Saints Turn to Fans Once Again for Name the Pig Contest Presented by Star Tribune

April 8, 2020 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release

St. Paul Saints ball pig
(St. Paul Saints)

ST. PAUL, MN - It's not legendary manager George Tsamis nor "The Mayor" Mark Hamburger. There isn't a single ushertainer in the conversation. And don't even mention the suave and debonair longest tenured broadcaster in St. Paul Saints history, Sean Aronson. The most talked about and popular member of the Saints team since day one has never taken at bat, thrown a pitch nor made a game saving diving catch. What they have done is made fans smile for 27 years, and now for the 28th consecutive season the Saints are turning to their fans to help give this four-legged bundle of joy a name for the 2021 season.

The Saints Name the Pig Contest, presented by Star Tribune, a staple of the organization for more than two decades, begins on April 8 and culminates on May 11. Fans can submit an unlimited number of names by going to: http://startribune.secondstreetapp.com/St-Paul-Saints-Name-the-Pig-2020-Contest/. One winning name will be chosen for the Saints ball pig in 2020 with the winning entry receiving a $50 Saints gift card, VIP Saints tickets, photos with the pig, a pig meet and greet and a first pitch at a Saints game.

The Saints ball pig begins its season with the Saints on Opening Day, just a few weeks old and weighing only a few pounds, and finishes the season as a full-grown pig, weighing over 200 pounds. The pig has a satchel draped over its back, loaded with baseballs and water, and waddles up to the home plate umpire anytime he needs fresh baseballs or hydration. Any umpire making their first visit to CHS Field must kiss the pig, a tradition dating back to the early years of Midway Stadium.

The 2019 pig took a page out of the popular show Game of Thrones. Instead of Winter Coming, a Saints Championship was on the horizon as Daenerys Hoggaryen provided all the luck the Saints needed to end a 15-year title drought. Many of the past names played on hot topics of the year, current events or local celebrities. In 2018 the Saints struck a chord with the younger generation as Porknite danced his way into fans' hearts. The year before that they tested the political waters with Alternative Fats. In 2016 the Saints honored global icon and Minnesota Native son with Little Red Porkette. During the first season at CHS Field the Saints paid homage to Lowertown artists as 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 (2014), Brat Favre (2010), Slumhog Millionaire (2009), Boarack Ohama (2008), Notorious P.I.G. - Piggy Smalls (2003) and Kevin Bacon (2001).

When the Saints moved to town in 1992, their sister team in Fort Myers was having great success with a live Golden Retriever mascot and the Saints wanted to capitalize on that success. Libby Veeck, the wife of Saints owner and President Mike Veeck, came across an interesting tidbit in a book she was reading and discovered St. Paul was known as "Pig's Eye" after Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant. Thus, the pig mascot was born.

Since 1993 the Saints have received the pig from Dennis and Marilyn Hauth who handle, train, design costumes and house the pigs.

Below is a list of all the Saints pigs names throughout the years.

93 The Saint

94 St. Paula

95 St. Patrick

96 Tobias

97 Hamlet

98 The Great Hambino

99 Hamilton

00 Hammy Davis Jr.

01 Kevin Bacon

02 Wilbur

03 The Notorious P.I.G - Piggy Smalls

04 Squeal Diamond

05 Ham Solo

06 Bud Squealig

07 Garrison Squeallor

08 BoarackOhama

09 Slumhog Millionaire

10 Brat Favre

11 Justin Bieboar

12 Kim Lardashian& Kris Hamphries

13 Mackleboar

14 Stephen Colboar

15 Pablo Pigasso

16 Little Red Porkette

17 Alternative Fats

18 Porknite

19 Daenerys Hoggaryen

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St. Paul Saints ball pig gives the ump a kiss

St. Paul Saints ball pig

American Association Stories from April 8, 2020

Saints Turn to Fans Once Again for Name the Pig Contest Presented by Star Tribune - St. Paul Saints

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