A New Era in St. Paul Saints Baseball

The first team to visit the Saints in their new home was the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks. The teams started a four-game series Thursday, May 21st, renewing their long-standing North Division rivalry. With big offense, solid pitching, and a few run saving defensive gems, the home team began life in Lowertown with a sweep, and a league-leading 4-0 record.

Ian Gac is my pick for MVP of the series for the Saints. He finished the weekend batting .714(!), with four doubles, eight RBIs, and a home run. But the Saints as a whole played extremely well en route to grounding the visiting Redhawks. The starting pitching staff did enough to not tax the bullpen too much, and the bullpen responded by shutting the door late on the Fargo offense multiple times in the showdown.

As for the St. Paul offense, they took to the challenge by pounding out 35 runs and 44 hits in the series. Highlights included home runs from Ian Gac, Vinny DiFazio, Steve Nikorak, Mike Kvasnicka, Willie Argo, and a long moonshot over the home run porch in right field Sunday night by Angelo Songco.

As you would imagine the Saints organization went all out for the opening of their new home. There were bands playing outside the front gates (the Broadway entrance) on the plaza. They put on a crazy Mardi Gras-themed parade around the warning track before the first game that included stilt walkers, belly dancers, fire eaters and a host of other Mardi Gras characters. Also in the parade were the Saints staff, Ushertainers, the team, coaching staff, and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman (who also threw out the first pitch).

During the games the Entertainment Team reminded us that the Saints didn't forget their "Fun is Good" motto in the Midway parking lot. Mudonna, the Ushertainers, organist Andy Crowley, and P.A. announcers Lee and Halsey kept the crowd laughing and chanting, while the between inning contests provided their normal amount of funny falls and pies to the face. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was seeing co-owner Mike Veeck walking around the concourse talking to fans looking like a kid in a candy store as he was so excited by everything. Great job everyone!

Over the weekend we began renewing our membership at the 10th Inning Stretch; it was great to have some laughs and beers around a grill in a parking lot again. Other than tailgating before every game (you have to work to get back in mid-season shape, you guys), and celebrating my wife Stephanie's birthday with a crazy-filled Saturday, most of our weekend was spent getting acquainted with our new surroundings and summer home. The view from our seats is amazing. Heck, the view from anywhere is amazing. It's true, there really is nothing like that new ballpark smell.

With opening weekend having come and gone the Saints set sail (or more accurately, set tire) on an extended nine-day Texas road trip. making stops in Amarillo, Laredo, and Grand Prairie for three games in each city. Having won eight of nine (as of Wednesday) the team is now 11-1 on the season and currently in first place in the North Division.

We get to see our local nine again today (Friday, June 5th) as they begin the first of six straight at CHS Field. The Sioux Fall Canaries and Joplin Blasters visit Lowertown for three games each. I am personally looking forward to Saturday Morning Cartoon Night the most. It's hard not to get excited thinking back to all my favorite cartoons of the past (Thunder Cats!) and trying to figure out the fun ways the Saints will remind us of how great they were, and how much fun they can still be. Hope to see you there!

Go Saints!!!

TRAIN!