NL St. Paul Saints

Tim Christman's Contract Sold to Detroit Tigers

Published on January 21, 2004 under Northern League (NL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - Tim Christman's good 2003 season has been rewarded. The St. Paul Saints announced today the left-handed reliever's contract has been sold to the Detroit Tigers of the American League. The 28-year old Oneonta, NY native - the Saints' 67th player to be signed by a major league organization - will report to the team's minor league spring training camp in Lakeland, FL in February.

"I'm very happy for Tim," said St. Paul manager George Tsamis, a former major league pitcher. "He had a terrific year for us and also did well in the World Cup tournament. I think Detroit is an excellent fit for him."

Christman, who pitched in one major league game for Colorado in 2002, joined the Saints on June 6 last season as a free agent, pitching a scoreless inning in relief that night against Schaumburg.

It was a sign of things to come. Christman, a member of the East Division All-Star team, posted a 5-2 won-loss mark with a save and a 2.70 ERA. Used primarily as a short-inning set-up man, he struck out 49 batters in 50 innings of work and allowed just one home run to the 187 batters he faced.

The southpaw was one of the stars for Team USA at the World Cup tournament in Cuba in October. He retired 10 of the 11 batters he faced in the tournament, walking one and recording seven strikeouts. "He was terrific in Cuba," said Tsamis, who served as the team's pitching coach. "They hardly touched him. He threw 91-92 mph and just overwhelmed everybody."

Christman is the sixth player - and fourth pitcher - from the 2003 Saints to earn a contract from a major league organization. Righthander Chris Begg signed with San Francisco during the season and finished the year at AA Norwich (Eastern League). Chris Chavez, the righthander who led the league in saves with 22 and was voted the Northern League Relief Pitcher Of The Year, signed with Baltimore and is expected to start the season in Class AA ball. Mike Cosgrove, a righthanded reliever who shared the set-up job with Christman last summer, is now in Colorado's system. OF Cory Harris, who set a Northern League record with a 28-game hitting streak, signed with Baltimore at mid-season and finished with Delmarva in the Class A South Atlantic League.

It is anticipated Christman will be assigned to the Tigers' AAA team at Toledo when he reports to the team's spring training camp in Lakeland, FL in February. "Tim did an excellent job for us and I think he'll do well in Triple A," Tsamis said. "If he starts out well there, it wouldn't surprise me to see him pitching in Detroit this season."

The Saints won the first half Eastern Division title last summer to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2000. The team's 52-38 won-loss record marked the second highest total of victories in team history.

Tsamis will open his second training camp as manager May 5 at Midway Stadium. The home preseason opener is May 12 against Fargo-Moorhead. The regular season home opener is May 24 against Winnipeg.

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Northern League Stories from January 21, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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