The Original St. Paul
Baseball Old Timers
Hot Stove League

Last Updated: 1/24/20

Thank you to all who attended the 2020 Old Timers Banquet!
It was a GREAT time, as usual.

2020 Banquet Pictures

We are already looking forward to next year's banquet in January, 2021!

About the Baseball Old Timers

History
The Baseball Old Timers Hot Stove League was founded on January 6, 1939 -- by 14 members of the New York Yankee's farm system -- who lived in St. Paul and wanted to keep their interest in baseball alive during the off season. They held their meetings at the Nickel Joint on Blair Avenue in St. Paul -- and the club still meets there today!

Today the St. Paul Old Timers has many members. In addition to meeting regularly to mingle with good friends and enjoy lively discussion on America's pasttime, the group is involved in charitable endeavors and other activities involving the game.

Meeting Dates & Locations
The Baseball Old Timers Hot Stove League meets on the third Wednesday of each month, from September through May. (While no official meetings are held in June, July, and August, other events and activities take place -- see below.) As noted above, meetings are conducted at the Nickel Joint in St. Paul, with batting practice (social hour) beginning at 6:15; the general membership meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. Of course, food and refreshments are available!

Special Events & Activities

Annual Old Timers Hot Stove League Banquet
Each year, the Baseball Old Timers gather together with other baseball friends and fans at the Annual Banquet -- to celebrate the great game of baseball, as well as the relationships to which it has led. It's truly "Where Old Friends Meet!" Big league stars of today, yesterday, and tomorrow are present, as well as sports celebrities of the Twin Cities. This events serves as a fundraiser for the organization.

The monumental 80th annual (WOW!) banquet was held at Jimmy's Event Center (3565 Labore Road, Vadnais Heights)
on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. Batting practice began at 5:30 pm, with the dinner and program starting at 7 pm.

Featured speakers and guests were expected to include front-office and player personalities from the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Gophers, as well as local baseball personalities:

Dan Gladden - Event Emcee, Twins Radio Broadcast Analyst, & Former Player	Thad Lavine Twins General Manager
Rocco Baldelli Current Twins Manager	Dave St. Peter (had to cancel) President & CEO (tentative)
Randy Dobnak Current RH Pitcher	Wes Johnson Current Twins Pitching Coach
Tom Kelly Former Manager & Current Executive Assistant (tentative)	Jerry Bell Former President; Chairman, Executive Board
Tim Tschida (had to cancel) Retired American League umpire	Jim Rantz Retired Director of Minor Leagues
John Anderson Head Coach of the Minnesota Gophers	Carl Renalls 4th District American Legion Chaplain
TC Bear Twins Mascot

 

This year's honored Older Timer (Daryl Olson), also received special posthumous recognition, and the 2019 4th District American Legion MVP
(Ben Nippolt of the North St. Paul 39ers) was honored with the Klark-Killen Memorial Award. As always, it was a GREAT time!

A Silent Auction, featuring a wide array of sports memorabilia, was also available during the evening.
A Door-Prize Drawing concluded the event; all attendees eligible.

 

Prior Banquet Information

2020 Banquet Pictures
2020 Banquet Program*	2020 Banquet Flyer
2019 Banquet Program*	2019 Banquet Flyer
2018 Banquet Program*	2018 Banquet Flyer
2017 Banquet Program*	2017 Banquet Flyer
2016 Banquet Pictures
2016 Banquet Program*	2016 Printable Banquet Flyer
2015 Banquet Program*	2014 Banquet Program*
2011 Banquet Program*	2010 Banquet Photos (courtesy of Gordy Jones)

 

*Note: The Banquet Program includes a listing of Officers & Directors, Honored Old Timers, Yearly Klark-Killen Memorial Award winners, as well a list of members who are gone from this earth, but who are certainly not forgotten -- so it is well worth viewing and printing!!! (Banquet programs from 2012 and 2013 are not available at this time.)

Annual Charity Benefit Baseball Game
2019 marked the 52nd year that the Old Timers have donated financial support to Our Lady of Peace Home in St. Paul (formerly known as Our Lady of Good Counsel Home), which provides end-of-life care for individuals who have limited financial resources. And, since 1987, in August of each year, the Old Timers have come together on the field -- to raise funds for this worthy facility -- through a benefit baseball game. This year's event will be held as follows:

2020 Charity Game Info (August) Will Be Available at a Later Date!

Toni Stone Field (Dunning Sports Complex)
1221 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104
Game Time: ________
(Batting Practice begins at _______)

Pre-event Practice Sessions:
(Dates / Location)

The St. Paul Old Timers choose sides and square off in the name of great fun for a great cause -- Old Timers against the St. Paul Pastimers. Raffle tickets are sold (for only $1.00!!!) and several attendees go home with cash prizes. Refreshments and lunch are enjoyed after the game -- at the Nickel Joint, 501 Blair Avenue in St. Paul (Google Map) -- with attendees bringing side dishes to share.

A great time is had by all, so make plans to attend this year, when the date is announced! Come on out to watch the older generation (semi-pro and former scholastic ball players) play ball in a relaxing outdoor environment -- all to benefit a very worthy facility!

Please remember that if you cannot make the actual ballgame in any given year, monetary donations are always accepted and very much appreciated! For more information about this wonderful event, please see 2011's event flyer. If you would like to volunteer or make a donation, please contact the Old Timers.

Other Events & Info
In addition to meetings and the above events, members enjoy taking in Twins and other local games as a group, as well as an annual golf outing (usually the last Monday in June.) Other special events may take place, as suggested and planned.

Special Events / Info:

FEATURED BOOK:

The Best of River-Town Small-Ball
by Doug Nachbar
Author, Doug Nachbar, was on hand at the December 2016 meeting to discuss his book, "The Best of River-Town Small-Ball." In it, Jim Stoll (Arlington A's, Marble Mallards) and 9 other legends of the Minnesota River Valley Lower Basin are featured / profiled, including Jordan's NBA Hall-of-Famer, Jim Pollard, Belle Plaine's Jim Harsh, Prior Lake's Pat Devitt, Lonsdale's Jim Kubes, and John Freund, who played for LeSueur, Glencoe, and Shakopee. Per Nachbar, baseball was king during this Golden Age of the game, and the princes of the diamond which he profiles are the reason why.

For information on obtaining a copy of the book:
Doug Nachbar, 952-393-7470, MidasTales@aol.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RiverTownSmallBall/?fref=ts

 

Top of Page

Membership Info & Contacts

How Do I Join this Superb Organization?
The only requirement for membership in the Baseball Old Timers is having some kind of a connection to baseball, as well as a love for the game -- AND an interest in spending great time with good friends, who also enjoy the great American game! You must also be at least 21 year of age.

If you are not a member, you should be, if you --

Membership dues are $25.00 annually (what a deal !!!!!)... and joining is a simple process!

1. Print this membership application form, fill it out, and follow the instructions on the form. OR

2. Call Rudy Jannetto at 651-379-2325 for further information -- or if you have any questions regarding membership, OR

3. Send us an an e-mail with your questions, and we will promptly respond with needed information.

The Baseball Old Timers welcome your interest in our organization!

Top of Page

Related Links

Top of Page

Thank you for visiting this web site!
Gail Kalata, Web Site Designer

Copyright © 2010-2019 by Tri-City Baseball and the Baseball Old Timers. All Rights Reserved.
No content herein may be used or duplicated elsewhere without expressed permission.