The St. Paul Saints are the Minnesota Twins’ minor league affiliate across the river. Dating to 1992 in its current incarnation, the Saints were owned by Marv Goldklang, Mike Veeck, and Bill Murray and independent of major league baseball. The Saints have since become the top minor league Twins affiliate and, as of last year, been sold to Diamond Baseball Holdings. As you might guess from the Veeck and Murray names among the original ownership, there is a large element of show-business fun seeded in the team’s DNA: “We’re talking baby pig mascots, massages from nuns, a game with no umpires and bring your dog to the stadium night, among other things.”
Speaking of baby pig mascots, we are relieved to learn that the tradition continues under the Saints’ new ownership. The baby pig delivers baseballs and provide refreshments for umpires. The pig’s name is chosen by team staff in a contest sponsored by the Star Tribune. The name is part of the fun. Staff selected this year’s winning entry — OzemPig — from a record-setting field of 2,300 entries.
The team announced the winner in a light-hearted release that recounted names past. Students of history may appreciate this review:
During the previous 31 seasons, the Saints have had a pig mascot and each has had a unique name. Many of the names play on hot topics of the year, current events, or Minnesota legends. Last season, the Saints no-nonsense pig Mud Grant took the reins in the first half followed by the pig looking to take over the world, Squealon Musk. The first season of the two pigs was in 2022 with 867530Swine during the first half of the season followed by Chop Gun: MaveRib. In the first season as the Twins Triple-A affiliate in 2021 they found a pig that could fly, Space Ham. During the pandemic year they made sure the pig went into lockdown with This Little Piggy Stayed Home. In 2019 the championship drought ender was Daenerys Hoggaryen. In 2018 the Saints struck a chord with the younger generation with Porknite. The year before that they tested the political waters with Alternative Fats. In 2016 the Saints honored one of the most iconic artists with Little Red Porkette. During the first season at CHS Field [their new stadium] the Saints paid homage to Lowertown artists they went with Pablo Pigasso. In 2014 the Saints received the Colboar bump with Stephen Colboar. The 2012 season saw two mascots for the first time: Kim Lardashian and Kris Hamphries. Past names have included Mackleboar (2013), Brat Favre (2010), Slumhog Millionaire (2009), Boarack Ohama (2008), Notorious P.I.G. – Piggy Smalls (2003) and Kevin Bacon (2001).
OzemPig’s winning name has triggered outrage that the Star Tribune finds worthy of coverage, although it buries its sponsorship of the naming contest in its story on it. As the subhead puts it, “Commenters have accused the team of body-shaming on social media.”
That’s the kind of complaint that must strike deep at the Star Tribune. How insensitive can you get? The Pig Contest, as the Saints call it, may soon present a sponsorship opportunity for some enterprise that can withstand the heat generated by this controversy.
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