So, earlier this month, John Oliver, the host of "Last Week Tonight," took a playful jab at the St. Paul Saints, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. He pointed out how their name is, well, kinda boring compared to other minor league teams like the Rocket City Trash Pandas or the Eugene Exploding Whales. I mean, who wouldn’t want to cheer for a team with a name like that?
In a twist, Oliver promised to give one International League team a complete makeover, including a new name and mascot. The Saints were totally on board with this idea, even though their home games are known for being wild, fun, and, let’s be honest, a bit ridiculous. But when the winner was announced on Sunday’s show, it turned out to be the Erie SeaWolves. Ouch!
But instead of sulking, the Saints decided to turn this into a marketing opportunity. They’re hosting a "Plain Night" at their home game against the Norfolk Tides at CHS Field in St. Paul. The tagline? "It’s going to be meh." Honestly, you gotta love the self-deprecating humor.
The first 1,000 fans through the gates will snag a sheet of plain, white paper. And instead of the usual peanut toss during the seventh-inning stretch, they’ll be tossing white bread into the crowd. I mean, who doesn’t want to catch a slice of bread, right?
And if you’re craving dessert, you might want to rethink your choices because the concession stands will only serve vanilla ice cream. Yup, just plain vanilla. No sprinkles, no toppings, just the basics.
But here’s the kicker: if your name is "John" or "Oliver," you’re in luck! The Saints are offering free tickets to anyone with those names, which is a first in their 33-year history. Talk about a unique way to celebrate your name!
They even pointed out that "John" and "Oliver" are among the top 150 most common men's names worldwide. So, if you know a John or an Oliver, you might want to let them know about this deal.
Fans can also look forward to a PowerPoint presentation showcasing "all the names the Saints didn’t choose back in 1993" when the team was founded by Mike Veeck, Marvin Goldklang, and yes, that Bill Murray. It’s a quirky little trip down memory lane.
And for those hoping to get on the jumbotron, there’s a catch: you’ve gotta be dressed in khaki pants with your shirt tucked in. Seriously, they’re not kidding. "Plain Night" is all about embracing the underwhelming, so you better wear your best beige outfit!
The Saints summed it up perfectly: "Plain Night isn’t about thrills—it’s about embracing the underwhelming." So, if you’re ready for a night that redefines "just fine," grab your tickets. Baseball will be played, and fun might be had. Maybe.
And hey, if you’re interested, there are still plenty of tickets available for this unique event!
Stephen Swanson is a web producer at CBS News Minnesota. He’s been in the game for a while, having spent a decade as a floor director before joining the WCCO-TV newsroom in 2011, where he covers general assignment reporting.
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