Justin & Eric… And you.

Eric and Justin Stangel are one step from the major leagues.

The St. Paul Saints have announced the one-day signing of the brothers in a move that has stunned, confused and impressed industry insiders. In December the Saints left independent baseball to become the AAA farm team for MLB’s Minnesota Twins.

This is the fourth team the Stangels have signed with, following the Portland Pickles, Cleburne Railroaders and Lake Erie Crushers.

“In our day with the Saints, we’re hoping to bring many championships to St. Paul,” said first baseman Eric Stangel, who plans to get fake baseball cards made up to impress friends.

Said shortstop Justin Stangel, “People think Eric and I are twins. (We’re not.) But now we might play for the Twins. Crazy times.”

The deal was announced on a Zoom call with Sean Aronson, Vice President, Director Media Relations/Broadcasting, which is a lot of titles.

It’s definitely about more than just baseball.

The Saints are closely connected with the St. Paul community, working with the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, “an independent, nonprofit organization that acts as a catalyst for libraries to strengthen and inspire their communities.” As they describe, “Even in a city that loves its libraries, public funding isn’t enough for libraries to provide all the important resources that residents seek. The Library, part of the City of Saint Paul, depends on The Friends to support those resources.” 

They also support Read Brave Saint Paul, “a citywide, intergenerational reading program that uses the power of books and stories to engage people in learning about complex issues.”

Eric and Justin are still arguing over who should be nicknamed “The Hammer.”

Eric Stangel and Justin Stangel haven’t picked up a mitt or a bat in years. That hasn’t stopped them from signing with baseball teams in 2020. For the third time in just a couple of months they have signed a one-day contract, this time with the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League.

Tom Kramig, Owner, President and CEO of the Crushers even offered the Stangels an added opportunity of a lifetime. According to the contract, “should the Stangels show up for a game during the 2021 season, they will be introduced as part of the starting lineup and then immediately replaced before either suffers some for of bodily harm.”

For first baseman Eric Stangel, it was a dream long in the making. “We have now signed with more teams than Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio COMBINED. Take that, losers,” he said.

Shortstop Justin Stangel says he enjoys the Crushers uniforms. “I look damn good in pinstripes. I’m sending pictures to all my exes. Wait, don’t include that. It makes me sound crazy,” he said.

The Crushers are important supporters of their community. Partnering with The LCADA Way, they recently helped raise $51,000 to help treat addiction. And, the team store features Crushers products with their logo who is an angry grape.

For those of you who don’t like to read stuff, or just want to watch history being made, here is exclusive footage of the Zoom signing.

For the second time in a week, Eric and Justin Stangel have signed a one-day contract with a minor league baseball team. The Cleburne Railroaders, who play in the American Association, a partner league to Major League Baseball, offered the Stangels a deal they could not refuse.

According to the terms, “The contract holds no value, but does give the Stangels the right to call themselves ex-Railroaders to impress people at parties.”

Since the Railroaders are based in Texas, the agreement was signed over a Zoom call that took place in 2 different time zones. Fancy.

Denning Gerig, Broadcasting and Media Relations Manager for the team handled the duties and even remained professional as the brothers began to fight on the call.

For first baseman Eric Stangel, it was a dream long in the making. “It’s incredible. I haven’t felt this way since we signed with the Portland Pickles last week,”

Shortstop Justin Stangel, who is pretty sure he knows where on the field shortstop plays said “I love the team. I love the uniform. I’m really happy right now. Does that quote work for you in the article? The dog threw up in the kitchen and I have to clean it up.”

The Railroaders are known for hard play on the field and an connection with the community off the field. They run a bi-weekly food drive for Johnson County, Texas families called the Railroaders Home Plate Project. More information on how you can help can be found here

The dramatic and historic Zoom signing can be seen below.

On September 15, 2020 baseball history was made. The Portland Pickles minor league baseball club signed Emmy-winning TV writers and producers Eric & Justin Stangel to their roster with a one day contract.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but insiders say it was more of a ceremonial deal and “…couldn’t likely have been more than $20 or $25 million tops.”

The agreement was signed over Zoom with Pickles Ticketing Manager Parker Huffman and beloved team mascot Dillon T. Pickle.

For Eric Stangel, it was a dream long in the making. “I’m a lifelong baseball fan AND an award-winning pickle maker, so this combines two of my great passions,” said the left-handed first baseman Eric. “So I bothered them until they said yes.”

The right-handed shortstop Justin Stangel offered a message for the children. “Kids, the lesson here is, even if you can’t play sports or don’t even know the rules, one day if you’re lucky, you too can play professional baseball!”

Dillon T. Pickle did not offer a comment, but in fairness, he does not speak.

The dramatic and historic Zoom signing can be seen below.

(Attention Media: Please credit Eric Stangel & Justin Stangel when using the clip or you will hear from our team of really unlikable attorneys.)