Spawning season, Part One: Three way deal

The snow is still on the ground in the Northern Battery, but the Winnipeg Goldeyes are already well into spawning season.

Today saw a three-way deal that hauls in 1B David Bergin from the St. Paul Saints. The Goldeyes send LHP Ethan Carnes to the Gary Railcats, while the Saints get the reversionary rights to Jose Sermo. Bergin has done a lot of damage to The Fish over the years, so they'll be glad to have him in the fold for 2017.

David Bergin during the 2016 Playoffs.

Jose Sermo played with Gary and in the Boston Red Sox system for 2016.

LHP Ethan Carnes works the mound.

2016 American Association/Can-Am All Star Game Part III: The Saints

While I'm obviously a Goldeyes fan through and through, I've come to really like the St. Paul Saints franchise over the past couple of years. 

CHS Field is always a blast to visit, a true baseball temple if there ever was one. And maybe it's the sense of humour that permeates their game productions. 

This season I had the pleasure to meet Mark Hamburger, Tony Thomas and Alonzo Harris more than a few times, and their contiguous enthusiasm for the game--and refusal to take themselves too seriously before and after the game--have made them three of my all-time favourites to photograph.

Tony and Alonzo are a couple of characters, I swear they should have their own buddy cop show...they never resist a chance to mug for the camera.

Family were a big part of the home run derby, here's a shot of Alonzo's pops and Tony Thomas taking in the action.

Alonzo has a sick bat and he put it to good use in the HR derby; he ended up coming in second on the night, even though he did a round with a Go-Pro strapped to his head.

He kept it up the next night at the actual game...

And Tony Thomas and Mark Hamburger represented the Saints in fine form as well.

Angelo Songco was there too; alas, he was had sustained a shoulder injury prior to the game and was unable to complete.

I suppose I should mention George Tsamis, the Saints manager. He's one of the best. The North's dugout was crawling with photographers, so at one point in the game I tried to crouch on the steps near his usual roost in the dugout. Under normal game circumstances, unthinkable...but this was a bit different. 

He was going to shoo me away from the steps, but then asked: "are you going to shoot all the players?" i.e. not just Goldeyes. 

"Yes, for sure." 

"Then you can stay." 

So, belatedly, thanks for letting me stick around, George. You're all right in my books.

Dateline: St. Paul

The Northern Battery has ventured cross border deep into Saints territory for the American Association's All-Star Game at the fabulous CHS Field. The Goldeyes own David Rohm and Willie Cabrera will be representing the Northern Front on Tuesday night. Home run derby/Soul Asylum concert tomorrow night to start things off, should be a fun couple days of baseball, hot dogs and rocking in the free world!

Rohm has been as solid as they come for The Fish, while Cabrera was a fantastic mid-season addition from the Joplin Blasters. The latter Goldeye comes in as a replacement for the injured Angelo Songco, who was originally selected from the Saints. Still kind of surprising to see only two Goldeyes selected for the game, but it's a well-deserved honour for these two gentlemen. Looking forward to getting some great shots at CHS!

Storm weather

After beating the Saints twice in as many days, Game 3 was set for July 20. Duke Von Schamann was on the mound for the Fish while the formidable Mark Hamburger (undefeated this season) was in for the Saints. Mother nature had other ideas, however, as the killer humidity hit a cold front and the clouds starting swirling in the sky over Shaw Park. The players, who were sent to their dugouts because of the lightening, stuck around to watch the crazy cloud formations. I stuck around and watched along with them; Jacob Rogers pointed out a funnel cloud spiralling down towards St. Boniface, just behind the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. It lasted less than a minute, making it halfway to the ground before it pulled apart again. I was glad my old neighbourhood was spared the damage! Other parts of town weren't so lucky. Game was called with St. Paul up 3-0 in an 1.5 innings. We'll finish the game off Aug. 15!

Mark Hamburger, St. Paul Saints

The St. Paul Saints June 17-19 stop at Shaw Park was a drubbing that left the Goldeyes and their fans ducking for cover. One of the highlights though for the die-hard autograph seekers was Mark Hamburger, who threw for the Saints in Game 2. He turned out to be one of the friendliest characters they'd met in some time and they couldn't stop raving about him! And he still throws a decent game as well.

Benji Waite, pitcher, St. Paul Saints

First met Benji as a Goldeye, later as a RedHawk and now he's slinging middle relief for the St. Paul Saints. Almost didn't recognize him during the Saints last series in Winnipeg, as Benji's shorn his trademark flow. We miss him up here! (Shot at Shaw Park, Winnipeg on June 19, 2016)

Watching the Southern Arms Race

A few key movements down south this week with the St. Paul Saints and the Sioux City Explorers. These two teams were big rivals for the 2015 schedule and are looking for another battle in 2016. The Saints lose their third player to the MLB system with the signing of Anthony Phillips to the California Angels of Anaheim, while the Explorers have signed 2015 All-Star Ryan Court for 2016. So far the Saints appear to be losing troops for all the right reasons (Vinny DiFazio, Noah Perio Jr. and Phillips all deserve another shot), but the way players like Court and Michael Lang have been playing for the Xs, they could be getting another look from the majors as well.

Digital Gum Wave 5: St. Paul Saints

They had a heck of an inaugural season at CHS Field...and here in all of their retro ball card glory are the 2015 St. Paul Saints. These shots reflect the roster no later than July 12, 2015. Missing a few pitchers, as with the usual luck of the draw on just catching a few road games. So alas, no Kramer Sneed. This team was a lot of fun to photograph--the Saints are not only a formidable ball club, they also have more than their share of characters on their roster. It will be interesting to see what their 2016 line-up looks like, with the Dodgers buying up the contracts of DiFazio and Songco.