Author: David Shama

In January 1999 St. Peter was named senior vice president of business affairs and that was his introduction to having the franchise’s “revenue side” report to him.  The experience of transitioning from public relations to a comprehensive business position was challenging and a “learning opportunity,” but it was also a troubling time for the franchise.  The team was drawing about one million fans per year, the player payroll was low and the team’s campaign for a new stadium was going nowhere. 

St. Peter credits difficult times with helping shape his career and move up the organizational ladder.  He spoke about “crisis du jour” during the last 10 years.  “We’ve had a lot of great times but we’ve had some challenging times with the failed stadium effort, with potential relocation of the franchise, with obviously the contraction issue,” he said.  “I think we all collectively as an organization have bonded together.  And I want to believe that we have been able to provide strong leadership and kind of keep the ship afloat from an operational perspective.  I don’t think there is any question that this has helped me as an individual grow, as an employee and also as a leader. …”  

You don’t talk to St. Peter without hearing about people in the Twins organization.  He praises the baseball and business staffs, and acknowledges mentors Jerry Bell (former president who promoted St. Peter in 1999) and former manager Tom Kelly who helped teach him what it takes “to be successful in baseball.”  They and others generously shared their wisdom and expertise.

Colleagues and mentors, a willingness to learn and take on new challenges and capitalize on the organization’s policy to promote from within has fueled St. Peter’s rise to becoming one of only 30 individuals who are presidents of major league baseball teams, but so, too, is an extraordinary work ethic.  His enthusiasm to work virtually every day of the year, either at the dome, his home or while traveling is not something he boasts about or even says is unique among people in the baseball workforce.  Baseball begins on the field in spring training in February and the season and playoffs last into October.  People on the business side of the game often log even longer hours in the off-season when there is even more work to do than during the season. 

“If you work in baseball, you better bring work ethic,” St. Peter said. “Because if you don’t, you won’t last long. This (baseball) is a monster.  It’s not the country club of the NFL, or even the world of the NBA or the NHL.  That’s not to knock those (organizations); it’s just that this is a much bigger commitment time wise. I always tell young people if you are going to get into baseball, you need to make sacrifices, and they kind of look at me funny. And I have to describe to them what it means, but you do have to spend time away from family, friends and things that you want to do. …” 

On request he speaks about his career to individuals and to groups every year and has a frustration with the sense of entitlement many young people have, a feeling they are owed a rewarding and enjoyable job.  “I don’t know if people are willing to go out and run the Hub Pro Shop to get where they want to be, and that’s what I preach to people,” St. Peter said.  “You get to where you want to be (but) you’re not going to come through the front door, or a side door.  It’s probably going to be the back door.  You’re going to have to keep your head down, keep working hard and have faith in your skills.”

St. Peter and wife Joanie have three young children.  He struggles with balancing his life with the Twins and family life.  “That is my biggest challenge, is trying to maintain any level of family balance. …We try to preach that around here but I am not very good at practicing it.” 

St. Peter approaches his work with humility and a commitment that he represents Twins fans.  According to St. Peter’s view, the Twins aren’t his team, or owner Carl Pohlad’s.  “Millions of people consider the Twins their team,” he said.  “I view it (the franchise) as a public trust.”

Being president of the Twins is seen as a privilege.  “There are only 30 jobs as presidents of major league teams,” St. Peter said.  “There are millions of people who would trade what they are doing to have a chance to do what I do and I never forget that.”