On Wednesday, The Minnesota Twins announced that the St. Paul Saints will become the new Triple-A affiliate team. They will be part of the Pacific Coast League’s American Conference’s Northern Division. The clubs former Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings, became the new Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
Saints Chairman Marv Goldklang released a statement on this unique partnership saying, “Our ownership Group has enjoyed a special relationship with the Twins, dating back more than 25 years when we owned their High A affiliate in Ft. Myers and helped operate Spring Training for the Major League club. During my conversations with Jim Pohlad and Dave St. Peter leading up to the decision to move forward with our partnership, they emphasized their respect for what the Saints have accomplished and made clear that, with the exception of the players on the field, they don’t expect much, if anything, to change in terms of the experience of attending a Saints’ game. The opportunity to combine two iconic brands in promoting the game, both on and off the field, was something that was impossible to turn down. I look forward to a special and long-lasting relationship with one of the top organizations in all of Major League Baseball.”
The Saints were founded in 1993 and played in the old Northern League before moving to the American Association in 2006. The Saints have won five championships, nine divisional titles, six first-half titles, and six second-half titles. The first-half and second-half titles are used in Independent League’s and the winners automatically qualify for the playoffs. The Saints play at CHS Field and are located 20 minutes from the Twins stadium Target field.
Twins President Dave St. Peter released a statement on this partnership said, “The Minnesota Twins are ecstatic about the potential to form a partnership with the St. Paul Saints. We have long admired the creative excellence of Marv Goldklang, Mike Veeck and their team in making the Saints one of America’s most successful Minor League brands. We are incredibly excited at the thought of Minnesota baseball fans having the opportunity to watch their favorite Twins prospects as they wear the Saints’ uniform and play at gorgeous CHS Field. Simply put, a Twins-Saints partnership would not only be historic, but a wonderful boon for baseball in the Twin Cities and beyond.”
Shortly after this announcement, American Association Commissioner Joshua Schaub released a statement on the Saints departure said, “Today, the American Association says goodbye and good luck to one of our league members, the St. Paul Saints. The Saints are taking the once unthinkable act of becoming the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, but unthinkable acts are nothing new to this organization. We wish the entire St. Paul Saints organization, including the ownership group headed by Marv Goldklang, Mike Veeck and Bill Murray, and the front office staff headed by Derek Sharrer and Tom Whaley, all the best in their new endeavor.”
The Pacific Coast League was founded in 1903, featuring sixteen teams. The Saints will join another former Independent team Sugar Land Skeeters. The San Francisco Seals have won the most PCL championships, with fourteen, with the Sacramento River Cats being the last champions in 2019. The league will release the 2021 schedule at a later date.
