Baseball in Minnesota: The Definitive History

From the early days of town ball to the latest seasons of the Twins and Saints, Stew Thornley offers the ultimate history of the Great American Pastime in the North Star State. Beginning with the sunny August afternoon in 1857 when Minnesota’s first baseball club was organized in Nininger, Baseball in Minnesota presents a comprehensive history of the sport at every level of play. Encompassing the rich heritage of minor league baseball, town teams, Black ball clubs of the pre-integration era, the University of Minnesota Gophers, the Saint Paul Saints, and the Minnesota Twins, this definitive volume delivers exceptionally detailed stories of the games, the ballparks, and the larger-than-life personalities, all woven with carefully researched statistics, eyewitness accounts, and rich photographs.

Stew Thornley, considered the most recognizable and respected local baseball historian and writer , presents this exhaustively researched volume of critical information and obscure facts, such as team names and players, leagues and venues, dates and statistics. Thornley’s eye for detail is equal to his skill in recounting stories chock-full of unusual anecdotes and player interviews that will surprise and delight both new and hardcore fans. Updated with new research and including the latest developments on the diamond, this revised edition of Thornley’s classic work is a must-have for any Minnesota baseball booster.