And A Legend Was Born...Saints New Ballpig Is Mud Grant

ST. PAUL, MN *(April 4, 2023) - *Over the winter, the St. Paul Saints held a tryout for their 2023 ballpig. There was an open casting call for four-legged swines across the country. One-by-one they traveled to CHS Field to show off their talents. With a brutally long, snowy, and frigid winter, few braved the elements. Those that did, however, asked to waddle, dance, and frolic indoors. One-by-one, pigs such as Cocaine Boar, Piggleboar, and ChatPIG proved they weren’t up for the challenge. Then, on a fateful day in February, when temperatures plunged below zero, a self-assured, unflappable piglet walked through the gates. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a take-charge attitude, he confidently, but slowly walked down the icy covered stairs. When he got on the field, he strode towards home plate, with a steely-eyed look, head held high, and proved he was already in mid-season form. On that day, the Saints 2023 ballpig was born. His name…Mud Grant.

There was no more fitting pig to welcome in a new era of Saints baseball. One that represents the state of Minnesota perhaps better than any other pig before him. If the Saints learned anything by playing their first April games in franchise history in 2022, it’s that those early season dates can be difficult on players, fans, and the mascot alike. Mud Grant has already vowed there will be no heater in his pigpen. He expects the team to take his lead, by not panicking in the most difficult of circumstances. Grant, who comes to Minnesota by way of Winnipeg where he honed his skills and proved his winning ways, will have a soft spot for the fans, but a no-nonsense attitude around the team.

For the first time in franchise history the Saints changed pigs at the halfway point of the season last year. Grant has let it be known; he won’t go quietly if the team chooses a similar route in 2023. He’s put everyone on notice, he is here to win.

This season’s pig was selected from more than 1,000 entries in the Name the Pig Contest presented by the Star Tribune at startribune.com. The winning entry was submitted by, Bud Rosenfield of Minneapolis. Bud will receive a $50 Saints gift card, VIP Saints tickets, a photo with the pig, escort the pig at a game, and a first pitch.

During the previous 30 seasons, the Saints have had a pig mascot and each has had a unique name. Many of the names play on hot topics of the year, current events, or Minnesota legends. Last season, the Saints doubled up with 867530Swine during the first half of the season followed by Chop Gun: MaveRib. In the first season as the Twins Triple-A affiliate they found a pig that could fly, Space Ham. During the pandemic year they made sure the pig went into lockdown with This Little Piggy Stayed Home. In 2019 the championship drought ender was Daenerys Hoggaryen. In 2018 the Saints struck a chord with the younger generation with Porknite. The year before that they tested the political waters with Alternative Fats. In 2016 the Saints honored one of the most iconic artists with Little Red Porkette. During the first season at CHS Field the Saints paid homage to Lowertown artists they went with Pablo Pigasso. In 2014 the Saints received the Colboar bump with Stephen Colboar. The 2012 season saw two mascots for the first time: Kim Lardashian and Kris Hamphries. Past names have included Mackleboar (2013), Brat Favre (2010), Slumhog Millionaire (2009), Boarack Ohama (2008), Notorious P.I.G. – Piggy Smalls (2003) and Kevin Bacon (2001).

When the Saints moved to town in 1992, their sister team in Fort Myers was having great success with a live Golden Retriever mascot and the Saints wanted to capitalize on that success. Libby Veeck, the wife of Saints owner and President Mike Veeck, came across an interesting tidbit in a book she was reading and discovered St. Paul was known as “Pig’s Eye” after Pierre “Pig’s Eye” Parrant. Thus, the pig mascot was born.

Since 1993 the Saints have received the pig from Dennis and Marilyn Hauth who handle, train, design costumes and house the pigs.

The Saints home opener, April 4, was postponed and the new home opener is Wednesday, April 5 against the Iowa Cubs (I-Cubs) at 6:37 p.m.