The Light Rail Doubleheader: A Baseball Experience Like No Other
In the heyday of baseball, the "Streetcar Series" or "Streetcar Doubleheaders" were an annual holiday tradition in the Twin Cities. This unique experience allowed fans to watch two games in a single day, riding the streetcars in between. Today, a group of friends recreate this experience on the Green Line, attending a Twins vs. Chicago Cubs/Saints vs. Iowa Cubs doubleheader. The author reflects on the history of the streetcar era and the minor league teams, the Millers and the Saints, and their close proximity to the streetcar lines.
The author begins their day at Lexington Station, located at University & Lexington in St. Paul, where they would have been staring at Lexington Park in 1920. They tap their GoTo card at the station and wait for a Green Line train to arrive, imagining the bustling Interurban streetcar line that ran approximately the same route as the Green Line. The author notes the frequency of the streetcars in 1920, with trains arriving every three minutes during rush hour and every seven minutes outside of that.
The author arrives at Target Field a few minutes before the game begins and tours the ballpark, buying sausages and mini donuts. They reflect on the excitement of the Millers and Saints in the 1920s, packing the ballparks with good bleacher seats running for $1, equivalent to around $15 now. The author notes the raucous atmosphere of the games, with fist fights on the field and players charging the stands to threaten hecklers.
The author and their friends head to the exit to get on the train, learning a lesson from a previous year about the separate queuing locations for Green Line and Blue Line trains. They then stop off at the author's house in the Midway, preparing a Chicago-dog buffet and playing board games. The author reflects on the importance of the streetcar series in the history of the city and the desire to connect to the past.
The author and their friends spread out their blankets on the hill at CHS Field, looking through a program and selecting players to cheer for based on their names. They eat donuts, drink beer, and take pictures with Mudonna, the team's ballpig. The author reflects on the excitement of the game and the fireworks that follow.
The author and their friends amble down the street to Union Station, waiting for the Green Line train to arrive. They reflect on the inseparable connection between streetcars and baseball in the city for nearly half a century, noting the decline of the streetcar system and the minor league teams in the mid-1950s.
The author concludes by suggesting that anyone interested in attending their own historic day of baseball should start with a spreadsheet, finding all the dates that both the Twins and the Saints play home games and checking for personal conflicts. They note that the Twins and Saints are playing Streetcar Double Headers on specific dates this season and invite readers to join them on May 16.
