You can't really talk about high school sports in the Twin Cities without eventually landing on the corner of Hamline and Randolph. It's just a thing. If you grew up playing ball in Minnesota, Cretin-Derham Hall baseball isn't just another name on the schedule; it’s a program that feels like it’s been there forever, looming over the state tournament brackets like a final boss in a video game. Some people love them. Others? Not so much. But you have to respect the sheer volume of talent that has funneled through that dugout over the last fifty years.
Success breeds a certain kind of mythology.
People look at the jerseys and see the names—Mauer, Molitor, Perlozzo—and they assume it’s all just some kind of magic water in the Highland Park area. It isn't. It’s actually a pretty grueling, old-school grind that has managed to survive the era of "everyone gets a trophy" and specialized travel ball. The Raiders have this weird way of staying relevant even when they aren't the favorites.
The Mauer Factor and the Legend of Joe
Honestly, you can't start this conversation without mentioning Joe Mauer. It’s basically a law in St. Paul.
In 2001, the hype around CDH was deafening. Mauer wasn't just good; he was statistically impossible. He struck out once in his entire high school career. Think about that for a second. In four years of varsity play, against every ace in the state trying to make a name for themselves by fanning the future number one overall pick, he went down swinging exactly one time. It was against Paul Molitor’s nephew, which adds a layer of Twin Cities irony that you couldn't write in a movie script.
But here is what people get wrong about that era. They think it was just Joe. It wasn't. That 2001 team was a juggernaut because it was deep. They had guys like Tony Leseman and a pitching staff that just didn't beat themselves. When Mauer was drafted first overall by the Twins, it didn't just validate his talent; it put Cretin-Derham Hall baseball on a national map that most Minnesota schools never touch.
More Than Just One Era
If you think the program started and ended with the 2000s, you’re missing the actual history.
The foundation was laid way back when it was just Cretin High School. Paul Molitor was the original blueprint. He was the guy who proved you could come out of a cold-weather state, play on bumpy, frozen dirt in April, and still have the hands of a Hall of Famer. He played for the legendary Walsh brothers. That’s a name that carries weight in the St. Paul Catholic school circuit. The coaching lineage is a huge part of why the Raiders stay consistent. They don’t change philosophies every three years like some programs.
There is a specific "CDH Way." It’s sort of hard to define if you aren't in the dugout, but it’s basically about situational hitting and being absolutely clinical on defense. They don't always have the guy throwing 95 mph, but they almost always have the guy who knows how to pick a short hop and throw a strike to first from his knees.
The Rivalries That Define the Season
It’s the Suburban East Conference. It’s a gauntlet.
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When Cretin-Derham Hall baseball shows up to play Mounds View or Stillwater, it isn't just a Tuesday afternoon game. There’s a target on their backs. Every team in the metro wants to be the one that knocked off the Raiders.
- Mounds View: This is the chess match. Both programs are deeply rooted in fundamentals.
- Stillwater: It’s usually about power versus precision.
- East Ridge: The newer rivalry, born out of the shifting demographics of the east metro.
Watching a game at their home field is an experience. It’s tucked away, it’s classic, and if you’re a scout, you’re probably there with a radar gun and a notebook. But the real pressure happens in the Section 4AAAA playoffs. In Minnesota, the section playoffs are often more stressful than the state tournament itself. One bad inning, one error, and a season where you went 18-2 is just... over.
The Modern Era: Dealing with the "Super-School" Perception
There’s a common complaint you hear at the local Buffalo Wild Wings. "Cretin just recruits everyone."
Is it true? Well, it’s a private school. People choose to go there. But the reality is that the landscape of Minnesota baseball has changed. You have these massive public schools with 3,000 students and multi-million dollar turf facilities. The competition has caught up.
CDH isn't the "only" powerhouse anymore. You have Wayzata, Eden Prairie, and Eastview consistently putting out Division 1 talent. Yet, the Raiders remain in the mix. Why? Because the culture is sticky. Kids grow up in the Highland Central or Little League systems dreaming of wearing the purple and gold. That pipeline is worth more than any fancy indoor hitting facility.
What Actually Happens in the Dugout
If you ever get the chance to sit close enough to hear the chatter, it’s different. It’s disciplined.
You won’t see a lot of "look at me" celebrations. You will see a lot of guys backing up bases and executing sacrifice bunts. It’s "small ball" elevated to an art form. In the 2010s and 2020s, as the MLB went all-in on "three true outcomes" (home run, walk, or strikeout), Cretin-Derham Hall baseball largely stayed true to the idea that putting the ball in play forces the other team to make mistakes.
They play the percentages. They trust their training.
The Alumni List is Ridiculous
We already mentioned Molitor and Mauer. But look deeper.
- Chris Weinke: Most people know him for the Heisman and Florida State, but he was a monstrous baseball prospect for Cretin.
- Jack Hannahan: A defensive wizard who carved out a long career in the Big Leagues.
- Ryan O'Gara: A name that local historians remember for his sheer dominance on the mound.
It isn't just about the guys who make the pros, though. If you look at the rosters of local MIAC schools like St. Thomas (before they went D1) or St. John’s, they are littered with CDH grads. The program is basically a factory for solid, high-IQ ballplayers who understand how to win.
The Challenges of Minnesota Spring
Let’s be real. Playing baseball in Minnesota is a nightmare.
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You spend March in a gym hitting off of nylon mats. You might not see a real blade of grass until the third week of April. If you’re lucky. Cretin-Derham Hall baseball coaches have always been masters of the "indoor season." They focus on the mechanics that don't require 70-degree weather.
By the time they get outside, they are technically sound. While other teams are still trying to figure out their cutoff rotations, the Raiders are already refined. That head start—mentally, if not physically—is usually why they start the season 5-0 while everyone else is still shaking off the rust.
The 2017 State Title and Beyond
The 2017 run was a reminder that the program hadn't gone anywhere.
They weren't necessarily the "team of destiny" that year, but they found a way. That's the hallmark of the school. They find ways to win games they probably shouldn't. They squeeze runners home. They capitalize on a wild pitch. They frustrate the living daylights out of opponents who have "better" pure athletes.
Looking forward, the program faces a new world of NIL (even at the high school level in some states) and the transfer portal. But the core of what makes them successful hasn't shifted. It’s still about those cold practices in the Highland Park area.
Misconceptions You Should Probably Drop
First: No, they don't win every year. They have plenty of "down" seasons where they exit early in the sections.
Second: It’s not just a "rich kid" sport. The scholarship and financial aid programs at CDH are robust, and the baseball team has always reflected a mix of backgrounds from across the city.
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The "privilege" of CDH baseball isn't about money; it’s about the access to a coaching staff that treats 16-year-olds like professionals.
Actionable Insights for Players and Parents
If you are looking at the Cretin-Derham Hall baseball program as a potential path for a young player, or if you're just a fan of the game, here is what actually matters:
- Focus on the "Un-Sexy" Stats: The Raiders value On-Base Percentage and fielding percentage over home run distance. If you want to play here, you need to be a defensive liability to absolutely no one.
- The Winter Matters: Since Minnesota weather is unpredictable, the work done in January and February determines the depth of the bench. CDH players are expected to be in the cages long before the snow melts.
- Understand the History: Playing for this school means carrying the weight of the names on the wall. It’s not for everyone. Some kids thrive under that pressure; others find it suffocating. Know which one you are.
- Multi-Sport Advantage: Historically, CDH has loved multi-sport athletes. Mauer was a three-sport star. The coaches generally believe that playing football or basketball makes you a more competitive, "game-ready" baseball player.
The legacy of Cretin-Derham Hall baseball is built on the idea that excellence is a habit, not a fluke. Whether they are hoisting a trophy at Target Field or grinding out a win on a dusty park board field, the approach remains exactly the same. That's why they are still the standard by which most Twin Cities programs are measured.