Jon has been a RandBall regular for as long as we can remember, which thankfully is December 2006, when this blog started. He writes his own blog and takes care of the weekend links, among other things. One of those other things — serving up delicious guest posts like this one:

We’ve all had the experience of trying to get a friend or family member out to the big game, and having them instead grumble, “Might as well just watch it on TV.”  It’s a fair point — most every important game is going to be on the tube, and whether it’s behind a post at Williams Arena or down the left-field line for a Twins game, there are plenty of worse seats in the house than your couch.

But there are times when it’s much, much better to actually experience the game in person. Ask anybody who was at, say, Game 6 of the 1991 World Series. We all saw what happened — but they were there, experiencing the airplane roar of the Dome and the high-fiving, stranger-hugging exultations in the stands. I think I’d have taken that seat down the left-field line for that game, wouldn’t you have? With that in mind, I present my list of the best local game-day/in-stadium experiences, as compared to improvement over the television.

1. Gophers men’s hockey — On TV, it can seem like a slow, boring version of the NHL.  In person — especially when Wisconsin or UND or Michigan is in town — it can be the most passionate, exciting atmosphere in the city.

2. Twins — It’s the difference between watching a play and a movie. When you’re at the game, the director can’t tell you where to look or what stats to be dazzled by — it’s all about watching the pure, simple game of baseball. And this is true despite the Metrodome; I fully expect this to be No. 1, starting in a few years.

3. Gopher basketball — But only when they’re good, and the games actually mean something. Williams Arena is the only venue left in the city that can make a game better than it would be anywhere else.

4. Saints — This is up here only because I get a kick out of the announcer yelling “TRAIN” when an engine goes from right-to-left behind the fence, then “NIART” when it moves left-to-right.  High comedy.

5. Wild — Let’s face it, NHL regular-season games just aren’t that important, and while it’s fun to head to the X for a game, it’s not a heck of a lot more fun than sitting on your couch and watching the game on TV.

6. Timberwolves — This is true only when proximity to the action is a positive. In the past few years, when there should have been signs up that said “First Few Rows May Vomit in Disgust,” this was a downside.

7. Gopher football — The in-stadium experience still qualifies as “okay,” as the U does go all-out to pretend that the Dome is actually a college football stadium. But compared to any other school in the country — forget about it.

8. Vikings - This goes to No. 1 if you’re a compulsive drinker.  Otherwise, well, I can pour beer on myself and get somebody to scream in my ear at home for free, thanks.

9. Thunder — The cable-access show of in-stadium experiences.

The obvious homework questions: what’s your list?  And what’s your best — or worst — story about a day out at the park/field/arena/rink?

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