I was fortunate enough to attend the Twins home opener at Target Field on Monday, April 12th. It was beautiful day at the ball park and I wanted to share some the sights and sounds of what proved to be a very magical day. (I will leave game details to the Star Trib)
Note: click on enclosed photos to enlarge them.
Highlights of the day...
-Met by college buddy, Darrel Olson (Oly) and his family (Kris, Erik & Peder) on the Plaza at 9:30 am for a game that starts at 3:10 pm.....we were official "rubes."....it's a beautiful Monday morning in downtown Minneapoils.
-In honor of this very historic day the Twins have put statues of Joe Mauer at various street corner locations in downtown Minneapolis.....each statue serves as a scrapbook of Twins history.....the attached picture shows the Mauer statue located right outside of the Target Center....
-Oly and Kris now have three kids to take care of today....Erik, Peder and me.
-Erik and Peder both have back packs full of things for players to sign....baseballs, baseball cards, gloves and pictures...
-The Plaza area outside Target Field was already buzzing and it's over 6 hours until the first pitch will be thrown...people everywhere.....lots of hubbub....electricity in the air....hype....hoopla......pomp.....pagentry.....ballyhoo....
-Harmon Killebrew was my hero when I was just a young lad..... I was a devoted Twins growing up in Zumbrota.....attended my first game at Met Stadium in 1962.....wore a Twins cap everywhere.....even wore it to bed.....listened to games on the radio every night with my Dad and older brother.....the picture below shows me paying homage to the Killer at this very impressive statue....(Killebrew's statue was unveiled before the second exhibition game with St. Louis on Saturday...was not there that day).
- Another college buddy, Kent Stadum, (Stade) joined the group around 11:00 am.....he needs to find a ticket on the street...could be a tough "get".....early prices being quoted......$400 a seat....minimum price.
-Saw every kind of Twins cap, t-shirt, sweatshirt and jacket imaginable....the Twins Pro Shop was having a field day....
-People gather early around the Puckett statue waiting for the unveiling at 11:30 am...huge throng of people as you see in the picture below...
-Kirby Jr. does the honors and unveils the statue.....Puckett is in the "see you tomorrow night" pose as he ran around the bases after his homerun in Game 6 in 1991 World Series.....see picture below...
-The critics were out early....the statue's face looks nothing like Kirby.... I would have to agree.
-Every media outlet is there...TV reporters...camera men....radio personalities....newspaper reporters....everyone is looking for an angle on "a story."
-It's a "Who's Who" of former Twins....they are everywhere....too many to even being to list.
-Overheard as Tanya Puckett and Kirby Jr were walking by...."Kirby pull up your pants."
-Gates open at 12:00 noon....Peder and Erik want to be the first fans in the park....Olsons are off....batting practice to watch....autographs to get...
-Oly talks with former Twins pitcher, Jim Kaat....Peder gets Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia's autograph down by the dugout....American League MVP in 2008...good "get" for Peder.
-Talked with Sammy's Cobber buddy, Marty, and two of his very "connected" friends before the game .....Sammy and Oly can fill you in on all of their connections to former Twins players.....Killebrew, Oliva, Mudcat Grant to name a few.
-Stade and I hang around outside the ball park and people watch on the plaza....with a few beers of course....
-Met a friend of Stade's named Jamie Ogden......remember him?....White Bear Lake Boy....3rd round draft pick of Twins in 1990....1B/OF...spent 8 years in the Twins minor league system....last three at AAA Salt Lake City....Kent Hrbek kept him out of the big leagues.
-Met Tom Chorske...anybody remember him?...I did.......former Gopher hockey player.....New Jersey Devils - Stanley Cup Champs...1995...he showed me his championship ring...very large!
-Stade gets his ticket....seller's market....more buyers than tickets available......he got one cheap for $200....he's in...we watch the game from all over the park....it's just one big party.
-Championship banners are raised in left field by former Twins players......Blyleven, Viola, Morris, Radke, Gladden....see picture below.....
-Interesting note during the introductions...Twins third base coach Scott Ulger received a smattering of "boos".when he was introduced.....guess the fans were still angry about him waving in J.J. Hardy during the 9th inning of Sunday's game in Chicago....see picture below....
-Lots of food choices....high prices......$7.00 for a beer....people appear to be more interested in eating than watching the game...long lines everywhere...
-National Anthem....home opener....pomp...pagentry....see picture below....
-Carl Pavano throws first official pitch at Target Field to shortstop Marco Scutaro of the Boston Red Sox at 3:11 pm on April 12....see picture below...
-Get confirmation from Mark Anderson (Andy) during the game...he can't see the field from his office in the IDS tower....good to know that decisions being made in the "what if room" will not be affected by the Twins games.
-Perfect day....great game....big win....outdoor baseball is back.....it's the place where everyone wants to be this summer.
