My Vintage Minneapolis Millers & St. Paul Saints Collection

[Tay1038]

1921 Bill McKechnie Game Used Bat (Ty Lober Professional Model) – Hall of Fame

This bat ranks right up there with my Monte Irvin and Gavvy Cravath as one of the scarcest game-used bats in my collection today. For your viewing is a game-used bat from Hall of Fame manager Bill McKechnie. Originally issued to Ty Lober, who spent his 1921 season with the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association, the bat was used by McKechnie in 1921, his only season with the Minneapolis Millers. The bat has been side written, "39 ½ Wm. McKechnie 8-15-21 Minneapolis BBC” indicting that Hall of Fame Pirates & Reds manager Bill McKechnie came into possession of the bat at some point during the 1921 season (also in the American Association) and sent back to Hillerich & Bradsby, likely to have bats made for himself in the same style.

In 1921, Bill MeKechnie finished his playing career at third base for Minneapolis. He had only a .234 lifetime average in the major leagues but hit .321 for the Millers with 8 HRs and 65 RBI’s. Following his playing days, McKechnie compiled a long and successful record as a manager, winning pennants with three different National League (St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati) earning himself a spot in the Hall of Fame in 1961. McKechnie had also played for St. Paul in 1912 and is the only Hall of Famer to have played for both the Millers and Saints.

Special thank you to fellow N54 member for selling this one to me! I can't imagine there is another McKechnie gamer out there.

[Tay1038]

1955 Minneapolis Millers vs AA All-Star Game Program and Ticket Stub - Signed by Don Larsen!

Here is a fun one! There was an All-Star Game in Minneapolis when Larsen beat Branca!

As author Stew Thornley pointed out, the pitchers getting decisions in the 1955 game were notable. Larsen pitched a perfect game for the Yankees in the World Series in 1956. And Branca gave up “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World’’ for the Dodgers to the Giants’ Bobby Thomson in the third game of the 1951 National League playoff.

The American Association All-Star game started in 1934, but there was a gap in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s. When played, the team with the best record on a certain date in the schedule would host the game, and play a collection of stars from the remaining seven teams. According to Thornley’s research, the Millers had the best record and hosted five All-Star Games: four at Nicollet Park and one in 1959 at Met Stadium.

On Thursday, July 21, 1955 the Minneapolis Millers hosted their fourth AA All-Star game, and final at Nicollet Park. The Millers were defeated by the AA All-Stars 16-6. LP-Ralph Branca. Trailing 5-2 after the 6th, the All-Stars scored 11 runs in the the 7th. Don Larsen of Denver is the WP (Larsen was 8-1, with his only loss coming against the Millers on July 10). Larsen also hit a 2-run homer in the 9th.

For your amusement is a beautifully scored program and ticket stub from the 1955 AA All-Star game. I recently acquired this program a couple weeks ago, and thought it would be fun to write to Don Larsen to see if I could ask him to autograph it. Today I received it back and it turned out awesome! Thanks Mr. Larsen!

[Tay1038]

1959 Minneapolis Millers vs. Havana Sugar Kings Junior World Series Program

This is one program I absolutely adore and likely one of the rarest in my collection today. Not only is this one of the earliest Millers programs to feature Carl Yastrzemski in the lineup, but from one of the most exciting Junior World Series – if not the most bizarre! Not only were two contests, including the decisive seventh game, decided in the last of the ninth inning and another two in extra innings, but it was the only Junior Series in which the submachine guns outnumbered the bats.

The 1959 Junior World Series was the 43rd meeting between the champions of the American Association and International League. The Minneapolis Millers had won the American Association playoffs for the second straight year, while the Havana Sugar Kings won the International League's Governors' Cup for the first time. The Millers, a Boston Red Sox farm team managed by Gene Mauch, were the defending Junior World Series champions, and were making their third appearance in the minor-league classic in the last five years.

Minneapolis was bolstered by the recent addition of a young second baseman named Carl Yastrzemski, who had joined the team during the Association playoffs. Havana, on the other hand, had finished the previous season at the bottom of the International League standings. In 1959, though, they rose to third during the regular season and then upset Columbus and Richmond in the playoffs for a berth in the Junior Series. Managed by Preston Gomez, the Sugar Kings roster was comprised of a mixture of Latin and American players, several of whom would go on to respectable careers in the major leagues, including pitchers Mike Cuellar and Luis Arroyo and infielders Leo Cardenas, Elio Chacon, and Cookie Rojas.

The series opened at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota. The first three games were to be played in the Millers’ home park, but a premature blast of wintry weather brought an early close to their end of the series. Due to the cold temperatures, only 2,486 fans showed up for Game 1. As the weather grew colder the next day, the attendance dwindled to 1,062 for Game 2. It was on this day that a local newspaper correspondent snapped a photo showing a trio of Sugar Kings huddled around a fire they had built in a wastebasket in the dugout. By Game 3 the thermometer reading plummeted even further and not only was that evening’s game called off, but the decision was made by the minor-league commission to shift the balance of the series to Havana.

In Havana, nearly 3,000 soldiers were at the stadium during the game, many lining the field and others stationing themselves in the dugouts, their rifles and bayonets clearly evident. “Young people not more than 14 or 15 years old were in the dugout with us, waving their guns around like toys,” recalled Millers pitcher Ted Bowsfield. “Every once in a while, we could hear shots being fired outside the stadium, and we never knew what was going on.”

[Duluth Eskimo]

Nice find Taylor

[Tay1038]

Game-Used Bats from George “Showboat” Fisher, Buzz Arlett and Roy Patterson

Buzz Arlett. The man they called “Babe Ruth of the minor leagues”, spent most of his baseball years in his hometown of Oakland in the Pacific Coast League (13 Years). In the part of his career, Arlett was one of the leagues top pitchers, winning 29 games in 1920. He then became one of the circuit’s best hitters. Arlett spent one year in the majors, hitting .313 with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1931. Playing only 116 games with the Millers, Arlett had 132 runs batted in and led the American Association with 41 home runs. He played two more years with the Millers. Arlett ended his 19-year minor league career with an amazing .341 career batting average, 432 home runs and 2,726 hits.

Roy Patterson is best remembered for throwing the first pitch (and recording the first win) in American League History. The spitballing righthander was a 20-game winner for the Millers in 1908, 1910, 1911, and 1912. He returned to Minneapolis to help a thinned-out mound staff during World War I and pitched three more years. His 10-year record with the Millers was 135-73. Patterson also pitched for the Chicago White Sox from 1901-07. He won 20 games for the Sox in 1901 and also delivered the first pitch for the American League when it became a major league. Patterson, a World Series winner in 1906 with the Chicago White Sox also started his professional baseball career in 1899 with crosstown rival St. Paul Saints.

George Aloys "Showboat" Fisher played four seasons in Minneapolis. He played in the 1930 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals and was the last surviving member of the 1924 Washington Senators, the only Washington, D.C.-based baseball team to win a World Series.

[ooo-ribay]

I don't know how you do it, Taylor!! Great stuff!!

[Tay1038]

1955 Minneapolis Millers American Association Championship 10K Ring!

Here we have an awesome piece of baseball memorabilia, an American Association Championship ring from the Minneapolis Millers 1955 season! The Millers defeated Denver and Omaha in the American Association playoffs to advance to the Junior World Series, in which they defeated the Rochester Red Wings of the International League, 4 games to 3.

This ring is the only one I have ever seen. Wonderful piece to add to my 1955 Minneapolis Millers Junior World Series Championship team display!

[Tay1038]

1955 Minneapolis Millers Baseball Schedules from Gluek Brewing Co., Mpls, Minn.

[Tay1038]

2010 Larry the Cable Guy History Channel “Only in America” St. Paul Saints film worn jersey!

I don’t have much to say about this one. I think it’s funny, cool, and my friends and family will get a kick out of it.

Larry filmed his show on June 30, 2010 at Midway Stadium while attending the game that night. The episode (S1:E11) first aired on the History Channel on April 19, 2011.

Watch History Channel Episode:

https://www.history.com/shows/only-i...eague-baseball

Funny home video of Larry giving a haircut to a fan that day!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WAsrfqH5Mo

Enjoy folks!

[Tay1038]

1942 Van Lingle Mungo American Association Minneapolis Millers Players Contract

It didn’t take long for the Brooklyn Dodgers fans became obsessed with the guy named Mungo. The hype that he was the next going to be the next Vance and Dizzy Dean. The lofty expectation out of the gate was that Van Lingle Mungo was going to be winning 20 to 25 games a year for a long time. Everyone was convinced that the hard-throwing right-hander would be a certain star for years to come.

The hard throwing Mungo averaged 16 wins per season from 1932 through 1936, and led the National League in strikeouts with 238 in 1936. He was named to the All-Star team in 1934, 1936, and 1937. Following an arm injury in 1937 he won only 13 games over the next six seasons.
After a spring training injury in 1943 he was released by the Dodgers and played his final season with the Giants. Mungo was later traded to the Giants’ American Association affiliate at Minneapolis before the 1942 season. An 11-3 record with the Millers earned him a call-up to the Polo Grounds and during the spring of 1943.

This is my first player contract to enter into my collection. With the notion that Mungo was one of the Top 50 Greatest baseball players to suit up for the Millers, it was a must own item and character builder addition to my collection.

[jimm]

Absolutely fascinating collection! Though partial to the Giants related stuff, the bats, uni's, and anything Cuba related are off the hook! Thanks for sharing

[Tay1038]

1898 Detroit Tigers vs. St. Paul Apostles/Saints Western League Baseball Program

This particular Saints team was part of the second incarnation that was active in the Western League from 1894-1899. The Western League, was a minor league baseball league founded in 1885 and included the Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Blues, Minneapolis Millers, Indianapolis Indians, and the Buffalo Bisons.

In 1900, the Western League changed its name to the American League. It was still officially a minor league, a part of the National Agreement and an underling of the National League. The NL actually gave permission to the AL to put a team in Chicago, and on March 21, 1900, Charles Comiskey moved his St. Paul club to the South Side, where they became the Chicago White Sox.

This particular program dates to the 1898 season, 120 years old! Although absent from this program, the Detroit Tigers held future Hall of Fame (Introduction 1946) Pitcher Rube Waddell and Kid Elberfield, known as one of the best shortstops in the early years of the twentieth century. The Detroit Tigers defeated the St. Paul Apostles/Saints 4-3 that day.

This is the earliest Saints related program I have ever come across, and likely one of the earliest Detroit Tigers programs to exist today.

[Duluth Eskimo]

Saw that one. Nice pick up.

[Runscott]

How about that set of 1939 autographed photos that were recently auctioned? I collect early Ted Williams, but couldn't fork out that much dough when I only wanted this one:

[daves_resale_shop]

Thats a beaut! What auctionwas it a partof?

Originally Posted by Runscott

How about that set of 1939 autographed photos that were recently auctioned? I collect early Ted Williams, but couldn't fork out that much dough when I only wanted this one:

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by daves_resale_shop

Thats a beaut! What auctionwas it a partof?

haha-i knew that would be right up your alley. it sold last month in either Lelands or Hunt - I forget which.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by Tay1038

1898 Detroit Tigers vs. St. Paul Apostles/Saints Western League Baseball Program

This particular Saints team was part of the second incarnation that was active in the Western League from 1894-1899. The Western League, was a minor league baseball league founded in 1885 and included the Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Blues, Minneapolis Millers, Indianapolis Indians, and the Buffalo Bisons.

In 1900, the Western League changed its name to the American League. It was still officially a minor league, a part of the National Agreement and an underling of the National League. The NL actually gave permission to the AL to put a team in Chicago, and on March 21, 1900, Charles Comiskey moved his St. Paul club to the South Side, where they became the Chicago White Sox.

This particular program dates to the 1898 season, 120 years old! Although absent from this program, the Detroit Tigers held future Hall of Fame (Introduction 1946) Pitcher Rube Waddell and Kid Elberfield, known as one of the best shortstops in the early years of the twentieth century. The Detroit Tigers defeated the St. Paul Apostles/Saints 4-3 that day.

This is the earliest Saints related program I have ever come across, and likely one of the earliest Detroit Tigers programs to exist today.

Great stuff, as always!

Kind of surprising to me that bicycles could cost from $40 to $75 in the late 19th century.

[Tay1038]

1951 Minneapolis Millers Full Ticket--Willie Mays’ Home Run #4

Newest addition. Thought this was a neat item!

[Tay1038]

Game Used Bats from Ray Mueller, Lou Clinton and Don Zimmer.

Ray Mueller was a member of the Millers 1955 JWS Championship Team and Lou Clinton was a member of the Millers 1958 JWS Championship Team. I now have 12 GU Bats from the 1955 Championship Team and 6 GU bats from the 1958 Championship team.

Zimmer played for the St. Paul Saints in 1953 and 1954, winning the American Association Rookie of the Year in 1953 with the Saints!

[oldjudge]

This beautiful cabinet is of the 1887 Millers. Shown is Robert Foster who put the team together and managed it, and his brother Elmer Foster who stared on the team and is featured in the Old Judge set, among other things, as a member of the spotted tie subset. This team also featured many players who would go on to play higher level baseball and who were also featured in the Old Judge set(Hawes, Murphy, Patton, Winkleman, Krueger, Murray, Shaw, Tuckerman, Knopf, etc). This cabinet is available for trade(oldjudge@gmail.com)

[Tay1038]

1958 Minneapolis Millers Home Club Lineup Card - Signed by Manager Gene Mauch!

[Tay1038]

1919 Ed Monroe New York Yankees transfer contract to St. Paul Baseball Club - Signed by New York Yankees President Jacob Ruppert.

[ksfarmboy]

Still in awe of that 1877 Red Caps composition.

[Tay1038]

Joe Glenn - Minneapolis Millers (1933)

1933-35 Joe Glenn Hillerich & Bradsby Game Used Bat

Glenn hit .333 with 17 home runs and 91 RBIs for Minneapolis in 1933. When the Millers’ season ended he moved back up to the Yankees and was the catcher when Babe Ruth made his final appearance as a pitcher. Seven years later, Glenn was also the catcher when Ted Williams took the mound for two innings for the Red Sox. Glenn played on four New York Yankees World Series Championship teams - 1932, 1936-38.

[Tay1038]

1932 Newark Bears vs. Minneapolis Millers Junior World Series Program, with Ticket Stubs GM 4 & GM 5 played at Nicollet Ballpark in Minneapolis, MN

[Duluth Eskimo]

I figured you’d be picking that up. Nice and very tough find. The photos of both teams players on both covers are cool.

[Tay1038]

1955 Minneapolis Millers vs. Rochester Red Wings Junior World Series GM 5 & GM 7 Scorecard Programs!

I attended a local memorabilia show last weekend, and found two hidden gems in these Millers programs. Both programs are beautifully scored and from the final games ever played at Nicollet Park!

JWS Game 5 (Home GM 1 - Nicollet Park) - 9/25/55.
WP-Worthington. 8-hitter by Worthington, who strikes out 12 and walks 1. Pless and Lennon hit back-to-back homers in the second. Brandt ties game in the 3rd with a home run. With the score 3-3 in the 8th Irvin hits a long homer to left. Millers add 3 more runs in the inning. Millers Win 7-3.

JWS Game 7 (Home GM 4 - Final Game ever played at Nicollet Park) - 9/29/55.
WP-Melliere. With the Millers short on pitchers, Byerly makes his first start of the season and gives up a leadoff home run to Howie Phillips. Rochester scores another in the inning, and Melliere relieves Byerly. Lennon hits a 3-run homer off Deal in the 4th for a 3-2 lead, and Sawatski follows with a home run. Irvin adds a homer in the sixth for a 5-2 lead. Rochester scores 2 in the 7th, and Worthington relieves Melliere, going the rest of the way. Millers make the score 9-4 in the 7th on a 2-run homer by Bollweg and 2-run double by Lennon. Millers Win 9-4 winning the Junior World Series!

[Tay1038]

1959 Minneapolis Millers vs. Havana Sugar Kings Junior World Series Program - Signed by Carl Yastrzemski

Picked up my second 59 JWS program the other week!

[Tay1038]

St. Paul Saints Original Team Photos - 1920, 1922, 1930

The 1920 and 1922 Saints were recognized as being among the 100 greatest minor league teams of all time. HOFer Lefty Gomez played for the Saints in 1930. Special thanks to Graig Kreindler for connecting me with the seller.

[Tay1038]

1948 St. Paul Saints Junior World Series Team Signed Baseball – 22 Signatures

This baseball originates from a local family collection, in which the father was with the team from 1943-1951 as an Assistant Trainer under Al Schuneman. The baseball has aged nicely over the past 71 years. Signatures remain very bold, and the ball in still great condition. All players on the active 48’ JWS Roster are represented on this baseball, with the expectation of manager Walter Alston. HOFer Roy Campanella unfortunately is also not represented on the baseball as he only played 35 games for the Saints that season between May and June and was back in the Brooklyn Dodgers lineup by July 2. One notable signature on the baseball is Dan Bankhead. Bankhead on August 26th, 1947 became the first African-American to pitch in a Major League Baseball game for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Players: Bob Addis, Andy Anderson, Toby Atwell, Dan Bankhead, Al Brancato, Slick Coffman, John Douglas, George Fallon, Phil Haugstad, Buddy Hicks, Mel Himes, Spider Jorgenson, Morrie Martin, Pat McClothin, Earl Naylor, Jack Paepke, David Pluss, Bob Ramazzotti, Jim Romano, Charles Samaklis, Eric Tipton, Harry Taylor.

[Tay1038]

1949 Ray Dandridge Marianao Baseball Club Payroll Check

Ray Dandridge became the first black player to play for the Millers in June of 1949. Dandridge had been signed, along with Dave Barnhill, off the roster of the New York Cubans of the Negro American League. A 16-year veteran of the Negro and Mexican Leagues, Dandridge was regarded as the greatest third baseman in the history of the Negro Leagues. In his rookie season at Minneapolis Dandridge hit .311 and had a 28-game hitting streak during the year. He also had three home runs and eight RBIs in one game in August. Dandridge’s 1950 performance in the field and at the plate (.311 batting average with 106 runs scored and 80 batted in), earned him the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Dandridge played for the Millers from 1949-52.

This signed payroll check dates to October 6, 1949 from the Cuba Baseball League, Marianao Baseball Club. The Check was endorsed by Dandridge on the back and dates to his rookie season with the Minneapolis Millers. The Cubans sold him mid-year during the 1949 season to the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association, a farm club for the major league New York Giants. After the Millers 1949 season ended, Dandridge played Winter ball in the Cuban Professional League in which this check was cut to him for his services.

Although this is not a Payroll check from the Minneapolis Baseball Club, I still see it being a significant addition to my collection to highlight Dandridge’s career.

[Tay1038]

1929 Ad Liska Autographed Professional Model H&B Bat

Liska played two seasons with the Minneapolis Millers in 1928 and was a member of the 1932 Minneapolis Millers Junior World Series team. In 1928, Liska won nine straight games for the en route a 20-4 record with 3.68 ERA in 225 innings pitched.

Liska was a star pitcher for the Portland Beavers in the Pacific Coast League for 14 season. In 1936, his 15 wins helped the Beavers win the PCL championship. In 1945, at the age of 39, he won 20 games, leading the Beavers to the best record in the league. He was inducted into the PCL Hall of Fame in 2003.

[Tay1038]

1919 St. Paul Saints American Association Championship Trophy

Beautiful Sterling Silver trophy was presented to the St. Paul Saints Baseball Club for winning the American Association Championship in 1919. HOF Chicago Bears owner George Halas played 39 games with the Saints that season after being released by the New York Yankees.

[Tay1038]

1922 St. Paul Saints American Association Championship Trophy

How unique is this! This absolutely stunning cow horn vessel and sterling silver trophy was presented to the St. Paul Saints Baseball Club for winning the American Association Championship in 1922. With a season record of 107-60, the 1922 Saints team is ranked in the Top 100 Greatest Minor League teams off all time!

[Duluth Eskimo]

You tracked down a couple of great items. Nice pick ups.

[ksfarmboy]

Those are absolutely fantastic! Unbelievable pick ups!

[David Skoglund]

Impressive.

Stopped by CHS Field today, the home of the current St. Paul Saints. They're in the process of building a museum on site.

[Tay1038]

1930s Ollie Bejma Hillerich & Bradsby Side-Written Game Used Bat

Bejma played three seasons with the St. Paul Saints (1938, 1940-41) and was the American Association co/MVP in 1938 batting .326 with 25 HR’s helping the Saints to the American Association Pennant that year. He was the second of only three Saints players to win league MVP honors in team history.

Special thank you to Ken for helping me out with this one!

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by David Skoglund

Impressive.

Stopped by CHS Field today, the home of the current St. Paul Saints. They're in the process of building a museum on site.

Tay already has THE museum.

[Tay1038]

I thought I would share a bit more about the museum coming to St. Paul. I have been working with the St. Paul Saints over the past couple years now on their new City of Baseball Museum that will open next Thursday, May 16 at CHS Field. It has been a tremendous privilege to be able to partner with the St. Paul Saints to make this vision of ours come to life!

A large portion of the artifacts on display will be on loan from my collection. Graig Kreindler has an amazing piece in the museum as well! I hope if you live in the area or are just visiting the Twin Cities that you take the opportunity to stop by and take a jog down memory lane. We have a great story to tell about baseball in Minnesota. The museum is free to the public during stadium hours, and to fans who attend games.


Enjoy!


https://www.kare11.com/article/sport...6-c9fc500a8385

https://www.twincities.com/2019/05/0...-lore-to-life/

[David Skoglund]

The museum looks amazing. Can't wait to see it and part of your collection when the season opens next week.

Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk

[Bugsy]

Looks like you're using this as a BS line to expand your personal collection. I was the high bidder on a pair of 1931 Junior World Series tickets this morning and then the listing is canceled. I contact the seller to find out what the story is. This was what he told me:

"New message from: centscount (7,390Green Star)

A museum in St. Paul that is opening a baseball museum on Thursday requested the tickets for their exhibit.

Sorry about that.

Congrats on winning them do you want their info? I can ask them and maybe they can buy 1 piece from you?

Let me know it was just an honor to have an item from our store go to a museuam in the city where 1000s of people could enjoy them. Just honest.

Please advise. At your service.
Virgil"


That's is an absolutely dishonest and shady way to go about collecting.

Chris Sexton

[whitehse]

Jump to conclusions much? Wow. I was hoping you were kidding but I dont think that is the case.

[Bugsy]

Originally Posted by whitehse

Jump to conclusions much? Wow. I was hoping you were kidding but I dont think that is the case.

I am completely serious. They were 1931 St. Paul Saints Junior World ticket stubs and extremely rare. The seller was contacted directly to sell them off of eBay. Did you read the seller's entire response? It is in my post.

[David Skoglund]

Nice job on throwing out the first pitch.

Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk

[aljurgela]

I have really enjoy the dedication. I have a special love of the Irvin bat! Congrats!

[whitehse]

I believe that is also Graig Kreindler tossing out one of those first pitches as well!

[Tay1038]

Thank you David and Al! Its great to hear the wonderful feedback about the museum! Here is a picture taken by the St. Paul Saints staff of Dave Kaplan, Craig Kreindler and myself.

[Tay1038]

1937-42 Babe Barna Hillerich & Bradsby Side-Written Game Used Bat

A Nicollet Park favorite, Barna played 6 years season with the Millers (1941, 1944-48) and twice lead the American Association in home runs.

[Tay1038]

1934-49 AB Wright Hillerich & Bradsby Game Used Bat

In 1940, just two seasons following Ted Williams Triple Crown season with Minneapolis, Wright became the second Millers player to win the American Association Triple Crown Award with the Minneapolis Millers with 39 home runs, 159 RBIs and a .369 average. Arguably is greatest career accomplishment came on a July 4 game against the St. Paul Saints at Nicollet Park when he slugged four home runs and a triple for 19 total bases, still a league record. Wright played 10 seasons (1931-34, 1939-44) with the Millers. In 892 games with the team, Wright hit .323 with 159 home runs. This is my second AB Wright addition to my collection!