Ben Szeremeta

The Saints swept both the Lincoln Saltdogs and the Winnipeg Goldeyes during their last stand in Lowertown. In the process, they dropped their “magic number” to two. Awesome starting pitching, a shutdown bullpen, and clutch hitting were the keys to victory for the home team. My MVP for the stand is Robert Coe and Angelo Songco. Once again, I couldn't narrow it down to just one player. After you look at these stats you'll know why. Robert Coe, 2W, 16IP, 4H, 1ER, 10K Angelo Songco, .388, 6R, 2 2B, 2HR, 9RBI, 4BB To say Coe's week was dominant may be an understatement. He went the distance in his first start allowing only one hit, a leadoff single in the eighth. Prior to that he had a perfect game until his only walk of the night in the seventh inning. His second start was almost as impressive when he went seven innings allowing three hits and his only run of the home stand. Ben Szeremeta writes about the Saints regularly at SaintsTrain.com On the other side of the diamond, Songco continues to punish the baseball whenever it's within his reach, scoring at least one run in five of the six games and racking up a couple of four-RBI nights. His two home runs during the stand tied him for the team lead with Vinny DiFazio at thirteen on the year. There're quite a few scary guys in the Saints right now, but I think Angelo would be atop my “stay the hell away from him list” if I had one. Another homestand, another record broken at CHS Field. On Monday, August 10th the Saints set a new season attendance mark at 299,093 fans. This record was one we all expected to fall; the new place holds a couple thousand more fans than Midway did. But breaking it in only 37 games? That's just crazy support for a great team and an outstanding, beautiful new ballpark. We should all be proud as heck to be part of such a great year at our new summer home. The Entertainment Team suffered a rare loss Saturday night as PA Announcer Halsey Lindquist worked his last game with the Saints. Halsey and his family are moving out of state to greener pastures. He will be missed for being a charismatic, crazy dancing, ball of "Fun is Good" energy. His chemistry with the staff, and especially with partner in crime Lee Adams, was brilliant. I think the tattoo he has on his arm sums up his attitude and how we will all remember him perfectly. It just says, "Be Happy". And that's what he always was and what he made all of us over the last couple seasons: happy. We're gonna miss you Halsey, good luck! After Monday night's game the team traveled to Sioux City for a three-game showdown between the top two clubs in the league. The Saints and Explorers split the first two games of the series. Then prior to even playing Thursday night's game…Ladies and Gentlemen, you’re 2015 American Association North Division Champion, St. Paul Saints. It has a nice ring to it doesn't it? On August 13th the boys clinched the crown when Winnipeg lost a matinee game to Sioux Falls, mathematically eliminating the second place Goldeyes from contention. Following a small pregame celebration the boys continued on their road trip with one more game against the Explorers. The Saints unfortunately lost the last game 4-3 and the series 2-1, which ended their season-long series unbeaten streak. Next up the team traveled to Joplin for a three game set against the Blasters. After dropping the first game the Saints rebounded, winning the final two of the series. The team is now 19-1-2 in series this season and 61-19! The best team in the league returns home starting Tuesday, August 18th. The Sioux City Explorers (I think I smell revenge), and Sioux Falls Canaries both visit CHS Field for three games apiece. The road to the title has been a record-setting one for the Saints, filled with so many past marks blown away by this year’s team. But with one goal in mind all the other stuff doesn't seem to matter. This team has a desire to win for each other like I haven't seen in a long time. Combine that with a crazy amount of talent and, well, the sky's the limit. As they continue to show. Go Saints! TRAIN!!!

It all started when Brad was around four years old and he saw his first wiffle ball bat. "With the bat it was something. I picked it up and it really drew my attention growing up. I've always loved the craft of hitting. I'm a lefty with an open stance so watching Chipper Jones and his sweet smooth swing on Sports Center, that's who I wanted to build my game after. The way he carried himself playing twenty years. As a grinder and a superstar." It also didn't hurt his love of baseball that his family had Dodger season tickets. "Watching Kurt Gibson hit that home run in '88 against the A's when I was a young kid - it really brought out the passion in me. It brought out the life in me." Was he a star athlete growing up? That may be putting it mildly. While in high school the scouts and attention were never far away from Brad for three of the major sports. "It was a hectic schedule for the family you know, we were traveling all over the state. Great moments though, great moments. I definitely didn't want to just focus on one. Three kept me active, kept the passion going in each sport." Brad played basketball for his school and also on an AAU team. "I was traveling down to Compton, playing against the best guys in the state of California." In football he was wide receiver and helped his team win the State Championship. "We won our CIF and got to play at Anaheim Stadium. Football was something that I was starting to get recruited by some college schools. But I took a look at the life expectancy and took baseball into my hands." Ben Szeremeta writes about the Saints regularly at SaintsTrain.com Playing baseball Brad had no problem getting scouts to look at him. But having the number one overall pick as a neighbor and teammate didn't hurt either. "Coming out of high school I was fortunate enough that Delmon Young was my neighbor back at home. We had a lot of scouting directors, scouts, college coaches, and recruiters at games since I was a sophomore in high school and he was a freshman. We were having thirty teams there with their general managers and recruiters." While in high school he also played in college and MLB scouting showcases. "I was able to go play in the Area Code games with Delmon, Ryan Braun, and some of my closest buddies that I had growing up. I was able to flourish during those my junior year in high school." With offers from multiple colleges around the country the University of Arizona topped his list. "Arizona clearly got my attention with coach Andy Lopez over there. I think being able to start as a freshman and have that opportunity is what made my decision." Because of his stellar college career at Arizona, including being named an All- American his freshman year. Brad was selected in the 14th round of the 2005 MLB amateur draft by Seattle. After not being able to come to terms with the Mariners, he returned for his senior year and also a second season playing for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League where he was named an All-Star in 2005. He was then drafted in the 13th round of the 2006 MLB amateur draft by the San Francisco Giants and his professional career began. "I had a great experience there. I played with [buster] Posey, [brandon] Crawford, Sergio Roma, Panda Pablo Sandova, [brandon] Belt. I played with a lot of great guys. It was great to be part of that system." Brad seemed to be on the fast track for a call-up until injury struck. "I had a little setback my year in Triple-A, a minor injury. I fractured part of my knee getting hit by a pitch. It kind of held things back. They won the World Series in 2010. It would have been great to be a part of that. But I'm really happy for all those guys." In 2011 Brad started his first of a three straight seasons playing Indy ball. After stints with Gary, Lancaster and Bridgeport he ended up with the St. Paul Saints in 2013. "Your biggest memory of anything is your comradery. It brought you out on the field with a smile. Being around Brandon Tripp, Anthony Claggett, Mark Hamburger, the list goes on about the characters. I had a great time with George [Tsamis] and Lamarr [Rogers], the staff, and everyone there." He also had fond memories of the organization and Midway. "Just the atmosphere there, you know. When you come up to the ballpark and you've got tailgaters for a seven game and its two o'clock in the afternoon. It shows you how they market the team, the passion of the fans. It's a great community. It's a family. Having a chance to be part of that, it's something that I'll always have etched in my memory." Then later in the season, the Twins among other teams were watching. "When Mark Hamburger was here he brought a lot of scouts. He was running his two seam at 92, and his four seam at 95, 96. You’re gonna catch eyes." With all the attention being paid to the team, Brad took advantage. "I was fortunate, I rode the wave that year and got hot at the right time. They had an injury go down and I was able to go over there and be a utility guy in Double-A for a couple seasons. I had Hamburger as my roommate and we had a blast." Unfortunately a hamstring injury at the end of the 2014 season ended Brad's time in the Twins organization. In 2015 Brad signed with the Winnipeg Goldeyes and still believes he has more baseball in front of him. "As long as you’re playing this game your goal is to be a big leaguer. It's always to be a big leaguer no matter what your age is. The moment right now is to help this club, the Goldeyes win. But I'd love to get a chance to get back into affiliated ball. I think I can still make an impact." Even through all the ups and downs of a baseball career Brad has kept the right attitude and drive to succeed in this game. I really hope he gets another shot. He's still one heck of a ball player.

The last home stand kicked off against the Winnipeg Goldeyes, starting Sunday July, 19th. With a couple nail biters and an offensive explosion, the local nine took three of four from the visitors. Vinny Difazio led the battery, going 4-4 with 4 RBI in Monday's 12-6 lopsided win. Ryan Rodebaugh closed the door on the Goldeyes in his chances, earning two saves in the series. Ben Szeremeta writes about the Saints regularly at SaintsTrain.comNext up for the Saints were the Lincoln Saltdogs. The teams split the four-game series at two apiece. Thursday's opener was worth the price of admission for the entire weekend. Saints starter Robert Coe tossed all nine innings allowing only two hits and one run. The home team won the game 7-1 while Coe won his sixth game of the year. My MVP for the home stand is Alonzo Harris. Not only does he play great defense and make circus catches, the guy can also hit. He had two 3-5 nights and at least one RBI in seven of the eight games, including three in victories on Thursday and Sunday over the Saltdogs. He ended the ‘stand batting .378 with seven runs, 13 RBI, three doubles, a triple, and four stolen bases. The highlight of the week’s entertainment should be easy to guess. Need a hint? It included over 6,000 My Pillows being handed out. That's right, it was the World's Largest Pillow Fight, where we set a new Guinness World Record with 6,291 people, including actor Stephen Baldwin as the emcee and instigator of the fight. The best way to describe the one minute of craziness is: fun. Just plain old I-felt-like-a-kid-again fun. We also can't forget the evening's other promotion, Saturday Night Live's 40 Year Anniversary. Prior to the game you could already feel a buzz in the ballpark of anticipation for the pillow fight. But stealing the early and later show was SNL alum, Joe Piscopo. He started off singing the National Anthem in character as Frank Sinatra, and he nailed it. Then later in the game he also sang and played guitar on a great cover of "Pink Cadillac," accompanied by Har Mar Superstar and Saints Musical Director Andrew Crowley on the keyboard. Har Mar and Andy also played a couple of other great songs together during the between inning breaks. Topping off the fun was seeing and interacting with about twenty SNL characters roaming the ballpark during the game, all of them played by local improv actors and actresses to a tee. Almost every great SNL character was in attendance and a hit with the fans. The Saints continue to find ways to amaze me with how far and crazy they will take their "Fun is Good" motto. Everything they do is geared toward fan enjoyment and fan involvement. This night set the bar very high for pure enjoyment from start to finish. The characters, celebrities, music, pillow fight and atmosphere were all epic. I don't know how they will top it. But I guarantee they are going to try. And I cannot wait to be a part of it. A couple of other highlights for us were our friends Julie and Beto and their kids Emiliano and Luca joining us for Friday night's game. The kids were able to participate in the Broad Side of a Barn in between inning contest, where they had to use a sling shot to try to hit a barn on a huge banner in right field. We all had a blast, like we always do together. We also won our first game-worn jersey of the year, hitting coach Ole Sheldon's from “St. Patrick's Day in July” night. The Saints auctioned off the white with green lettering jerseys for charity during the game. It marked the first time in three tries Ole's jersey has gone for more than Saints Manager, George Tsamis's. This a fact we found out about as Ole rubbed it in to George while tailgating at the 10th Inning Stretch with fellow blogger Kevin Luckow and other friends. Following a couple of much needed days off, the Saints hit the road looking to continue their winning ways. Stopping for three games against the Gary Southshore Railcats, they won two of the three. Then they headed to Fargo for a three game showdown, where, for the first time in franchise history, they swept the Redhawks in their home park. They ended the road trip with a 52-16 record and a 20.5 game lead in the division. Jeff Shields won his tenth game of the season joining Dustin Crenshaw and Kramer Sneed in double digit victories. It was the first time in Saints history more than one pitcher has had ten wins or more in a season. Also, Angelo Songco was named PointsStreak American Association Player of the Week for July 27th - August 2nd. Songco batted .458, with 5 doubles, 2 home runs, and 7 runs scored. Way to go Angelo! Our favorite team returns home on Wednesday, August 5th as the Lincoln Saltdogs and Winnipeg Goldeyes return to CHS Field for three more games apiece. With the team entering the last full month of the season and looking to continue their playoff push, we are so happy to be along for the ride. This season has been filled with so many big wins and so much fun. Go Saints!!! TRAIN!

Using both sides of the ball the Saints won two games against the Railcats by a combined score of 24-5. Pedro Hernandez and Dustin Crenshaw both tossed seven innings, allowing only three total runs. Mike Kvasnicka and Joey Paciorek hit back to back jacks in the fifth inning of Sunday's game to fuel the Saints love for runs. Ben Szeremeta writes about the Saints regularly at SaintsTrain.comAlong with three close, hard fought games between the league’s top two teams. CHS Field also saw a first in the Saints series against the Explorers: a coach was ejected from a game. Tuesday night Steve Montgomery, the manager from Sioux City, was given the boot for arguing balls and strikes, among other things. He was, let's say, a very animated manager and third base coach. My MVP for the home stand is Vinny DiFazio. Before I show you how good Vinny was at CHS Field this time around, keep in mind that these stats are for only the last six home games: .458 avg, 9 R, 11 RBIs, 2B, 3 BBs, and 3 HRs. Wow. The highlight was a clutch two-run bomb to break a 4-4 tie in the eighth inning of Tuesday night’s win. He also recorded an RBI in nine straight games (June 10th-June 20th), a personal best. In addition to my MVP of the home stand honor Vinny also won the PointsStreak American Association Player of the Week (June 15th-21st) and the Rawlings American Association Player of the Month (June). He enters the month of July as the only player batting over .400 in the entire league. Keep it going Vinny! The week’s fun was highlighted by Saturday's 'Merica night. Where Ushertainers and employees dressed in their best USA or redneck outfits and everyone in attendance was encouraged to drink cheap beer and start watching NASCAR. The night even included a "best beer belly" contest. Again, no words needed. Prior to the game the Saints had the Budweiser Clydesdales lead a parade around the warning track. Before they went into the field we were able to see them up close. By luck their trailer was parked next to the tailgating lot where we just happened to be (imagine that). If you ever have the chance to see them in person, do it. It is incredible how big and majestic they are up close. This night also reminded us why we love the Saints Entertainment Team so much. When a game goes to extra innings there are no planned promotions remaining. This always leads to some of the best improvised and goofy moments of the night. Following Wednesday's day game the Saints started out on their next road trip. This time they visited the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks (June 25th-June 28th), winning three of four. Then off to the Lincoln Saltdogs for three more (June 30th-July 2nd). As of Wednesday night the teams had split the first two games, making the Saints 30-8 on the year. Come on boys - bring it home Thursday! Keep the series winning streak going! The Saints return home on Friday, July 3rd. They begin a seven-game home stand with three against the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks and then close it out with four versus the Ottawa Champions. Besides great baseball, the promotion lineup this week in St. Paul is one of the best we've seen in a while. One thing you should not miss is the Saints Fourth of July fireworks super show. It is always one of the best of the year at the ballpark - or anywhere for that matter. This season the show will get a little extra oomph. The oohs and aahs after the game will be for the City of St. Paul's official fireworks show. And, who isn't excited about Coach night and free tube sock giveaway on Wednesday, July 8th? Wonder if anyone will sport the socks and join Coach as he does a push-up for every Saints run scored. Finally, don’t forget that tonight, Twins Daily and other MinnCentric sites will be at the sold out Twins Daily Saints and BFFs (baseball, food, fireworks) Night. If you see one of us, say “Hi.” We love to talk baseball. We’ll see you at the ballpark. Go Saints!!! TRAIN!

In the first series the Saints took two of three from the Canaries. They used a great diving catch by right fielder Mike Kvasnicka to end game one. Then a lights out start by Dustin Crenshaw took game two. The second win tied the team’s single season record for longest winning streak at ten. Next up were the Blasters who came to town in second place in the South Division. The Saints offense was clicking on all cylinders as they won two of the games by five runs each. With sweeping the series our boys of summer have now swept four of six series this season. Let that sink in. Four of six series. Wow. My MVP for the home stand is Dustin Crenshaw. Now I know what you’re thinking, how can a pitcher who only started one game get my MVP? Well, let me tell you about Crenshaw's Saturday night. He gave up a single in the first. Then induced a 6-4-3 double play to erase it. He gave up a one-out triple in the second. Then Willie Argo caught a fly ball in left field and gunned down the runner trying to tag from third for a 7-2 double play. After that, Crenshaw shut down the Canaries the rest of the way all by himself, retiring the final 22 batters in a row and leading the Saints to a 2-0 victory in only two hours and two minutes! To show how fast the game was, the average MLB game takes two hours and 54 minutes. Crenshaw's impressive line for the night: 9IP, 2H, 2K, 0BB, 88 pitches. Great game Dustin! No home stand recap would be complete without a little talk about the offensive side of the ball. Ian Gac and Angelo Songco once again led the way for the Saints. Songco smashed two home runs, had eight RBI, and hit .304. Meanwhile, Gac continued his torrid start to the season with five doubles, four RBI, and hitting .347. He also had at least one hit in each game of the series. Highlights from the week's entertainment included Friday night fireworks accompanied by Grateful Dead music. It was a really groovy mix, man. The colors and the music just blended too.... Whoa. Flashback. Sorry about that. During the game the Saints wore special tie-dyed jerseys that fans could bid on in a silent auction. All jerseys were signed by a player or coach after the game Bring-your-dog-to-the-park day was a hit like always. It is so much fun to see so many different breeds of dogs interacting with each other. There was everything from a gigantic Mastiff to a tiny Chihuahua. We decided for this home stand, and for the rest of the year, we were going to pick a new section to sit in for a couple of innings during each series. We figure this is a great way to meet new people and to experience the awesomeness of CHS Field from every angle. This time we got hooked on the third base line and left field. First, we sat in sec. 118 row 1. I must say first row seating at field level is a wonderful thing. You can really see the speed of the game. Next we sat on the drink rail next to the Beer Dabbler with a couple of new friends. This is one of the best views in the ballpark. You have the downtown skyline above the park one way and twenty one different craft beer taps to choose from the other way. Perfect. A new thing we learned about CHS Field is that you are not safe from foul balls just about anywhere in the park. That and I think we had a baseball magnet on our heads for a couple of games. First we had one land literally right between our seats. I protected Steph from it but in the process figured out that a phone is not the same as a glove. It's a long story, best told over a beer sometime. Luckily the phone still works. Kids, this is why you buy a good case. Next we had a couple more land within ten feet of us by the main gate in deep right field. Then we had one land on the roof above us, hit something, and come back down a few seconds later. It landed two seats down from me. I've never been closer than 10-15 rows from a foul ball before at any pro game. That week we had for four in two games. Once again tailgating was a big part of our weekend at the field. We had a great time with our normal crews and were even joined by Seigo Masubuchi and Sister Ros one evening at the Candy Lady's spot. On Saturday night we had the pleasure of chatting with Saints Manager George Tsamis and hitting coach Ole Sheldon at the 10th Inning Stretch. It was great seeing them in the lot again and talking baseball with them and good friends Kevin Luckow and Bill Tyler (10th Inning Stretch tailgating founders). Looking to keep the good vibes going, the team hit the road for seven games in seven days. The first four against the Sioux Falls Canaries and the last three versus the Winnipeg Goldeyes. The Saints proved it doesn't matter what country they’re in, the results are the same. They win. Taking three of four and two of three on this road trip, they have not lost a series all season. A stat worth mentioning from the trip is catcher Vinny DiFazio has an RBI in seven straight games and finished the last two games with four hits in each. At 22-4 I've run out of sports clichés to describe how good the team is playing. So I think I'll go with their playing supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Yep, that about sums it up. The hottest team in baseball returns home for six straight starting Friday, June 19th, with the Saints taking on the the top two teams in the Central Division. The Gary Southshore Railcats (2nd) and the Sioux City Explorers (1st) visit CHS Field for what should be a great week of baseball. With rain in the forecast for a couple days this seems like a perfect time to fill you in on one on the best features of the new ballpark. The covered concourse stretching from first base to third base. You can still see the game while not getting wet. I think that takes away the "I'm not going. It's going to rain" excuse. So there you have it. Great baseball, not getting wet if it rains, and fun promotions once again. Click here for tickets, and we'll see you there. Go Saints! Train!!! Rain or shine the fun goes on for the Saints. 'Merica night (Saturday, June 20th), Replica Jersey night where the first 750 kids and 750 adults get the giveaway (Sunday, June 21st), and a visit from John Moe host of Wits for a night of comedy (Wednesday, June 24th) highlight the six day home stand. Get your tickets here!

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. Ben Szeremeta writes about the Saints regularly at SaintsTrain.com 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!