St. Petersburg Saints

St. Petersburg Saints
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class A-Advanced (1990–2000)
  • Class A (1963–1989)
  • Class D (1955–1962)
  • Class B (1947–1954)
  • Class D (1925–1928)
  • Class C (1921–1924)
  • Class D (1920)
LeagueFlorida State League (1955–2000)
Previous leagues
Florida International League (1947–1954) Florida State League (1920–1928)
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles 9 (1922, 1951, 1958, 1959, 1967, 1973, 1975, 1986, 1997)
Team data
Previous names
  • St. Petersburg Devil Rays (1997–2000)
  • St. Petersburg Cardinals (1966–1996)
  • St. Petersburg Saints (1920–1928; 1947–1965)
Previous parks
Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg, Florida (ca. 1950)

The St. Petersburg Saints were a minor league baseball team that operated out of St. Petersburg, Florida. The team began as a semi-pro team and as early as October 1908, the semi-pro Saints played the Cincinnati Reds in a post-season exhibition game.[1] By 1914, the Saints were receiving regular coverage in the local press.[2]

St. Petersburs teams played as members of the Florida State League from 1920 to 1928 and then folded operations. A second team, also called the St. Petersburg Saints played in the Florida International League from 1947 to 1954 and the Florida State League from 1955 to 1965. The team won four championships and were owned by R. Vernon and Irene C. Eckert from 1951–1954.

Baseball Hall of Fame members Sparky Anderson (1966) and Jimmie Foxx (1947) managed St. Petersburg minor league teams.

  1. ^ Arsenault, Raymond (1998). "Spring Training Baseball in Florida - Our Roots Run Deep". Florida's Grapefruit League. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  2. ^ "Saints Grab First Game of Series From East Brewster Team--4 to 3". The Evening Independent. 1914-08-21. Retrieved 2009-09-15.