Target Field is disgusting. As in disgustingly superior in numerous ways to the HHH Humptydome...it's so ridiculously good that "normal" people such as myself find themselves babbling incoherently about how the Twins "did everything right with this place." I remember speaking openly about wanting to live there.
In fact, the Twins did so well that me and my companion Al, the former scourge of St. Wenceslaus elementary, had to keep our brains in equilibrium (apparently, thinking hyperventilation was imminent) by deliberately trying to
downplay no, make that downgrade our new shiny toy by pointing out incidental differences between the venues. To wit:
*"They haven't completely scrubbed out the "Opening Day 2010" emblem along the first base line."
*"They don't have on all the lights in the canopy at the upper mezzanine level directly behind home plate."
*"The hot dog vendors aren't wearing authentic 1961 concessionaire outfits like they PROMISED -
that blows."
Etc., etc....
But all joking aside [RIMSHOT], we were more than a little cheesed off over the late -5:30- opening of the gates, for a 7:10 start. Recall, the Metrodome opened for the full two-hour pregame. As if the Twins were saying: "Keep those fans out...we don't want to sell so much unhealthy beer and food, stay out!"
But soon enough, all that was forgotten as the great views of the Minneapolis skyline, the wide concourse with views of the field and the exhilaration of the crowd won us over. Or, about as soon as I purchased my first adult beverage...
The Twinkler was delighted that Target Field's scoreboard operators have recycled my favorite Metrodome cheap graphic, the "
Walks will haunt," visual used to taunt enemy pitchers whenever a free pass was given a Twin. Kind of a quaint nod to the past, now on display at the new playground.
No, Al's not bored in the picture above, he's mentally exhausted by the sheer sensory overload he's experiencing! Or, just trying to look cool!
The Twins' offense seemed to shut down after looking promising in the early going, though the home nine still won the
contest, 5-1. It didn't seem to matter though, as starter Kevin Slowley mastered the Injuns batting order. Meanwhile, the play of the game was Cleveland starter Justin Masterson's wild pitch that allowed two Twin baserunners to score. The entire Indian team plays defense as if the field is a place to stand while awaiting their next turn at bat, or that the batted ball is chock full of horrible viruses (note fielders' fandango photo - some creative comedy by the defense, missing Jason Kubel's foul fly late in the game).
Postgame, it was just fun to loiter at our seat, watch the groundscrew take over, and then take in the Target Plaza with it's statues of Kirby Puckett and Harmon Killebrew, and giant framework bats visible beyond the rightfield foulpole in this picture. We also stood by while the Fox North postgame show aired live.
Twins sculptures are extra special touches...though Kirby's would scare me if I came upon it in a dark alley:
Kirby's son is alright with it, I guess.
Harmon and Rod's are fantastic! These photos are from a spread done on
Yahoo Sports, with a very nice description of Opening Day at TF.
Hope this was an enjoyable series of posts for you! I'm having a hard time putting it into words and remembering all of the experience. With apologies to Al - sorry for forgetting your best lines! Hopefully this painted enough of a picture for you all who haven't been there yet!
GO TWINS!
Twinkler Out!
