The St. Paul Colored Gophers was a small club of black baseball players formed in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1907. They were not a formal Negro league team, as the commonly referred-to "Negro leagues" were not created until 1920. However, like other barnstorming teams of the time, they put considerable pressure on the desegregation of baseball. Historians rarely mention the Colored Gophers in Negro baseball history, and statistics are hard to find.

History

The club lasted several seasons, also playing under the name Twin City Gophers and Minneapolis Gophers. In 1909, the Colored Gophers defeated what was considered to be the most powerful Negro baseball team, the Leland Giants. They were managed that year by Phil "Daddy" Reid and Irving Williams, they managed to land Taylor brothers Candy Jim Taylor and Steel Arm Johnny Taylor. Candy Jim went on to manage the team in 1910.

Rosters

1907

• Sherman Barton • Sammie Ransom • Johnny Davis • Clarence Lytle • Bunch Davis • Tom Means • George Taylor (Captain) • Jesse Schaeffer • Willis Jones • Fred Roberts

1908

• Dick Wallace • Bill Gatewood • Chappie Johnson • Clarence Lytle • Sherman Barton • Bunch Davis • Willis Jones • Will McMurray • Haywood Rose

1909

• Candy Jim Taylor • Dick Wallace • Will McMurray • Sherman Barton • Bobby Marshall • Eugene Milliner • William Binga • Chappie Johnson • Steel Arm Johnny Taylor • Johnny Davis • Julius London • Jimmy Smith • Rabbit McDougall • Garrison

1910

• Rabbit McDougall • Candy Jim Taylor (Captain) • William Binga • Mule Armstrong • Sherman Barton • Bobby Marshall • George Bowman • Harry Brown • Lefty Pangburn • Dicta Johnson • Johnny Davis • Wesley • Ford

1911

Played as the Twin City Gophers. • William Binga • Bobby Marshall • Harry Brown • Mule Armstrong • Bert Jones • Thompson • Clarence Lytle • Bee Selden • Hardeman • Lefty Pangburn • Dicta Johnson • Walter Stallard • McDougal • Erwin • Davis

1913

Played as the "St. Paul Gophers". • Irving Williams • Bobby Marshall • Bing

1914

Played as the "Minneapolis Gophers". • Cy Olsen (Manager) • William Binga • K. Jones • Clarke • Nelson • John Davis • Ivertson • Chick Jones • C. Jones (not Chick Jones) • Kenneson • Lee Davis • Kay

1916

Played as the "Minneapolis Gophers". • Bobby Marshall • Cannonball Jackson

MLB throwback jerseys

The Minnesota Twins have honored the club by wearing replica throwback jerseys of the team.