints. History demanded it, and now Stew Thornley confirms it, without losing his passion for the Saints amidst the facts. Enjoy the ride!”
Mike Veeck, part owner of the St. Paul Saints

“The Northern League had no shortage of laughter and classic yarns, and nowhere was the league’s rebel spirit stronger than at St. Paul’s Midway Stadium. Thanks to Stew Thornley and his insightful writing, we can all enjoy that walk down memory lane.”
Mike Berardino, Minnesota Twins beat writer for the St. Paul Pioneer Press

“Stew Thornley vividly captures the storied legacy of baseball in St. Paul. I started reading on the Lexington Park streetcar, and by the time I looked up, the Green Line was dumping me off at CHS Field.”
Kris Atteberry, broadcaster for the Twins Radio Network and former radio and TV broadcaster for the St. Paul Saints

In the Media:

Star Tribune Profile
Pioneer Press Pick of the WeekPioneer Press
Watch: Stew on TPT’s Almanac
Watch: Stew on WCCO-TV
Listen: WCCO AM (5/10/15

• This title is also available at your favorite e-book vendor.
• 216 pages
• 60 B&W PHOTOS
• 8 x 10 inches
• ISBN: 9780873519588