My Vintage Minneapolis Millers & St. Paul Saints Collection

[Forever Young]

That is an absolutely amazing piece. Congrats.

[h2oya311]

Congrats Tay! Love the uni and program!

Check your pm when you get the chance.

[Tay1038]

c. 1921-30 Andy Cohen Hillerich & Bradsby Game Used Bat

Andy Cohen came to Minneapolis in a trade with Newark in 1932, played against his former mates in the Junior World Series that fall, and stayed with the Millers through 1939.

He was a member of the New York Giants where he played 262 games with the New York Giants during the twenties. He later managed Indianapolis in the American Association.

Ultra difficult bat to find!

[Tay1038]

1951 Minneapolis Millers Program – Autographed by HOFers Willie Mays, Ray Dandridge and Hoyt Wilhelm.

The 1951 scored program dates to the first home series vs. Columbus Red Birds which included Willie Mays, Ray Dandridge and Hoyt Wilhelm in the lineup. Willie Mays went 1 for 3. The program is signed by 10 members of the 1951 team –including period signatures from all three HOFers!

[Tay1038]

c. 1957 Hank Thompson Minneapolis Millers Game Used Home Jersey #19

[Tay1038]

Minneapolis Millers Autographs from 3 Hall of Famers - Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Ray Dandridge

[Tay1038]

c. 1930's Pennant, c. 1950's Pennant, 1918 Millers Program, 1935 Millers Program, 1957 Millers Program (Cepeda), 1960 Millers Program (Yastrzemski)

[ksfarmboy]

Real nice stuff. Those programs and pennants can be real tough to find.

[Tay1038]

c. 1926-34 Chuck Dressen Spalding Game Used Bat

This is one bat that fills two holes in my collection! Known more for his managerial achievements in professional baseball, Charlie Dressen’s overall record as a Major League manager with five teams was 1,008-973. He managed two pennant winners, played for a world champion with the 1933 Giants, and coached on World Series winners in 1947 with the Yankees and in 1959 with the Los Angeles Dodgers

Dressen was the Saints’ starting third baseman from 1922 through 1924, batting over .300 all three years. His breakout season was 1923, when he led the club with 71 extra-base hits, including 50 doubles and 12 home runs. In 1924, the St. Paul Saints captured their only Little World Series title. I don’t have many bats from members of the 1924 team, but happy to add this one!

Further, Dressen skipped over to St. Paul’s cross-town rival, the Minneapolis Millers later in his career during the 1931-32 seasons. Although brief, Dressen played in 4 games for the Minneapolis Millers in 1932, the year they advanced to the Junior World Series.

[Tay1038]

1961 Carl Yastrzemski Hillerich & Bradsby Game Used Rookie Bat

Although not a bat from his time in Minneapolis, I finally picked up a beautiful Yaz gamer that was used during is 1961 rookie campaign. This lumber can be traced through factory records that Hillerich & Bradsby shipped this bat in a batch of W215’s to Yastrzemski on July 18th, 1961.

[ooo-ribay]

Incredible stuff, Tay!

[Tay1038]

1955 Minneapolis Millers Junior World Series Championship Team Collection - Game Used Bats

(Top to Bottom) Bill Rigney, Carl Sawatski, George Wilson, Ron Northey, Willie Kirkland, Bob Lennon, Joseph Bracchitta, Ed Bressoud, Foster Castleman, Bill Gardner.

"The 1955 Minneapolis Millers achieved the ninth and final American Association regular season title for Minneapolis. In their final season at Nicollet Park, they finished on top with a record of 92–62, eight games over the Omaha Cardinals. The Millers exploded for 241 long balls in 1955—the highest total in Association history! In the playoffs, the Millers swept both Denver and Omaha in four games to win the Governor’s Cup, the top prize of the American Association champion. Minneapolis became the first American Association team to sweep both rounds of the playoffs since the inception of intra-league postseason play. Facing the Rochester Red Wings in the Junior World Series, the Millers overcame their .235 series batting average to capture the crown, four games to three. With 16 home runs during the seven-game series, Minneapolis achieved an all-time Junior World Series record."

[Tay1038]

1958 Minneapolis Millers Junior World Series Championship Team Collection - Game Used Bats

(Top to Bottom) Stu Locklin, Pumpsie Green, Red Robbins, Ed Sadowski, Jerry Zimmerman

"In 1958 Minneapolis again made it to the Junior World Series. Finishing the regular season in third-place under Gene Mauch in his first year at the helm, the Millers defeated Wichita and Denver in the playoffs to earn the Governor’s Cup. To seal the deal, Mauch’s men swept Montreal, becoming only the second Association club to ever sweep a Junior World Series."

[Tay1038]

1955 Minneapolis Millers Junior World Series Program and Tickets from the last game played at Nicollet Park.

Excited to add these pieces of history to my collection! Program is scored and dated from September 28, 1955 - GM 7 in which the Minneapolis Millers defeated the Rochester Red Wings 9-4, clinching the Junior World Series Title. The corresponding Home Game 4 ticket stub adds to the nostalgia.

[Scott Garner]

Tay, your Minneapolis Millers collection has really developed into a terrific one.
Congrats on your recent pickups!

[Tay1038]

Thank you, Scott!

[Tay1038]

Genuine “Original” Midway Stadium Box Seat - Home of the St. Paul Saints from (1957-1960).

In the 1950s, the two American Association teams in Minnesota, the St. Paul Saints and Minneapolis Millers, were playing in ballparks approaching 60 years old. Both cities were considering new ballparks for their teams and were looking beyond the immediate need to having a stadium that could be the home of a major-league team. The first Midway Stadium was the home of the St. Paul Saints from 1957–1960, after Lexington Park, the long-time home of the St. Paul Saints was decommissioned. It was built with just a small uncovered and presumably expandable grandstand. It was intended to compete with Metropolitan Stadium for attracting a major league baseball team, but the already-larger capacity of "The Met" doomed Midway Stadium. It was abandoned for professional baseball once the Twins arrived in 1961 and displaced both the Saints and the Minneapolis Millers.

Up until recently, I have never seen one these before. This is an incredible and rare seat. It was beautifully restored by Seitz and Company in St. Paul Mn. After further research, I found an article from July, 1993 in the Baltimore Sun that mentioned Seitz & Co., Mike Seitz, a local St. Paul resident purchased many of these seats back in 1981 when the ballpark was being demolished.

[Tay1038]

c.1955-56 Don Bollweg Hillerich & Bradsby Game Used Bat

Picked up another gamer to add to my 1955 Minneapolis Millers Junior World Series Championship Team Collection. I am now up to 11 different game used bats!

[Tay1038]

c. 1951-52 Minneapolis Millers Game Worn Cap

[ksfarmboy]

Man I don't know where you find this great stuff. I'm lucky to find something from the entire state of Kansas every 6 months or so. Great collection and keep them coming.

[Duluth Eskimo]

I figured you probably bought the hat. I bid on it, but have one already so I didn't bid you up to high. Glad you got it.

[Tay1038]

ca.1944-46 St. Paul Saints Game Worn Dugout Jacket, Attributed to Manager Ray Blades

[Tay1038]

Minneapolis Millers Programs - 1939, 1940, 1945, 1946, 1953, 1957 (Signed by Orlando Cepeda).

[Tay1038]

1938 Minneapolis Millers Program - Ted Williams batting 3rd - Minneapolis vs. St. Paul

[Tay1038]

I'm looking for a couple items that have sold in the past for my collection. Most recently, the Saint Paul cap sold through Lelands in 2017. I have already attempted contacting the auction houses, but have had no luck. I am paying aggressive prices for these items in case someone on N54 owns them. I'll make it worth it if you will consider selling. I'd be happy to pay 10% fee to anyone who can help me purchase these.

Item 1: 1877 St Paul Red Caps v Indianapolis Blues Scorecard

Item 2: ca. 1920s Saint Paul Cap

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by ksfarmboy

Man I don't know where you find this great stuff. I'm lucky to find something from the entire state of Kansas every 6 months or so. Great collection and keep them coming.

I was thinking the exact same thing! That jacket is stunning!

[Tay1038]

Thanks guys! I'm thrilled to add it to the collection!

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

I was thinking the exact same thing! That jacket is stunning!

[Tay1038]

1958 Minneapolis Millers Junior World Series Program and Ticket from title clinching game!

The program is from GM 4 played on September 29, 1958 in which the Minneapolis Millers defeated the Montreal Royals 3-1, sweeping the series for their second JWS title in four years. The corresponding ticket stub adds to the nostalgia. The game was played at Metropolitan Stadium.

[Tay1038]

1960 Carl Yastrzemski Hillerich & Bradsby Game-Used Bat – Used while with Minneapolis Millers!

Yesterday ended a 17 month long hunt chasing down the missing link to my Carl Yastrzemski Minneapolis Millers game-used collection. This is one of only two Carl Yastrzemski bats known to exist pre-dating his rookie season with the Boston Red Sox (1961). Multiple player use characteristics that are consistent with early Yaz gamers. The finest quality perhaps is the accurate uniform number (7) written on both knob ends in vintage black marker that Yastrzemski wore in Minneapolis.

[ksfarmboy]

Awesome and congrats on a great pick up!

[edtiques]

Wow!! As a Red Sox fan,I think the Yaz items are incredible.All around though,it's an amazing collection.Well done.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by Tay1038

1960 Carl Yastrzemski Hillerich & Bradsby Game-Used Bat – Used while with Minneapolis Millers!

Yesterday ended a 17 month long hunt chasing down the missing link to my Carl Yastrzemski Minneapolis Millers game-used collection. This is one of only two Carl Yastrzemski bats known to exist pre-dating his rookie season with the Boston Red Sox (1961). Multiple player use characteristics that are consistent with early Yaz gamers. The finest quality perhaps is the accurate uniform number (7) written on both knob ends in vintage black marker that Yastrzemski wore in Minneapolis.

Nice! Only 17 months, though? I’ve got stuff I’ve been looking for for 25+ yeats!

[yankeesjetsfan]

Wow, I just went through this entire thread. What a fantastic collection. Congrats! I dream of having a Yankees collection like this one.

Mike

[Tay1038]

1946 Zeke Bonura Minneapolis Millers Original Cartoon Artwork by Al Papas - with actual Sporting News Issue!!

This marvelous 12x14 pen & ink original drawing was originally published in The Sporting News, the most influential sports newspaper of the 20th century. This came directly from their archives. I also have the actual Sporting News issue from January 31, 1946 showing this artwork being used. I’m looking forward to framing this piece up!

[Tay1038]

1927 St. Paul Saints Original 12x20 Team Photograph featuring Leo Durocher

[Tay1038]

Minneapolis Millers Programs, Ticket Stub and more..

- Programs from 1936, 1941 (ASG), 1944, 1948, 1949, 1954.

- 1932 Junior World Series GM 5 Ticket Stub from Nicollet Park. Minneapolis Millers vs. Newark Bears

- Metropolitan Stadium Brick - Yellow


More goodies to be shared soon!

[oldjudge]

Tay—The Red Caps had some solid players. Bill McClellan played into the 1890s and appeared in the Old Judge set with Brooklyn.

[Tay1038]

Thank you so much for the feedback. I had no idea! I am learning more and more about this team everyday.

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Tay—The Red Caps had some solid players. Bill McClellan played into the 1890s and appeared in the Old Judge set with Brooklyn.

[Tay1038]

*UPDATE - 1960 Carl Yastrzemski Minneapolis Millers Game Used & Autographed Uniform and Bat from the 1960 Season!

This year has been quite a success thus far already by adding key artifacts (more to share soon!), in addition to enhancing key pieces of memorabilia in my collection. Today, I am happy to share the near complete uniform set from Carl Yastrzemski time in Minneapolis. Earlier this year I was able to track down the game used bat that Yaz used during the 1960 baseball season to go with the uniform (Jersey & Pants) and was fortunate enough to present these pieces to Yaz to autograph and inscribe.

There are two significant pieces remaining that I am seeking to purchase for my collection. 1951 Willie Mays Uniform, 1938 Ted Williams Game Used Bat.

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by Tay1038

*UPDATE - 1960 Carl Yastrzemski Minneapolis Millers Game Used & Autographed Uniform and Bat from the 1960 Season!

This year has been quite a success thus far already by adding key artifacts (more to share soon!), in addition to enhancing key pieces of memorabilia in my collection. Today, I am happy to share the near complete uniform set from Carl Yastrzemski time in Minneapolis. Earlier this year I was able to track down the game used bat that Yaz used during the 1960 baseball season to go with the uniform (Jersey & Pants) and was fortunate enough to present these pieces to Yaz to autograph and inscribe.

There are two significant pieces remaining that I am seeking to purchase for my collection. 1951 Willie Mays Uniform, 1938 Ted Williams Game Used Bat.

Fantastic! And in my opinion, you had the autograph placed in exactly the right spot on the jersey -- down on the tail below the tagging. Really well done. Congratulations.

[Duluth Eskimo]

Taylor,
That is a great display and the autographs turned out absolutely perfect. Congrats on the beautiful additions.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by icollectDCsports

Fantastic! And in my opinion, you had the autograph placed in exactly the right spot on the jersey -- down on the tail below the tagging. Really well done. Congratulations.

+1

[Tay1038]

1932 Minneapolis Millers American Association Champions Game-Used Bat Collection!

(Top to bottom) Andy Cohen, Chuck Dressen, Foster “Babe” Ganzel, Spencer Harris HR Bat, Spencer Harris, Ernie Smith, Paul Richards, A.B. Wright.

The 1932 team is considered one of the best Millers teams ever put together. Finishing third in franchise history with 100 wins, behind 1910 Millers (107 wins) and 1912 Millers (105 wins), this Millers team featured multiple major leaguers and PCL superstars such as Spencer Harris, Joe Hauser, Chuck Dressen, Art Ruble and Ad Liska. To this day, Spencer Harris remains the minor-league career leader in hits (3,617), runs (2,287), doubles (743) and at-bats (11,371). Joe Hauser became the first player to ever hit 60 or more home runs twice in a professional career and also held the professional baseball record for home runs in a single season (69) in 1933 with the Milles.

Champions of the American Association, the team finished in first place with a record of 100-68 and advanced to the very first Junior World Series (formerly the Little World Series), in which the Millers were defeated by the Newark Bears 4 games to 2. Art Ruble led the American Association with a batting average of .376, Joe Mowry led the Association with 175 runs, Joe Hauser led the association with 42 home runs, Babe Ganzel led the Association with 143 runs batted in, and Rosy Ryan tied for the Association lead with 22 wins. Over the years the Millers were participants in four Junior World Series; matchups between the American Association and the International League.

[Tay1038]

c.1949 Monte Irvin Game-Used Bat (Charlie Gehringer Professional Model) - Hall of Fame

Tremendously excited to add this ultra-scarce Monte Irvin game used bat to my 1955 Minneapolis Millers Junior World Series Champions game-used bat collection. Like many Negro Leaguers of his era, Irvin did not have a model bat of his own and preferred using Gehringer model G7 bats. In fact, as indicated by Irvin and stated in the PSA letter, Monte and Gehringer were good and Charlie ordered a few bats for him. The bat comes with rock-solid provenance and was accompanied with a letter signed by Irvin regarding the provenance of the bat!

Monte Irvin was with the New York Giants in 1955 when the Giants came to Minneapolis for an exhibition game. When the Giants left town after the game, they took with them Minneapolis second baseman Wayne Terwilliger and left behind Irvin for the Millers. Monte hit .352 with 14 home runs in his half-season with Minneapolis, helping the Millers to their very first Junior World Series championship!

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Tay1038

c.1949 Monte Irvin Game-Used Bat (Charlie Gehringer Professional Model)

Tremendously excited to add this ultra-scarce Monte Irvin game used bat to my 1955 Minneapolis Millers Junior World Series Champions game-used bat collection. Like many Negro Leaguers of his era, Irvin did not have a model bat of his own and preferred using Gehringer model G7 bats. In fact, as indicated by Irvin and stated in the PSA letter, Monte and Gehringer were good and Charlie ordered a few bats for him. The bat comes with rock-solid provenance and was accompanied with a letter signed by Irvin regarding the provenance of the bat!

Monte Irvin was with the New York Giants in 1955 when the Giants came to Minneapolis for an exhibition game. When the Giants left town after the game, they took with them Minneapolis second baseman Wayne Terwilliger and left behind Irvin for the Millers. Monte hit .352 with 14 home runs in his half-season with Minneapolis, helping the Millers to their very first Junior World Series championship!

Congratulations! That is one terrific bat. There's not a collection in the country that wouldn't benefit from having that bat in it, but it's found a deserving home in yours.

[Tay1038]

1932 Minneapolis Milllers v. Indianapolis Indians Baseball Program (Scored) ~ July 16, 1932 - Joe Hauser 29th Home Run of the Season!

Tough program year to find. The program has seen better days, but fun addition nonetheless. Millers Win, defeat Indians 7-4.

WP-Vandenberg. Hauser (29), Harris, and Smith homer. 9th straight win for the Millers.

[Tay1038]

1933 Minneapolis Millers v. Kansas City Blues Program (Scored) from September 9th when Joe Hauser Hit Historic HR #68 & HR #69 - Single Season Professional HR Record


I finally set some time aside to research my Millers programs and ran across my 1933. I previously noticed that Hauser hit a couple home runs that game and knew it was from historic season, but after some additional research came to find out that those two homers were his final two (HR #68 & #69) of the season thus making this program even more historic and important than I was anticipating! I suddenly had that same feeling when you find money in a pair of jeans or coat you haven’t worn for awhile.

[Tay1038]

1932 Worch Cigar (Minneapolis Millers) Set & Vintage 5 Cent Worch Cigar Cedar Wood Box and Label

[Duluth Eskimo]

Very nice

[Tay1038]

1956 Minneapolis Millers vs. New York Giants Program & Ticket, and 1959 Minneapolis Millers v. AA All-Stars Program & Ticket (Fifth and final hosted All-Star game by Millers, and first at Met Stadium)

On June 7, 1956 the Millers played the New York Giants in an Exhibition Game held at the NEW Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minn. Former Miller alumni, Willie Mays of the Giants hits 2 home runs, 1 estimated at 450 feet, before 21,832 fans.