Spring Training and the Father of the Cactus League

It's Always Cool In Mesa

Mesa is known for many things, but for a lot of people across our country, Mesa is synonymous with one thing. Spring Training. Every February and March, Mesa hosts both the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park and the Oakland A's at Hohokam Park. You might think that's just how it's always been. But the story of how once-sleepy Mesa became the epicenter of the Cactus League will surprise you. At the center of the story is Dwight "Pat" Patterson, a quiet cattleman-turned community champion. The story behind Spring training is just one more reason we can say, "It's Always Cool in Mesa".