When The St. Paul Saints Let An Atheist Group Sponsor Their Game, They Become The “Mr. Paul Aints”

[rug]

by Glenn Davis | 7:26 pm, July 12th, 2012

We’ve written some before on bizarre minor league promotions, and those of the St. Paul Saints in particular. There was the time they gave out whoopee cushions to commemorate the deflation of the Metrodome. There was the play on Anthony Weiner’s… troubles. And, of course, Zombie Night. But they’ve outdone themselves this time – on August 10, the Saints will have a different name… because they’re being sponsored by an atheist group for a night.

That’s right: the team named the “Saints” playing in a city named after a saint is giving itself over to Minnesota Atheists, “a community for nonbelievers” that includes “mak[ing] atheism part of the mainstream of society” among its stated goals. Of course, as we said, they won’t be the Saints that night: they’ll be the Mr. Paul Aints, and will wear “Mr. Paul Aints” uniforms to boot. Oh, and if that’s not enough, Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists and the guy who inspired Bill O’Reilly to say “You Can’t Explain That,” will throw out the first pitch.

We have to say, despite the Saints obviously being their own entity and obviously not averse to weird promotional stunts, we’re a little surprised they went through with this. They must have a fair number of religious fans, to say nothing of religious players on the team. They wouldn’t be thrilled about this change, no? Or maybe we’re overthinking it, and everybody sees this for the one-night goof that it is.

Still, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a hyper-religious group show up in protest: it’s an atheist takeover of the national pastime, after all. We’d say, “Somewhere, Christopher Hitchens nods in approval,” but something tells us he wouldn’t have wanted us to.

http://www.sportsgrid.com/media/st-paul-saints-atheist-promo/

[Goblinmonger]

1. So the writer is shocked because

the ball team probably has religious followers and this might upset them?

What about the atheist followers?

Amazing the level of privilege for some groups in this culture.

I wonder if they are selling these jerseys.

[rug]

2. It's in conjunction with a conference.

Here's the Minnesota Atheists' announcement:

http://mnatheists.org/regional-atheist-conference

Yes, you may buy a jersey for $69.

[mysuzuki2]

3. I've been to a number of Saints games.

Athiest night or not it's always a good yime.

[rug]

4. Minor League baseball is a lot more fun.

I like the Scranton Yankees.

[mysuzuki2]

5. Do you subscribe to Minortrips? I have done so for many years. Lots of good info there.

I am lucky to live in Milwaukee. There are many minor league teams within day trip distance - Beloit, Appleton, Rockford, Schaumburg, Kane County. And we have a summer college league with several teams in the area. I've never had a bad day at the ballpark. I've helped roll out the tarp for a rain delay, chatted with hall of fame members, chased foul balls, talked to major league scouts and eaten innumerable hotdogs and drunk innumerable beers. For my part, a day at the ballpark is a better treatment for depression or for whatever ails you than anything a doctor or pharmacist cqan provide.

[rug]

7. No, I just take the kids periodically.

It really is fun. Small scale, affordable, a fraction of the hassle at the major league stadiums. And the baseball is usually pretty good.

[mysuzuki2]

8. and don't forget, the beer is cheaper.

[OriginalGeek]

13. This might not interest you (what with him being the enemy and all) but

one of my favorite days at the minor league ballpark was many years ago when I got to watch Ryne Sandberg play for a local Cubs farm team. He got a couple hits and the beer and hot dogs were great!

He was rehabbing an injury and it was towards the end of his career but still, it was pretty cool seeing him play from just a few feet away.


I'm gonna keep an eye out for a Mr. Paul Aints jersey - that would be fun to have.

[mysuzuki2]

14. I met Sandburg when he was managing the Cubs Midwest league team

the Peoria Cubs when they came to Beloit to play the Snappers. Only exchanges a few words but he seemed a nice guy. Hell of a ballplayer too even if he did play for the Cubs!

[cbayer]

9. Zephyrs fan here - they have a swimming pool in the bleacher area.

[dmallind]

6. Now that's a fun creative idea. Well done to them. nt

[cbayer]

10. Really clever. I love these goofy fan appreciation days.

[amb123]

11. Now that's what I call imaginative.

[Curmudgeoness]

12. I think it is hilarious, and an imaginative idea.

There are some people who are just so creative!

If some people are too offended by this, they really do have to lighten up. I mean, if they were not offended by whooper cushions or Anthony Weiner's "problems", this should not be a problem.

[cbayer]

15. FWIW, this story is getting a significant amount of press and most of it is very positive.