Twins in the Metrodome: 1 more year
Posted on November 24th, 2008 – 11:59 AMBy Michael Rand
Just as one of the Metrodome’s tenants for the past generation has left — and what an exit they made. Someone from the Twins is going to want to get into the Dome sometime in March to air it out from the Gophers’ stinkbomb — another is making preparations to do the same. The Twins have 81 regular-season home games left in the Metrodome, and today they announced plans for how they will be commemorating a tenure that included two World Series titles. From the Twins:
*Final Season Logo – Will be prominently displayed in the Metrodome, on official commemorative baseballs to be used during all Twins home games and on the team’s uniforms throughout the 2009 season.
*Throwback Uniform – Twins players will wear a circa 1982 throwback uniform on every home Saturday during the 2009 season. The uniforms are modeled after the version worn during the team’s first-ever Metrodome season. Authentic throwback jerseys are now available for fans to purchase for $169.95 without numbers or $215 with numbers exclusively at the Twins Pro Shops in Roseville, Apple Valley and Minnetonka.
*Metrodome Memories – The Twins will feature a season-long recap of the team’s “Top 100 Metrodome Memories” at every home game in 2009.
*All-Time Metrodome Team – The Twins will name an All-Metrodome team during the summer of 2009 with fans participating in the voting process.
*Final Series/Final Game – A series of special events will take place during the Twins final regular season series Oct. 2-4 vs. the Kansas City Royals – culminating in a special post-game tribute following the final home game.
*Countdown to Target Field – Will continue each home game with former players and other VIPs participating in the ceremonies.
So start thinking about some of these things and other ways in which the Dome should be sent off. A ceremonial ball lost in the dull, baseball-colored roof every night? A home run derby between Jim Thome and Ken Griffey Jr.? A special commemoration for washed up free agent signings? The possibilities are endless.
37 Responses to "Twins in the Metrodome: 1 more year"
“A home run derby between Jim Thome and Ken Griffey Jr.?”
Frank Thomas called, he’s interested.
Who knew adding numbers to a jersey cost $45.05? Are the autoworkers making these jersey’s?
Bring back the plexiglass and original astroturf for all games they wear the throwbacks.
*Metrodome Memories – The Twins will feature a season-long recap of the team’s “Top 100 Metrodome Memories” at every home game in 2009.
Like, remember that time, when you took your 86 year old grandmother to the game? It was 78 degrees outside and something like 85 degrees inside because the A/C wasn’t working? That and the stairs probably took years off of her life. Wasn’t that great?
I second the plexiglass idea. That needs to come back.
I also think that the giant “34″ should be in center field for the entirety of the season.
Every day should be dollar dog day.
How about “Bailing Out of the Metrodome”, where every on-field streaker/drunken runner gets their bail paid by the team if they can successfully touch home plate without getting the [redacted] beaten out of them by a ball boy.
Just once, I’d like to see them actually allow smoking in the Metrodome…
A giant fire might be nice.
Rand man,
Who was the fella who said, “hey, how about a white roof?
“Who knew adding numbers to a jersey cost $45.05?”
Ask Mike who cheaped out and got a Kubel T-Shirt Jearsey like my 14 year old cousin Emma…
How about a race on the old Metrodome turf between Cristian Guzman, Luis Castillo and Torii Hunter to see who tears every ligament in their knee first?
Also, bring back the giant milk carton.
“How about a race on the old Metrodome turf between Cristian Guzman, Luis Castillo and Torii Hunter to see who tears every ligament in their knee first?”
Don’t forget Shannon Stewart. But We’ll have to sign him to a long term deal before otherwise he won’t get hurt.
How about a game where I’m in the Hormel Row of Fame just ONCE?
All players sport the Dan Gladden mullet on home Saturdays.
Last one, I promise: I’d buy a CD with all the Metrodome music - “We’re Gonna Win Twins”, “Hormel Row of Fame”, the Tires Plus Race music, that kitschy music they used to play during a mound visit, soundbytes of Bob Casey butchering people’s names…
a circa 1982 throwback
Buyer beware. The stuff of powder blue nightmares.
(And no, the jerseys aren’t that slimming; that’s just what Hrbek looked like before killing and eating Junior Ortiz.)
All-Time Metrodome Team, off the top of my head:
C - Joe Mauer
1B - Kent Hrbek
2B - Chuck Knoblauch (because he was involved in the left-field incident, too)
SS - Greg Gagne
3B - Gary Gaetti (photo finish over Corey Koskie)
LF - Dan Gladden
CF - Kirby Puckett (tough on Torii Hunter)
RF - Tom Brunansky (would also accept Matt Lawton)
DH - Paul Molitor (or Dave Winfield, or Roy Smalley, or Randy Bush)
SP - Brad Radke
SP - Johan Santana
SP - Frank Viola
SP - Kevin Tapani
SP - Scott Erickson (or Bert Blyleven, if you’re willing to include color-commentary hours)
Closer - Rick Aguilera (sorry, Mr. Nathan)
RH setup - Juan Berenguer
LH setup - Eddie Guardado
Jon, don’t forget “super utility:” Nick Punto!!
All-Time FORGETTABLE Metrodome team, off the top of my head:
C - Matt Walbeck
1B - Scott Stahoviak
2B - Wally Backman
SS - Houston Jiminez
3B - (tie) Dave Hollins and Brent Gates
LF - Chad Allen
CF - Rich Becker
RF - John Moses
DH - Any number of guys (Jose Offerman, Jeff Cirillo, Jim Dwyer, Pedro Munoz - all were the Twins’ most common DH at one time or another)
SP - Shane Rawley
SP - Carlos Pulido
SP - Bob Tewksbury
SP - Willie Banks
SP - Pat Mahomes
Closer - Ron Davis
RH setup - Dan Naulty
LH setup - Mark Guthrie
Jon, not even a mention of Morneau, I’d say it is a toss up between him and Hrbek at 1B.
What about an All-Time Worst Metrodome Team?
Stupid refresh
Jon, you will be getting complaints from Bernardo Brito, Rondell White, Scott Klingenbeck and Dave Stevens about your All-Time Forgettable team.
The sad part about Jon’s all-time DO NOT WANT team is that that was the roster for, like, five years running.
Selig wasn’t entirely wrong for wanting to contract the franchise.
I’m also firmly convinced that had the internet been more established, the mid-to-late ’90s Twins would have caused the LOLCATs phenomenon to be the LOLTWINs phenomenon. Just pictures of Scott Aldred walking off the mound with UR DOIN IT WRONG underneath.
Are we going to get a Monday Morning Meltdown today?
My best team:
C: Joe Mauer
1B: Justin Morneau
2B: Chuck Knoblauch
3B: Gary Gaetti
SS: Greg Gagne
LF: Shane Mack
CF: Kirby Puckett
RF: Tom Brunansky
DH: Chili Davis
SP: Johan Santana
SP: Bert Blyleven
SP: Frank Viola
SP: Jack Morris
SP: Brad Radke
RP: Joe Nathan
RP: Rick Aguillera
RP: Jeff Reardon
RP: Juan Buerrenguer
RP: Eddie Guardado
Worst team:
C: Marcus Jensen
1B: Kevin Maas
2B: Freddy Manrique
SS: Juan Castro
3B: Mike Lamb/Tony Bautista
LF: Rondell White
CF: Bobby Mitchell
RF: Billy Bean
DH: Butch Huskey
SP: Scott Klingenbeck
SP: Benj Sampson
SP: Scott Aldred
SP: Brad Havens
SP: Jim Deschaies
RP: Ron Davis
RP: Juan Agosto
RP: Dan Sarafini
RP: Jose Parra
RP: Mike Lincoln
Meltdown:
Rand: Wow, how did Jax not win?
BDD: [redacted]
Rand: Did you see Gus’s pick? I almost want to bring back T-Jack.
BDD: [redacted], [redacted]. [redacted] [redacted]; [redacted] [redacted] [redacted]!
Rand: At least we’ll have great memories of the Williamses this year, even if they don’t play again.
BDD: [re-[redacted]-dacted]
Rand: If Childress calls plays like that against the Bears, Urlacher will drive Ferotte’s head into the ground up to his eyeballs
BDD: [redacted] [redacted] [redacted]!
Rand: Good talking to you, see you next week.
BDD: [redacted][redacted][redacted].
I had to restrict the “forgettable” Dome team to guys who’d started the most games at a given position for at least one year; otherwise it would have been way too depressing.
Merx - I’d say there’s no comparison between Hrbek and Morneau. Hrbek was the starting first baseman for the first 12-13 years of the Dome’s existence, has his number on the curtain, and won two world championships in that dome; Morneau’s had a great run, but doesn’t have the longevity to compete. It’s the same between the Kirby Puckett - Torii Hunter debate.
I think that Morneau is closer to Hrbek than Hunter is to Puckett. I agree with you that Hrbek should get the nod based on his longevity and his two rings, and the fact that his number is retired. But Morneau was an MVP something that can’t be said about Hrbek.
Speaking of All-Time Dome teams, why is Baby Jesus being handed the C spot over Brian Harper and A.J.P.?
Sincerely,
Typical Mauer Basher
If I remember right, Harper hit pretty well but was never known for his defense. AJ was pretty decent, and the fact that he basically never got injured was huge, but Mauer is simply better.
LIST OF GUYS WHO HAVE WON TWO OR MORE BATTING TITLES AS A CATCHER, ALL-TIME: Joe Mauer
PARTIAL LIST OF GUYS WHO NEVER EVEN WON ONE: Brian Harper, AJ Pierzynski
Lesson Learned: Don’t ever disrespect the Baby Jesus, even in jest.
No Mike Maksudian mentions on the list?
Glad I already picked up my powder blue Hrbek jersey on ebay.
No Mike Maksudian mentions on the list?
+1
How about for the last game, the first 500 fans get to open all the doors all at once in order to deflate the roof. And the rest of us can watch the elderly, young children and the generally infirm get sucked out onto the plaza.
I don’t know… better than having Dan Gladden throw out the first pitch.
