St. Paul Saints Owner Mike Veeck is in "the midst of
two Northern League transactions that he hopes will open the
door" for him to pursue an MLB franchise, according to John
Millea of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Veeck and Marvin
Goldklang -- who each own 25% of the Saints -- have
purchased the Sioux Falls Canaries. Veeck "plans to sell
his share of the Saints, which he says will give him enough
cash to be taken seriously" by MLB. Veeck: "I'm dismissed
all the time as not having any money. So here is a chance
for me to do something at a time when the Saints are very
much in good shape." Veeck's and Goldklang's purchase price
of the Canaries was said to be "in excess" of $1M. The
Saints "are thought to be worth more than" $4M. Veeck said
he hopes to sell his share of the Saints by the time the '98
season opens. Although Veeck is a member of Clark
Griffith's group interested in the Twins, he said, "There
are major league clubs that are actively for sale now that I
think I could get involved with, and I don't necessarily
believe it's the Twins because I still don't really believe
they're for sale" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/13). Veeck
said he will approach fellow Saints Owners, actor Bill
Murray and investor Van Schley, about increasing their
ownership in the team (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 1/13).
