More than just a game

This is truly a transcendent sport.

Senator John McCain, 2005

While Senator McCain spoke nationally, those of us in Nicollet County should realize that the statement has also held true throughout the area’s history. For example, over a century ago, Hinckley, MN, was devastated by a fire that still ranks as one of the worst in U.S. history. In an attempt to help, St. Peter community leaders organized a charity baseball game and donated the proceeds to the relief efforts. Decades later, during the Great Depression, residents of Nicollet County rallied around the success of the area’s amateur teams. Only a year and a half old, the St. Peter team rode this support to the 1933 Class A title. By 1947 the area was well known throughout the state for its superb play and great fans and was rewarded with the right to host the State Tournament. Many baseball fans may remember this year as the year Jackie Robinson broke into the major leagues, becoming the first black player in the league. That same year, the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Tournament saw its first African American participant, Gread “Lefty” McKinnis, star pitcher for the Rochester Queens.

September 7, 1894

Influential men from St. Peter and the surrounding areas came together to hold a charity game for the victims of the Hinckley Fire. The game between the Fats and the Leans raised $261.20 and was attended by an estimated 1,000 people. The editor for the St. Peter Herald was in attendance and called it the “greatest event within the history of St. Peter.”

Many of the men involved in the game were either immigrants or sons of immigrants, which is not surprising considering the amount of immigration America was experiencing around this time. Between 1850 and 1900, the number of foreign-born people living in the U.S. increased fivefold. These men became fantastic success stories, despite having been born to parents who rode to the U.S. in boats or having made the journey themselves. That day, local business owners, judges, and politicians were among the ball players. Even John A. Johnson, a future Governor of Minnesota, participated in the game.

The more significant issue for these men was the tragic Hinckley Fire. In killing 418 people and destroying 160,000 acres of land, the Hinckley Fire remains the 3rd most deadly wildfire and the 24th worst disaster in U.S. history. Nevertheless, we see traces of the men’s humanity even today; despite sometimes poor public images, contemporary athletes often volunteer time or give money to charities.

1932-34 Nicollet County Amateur Teams

During the Great Depression, five teams from Nicollet County went to the State Tournament. St. Peter and Lafayette went two years in a row. Then only Nicollet went in 1934. St. Peter did well – they got 3rd place one year and won first place the next year.

Making this more remarkable is there was no Saint Peter team before 1932. But in the summer of that year, a team was made and joined the 5-County League. Most of the players were Gustavus students who stayed for the summer because they had jobs. The other teams in Lafayette and Nicollet were made up of men from nearby towns.

Most of us probably have thoughts or images that come to mind when thinking of the Great Depression. We may have seen pictures of old, empty farmhouses from the Dust Bowl or read about The Grapes of Wrath. It’s important to remember that people did not stop living during this time. Amateur teams were examples of how people, including students and farmers, found ways to enjoy life even during tough times.

1947 State Baseball Tournament

The 1947 Tournament was hosted by the city of North Mankato at historic Tanley Field. Extra bleachers had to be brought in as tournament time neared to handle all the anticipated crowds. The decision proved to be a good one as the tournament easily broke previous attendance records. Fans were not disappointed either, seeing Albert Lea defeat New Ulm 4-3 for the Class A.A. crown and watching Chaska beat McKinnis and his Rochester team 10-6 in the Class A championship game.

Pitcher Gread “Lefty” McKinnis became the first black participant in the Minnesota State Baseball Tournament and was named Tournament MVP. Pitching for the Rochester Queens McKinnis won each of his team’s games, compiling a 3-1 record with 39 K’s. His lone loss came to Chaska in the championship game, in which he struck out 16. McKinnis was well known in Negro baseball circles as one of the few men ever to beat Satchel Page but was ostracized by Major League teams because of his race and his decision to play in the Mexican League.

1947 is often pointed to as the start of the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier when he became the first black player in the major leagues. He joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. This started a movement of change in America. Within ten years, military forces were integrated, schools had to allow students of all colors to attend, and famous people like Rosa Parks and Nat King Cole, Fats Domino, and Chuck Berry became well known.

“The National Pastime.” “America’s Game.”

Baseball has a long and storied tradition in America. Tracing itself all the way back to the mid-1800s, it was spread to southern states by northern soldiers during the Civil War. Baseball flourished during later waves of immigration and survived world wars, and through tough times for the economy and society. Perhaps part of the reason baseball holds such a revered place in Americans’ hearts and was given these labels was that baseball seemed to always be there when people needed it.

The people of St. Peter used town team baseball to help those affected by the Hinckley Fire. During the Great Depression, it provided entertainment and a distraction from difficult times. At the beginning of the Civil Rights movement, local black athletes were doing well in sports, like Jackie Robinson was doing at the same time in professional baseball.

Well put, Mr. McCain.