Glory days: Ballplayers chase big league dream at Saints open tryout

Pitcher Paul Risso, 63, of New Mexico
Paul Risso, 63, of New Mexico bears down during his bullpen session at the St. Paul Saints' annual open tryout at CHS Field. Risso was signed out of high school by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but blew his arm out when he was 20. Risso always dreamed of pitching in the pros, "so here I am, I'm giving it a go."
Richard Marshall for MPR News

A shared dream brought more than 70 baseball players from around the world to St. Paul on Thursday, when the St. Paul Saints held their annual open tryouts at CHS Field.

The trials attracted everyone from former college and pro athletes to recreational players to baseball fans who simply wanted to have a little fun.

The tryouts aren't just for show — players have made the roster in previous seasons.

"Years ago, we had the open tryout. There was a pitcher, we didn't even sign him the day of the open tryout," said Saints manager George Tsamis. "But something happened, we ended up signing [Charlie Ruud] later in the season, and he ended up being our all-time winningest pitcher in Saints history. So, it happens."

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By the end of Thursday's tryouts, at least four players had been singled out as possible prospects.

The Saints' 2016 season begins May 19 with a 7:05 p.m. game against the Gary, Ind., SouthShore Railcats. In the meantime, meet three of the hopefuls who came out to play ball.

Paul Risso: "I certainly don't feel 63 when I'm playing baseball"

 Paul Risso of Los Lunas, New Mexico
"I want to see if I can still compete," said 63-year-old pitcher Paul Risso of Los Lunas, N,M., back for his fourth consecutive year at the St. Paul Saints' annual open tryout.
Richard Marshall for MPR News

At 63, Paul Risso of Los Lunas, N.M., is not your typical ball player looking to make the roster of a pro team.

He was drafted as a pitcher by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1973 but injured his arm in the preseason.

"Back in '73, if they could use you, they used you," he said. "I threw in four games in two days."

Risso didn't pitch again for 33 years.

But then he started having a recurring dream that featured his late father, who worked as a scout and had played with the New York Giants organization.

"A few years before I started playing again, I had this dream that I was throwing in a bullpen. And I never dreamt about playing baseball after I quit," he said. "And I was throwing and [my father] looked at me and said, 'It looks like you still have something left.' "

Risso had the same dream a few years later, so he decided to give pitching another try.

He started by throwing a ball against the wall.

It didn't hurt, so he continued at it.

A few years later, he decided to try out for a men's league in Albuquerque.

He was 53.

Risso made the team and has been pitching ever since. As for his arm?

"It's never bothered me — I don't know how."

Risso said he knows he's a long shot to make the Saints' roster — Thursday was his fourth time trying out for the team.

But he plans to keep coming back as long as he feels healthy and able to compete with 20-year-olds.

"Baseball is great. You can't be more of a kid than when you're playing baseball," he said. "I certainly don't feel 63 when I'm playing baseball."

Arturo Toribio: 'I'm trying to get my dream back'

Arturo Toribio of the Dominican Republic
Arturo Toribio of the Dominican Republic fires a four-seam fastball as St. Paul Saints pitching coach (and former Major League pitcher) Kerry Ligtenberg watches.
Richard Marshall for MPR News

Arturo Toribio, 24, lived the dream for two years when he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals farm system. But elbow injuries ended his stint in the pros.

Thursday was Toribio's second time trying out for the Saints. Originally from the Dominican Republic, he now lives in New Brighton, Minn., and would love to play for what he calls "the best team right now."

In the meantime, when he's not throwing fastballs, he works for a garage floor coating company. He had to take the day off to make it to tryouts.

"[My boss] didn't want me going last year, but I said, 'No, I have to go this year,'" he said.

Ben Bundschu: 'Do you want to practice today?'

The 25-year-old from Cottage Grove didn't plan to try out for the Saints on Thursday.

"My buddy — we have a game this Saturday for our amateur team — he said, 'Do you want to practice today?' Gave me a call about 7 in the morning, and I said, 'Sure, why not?'"

But his friend wouldn't tell him where exactly they would be practicing.

It was only when they pulled up to CHS Field that Bundschu realized he was at tryouts.

Still, Bundschu thinks he did pretty well for someone who showed up with minimal notice. (No, he's not mad at his friend who surprised him.)

"It's second nature just to play baseball," he said. "As far as nerves, you're just shooting yourself in the foot. Just come out here with a clean mentality and do what you do every summer anyway.

"If I don't make it, I don't make it. It's love of the game, that's why I'm here."