Acknowledging the Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN

I started writing this story in early March. Watching what would become the 2026 Minnesota Twins, taking shape down in Ft. Myers, Florida, on the TV, was stripping away any positive thoughts about the upcoming season. Looked like we were in for another season of poor defense, weak hitting with runners on base, and an absolutely overmatched bullpen. Effects of the last few years of Pohlad misdirection and payroll slashing, have led to a lot of flashbacks to 30+ years ago, with how the team was being run. Not to mention expectations which were muted, if not outright dead.

Just like back when the Twins called the Metrodome home!

Metrodome Twins Ticket Office

Now, I’m not having a case of the ‘warm fuzzies’ about the Metrodome. Far from it… The Metrodome was a terrible place to watch baseball. My memories aren’t being discussed right now because they are overly favorable. This is more of a “more things change, they more they stay the same…” type of thing. I’m reflecting because the present brought it back to mind.

So let’s start at the beginning!

******

1982 - 1987

This would be an era before I’d really seen the Metrodome. I didn’t attend a Twins game in person until July 1988, so I’m just going through some of my Twins collection to cover those days before that. Starting with a small, less than half page story from the 1982 MN Twins Yearbook…

Photos of the final seasons of Met Stadium look so depressing. Parts of the stadium deemed unsafe for use, help add to that. Even just this sliver of a view, tells you that zero money was invested in the ballpark for years. All that being said, I would love to go back in time (with a digital camera and plenty of batteries) to attend this game. Just to see in person, what I’ve long admired in its decay, online. 

Here’s the actual 1982 MN Twins Yearbook. This is a copy that Laura gave me (she’s really helped fill in my past Twins publications collection over the years), a few years back. So that’s where the Twins moved after that final game in Metropolitan Stadium, in Bloomington, Minnesota. 

Basically, an indoor football stadium was built, that could be modified to poorly house a baseball game. Sightlines were terrible, acoustics were awful, it was stale and about the worst place to watch baseball. Ever. But if you didn’t have anything to compare it to (which I didn’t until 1992), it was merely acceptable.

For X-Mess a couple years ago, she gave me a bundle of old Twins Programs, including this one from 1982. Previous owner attended the first regular season game at the Dome, and noted the date and score on the front cover. “4/6/82 Opening game. Seattle 11, Twins 7.” One of 52,279 to watch the Twins first game in the Metrodome, that night. As much as I don’t like the new Twins uniforms, specifically because of the font chosen as a centerpiece, it’s better than whatever third grader drew this one…

Program’s previous owner even included a clipping from the next day’s Star Tribune coverage of the event. Now that’s really cool! A few thoughts from this hidden treasure…

Looks like the Twins players are trying to convince Pearl Bailey that she does indeed want to be there…

Haven’t seen the name Al Quie in a loooooong time…

The loss of tailgating was a big issue in the early days of the dome. Read some interesting stories of how big tailgating was in the Met Stadium parking lots, before Twins and Vikings games in the 1960’s and 70’s. 

One of the first pages of the program had this feature about the Metrodome’s origin story.

Always love getting an old program and finding the scorecard inside filled out. In part because it’s a record of the game. Also, I’m interested in seeing how people score the game. Everyone does it differently. Unfortunately, this guy decided to start and not bother keeping up with it. Seattle only played innings 3-6 and the 9th. In reality, they scored 11 runs. However, this scorecard only notes 2 runs. A few players did a plus, and a couple of diamonds happened. 

No idea what scoring method he used…

The Minnesota half of the scorecard… Which looks the Twins won. Probably because they played all of innings, except for taking the 6th off. They also did more pluses, and had a second W. Whatever ANY of that means…

Oh, and that SuperValu S logo was far better than the boring one in use today…

Thanks for bringing it up, 1982 Minnesota Twins Program…

At this point, I may even face my fear of heights for a cigarette.

But no...

For those interested, I’m now at 46 days since my last cigarette. Over $621.00 saved.

Hooray for me.

Back in the late 80’s, I picked up a copy of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Souvenir Book. Which was released in 1982, in conjunction with the stadium’s opening. My copy’s spine has never been cracked, so I haven’t given it the attention is deserves. Ideally, I’ll find a more beat up copy that I can abuse and scan… In addition to stories of what the dome is and how it came to be, there’s stories of the Twins and Vikings past at Metropolitan Stadium.

So we’ll fast forward to an August 2000 edition of Twins Mag for some brief Stadium Data.

******

The third story I wrote for this site, back in July 2017, was about getting autographs from Twins players outside the dome, before and after games, between 1988 and 1991. Here’s part of that:

Before one of the first Twins games I went to in late 1988, I overheard some other kids talking about getting autographs before the gates opened. It was before a Texas Rangers game, and one kid was excited because he got (Rangers catcher) Geno Petralli's autograph. His mother was not impressed: "Oh, he plays for the Pirates. He's not a Twin..." 

For the record, the Twins are playing Texas. Not Pittsburgh. And Geno Petralli never spent a day in the Pirates organization. Personally, I would have loved to get this autograph... I asked the kids where he was. He told me the players entering and leaving the Dome by the loading dock area under Gate D. "Watch out for Sims Security though" was his warning. He was right. They were dicks.

After watching the Twins play Geno Petralli's Rangers, I went home and put a small box together with cards for every player on the roster I could find and several Sharpies. This would now come along every time I went to a Twins game. Before and after games I would be among the 15-30 kids (and some adults) harassing Major League Baseball players as they were simply trying to arrive or depart from their place of employment... I abandoned this practice around 1992 as security around the players entrance at the Dome was tightening. I have no idea how access is handled at stadiums today, I've never tried for ballpark autographs after the 1992 season. I'm sure it's nothing like it was in the early 1990's.

This was a huge part of my enjoyment of Minnesota Twins games from 1988-1991. I never sold any autograph I got in person, and still have every one of them from the Metrodome days. I plan on telling some of my autograph collecting stories from time to time here. 

Nearly 9 years later, I’ve yet to write another story about this practice. And only have mentioned them a few times since then. So because this story isn’t bloated enough, I’ll add some more in here. Since the theme is Metrodome Memories, I’ll allow it.

1983 Topps - Wally Backman - Dome Auto

Backman was acquired from the New York Mets, after the 1988 season. Making him Tom Herr’s replacement at second. The Twins really had a black hole at second base until Chuck Knoblauch appeared in 1991. Backman was a better bench player than a starter in 1989, and he was injured for nearly half the season. Which was probably a blessing given how his hitting went that year. He was one of the players you didn’t see very often in the parking area, either he got in early or late. I had his 1983 Topps card signed during one his rare walk by’s. There wasn’t a lot of kids out that day, so he took the time for me.

(Star Tribune photo, July 1984) Calvin Griffith, Thelma Hayes-Griffith and Carl Pohlad share a hearty laugh in multi-millionaire. Carl takes a break from foreclosing on farms and homes, to give the Griffith’s $43.5 million dollars, in exchange for ownership of the Minnesota Twins. The ownership change brought the team from an owner who couldn’t afford the team, to an owner who wouldn’t afford the team.

Unclear which is worse.

But either one of them are FAR better than this horrifying thought…

In his 1990 biography, Calvin Griffith wrote that the highest bid for the Minnesota Twins came from none other than Donald Pedophile Trump. He offered Griffith $50 million for the Twins. Which was significantly more than Carl Pohlad offered… So why didn’t President Blundercunt end up owning the Twins? 

Allegedly, MLB officials wanted nothing to do with Trump. Hinting they wouldn’t allow the sale to go through, if his name was on the other side. And with that, I say Thank you Major League Baseball!

Another desired program received as an X-Mess gift. This copy of the 1985 All Star Game program (played in the Metrodome) is in excellent shape, with the nominee foldout intact. Amazing looking back at this in comparison to the commercial/marketing explosion of paid content theses things are today.

If they even print a program.

How soon before events like this are commemorated with a download…

Now have several copies of the 1987 World Series program, the first of which was an X-Mess gift from my parents in 1987. 

1987 Donruss - Jeff Reardon - Dome Auto

Reardon was a long time Montreal Expos relief pitcher, before joining the Twins for that 1987 season. Playing a key role in solidifying an underrated Twins bullpen, all the way to a World Championship. He was also a great signer at the stadium. Despite looking all gruff and intimidating, he signed for anyone that wanted and was always nice. 

******

1988 - 1990

My first Twins game was July 22, 1988…

We parked in a lot on the north side of the Dome… And there’s a picture from our walk to the park.

I miss ticket stubs. 

Kids today won’t get ticket stubs to commemorate their first games.

Minnesota won the game 6-1. Frank Viola started, pitched 8 inning and got his 16th win of the season. Viola would finish the year 24-7, and win the American League Cy Young Award. (Jeff Reardon did not pitch, Juan Berenguer finished the game.) Kirby Puckett went 3-4, with a home run and 2 RBI. Another 1987 World Series hero, Dan Gladden contributed a double, 2 RBI and a stolen base. The dome was packed that night, nearly a sell out, with 52,284 announced. 

But the one thing that stood out to me, was Cranky Tom Kelly pinch hitting for Mark Davidson, with Tom Herr. Herr had missed a month due to injury, and I hadn’t heard the Twins had activated him from the Disabled List. His run in Minnesota was beyond insignificant, that I still think it was cool to see his first appearance back with the team.

What a stupid memory to have…

What sold me on this game in advance was that night’s promotional giveaway, a 1988 Minnesota Twins Surf Book. These books became a thing in the hobby, during late 1980’s. Topps licensed images of each teams catalog of base cards, going back to 1952 (if applicable), partnering with Surf Laundry Detergent, for stadium promotions. All 26 teams had Surf Book giveaway nights, and they became a decent collectable around that time. Rightfully so, they are very nice books. 

I now have three copies of the book, but the one I got from this game turned into my retired Twins player autograph collection. Back then, local card shows could bring in a retired Twins player from the 1960’s and 70’s, and draw a decent crowd. The Junk Wax Era was so awesome just for the card shows alone. Been many years since I took this book out of the plastic sleeve it lives inside. I know Harmon Killebrew autographed it. Along with Jim Perry, Craig Kusick, Zoilo Versalles, Dick Stigman, Julio Becquer, John Castino, Wayne Terwilliger, Camillio Pascual, with Frank Quillici signing over every card image he had in the book. 

Seems odd that almost everyone who signed this book in gone today. But I was adding to it some 35 years ago now…

Being a collector of printed material, I bought a 1988 Twins Media Guide at the game. Found it endlessly fascinating. Every possible thing that had ever happened with the Minnesota Twins, that you would ever need to know, is in this book. Spent way too much of the game reading this.

And it was a really good game too.

Also picked up a copy of the 1988 Twins Yearbook at the game.

1987 Donruss - Dan Gladden - Dome Auto

Gladden was a fan favorite during his time in Minnesota (1987-1992), whose scrappy play fit well in the lineup. Cranky Tom Kelly liked him, so that helped his longevity. Gladden is now in his 28th season doing radio broadcasts with the Twins, so he’s left a real mark on the franchise. He was also a great autograph signer at the Dome.

Sims Security (the contracted ushers and security force at the Metrodome) appeared to be working a re-brand in 1992. Not sure what the deal with Sims Service was, but their online presence today is under Sims Security. From my brief skimming of that site, they appear to be a bit more serious today. Around the late 80’s and early 1990’s, Sims Security was a bunch of teenagers, drunk on the implied power their red and black blazer gave them. When you look at the message their recruitment tool uses, you can about guess who they’re bringing…

In 1989, I met one of them in the wild. He fit that image. Had one hell of a collection of autographed Twins cards, though. Also had an actual cash tray from a retail cash register in his bedroom. After seeing it, I kind of wanted one. No idea what I’d have done with it. Just seemed like something that would be cool to own.

I remember the strangest and most useless trivia.

This example is from the 1993 Twins pocket schedule, but the Twins and SuperAmerica gas stations partnered together to offer Twins Knothole Ticket Days, for a few years around this time. They’d pick out a selection of games each season, where adults could buy tickets and get free tickets for kids, only at local SuperAmerica gas stations. Went to a buncha games with my friends because of this promotion. I think it was under 18 when I was under 18, but I see it’s 14 and under here…

Photo from April 2000, of one of the Metrodome concourse Food & Drink windows. Looking exactly as it did in 1988, right down to the yellow painted counters and Food & Drink canopy signs. Guessing they liked like this in 1982, as well. The hanging light-up advertisement frames and TV’s are newer. But still around 10 years old at this point.

Looking at this today, it strikes me how narrow the dome concourses were. And they would become packed with non-moving people pretty quickly, if the game was any sort of a draw.

Promotional giveaway time!

In 1988, there was a promotion where kids could get their own booklet of Smokey the Bear’s Color-Grams. Which were basically perforated tear-out cards, with outlines of Twins players in fire prevention situations, for the kids to color. A small black and white photo of each player stayed bound after the cards were pulled out. Should have scanned the Al Newman caricature… It’s hilarious.

The next season, Smokey upgraded to a full size coloring book.

But the question was, who was signing autographs after that game?

1990 Fleer - Brian Harper - Dome Auto

Criminally underrated Twins catcher, Harper was always a great signer outside the Dome. One of two Twins of that era, to add a bible inscription to his signature. The second one will be along later, but I’ll give you time to guess before he is revealed. 

Not a giveaway, but a concession stand purchase in 1989. I think the Twins Pen Set was $6. Surprisingly decent quality pens, I think they were roller ball, because they wrote very smooth. Dried out and/or used up today, I still have the three pens inside their original case.  All three of these pens saw use for my very primitive cartoons of that day. Either Drawing With Ace material, or cartoons I was exchanging with Tracy, every day during high school. 

She went to quite a few Twins games with me in 1990 and 1991. This was one of her cartoons, in reference to a Spring 1991 Twins game. I’m not going to explain it, but the story behind it still makes me laugh. Still shocked by her death. Finding out about that a month ago, triggered even more Metrodome memories. She’s associated closely with the 1991 Twins, mainly Knobakablach… Damn. Getting older and finding out past close friends have died isn’t a lot of fun…

That’s how it goes.

The last Saturday night of the season was typically “Fan Appreciation Night”. Where they would have special promotions and drawings throughout the game. We never did win any of the drawings, but one year my mom caught an autographed soft baseball, thrown by Kirby Puckett. The entire team signed a few squishy kids baseballs each, then threw they into the stands from the field. They used soft baseballs, so no one could sue…

The 1990 edition of Fan Appreciation Night’s Ticket. (This one autographed by Scott Erickson after the game.) Serial numbered at the top, so you could follow the drawing. A bunch of numbers would be read on the P.A. and posted to the scoreboard between innings. Your odds of winning one of 20 or so prizes, from a pool of about 50,000, aren’t that great…

Scott Erickson was good about signing during his 1990 rookie season, but I think he just teleported into the stadium for the 1991. Never saw him.

At the 1990 Fan Appreciation Night game, they also gave out glossy 4x5 black and white team photos. Interesting that this image caused a moire when it was scanned. That’s rarely been an issue with this scanner I’ve been using since 2009.

******

1991 - 1993

Sunday, July 14, 1991.

Day game at the dome, against the Boston Red Sox. More important, it was the day Hall of Famer Tony Oliva’s number was retired, in a pregame ceremony. These are pictures my mom took before the game.

Looking from right field to center. Tony Oliva’s retired number is under the white square, at the end of the banners on the wall. Previously retired numbers 3 (Harmon Killebrew) and 29 (Rod Carew) are directly left of it. To the left of those are the seven American League West team logos, in order of record. Note the Twins are in first place. They’d stay there for much of the season. Finishing there as well, which is the only thing that matters.

Oliva was the Twins batting coach in 1991, so he was already in uniform for this game. He appeared on the scoreboard for a brief speech. Which took place between the pitching mound and home plate.

The Twins are taking batting practice, while the Red Sox practice spreading their legs.

Chili Davis is currently in the cage. Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Shane Mack and Tim Drummond amongst the other players I recognize in this picture.

While Twins pitchers shagged fly balls in the outfield.

There’s that ceremony I mentioned earlier. 

Uncovering of Oliva’s now retired number 6.

Tony Oliva was named to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024, and is still a fixture at Twins games today. I have several Tony Oliva autographs, none of which were acquired before or after a Twins game….

1986 Topps - Rick Aguilera - Dome Auto

The July 1989, Frank Viola trade, was a crossroads for the franchise. 1987 wasn’t that far ago, and you’re trading away arguably the best pitcher in the league. You better get something back, or you’re really going to handcuff the team. We finished in last place the following year, then won it all again, the next. Aguilera played a larger role in that season, than Frank Viola did for the rest of his career. That trade looked scary at the time, but turned into one of the franchises best.

Of note, David West (key prospect in that trade) took the loss, against Boston, on Tony Oliva day.

Both West and Aguilera were excellent signers at the dome.

******

Sunday, September 8, 1991.

No special history behind this game, I wanted to see the New York Yankees. 

Yankees manager, Stump Merrill.

You could call him Carl… But Stump is much better.

Believe it or not, I was a Yankees fan through most of 1994. Remember, the Yankees of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, were decidedly not the evil empire. They were an aging, floundering club that came into today’s game with a 60-75 record. They finished in last place in 1990, as well. So the Yankees of this era were a rebuilding club, and was banking on a wealth of minor league prospects. (Being New York, many of those prospects were overhyped.) But the Yankees were an interesting story to me. 

I don’t have to tell you what the post rebuilding Yankees turned into…

My main draw to the Yankees in those days was first baseman, Don Mattingly. Whose compiling injuries over that same time period being a strong factor in why the Yankees were not playing like you’d expect the Yankees to play.

Notice the Twins redid the retired numbers, after adding Oliva a couple months earlier.

Yankees batting practice, with Chili Davis, Kirby Puckett and Brian Harper, hanging out on the third base side of the cage.

After this game, Chili Davis autographed my freshly purchased copy of Twins Magazine. Signing it in the direction I was holding it out to him. Davis was a deciding factor in the Twins 1991 season, and he couldn’t have been cooler to the fans. Always be a fan of Chili for 1991 alone.

Oh, and sorry Kenosha… Paul Russo did miss. Parts of 7 seasons at AAA, not one game in the majors. His first year in rookie ball was damn impressive though…

Behind the batting cage, during Yankees batting practice. Chuck Knoblauch (number 11) is the only Twins player I immediately recognize. Possibly Chili Davis is the guy talking to Yankees catcher Matt Notes (number 38). Most of the Twins players are sitting in the dugout.

There’s Kent Hrbek. 

Probably thinking about pizza.

Four fifths of our starting rotation here, With David West, Scott Erickson, Jack Morris and Allen Anderson’s right leg.

Not sure where Kevin Tapani was…

Probably signing autographs…

1990 Donruss the Rookies - Kevin Tapani - Dome Auto

Tapani had one of my favorite signatures on the team. It was segments, each with their own distinctive parts. Another part of the Frank Viola trade, Tapani wasn’t expected to outshine David West, but became a far better pitcher.

I miss the Snapper “Mow ‘em Down Inning.”

My 1987 Homer Hanky was destroyed by means beyond my control, so I don’t have one anymore.

I have a 1991 Homer Hanky, so that’s good enough.

As I was putting all of this together, I read that 2026 is the 35th Anniversary of the 1991 World Championship season. Well, the math checks out… Some of my strongest memories of baseball are of the 1991 Twins season. I probably attended more games that year, than any other. Luckily the Twins cooperated, giving me a memorable season to pay close attention to. 

For the Twins 1991 American League Championship Series (against the Toronto Blue Jays) Magazine, the Minnesota North Stars took out a classy two page ad, congratulating the Twins on their playoff run. The North Stars were coming off their own improbably playoff run, lasting through game 6 of the 1991 Stanley Cup Finals, in May. I remember the kitchen staff at the Coon Rapids Perkins, playing North Stars games on the radio during their shift. Just as it would be with the Twins, in October 1991. 

Two years later, the Twins would be on their way to an extended stay in the basement of the American League.

And the North Stars would be on their way to Dallas. 

But they weren’t coming back.

Minnesota’s appearance in the 1991 World Series meant a whole new opportunity for fresh memorabilia. Like this very ugly World Series program. I know they were trying for a throwback design, but this one failed. Instead of coming off as: “That looks like an old World Series program.” This design says: “We’re trying REALLY hard to make you think that this looks like an old World Series program.” The difference is glaring.

And you must have your official 1991 World Series Baseball…

Which I bought at a store. I did not pick it up at a 1991 World Series game.

I’ve never attended a World Series game in person…

But I did go to the Metrodome to watch Game 3 of the 1991 World Series, on giant TV screens, placed around the Metrodome floor. The Twins held a viewing party, allowing fans in for free (with a ticket that I don’t remember where from) to watch the game, buy concessions and World Series merchandise. I don’t remember the exact total, but they did draw well over 20,000 people to watch TV on a Tuesday night. 

Minnesota won the 1991 World Series in a game everyone remembers. But while we all remember Jack Morris pitching the game of his life, do you remember who got that World Series winning base hit?

1988 Fleer - Gene Larkin - Dome Auto

Larkin was kind of a moody signer. Some days he’d sign for everybody and some days he’d brush you off as he hurried past. Which is cool, I can totally relate to that sort of thing. Thankfully I don’t deal with my many fans as I make my way into an office job. 

Though if it did happen someday, I’d probably be nice about it.

But not EVERY day…

As you’d expect, the Series win gave the Twins another round of no-brainer marketing for the next year. The 1992 Minnesota Twins Yearbook cover, was a very classy gold foil trophy over a solid black background. Have a few of these in the collection.

******

Before we get too far ahead, let’s go back a few years. In early February 1989, The Twins held their first official Fan Festival, kicking off the countdown to Spring Training. The team would gather the 40 man roster, plus other prospects and alumni, and fly them to Minneapolis for a big event. With live interviews and Q&A sessions, displays of Twins artifacts, player autographs and a big baseball card show. Tickets for individual games would be on sale, if there were specific games you wanted to see. Opening Day would probably sell out (or close to it) at Twins Fest. In 1989, sure. Not too many other seasons, though…

Brief piece on the upcoming 1992 Twins Fest, that ran in the October 1991 Twins Magazine. Gives you the idea of what it looked like in the early days of Twins Fest at the Metrodome (still a thing today, but nothing like this). There’s a decent chance that I’m somewhere in this picture.

1989 Fleer - Bill Ripken

THAT card…

The first Twins Fest took place in early 1989, days after the 1989 Fleer Bill Ripken kerfluffle broke. News travelled quickly around the card show floor, as soon as a new Bill Ripken was ripped from a pack. Copies were selling for over $100+, as soon as they were found at TwinsFest. Details on the scarcity of the card were completely unknown at this point. Fleer announced they were pulling back as much of the product as they could, the bat knob would be covered and the card reprinted. But no one knew how many of the cards were out. And did the unopened product the dealers had in stock, contain the profanity, or the black box? Or the white smear… Or the black scribble… Or any of the other ways Fleer tried to cover up their mistake. Or if Fleer even made a mistake in the first place. Lotsa theories back in the day, and a card that retains its notoriety today.

But I can’t look at a 1989 Fleer Bill Ripken card, and not think of the very first Twins Fest.

Still have a copy of the 1992 brochure that was handed out at the door.

SuperAmerica was all over Twins Fest.

They were also in charge of distributing the tickets. Cheaper with gas, than at the Dome’s door…

Inside, there’s a handy map of the stadium floor, with the layout of Twins Fest. Aisles to the main concourse alternated ups and downs, to keep traffic moving. Right field was set up for kids to do basebally things on the Dome floor. The SuperAmerica stage was where the big live events took place. The Food Court in left field served your basic Metrodome fare. WCCO had both radio and video exhibits along the foul line, and would broadcast live from the Dome, on WCCO 830AM. Twins Fantasyland was another kids area, Twins Corner sold team merchandise, I have no idea what the Ticket Center could have been, Memory Lane was filled with Twins related memorabilia, and the Pro Shop sold more team related merchandise. This booth likely being more of the high end stuff, with the Corner selling cheaper t-shirts and shirseys.

Big draw being the Twins autograph signings, surrounded by a sizable baseball card show. Dealers were able to make bank on cheap Twins cards, selling them to people who wanted to have something for players to sign. That card shop floor was also filled with bargains. If you weren’t looking for Twins cards specifically, great deals could be made for stars from other teams. Twins Fest was the most important of baseball card shows in the Junk Wax Era. 

Here is the 1992 Twins Fest Player Autograph Schedule. Now you can find out where to go to find your favorite player. This also explains how the autographs are set up. Past, present and future, at each session, is a cool way to do this. 

1991 Upper Deck - Mark Guthrie - Dome Auto

In case you missed getting Guthrie’s autograph at one of the above tables, you’ve got a pretty decent chance of getting him before or after a game. Though he could be hit or miss. Especially tough on days he pitched, when he was a starter.

You’ll get another shot at Guthrie’s autograph in 1993, anyways…

Still had my 1993 Twins Fest ticket stub.

Wow, I haven’t thought of the Skyway News since about 1993!

By 1993, autographs were starting to be handled differently. In effort keep lines for the superstars away from creating chaos on an already packed floor, the biggest names were set up on the concourse. Keeping those long lines far away from the lesser players autograph lines.

Prices were raised, as you’d expect… 

Future Hall of Famer, Dave Winfield, signing autographs on the Metrodome main concourse, at the 1993 Twins Fest.

And Kirby Puckett, doing the same.

Deciding Twins Fest didn’t provide enough access to player autographs, the team came up with an annual Autograph Party. I never went to one of these, but my mom did in 1993. I think it was held on Nicollet Mall, in downtown Minneapolis, and not at the dome. 

(Nope… I was wrong. It was at the Dome. It did move to Nocllet Mall, later.)

Hopefully she came away with something better than just third string TV announcer, Dick Bremer…

******

1993 - 1999

Faith No More played the Metrodome. Opening for Metallica and Guns ’n Roses, in 1992.

I don't have a picture of that. Be cool if I did...

Just before the 1993 season started, the Colorado Rockies made a stop in Minneapolis, on their way to New York. They’d play their first game in franchise history, on Monday, against the Mets. But first was a two game exhibition series against the Twins. I wrote about this many years ago, so I don’t need to do it again.

However, I forgot about the Colorado Rockies Scouting Report that ran in the April 1993 copy Twins Magazine. Though I kind of doubt Herb Carneal and John Gordon actually wrote this. There’s been more than 30 seasons of Rockies baseball since this weekend, but it’s odd to re-read this and know it’s from before Colorado had ever played one major league game.

1989 Donruss the Rookies - Gary Wayne - Dome Auto

The Twins had some very good luck with the Rule V Draft, in the late 1980’s. Not only did 1988 Rule V Draft pick, Gary Wayne, provide several years of quality left-handed relief, but their 1989 Rule V Draft pick, Shane Mack, quickly became a multi-year fixture in our starting lineup. Originally property of the Montreal Expos, Wayne was lights out in 1986, pitching in A ball. He fared even better in AA, in 1987. But he missed almost all of the 1988 season, and Montreal left him available in the Rule V Draft. By picking him, Minnesota would have to carry him on the 24 man major league roster, for the entire season, or the Expos could take him back.

He more than earned his keep in Minnesota over 4 seasons. Coincidentally, the Twins traded him to the Colorado Rockies, about a week before their April 1993, Metrodome appearance.

Something else that was new at the Dome for 1993, was a set of extremely 1990’s looking signs. Bear in mind, this photo is from 2008. So they were anything but short-lived… This severely dated theme was used above all exterior entrance gates, and throughout the upper and lower concourses. 

These signs didn’t go away, even after the Twins left in 2009. After that point, the Metrodome was turned over to the Vikings, and re-branded “Mall of America” Field. Other than changing logos, not much could be done to spruce up the exterior. Those red support poles and assorted extensions, were painted purple (and looked much better for it). The Metrodome would be demolished four years after the Twins left, anyways…

The April 1993 edition of Twins Magazine included a handy Metrodome Food Map. Attendance was on the steady decline by 1993, so many of these cartoon food vendors were likely shuttered. Food options were very slim in the early 1990’s. Basics and bland. And cheaply prepared. Steamed hot dogs. Reheated pizza slices. Popcorn that was popped on the first date of a homestand, then used until the team hit the road. 

Again… Until you have something to compare it to, it wasn’t THAT bad…

And then it was…

Perkins was the chosen sponsor of the Family section for the 1993 season. No alcohol was allowed there, but it was only one section. Very small percentage of total available seating. You could buy a ticket package that included Dome Dogs and Cokes. You know, if I could have done this in a section WITHOUT families, I’d have bought 3 Tickets. Gone by myself, with a guaranteed empty seat on both sides of me. Then I have 3 Dome Dogs and 3 Cokes. Since they were of the smallest size, works out to be a good deal for me. 

Perkins ran an ad in that April 1993, edition of Twins Magazine.

Hmmm… I worked at two of those restaurants (four, if you count two shifts at Blaine and Fridley, as a fill in). But I have eaten at 28 of them. Which includes two that are not in the ad, but does not include any of the Perkinses in states not listed here. Such as Colorado, Nebraska and Florida.

Minnesota: Anoka, Arden Hills, Blaine, both Bloomington locations, Brooklyn Center (worked there), Coon Rapids (worked there), Detroit Lakes, all 3 Duluth locations, Edina, Forest Lake, Fridley, one of the Minneapolis locations, Mounds View, New Brighton, Roseville, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud, and Worthington. 

North Dakota: Fargo.

South Dakota: Aberdeen, Sioux Falls.

Wisconsin: Hudson, Superior, Madison, LaCrosse.

That’s a whole lot of Supreme Burgers…

Tuesday, June 29, 1993.

Always tried to get to a Seattle Mariners game each season. Had to see Ken Griffey Jr. While I’ve seen him hit home runs in person, he went 0-4 against the Twins quartet of Eddie Guardado (who started), Mike Trombley, Carl Willis and Rick Aguilera. Twins won 7-5, but there wasn’t anything notable about the game. Both teams were seriously underperforming expectations, Seattle recovered enough to finish above 500, but the Twins rode this momentum into last place. Were they would pretty much stay until the next millennium.

One notable thing took place before the game, otherwise I wouldn’t have bothered mentioning it…

Seattle’s Designated Hitter, Dave Magadan, was making his debut with the Mariners, after arriving in a trade the day before. Which was a very strange trade… On June 27th, 1993, the Florida Marlins traded Magadan to Seattle for Henry Cotto and Jeff Darwin. On November 9, 1993, The Seattle Mariners traded Dave Magadan to the Florida Marlins for Jeff Darwin. Apparently they really didn’t like Henry Cotto, but they didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Poor Jeff Darwin, ended up being a pawn in this chain of events…

Either way, this is notable to me because before the game, I watched Magadan take a series of posed photos, in his full uniform, not far from the Mariners dugout. Several light screens were set up on three sides of him, with adjustments were made between shots. 

Wondered if this would appear on a baseball card some day…

1993 Topps Traded - Dave Magadan

Yup, there it was… Included in the 1993 Topps Traded box set.

I’d like to get an autographed copy of this card… But it wasn’t possible before or after the game, because it hadn’t been made yet.

1987 Donruss - Kent Hrbek - Dome Auto

Kent Hrbek is a legend in Minnesota, and I was able to get his signature twice in the Dome parking lot. Which was an accomplishment. While he came through fairly often, he almost always turned down requests. Both times I got his signature, no one else was around so it didn’t turn into a big deal. Understandably, he was concerned about getting past the crowd as quickly as possible. The same as Kirby Puckett, on the very rare occasion you actually saw him come through the lot.

Sunday, August 13, 1995.

Kent Hrbek Jersey Retirement Day. Like Tony Oliva four years earlier, I attended another Twins jersey retirement ceremony. Our seats were in centerfield, behind the fence being shown on the scoreboard. Two unknown Twins employees tear off the Kent Hrbek banner’s protective cover.

Then Hrbek, with his wife and kid, on their way to get pizza, take a victory lap around the Metrodome’s playing field, in a car they may have given him. I don’t remember. I also didn’t take any of these pictures. In fact, almost none of the Metrodome pictures in this story were taken by me. Unless noted, you can credit my mom for the photos. She went to many games that I didn’t, and gave me copies of the important pictures she took. I probably wouldn’t bother with this story, without them.

I only went to one Twins game in 1996. Because I wanted a Kent Hrbek Mini Statue, that was being given away to the first however many people it was. While not perfect, it looks a lot better than the Joe Mauer Mini Statue the Twins gave away last year…

1988 Fleer World Series - Kent Hrbek

A moment in franchise history that has since been overshadowed by the 1991 World Series. I watched this happen live on TV, in the living room at my parents house. Was home alone that night. Don’t remember where everyone was.

******

After the 1996 season ended, I moved to Englewood, Colorado. StillI followed the Twins from a distance, but I was far more interested in familiarizing myself with my new team, the Colorado Rockies. From what I saw of the last few years of Twins baseball, I wasn’t missing much…

1995 saw Kirby Puckett’s career end prematurely after a freak eye injury, following several payroll shedding/rebuilding moves.

1996 saw little reinvestment in the on field product and an absolute botching of the 1996 MLB Draft. Minnesota had the second overall pick (Travis Lee), but screwed up the paperwork. Lee was ruled a free agent, and signed with the Arizona D-Bags a month later. Rebuilding teams simply cannot make a mistake this dumb.

June 1997 Twins Magazine - Terry Steinbach

For the 1997 season, the Twins again spent very little on players, beyond giving free agent catcher, Terry Steinbach, a below market deal to leave the Oakland Athletics. Steinbach was a native Minnesotan, and having previously won with Oakland, was looking to wind his career down in his home state. Minnesota had luck with bringing back Minnesota-born baseball stars Jack Morris, Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor, but there was a big step down from them to Steinbach.

No offense, Terry…

1991 Leaf - Denny Neagle - Dome Auto

Neagle wasn’t around Minnesota for long, shipped to Pittsburgh in March of 1992 for John Smiley. A rare Minnesota trade of a prospect for an actual living breathing Major League All Star. Neagle was great about signing for everybody on the only time I saw him in late September, 1991. Years later, Neagle signed as a free agent with the Rockies. I was excited to see him pitch for my team. Well, he pitched terrible. Then he got busted with a prostitute and that was pretty much it for his career.

Well, what’s the point of having tens of millions of dollars, if you can’t spend it on what makes you happy?

The April 1997 edition of Twins Magazine ran a feature story selling their new stadium plan, complete with a fold out front cover. 

Opposite the front cover flap was 3 pieces about the Twins ballparks, past, present and future. Starting off with Metropolitan Stadium, which was never completed. Even as the abandoned stadium was being demolished in 1985, the third base stands were still temporary bleachers. For 20 years, the Twins and Vikings couldn’t agree on how many seats should be in that area, and what they should look like. The eventual compromise was the Vikings will get a brand new dome, set up for football. And they’ll figure out a way to fit the Twins inside.

The Metrodome…

Yup… That’s what that is…

The Twins would propose several new stadium ideas over the next decade, but I felt the best of them was the first. (And that includes what became Target Field.) Twins officials unveiled this plan, which included an impressive 3D model, at Twins Fest 1997. They hoped for the site 3 blocks northeast of the Metrodome, for the new ballpark. Which would feature a retractable roof, similar to the parks built in Houston and Seattle. But Minnesota’s would rest on the opposite side, leaving the outfield unobstructed by a giant set of folded roof pieces. The roof would slide over the field on rails, built on the north and south sides of the stadium. 

Location was an issue with this plan, as the land was prime real estate and in demand. The plot was directly on the banks of the Mississippi River, and was the right size for a baseball stadium. The area was already set up with the Metrodome a few blocks away. The site was available in 1997, but the Twins couldn’t get funding approved the city, county or state. 

That site was eventually sold to the Guthrie Theater. They built a new and larger theater on the land, with the rest becoming Gold Medal Park. Which is fine, but the Twins ballpark should have gone here. The entire project as planned in 1997 would have cost about $411 million. Target Field cost $535 million a decade later. And Target Field isn’t anywhere near as cool as this park would have been.

While efforts to build this new ball park on the river were going on, Carl Pohlad and the Twins were also in deep negations to move the franchise to North Carolina. With Pohlad selling the team to local businessman, Don Beaver. Minnesota wanted Pohlad to sell the team to the state, with the state building a stripped down version of what the Twins planned. Meanwhile, the deal with North Carolina and Don Beaver fell apart in early 1998, when the region wasn’t interested in supporting any public stadium measure. This entire mess got very ugly, both in court and in public, until May 2006, when an agreement to build Target Field was finally reached. Facing an iron-clad deadline where Pohlad would be free to move the team, without legal objection, a deal was worked out.

In the late 1990’s, Citizens United for Baseball in Minnesota ran a campaign to rally fan support, showing the State of Minnesota the degree of interest in keeping the team. Don’t know to what degree they’re related to the Citizens United that led to the absolute fuckery of our campaign contribution laws, but if they’re the same people… Go fuck yourself Citizens United!!

1979 Topps - Shane Rawley - Dome Auto

Minnesota had to somehow make the sacrifice of losing second baseman Tom Herr, in trade to the Phillies, for starting pitcher, Shane Rawley. Rawley would slot into out 1989 rotation, filling the gap left by a retiring Charlie Lea. Tom Herr spent his time in Minnesota pouting over being traded by the Cardinals, so he was no big loss. Rawley had a few decent seasons with Philadelphia, but by 1989 was pretty much done. He was originally drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1974, so that’s a bonus.

While all of the Pohlad stadium nonsense was being argued over, Twins Fest was still a thing. 

From the 1999 edition. My mom sent me these photos (plus more) from the event.

I definitely miss that card show.

From the autograph lines, Twins starting pitcher, Frank Rodriguez. (Third baseman Corey Koskie, and his ugly sweater are sitting next to him.) He made a serious splash in the Junk Wax Prospector days, after signing with the Boston Red Sox. Speculation was that he was going to pitch and play shortstop, but he chose to focus on pitching. He was a top prospect and the key return in 1995’s Rick Aguilera trade. The Twins then re-signed Aguilera after the season, so they got both. Unfortunately, Frankie didn’t work out, after numerous chances.

He did sign this baseball…

In January 1999, Torii Hunter sat completely bored. Wishing someone would come over and talk to him.

So my mom had him sign this baseball.

2022 Topps Chrome Black - Torii Hunter Autograph

His signature was a lot sloppier 23 years earlier…

Look! It’s the 1987 World Series Trophy!

And there’s the 1991 World Series Trophy

My favorite Minnesota card store, Coach’s Corner, used to operate a shop in the Apache Plaza Shopping Mall. Up until a few before it was demolished. Every year, they had couple tables at Twins Fest. Co-owner Terry in the grey Vikings sweatshirt was at the Dome today, meaning Ron was left running the store for the day.

1990 Topps - Tom Kelly - Dome Auto

Cranky Tom Kelly wasn’t overly cranky with the fans outside the Dome, but he was usually too busy to sign autographs. Often riding with a coach or two, and typically walking with them on his way in, you didn’t want to interrupt. So I gave him space. 

Looked like he needed it…

******

2000 - The 40th Season All-Time Twins Team

The 2000 season would be the Twins 40th in Minnesota, and this special patch was worn on uniform sleeves throughout the year. On August 12, 2000, the Twins held a pregame ceremony to honor their 40th Season All Time Team. Which included no current members of the team, because they were pretty much all rookies. There was a saying regarding the payrolls of this era… Brad Radke and 24 guys making the league minimum. It wasn’t far from that.

Special August 2000 edition of Twins Magazine.

Which lists the first half of the Twins All-Time Team…

And the rest of the Twins All-Time Team…

Here’s an on-field team photo of those who were able to make it to Minnesota that night.

Both the Twins and Blue Jays wore early 1980’s style uniforms, for the game. I would have opted for 1961, but the Blue Jays didn’t exist then, so they would have had to play naked. David Wells pitched on the team that year,.. And no one needs to see that. 

Also, I can’t for the life of me figure out who is warming up in the Twins bullpen. In this game, the Twins started Mark Redman, and brought in Joe Mays, Travis Miller and LaTroy Hawkins in relief. The guy pitching is none of those people. Looking at the roster on this day, I can only come up with the possibility of Hector Carrasco. But that really doesn’t look like him.

This mound visit also confuses me. At no point in the weekend was Torii Hunter on third base, other than crossing it after hitting a home run. Which would not have been paused for a mound visit. 

Oh well, I’m done worrying about it.

1990 Upper Deck - Randy Bush - Dome Auto

Randy Bush was one of Cranky Tom Kelly’s favorite players (Al Newman being another). These players always had a spot on the Twins roster, whether their play deserved it or not. For parts of 13 seasons in MLB (all with the Twins), he was below average. To the point where everybody starts wondering why he still has a job. Bush was a good pinch hitter. So you can say that, but not much beyond it. He was usually pretty good regarding autographs, though he had days where you’d be blown off. Completely understandable.

In conjunction with the 40th Season All-Time Twins Team, the players were scattered around the dome concourse for Minnesota Twins Target Photo Day. Where fans could take photos of former players sitting on chairs.

I can’t imagine how uncomfortable that would be…

Up first is the aforementioned Randy Bush and shortstop Greg Gagne. Not to be confused with Greg Gagne, the son of Verne Gagne. I could have done a better job cropping this picture, but I really wanted to include that classic Metrodome “No Smoking” sign. Even though it’s grainy and you really can’t see it. I remember those signs. Pretty sure they’re original to 1982.

Here’s an even better example of a photo that I refused to crop. Didn’t want to lose the light-up Gophers Football frame above him, nor the Fifth St entrance doors. Not to mention the woman in the really unflattering slacks. No offense to Harmon Killebrew, the greatest power hitter in team history. No one will come close to his 21 seasons and 559 home runs with the Twins/Senators. You’ve been overshadowed by your backdrop.

Hall of Famers Tony Oliva and Rod Carew.

And a roll down door framed by that same early 1990’s color scheme matching the signs put up around the Dome, seven plus years earlier.

Bert Blyleven and Jim Perry.

Plus one of the beams that holds the upper deck above you. And a Twins security guy. He was actual Twins security, not one of the pimply-faced teenagers that Sims Security plopped in the seats.

Frank Viola and Jim Kaat.

Nothing interesting going on in the background, this time.

Kent Hrbek and Gary Gaetti.

Hrbek looking pretty excited. Probably thought my mom had a pizza…

Kirby Puckett, looking like he ate Kirby Puckett.

Puckett is a tough figure to put on the pedestal of legends… You can never take anything away from what he did as a player. But after he retired, the skeletons came tumbling out of his closet. Kind of sours you on that whole “face of the franchise” title, when the face was just wearing a mask. 

Luckily the Twins would be less than a year away from drafting the paragon of wholesomeness, whose hometown factor somewhat cancels out two World Series wins. Joe Mauer was pretty much scandal proof. Though Trav and I had a running bit where we tried to come up with what scandal could Mauer have gotten into that would have finally turned Minnesotans against him. Spoiler: None of them happened.

There’s another Twins alumni, who is also a Hall of Famer, that wasn’t invited to be a part of the Minnesota Twins All Time Team…

Steve Carlton!

I’m only including him because I’ve not seen many picture of Lefty in a Minnesota Twins uniform. But thanks to the 1988 Minnesota Twins Yearbook, I have a photo of him pitching inside the Metrodome! Steve Carlton pitched 52 innings for the Twins in 1987 and 1988, going 1-6, with a 8.54 ERA. Giving up 74 hits and 28 walks in those 52 innings. He was absolutely cooked, but there you go… Baseball legend and longtime Phillie and Cardinal, as a Minnesota Twin, pitching in the Metrodome.

1989 ProCards - Paul Sorrento - Dome Auto

Felt kind of bad for Paul after he signed my card in late September 1989. As he handed the card and Sharpie back, he put his thumb directly on the inkiest spot of his signature. Now he had to live with a black thumb until I he got somewhere to wash it off. Hopefully he didn’t get it on his shirt or something. Sorry, but thanks for the signature. 

In 1989, the Twins sold team sets of their minor league affiliates, at the Metrodome merchandise tables. Which always caused traffic jams in the already narrow concourse, because they stood out about 6 or 8 feet into a space that was only (at most) 28 feet wide. Not a problem during their lower drawing days, but an absolute nightmare on one of those games in 1988-1992, when they were getting upwards of 50,000 people filling the Dome. 

******

2000 - 2007

2000 Twins Fest Brochure, autographed by Ron Coomer.

When your team’s All Star Representative is Ron Coomer, you have a BAD team. I’m not a Ron Coomer fan. About 15 years ago, he was doing TV work with the Twins. I saw him chatting with some other Twins TV people in the left field corner before a game. He made eye contact, I gave a quick nod and he immediately looked away.

Don’t Big League me, you throw-in on the Jose Parra trade!

2001 Twins Fest, Silent Auction tables.

Over the years, my mom picked up some cool stuff from these auctions, including a David Ortiz autographed bat in 1998.

And the Kids Field, for children to play whiffle ball, or whatever they were doing there.

I wouldn’t have bothered with this picture, but I noticed the barely readable America Online sign, above the main floor access area. That definitely says January 2001…

August 2001 Twins Magazine - Infield Defense

Because I was living in Colorado, I didn’t attend any Twins games between 1997 and 2001. So I missed some of the franchise’s darkest days. By 2001, all of the years of terrible teams was starting to pay off. The collection of accumulated prospects were becoming actual productive major leaguers.

They would soon have better All Star Representatives than Ron Coomer...

Attendance was still in the toilet (and rightfully so, for what ownership was putting the fanbase though), so the team was getting desperate to get people to come to the games. Since putting a decent product on the field was more than they were willing to do, they offered a season ticket package for a ridiculously low price. Of course it was for upper deck, outfield general admission seats, but it got you in the door for a very low price. They also included several bonus gifts for signing on, but I don’t remember what they were.

My mom ended up buying in, but only went to about 15 games. A few years back, she gave me all of her unused tickets. Not sure what I’ll do with them. They’re kind of cool. I don’t think teams even print tickets anymore. There’s a whole generation of kids that won’t be able to save their tickets stubs to games and concerts. 

Unless they download a PDF…

Seating chart and ticket prices for the 2000 season

Note the Perkins Family Section has moved several to its right, and rebranded as the Marquette Banks Family Section. Marquette Banks was fully owned by Carl Pohlad. I’ll never be able to understand or follow the order of bank acquisitions, takeovers, mergers and/or purchases over the last 30 years in this country. Seems like we went from tens of thousands of banks, to about ten. And Carl made another shit-ton of money. Not like he was re-investing in the team. 

Especially not with his contraction scheme he was cooking up behind closed doors.

1984 Topps - Junior Ortiz - Dome Auto

Minnesota traded for Junior Ortiz right as the 1990 season started. Longtime catcher Tim Laudner was cut from the team in spring training, and Brian Harper stepped up to become an All Star. Ortiz was acquired to be the new backup. His choice was to wear uniform number 0, because it was an O for Ortiz. He was a quirky guy, who had probably his best season in 1990. 1991 wasn’t so great. At one point he told the local media that he was now Joe Ortiz, “because that other guy can’t hit.”

Midwest Sports Channel ran an ad in the August 2000 edition of Twins Magazine. Looks like it was now a part of the Fox Sorts Network. This ad is misleading. At first glance, I thought it was saying that this would be the 40th season of Twins baseball on MSC. Instead of this being the 40th season of Twins baseball… So watch it on MSC. Really doubt that regional sports networks were very popular in 1961.

No-selling the disturbing image of a giant Ron Coomer parasite, growing out of Harmon Killebrew’s crotch. 

Sadly, the changing face of retail brought on the end of the Twins Pro Shops. Most people were using the internet to buy tickets, instead of in person at the Pro Shop. Same principle goes for team licensed merchandise. Some years ago, there was a shift away from each team handling their own merchandise sales, to now MLB (via Fanatics) handling all merchandise sales in-house. The last Twins Pro Shop (Minnetonka) closed in January 2017. At the time, Twins officials didn’t rule out a return of the Pro Shop stores, but they’re on the back burner for now. The team store at Target Field is open year round, even on non-game days, and is considered to be part of the evolution of Twins Pro Shops.

But it’s hardly the same thing.

The Metrodome never allowed smoking inside the seating bowl. If you went to even one Twins game at the Metrodome, you remember Bob Casey and his iconic “Noooooooooooo smoking!” call, during pre-game announcements. 

If I remember correctly, you could smoke in certain areas of the concourse in the late 1980’s. After that, they sent you to the vestibule (all my best to you and yours) to smoke. Which was a nice, wide area with chain link gates on one side, and glass doors, windows and revolving doors leading to the concourse, on the other. Closed circuit monitors aired the game, with WCCO Radio providing the soundtrack. As far as stadium smoking areas go, this one was pretty good.

As I write this sentence, I’ve hit my 40th day without a cigarette (on MSC).

I write stories out of order.

Saving a grand total of $540 to this point.

Yay for not smoking.

Where’s my pipe…

After my last Metrodome visit in 1996, I finally returned to a game in September, 2002. And now the Twins were pretty good. All of the Rich Robertsons, Brent Gateses and Butch Huskeys were long gone. Now the team had some real stars, and Brad Radke was still here. There wasn’t any affordable options at the Dome itself, but I wanted a current Twins blue alternate jersey. My hopes were for a Doug Meintkiewicz, because of all the letters that would fit on the back. After the game, I found a Torii Hunter jersey that fit my requirements. For about half the price of what it was inside the Metrodome.

With the May 2006 deadline for a stadium agreement fast approaching, the Twins ramped up their campaign in 2004. One of the promotional giveaways was a set of baseball cards featuring the team’s stars, with multiple cards featuring sketches of their latest proposed stadium. This was the design they championed in that time. A revamped version of the 1997 concept, with the retractable roof on the third base side, instead pf the outfield. The Mississippi River site was now home to the new Guthrie Theater, so a new location would have to be chosen.

I took a look at this this set, back in September, 2017.

Pretty heavy-handed in how they present their case…

Another local group took up the cause in 2005. In the form of a sticker that has been affixed to my 2006 notebook since then. From the look of this illustration, they planned on a throwback to the 1930’s era, so stripped down it would have probably cost under $300 million in 2005. There’s no room for team administrative offices, nor any of the additional bars and restaurants that have to be included for the revenue boost. 

That being said, I like this design, but it needs work.

In 2005, the Twins sent out a postcard to warn you about what Johan Santana can do to wienies…

Saturday, May 27, 2006.

I’d driven back to Minnesota to bring a big buncha stuff from my parents house, to my new apartment in Englewood, CO. While in town, I went to the Twins - Mariners game at the Metrodome. The day before, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (boooooooo) signed a bill funding Target Field into law. After all those battles, after all those years, the Twins would finally get that stadium. Which would be built for them, and not the Vikings.

As a gift to me, the Twins gave me something I’d never seen in person that night, a Triple Play! Seattle started the 8th inning with a double by Richie Sexson, a walk to Carl Everett and a single by Adrian Beltre, loading the bases. Kenji Johjima hits a ground ball to second baseman Luis Castillo, who steps on second and throws to Justin Morneau for the out at first. As that was happening, Richie Sexson scores from third base. But for some bone-head reason, Carl Everett doesn’t stop at third base and continues running to home. Morneau throws the ball to Joe Mauer, who easily tags Everett out at home. 

Damn… Would love to see a no hitter/perfect game (came close), but a Triple Play is the rarest on-field play I’d seen in person. Seen a few Triple Plays on TV over the years, but that’s not the same thing.

1991 Topps - Shane Mack - Dome Auto

San Diego gave up on Shane Mack for some bizarre reason and way too soon… The Twins picked him up in the 1989 Rule V Draft, and he played the next 5 seasons for the Twins at a very high level. In 633 games as a Twin, Mack hit .309/.375/.479, with 67 home runs and 71 stolen bases. After a low-ball contract offer from the Twins, Mack signed a two year contract with the Yomiuri Giants, and hit .284/.356/.463, in 1995. After he returned from Japan, injuries started to pile up. He still hit very strong in 2 seasons with Boston and Kansas City, before retiring in 1998.

Great autograph signer as well.

I’d come back to Minnesota to bring more of my stuff back to Colorado, in September, 2006. There’s another chance to revisit the Metrodome. There it was, walking up Fifth Street. In recent years, the empty lot across the street incorporated more elements to gather people outside the stadium. The new Metrodome Plaza matched up with the light rail establishing a station on the north side of the property.

A good amount of picnic tables are set out on the plaza. Food vendors operate out of the permanent buildings, with restrooms. Pregame events like concerts, autograph signings and interviews would take place there, it was a good use of space, on a long underutilized property. Even today with the new Vikings stadium at the site, they remained, pretty much unchanged today.

The Metrodome sat across Chicago Avenue, later Kirby Puckett Place, from the plaza. The road was closed to traffic on game days, to allow people to move freely across the street. This exterior ticket booth was a later addition to the Dome. The second level was an even later addition. 

October 1, 2006.

The last day of the 2006 season. In order to win the American League Central Division title, the Twins had to beat the Chicago White Sox, and Detroit had to lose their game in Kansas City. We beat Chicago 5-1, in front of over 45,000 fans. (I think they raised the curtains in the upper deck at times, to sell more tickets.) My mom was one of them that afternoon. Given the stakes involved, fans were invited to stay and watch the end of the Tigers - Royals game on the Jumbotron. They’d been tied 8-8 going into the 12th inning, The dome erupted when Kansas scored 2 in the top of the 12th, then counted down as the Royals Jimmy Gobble, shut the Tigers down in the bottom of the 12th.

Tigers go home… Twins lose three in a row to the Oakland Athletics, getting swept right on out of the 2006 AL Division Series… Such a pathetic end to a magical season.

How’s that make you feel, Super A’s Fan Rob?

Dick.

1991 Upper Deck - Scott Leius - Dome Auto

Leius was a steady utility player for parts of six seasons with Twins (1989-1995). Another of Tom Kelly’s favorites. They tend to not hit very much, so they remain cheap, and they play for years. Not even going to get into Jeff Reboulet, Pedro Munoz or Denny Hocking… Did get a few signatures from Leius between 1989 and 1991, when I was chasing after autographs. Quite a few times, I saw him drop his stuff off in his car, then come back to the groups to sign for everybody there. (Mark Portugal was the same way.)

******

2007 - 2009

This is a flyer for Twins Fest 2007. But the one I want to talk about is Twins Fest 2006. On a rash, last minute decision, I worked my Thursday overnight, getting off at 6am Friday. From there I drove to Minnesota, because I wanted to hit Twins Fest on Saturday. I had to be back in Denver to work at 9pm, Monday night. So this was going to be exhausting. But I had a checklist of single cards I wanted to buy, that I hadn’t seen around Denver. I don’t regret making this trip, but it was the last time I did a CO to MN to CO run, over a three day period. 30 year old me handled that different then even 25 year old me.

Results of that mission…

2005 Bowman Chrome Draft Autograph - Ryan Zimmerman and Matt Garza

One dealer had a copy of each. I bought them and another card I don’t remember for $75. I remember it being a tenuous negotiation. Garza being the hot Twins 2005 Draft pick, and Zimmerman being one of the top names in the 2005 MLB Draft. 

2002 Bowman Chrome Autograph - Joe Mauer

I was shocked that only one dealer had this card. Unless other copies had already sold. Given Mauer’s popularity, I’m not surprised. Dealer wanted $100, but I put on my picky eyes and griped his price down to $80.

1984 Fleer Update - Kirby Puckett

I’d wanted this card since I first started collecting cards. Again, only one dealer had a copy, a slightly off-center (as ALL 1984 Fleer Update cards are) for $75. No hesitation.

1975 Topps - George Brett

The only card on my list that I didn’t leave 2006 Twins Fest, in my possession. I saw several copies. Two of them were in really clean condition, and more expensive that I’d budgeted. The third one was in my budget, but I wasn’t crazy about the condition in comparison to the price tag. That dealer was unwilling to budge on his price, and I was unwilling to pay that price. So I’d wait another 13 years before I finally bought the 1975 Topps Brett.

Football press box floated above the retractable seating. Those cut off steps to oblivion always freaked me out in the Metrodome outfield. There was no football today, because it was Twins Fest. So the press box was used for autograph stations for the bigger name players they didn’t make sit on the field.

Future Jomboy Media personality, Trevor Plouffe, was made to sit on the Dome floor to sign autographs in 2008.

Do listen to his baseball podcast with Chris Rose, on occasion. It’s pretty good.

Ty Cobb’s glove from the 1912 season, on loan from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, for a 2008 Twins Fest exhibit. I wasn’t there, so I had no say in the pictures taken, but I really would have liked a full photo of Walter Johnson’s 1927 Washington Senators jersey.

As the 2009 Twins Fest was winding down, my mom snapped this photo of the Ballpark Cafe. Purveyor of fine boiled Dome Dogs, and other assorted Metrodome food options. They may have even had chicken fingers. Those weren’t typically too bad. But the late 1980’s Metrodome Burgers were really bad. No idea if they ever improved. The one I had was so awful that it stuck with me for 20 years, and I wouldn’t try another.

Now the burgers at Target Field are really good… I guess that’s a trade off since Twins Fest at Target Field inn’t what it was at the Metrodome. Obviously you can’t run a full fan festival on an outdoor baseball field, during January in Minnesota. Your fingertips would freeze off as you flipped through dime boxes. So all of the old draws of Twins Fest are either adapted for space available, or cut out altogether. Bye bye baseball card show…

I haven’t gone to Twins Fest since it was moved to Target Field. Standing in line for autographs isn’t enough of a draw at this point. I’ll just buy a certified autograph online and stay home. 

1991 Fleer - David West - Dome Auto

I’ve written enough about David West in the last year, for his New York Mets connection with Jeff Innis. Who was robbed of his chase to pitch in the Metrodome, because Cranky Tom Kelly couldn’t figure out how to build a bullpen in 1994. Yes, I’m still angry with the Twins about that.

But I was always a David West fan.

My last game in the Metrodome was in May of 2008, when I was visiting from Denver. The above photo was not from that day’s walk to the stadium. Snow should be a clue, but you can’t rule out snow in May in Minnesota. Since I didn’t have an exterior dome shot from my last game, this is one my mom took walking from the parking lot, for TwinsFest 2009. Which was in January, when snow should be expected.

Now these are photos that I took!

Accidental photo of the Metrodome seats.

The backs of which are rather filthy. 

As the Metrodome was being demolished, in January 2014, seats were being sold for a reasonable price. Catch being, you were buying the seats, but you'd have to find your own way to mount them. Never even debated it, because even if I did buy a pair of Metrodome seats, and figured out how to mount them, they could NEVER be as cool as my...

Seats from Metropolitan Stadium!

A much better piece of Twins history, as far as I'm concerned.

Taking a quick photo inventory from our seats at the Metrodome that night… 

Looking straight ahead, towards right field.

Left Field…

First base side…

There used to be a giant inflatable Land O’ Lakes milk jug, sitting just beyond the fence in the right field corner.

I wish I had a picture of that…

Thanks X…

Eat a dick, Elroy.

We’ll conclude this with a quick look down at Justin Morneau, who is batting now. This will please Laura, if she ever reads this story... Morneau would go 0-4 tonight, but the Twins beat the White Sox 3-1. Off the stellar pitching of Boof Bonser. 

Can’t go wrong with a badass Boof Bonser Baseball, buddy!

Another treasure from a Twins Fest I did not attend… 

Kirby Puckett’s retired number banner, next to ones representing Twins postseason appearances. Hard to believe we went from 1971-1986 with no postseason appearances, followed by two World Series wins in five years. Then a big buncha more losing before 4 division titles in 5 years, then getting our asses handed to us in the playoffs. Usually by the New York Yankees.

Years ago, my Doktor told me a story about the only Twins game he ever went to… “It was either 86 or 87. I had to go to the bathroom, and didn’t want to use the long pee troughs, so I waited for a stall. Someone had written: ‘Kirby Puckett fucks a bucket’ on the wall inside…”

I brought a Sharpie with tonight... And yes… 

Call it a tribute.

1975 Topps - Jim Dwyer - Dome Auto

Minnesota traded for Jim Dwyer in August 1988, in effort to try and win the division. They didn’t win, but liked enough of Dwyer to resign him for the 1989 season. We won even less in 1989, and traded him to the Montreal Expos in August 1989. Who then traded him back to the Twins in January 1990. But at age 40, he didn’t have much left in the tank. The Twins cut him in June and he called it a career at 40 years old. After parts of 18 seasons in the major leagues.

******

October 2009 - The Final Metrodome Game

Carl Pohlad died on January 5, 2009.

He tragically lost his battle with sudden head shrinkage. Many people believe he was cursed by a family after he kicked them off their farm, back in the early 1930’s. Personally, I believe that decades of selfish greed caused his head to slowly implode.

Whatever it was, my unpopular opinion was satisfaction that he died before Target Field was completed. For all of the underhanded tricks he pulled on this franchise, he should not be allowed to take part in the joy of them finally getting out of the Metrodome. And if you expect me to say something nice about the man who insisted the team had to be run as a business, the same rich old miser who brought on North Carolina’s Don Beaver and the failed 2001 Contraction plot with the Montreal Expos, in order to get what he wanted... You should probably find a different blog to read.

Sunday, October 4, 2009.

Today was scheduled to be a final baseball game played inside the Metrodome. That had to change given the Twins having a more successful season than expected… My mom bought her tickets for this game, at 2009 Twins Fest, as she didn’t want to miss the last game.

A special edition of Twins Magazine was printed to commemorate the Last Metrodome Game.

The upper deck curtain was raised to sell tickets, for the final weekend’s series against the Kansas City Royals.

Over 51,000 showed up for the “last” game.

Presented by Delta.

Look, there’s 1991 World Series heroes, Jack Morris and Dan Gladden! 

For the Final Dome Series, the Twins brought in former players for fans to take photos of, and/or with. This time without the pesky Target logo getting in the way.

There’s 1995 AL Rookie of the Year, Marty Cordova! Looking uncomfortable alongside Brad Radke and Kevin Tapani. I wish there would have been more pictures of alumni… These were the players I grew up watching, and then, they’re the age I am now. Too much perspective…

When my mom told me she was going to the final Metrodome game, I asked if she could take some photos of the Dome concourse for me. Those are the types of pictures of stadiums that you rarely see. Sure there are plenty of exteriors photos, and pictures taken of the field and stands, from inside the seating bowl. But I wanted some pictures of what you would see between the outside and the inner inside. 

Because I remember buying food at these stands. I remember how the restrooms looked and where the staircases between the upper and lower decks were. I remember the color schemes inside the halls, accent borders against plain cement. I didn’t have a digital camera when the Dome was still a thing for the Twins, but if I did, this would have been a much better story…

Grandstand Grill, with message about which alumni are appearing outside section 209, between 1:30 and 2:30pm…

Hurry, it’s Rick Aguilera and Cranky Tom Kelly! 

The upper concourse along the first base side.

Souvenir stand on the left, and a Top Dog vendor on the right. Beyond the wiener stand is Gate E. 

The red painted cylinders are the revolving doors used to get inside. The use of revolving doors is to help regulate the air pressure inside, needed to keep the roof inflated. It wasn’t a common practice, but when the regular doors around the revolving doors are opened, a powerful blast of air would almost suck you right out of the dome. 

Hold onto your hat, it will go flying off your head!

Freeze & Blimpie… Ice cream and sub sammiches. 

If you need help reading the monitor covering the Blimpie, it’s just letting you know that Scott Leius, Frank Viola and Steve Lombardozzi with be available for photos outside section 220, between 1:30 and 2:30pm.

Better get your pictures of Lombardozzi before Dan Gladden gets a hold of him…

Field Fare was just your standard food booth, unlike the other more specialized offerings. 

And I cannot in good conscience cover the Metrodome and not mention Twins legend, Wally the Beer Man. He sold beer for years at Metropolitan Stadium, the entire run at the Metrodome, and the first season of Target Field. Unfortunately, he was fired after an undercover sting, where he sold beer to a 19 year old. He was acquitted by jury, but still lost his job.

Fans attending the game were given a certificate to commemorate the last (regular season) HHH Metrodome game.

I’ve removed her name to protect her anonymity. Because I doubt my family wants to be associated with my online nonsense…

1987 Fleer - Greg Gagne - Dome Auto

The answer to the question: “Which Twins player (from the late 80’s/early 90’s), besides Brian Harper, also noted a bible verse with his signature?” Well, that would be long time shortstop, Greg Gagne.

Again, Not Greg Gagne, but but Greg Gagne.

2009 Twins Yearbook

As mentioned, the Sunday afternoon game against the Kansas City Royal was not the final Twins game in Metrodome history. Minnesota’s win that forced a one game playoff against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday afternoon. Known simply as “Game 163”, it was a tense, back and forth game that was tied after 9 innings, and would last into the 12tth. The Twins would win 6-5, to officially make the AL Division Series. It was ranked by MLB Network as one of the top 20 games of the modern era. I was watching live on TV from my apartment in Colorado. It was a fantastic game, filled with drama and significant, close plays. Unfortunately, all the excellent drama of that game was distracted by the bullshit, made up, stupid drama that my ex chose to put me through, that afternoon.

Ruining one of the greatest baseball games I’ve ever watched.

After the Detroit game (which knocked the Tigers out of the playoffs), the Twins had to fly to New York. The Yankees were scheduled to beat them in two games, so they could fly back to Minneapolis… To lose the final game and be eliminated from the playoffs, on Sunday night.

Which is exactly what happened.

My mom predicted the Twins would lose that final game, on Sunday, October 10, 2009, but she bought a ticket anyway. One of just under 55,000 filling the Metrodome for the very last Twins game ever. She took this picture of the Yankees and Twins lining up during the pregame ceremony.

With that final loss to the Yankees in the books, and the Metrodome emptying out, another quieter postgame ceremony was held at Home Plate. The actual base itself was dug out of the Metrodome turf, and placed on that cart parked behind it. The Metrodome’s home plate would then be transported to Target Field, for installation on the new paying field, as soon as it was ready. Guessing they didn’t use this cart to move it…

And now a word from a sponsor!

Zubaz ran a full page ad in the 1991 playoff edition of Twins Magazine. Everything about this is definitely 1991… Funny, Hawk isn’t wearing his gimmick bag around his waist. EVERY photo I’ve seen of him outside the ring has his gimmick bag close by. While it looks like Animal might just be smuggling the whole drug store in his crotch…

Both of these Zubaz wearing monsters wrassled inside the Metrodome. While the WWF(E) never booked an event there, Verne Gagne ran a relatively successful event at the Metrodome. On April 20, 1986, Verne booked the AWA Wrestlerock event, drawing an estimated 23,000. The event was promoted as an afternoon of wrestling matches, headlined by a Waylon Jennings concert. Not exactly rock… Maybe calling it WrestleCountry would have brought in even more of a crowd?

A wrestling ring was built over the pitching mound, with temporary bleachers reaching over the dugouts and around home plate. Taller temporary bleachers were wheeled in to surround the infield, with rows of on field folding chairs put up to create a smaller arena inside the dome. Tickets were only sold around the infield (though more could have been accommodated, had there been a big run), extending into the upper deck. 

Watching the show now, to see how the dome was adapted to it, is quite interesting. 

The show itself was decent. While nothing was great, being somewhat familiar with AWA television, it was good for what it was. Verne brought in every big name contractually available for the event. Including Wahoo McDaniel, Shawn Michaels, Marty Jennetty, Tiger Mask, Barry Windham, Mike Rotunda, Giant Baba, Harley Race, Rick Martel, Sgt. Slaughter, Scott Hall, Curt Henna, Larry Zbyszko, Nick Bockwinkel, Stan Hanson, Jimmy Sunka and Bruiser Brody, with the Road Warriors (pre-Zubaz) against the Freebirds in a steel cage for a main event.

Oh yeah, Greg and his dad were on the show as well. 

With a special referee appearance by Gary Lumpkin, for all of you Good Company fans!

Verne further promoted this event by having some of the talent perform a rap song, along the lines of the 1986 Chicago Bears Super Bowl Shuffle. 

When will white people learn… You just DON’T DO THIS!!!

1990 Topps - John Candeleria - Dome Auto

Interesting piece of trivia, John Candeleria is the only pitcher in MLB history to win a game in all four Canadian stadiums (Jarry Park and Olympic Stadium in Montreal, plus Exhibition Stadium and SkyDome in Toronto). A record that can never be broken.

Candeleria signed with the Twins, just before Spring Training in 1990, after he was cut from the Montreal Expos roster. He pitched well for the Twins in relief, but their season was free-falling into last place. Minnesota traded Candeleria to the Toronto Blue Jays, at the July trading deadline, for outfielder, Pedro Munoz. A decent Blue Jays prospect that put up okay numbers for parts of 6 seasons with the Twins.

I saw Candeleria outside the dome, only a couple of times in the 1990 season. And only once was he signing. Was glad I brought his Expos card that day!

******

2010 - 2015

The Twins were now playing 12 blocks west of the Metrodome, which was turned over to the Vikings. Of course they weren’t happy about that… They’d been lobbying to have the Metrodome replaced for several years, without success. I’m sure they were jealous the Twins got a deal, and wanted their own. Luckily for the Vikings, heavy snowfall collapsed the Metrodome’s roof in December, 2010. They were forced to relocate their final two games of the season, while Dome’s roof was fixed. This brought a new sense of urgency. Vikings ownership now had the “Dangerous Roof” card to play.

When the damage of the roof collapse was cleaned up, the synthetic turf was replaced. Some of it was cut into squares and sold to collectors. It’s billed as Vikings turf, but Twins players stepped on this stuff too.

In May 2012, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed a Vikings stadium funding bill into law. With a timeline of the Vikings playing in the Metrodome through the 2013 season, after which the Dome would be demolished immediately after the season ended. Construction on the new stadium will have started before the 2013 season, in the current Metrodome parking lot. Once the Metronome has been torn down and removed, construction of the new stadium will move onto that site. The Vikings will play the 2014 and 2015 seasons at nearby TCF Stadium, where the U of M Gophers play football. 

Personally, I loath football. Always have, always will. But good for them. They had the leverage and got a deal. Vikings ownership didn’t have 20 years of bad will with the state, unlike the Twins/Pohlad. So I guess it was easier to accept their pitch? Whatever. They get something new, not long after the Twins got their new. Everyone is happy. (Except the Timberwolves, who are now whining about their arena. Which is garbage, to be honest.)

More important, the much maligned Metrodome was now serving out a death sentence. Its final date of use now carved in stone. With the fate of immediate demolition, just as soon as the last customer has left the building.

******

Monday, January 20, 2014

The Metrodome message board, at 5th and Chicago, has gone dark.

My mom went down to the Metrodome to see what the demolition progress was. The last Vikings game was played inside, on December 29, 2013. Crews began removing seats the next day. Less than a month later, interior demolition was going on nearly 24/7. Crews were also starting to tear down exterior features like ramps and entrance points.

Former Twins ticket office, now painted purple for the Vikings ticket office, sits behind a security fence, waiting to be torn down. At the top of the photo, you can see the roof is no longer inflated. The air was let out for the final time just two days earlier. On February 2nd, crews would use dynamite to sever the steel support cables that held the roof in place. 

South side of the Metrodome, on Sixth Street.

This picture confirms that the Dome was still using those dated 1993 era signs, to label each of the entrances.

East entrance to the former Metrodome parking lot.

The covered loading dock (later picnic area) underneath Gate D, has already been demolished.

Gate C, which was above the Metrodome dining area, along with the ramp above it, has been demolished as well. The snow covered dirt in front is actually a big hole in the ground, where work had already been taking place for a few months, on the new stadium’s footprint. 

(Metrodome demolition photo from the Star Tribune, mid-February, 2014)

After another round of dynamite to take out the concrete ring at the top of the dome, demolition moved quickly. The last of the structure was demolished by the beginning of May, with the last of the debris removed before the end of the month. Demolition was ahead of schedule and under budget. From the final Vikings game to cleared land, in under 6 months. The Metrodome put up very little resistance when it came time for it to go.

With the dome rapidly disappearing into oblivion, there’s another Dome related business I must mention…

Dome Souvenirs Plus (photo also taken January 20, 2014).

Ray Crump was a former bat boy with the Washington Senators, and later an equipment manager for the Twins. In 1986, he opened a souvenir shop and baseball museum, inside a dilapidated old building across Chicago Avenue from the Dome. The main sales floor was lined with tables and folding chairs, for people to sit and do whatever they were doing. Around the walls were every kind of Twins and Vikings item you could ever want. Hundreds of t-shirt designs, and team licensed trinkets. All for far cheaper than what was being sold at the Metrodome, across the street. The museum was a showcase of Crumps baseball memorabilia collection. An impressive lot, dating back to the 1950’s, and his time at Griffith stadium, in Washington DC. The vacant floor above the store, was sometimes used for baseball card shows. 

(Photo from the 1982 Twins Yearbook cover.)

Crump’s first store (at 4th and Chicago) would have been the left building front of the Dome. The smaller one on the right was demolished in 1988. Being inside it always felt kind of uneasy. Because of its age, it seemed like the building could collapse in on itself, at any moment. Honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if the building had been condemned. Crump’s store moved to the location pictured above in 1993. The new shop was further away from the Dome, with the old one being demolished shortly after it was empty. 

The Twins Baseball Museum was now housed in a maze-like room in the building next door to the new Dome Souvenirs Plus. At the old location, it was crammed into a smaller section of the first floor retail area. I wish I’d seen the museum more recently that the early 2000’s. It was an overwhelmingly diverse collection of Twins artifacts, dating back to the Senators days of the 1950’s. I’d appreciate looking at it a lot more than I did 25 years ago. Which was probably the last time I visited. 

Photo of Ray Crump, from the 1981 Twins Yearbook. Providing one of the best pictures I’ve ever seen of the Twins locker room at Metropolitan Stadium. So primative… Wonder who that shirtless guy in the back corner was?

Unable to continue on without Vikings games at the Metrodome, Dome Souvenirs Plus closed in August 2015. Moving the museum and retail operations to a store in St. Louis Park. Unfortunately, Ray Crump died in October 2017, and Dome Souvenirs Plus has now closed as well. I found no reference to it existing after 2018.

No idea what happened to Crump’s Twins collection. I would love to see it again.

Dome Souvenirs Plus previous building was demolished between 2022-2024. I remember it feeling only slightly less condemned than their first location, outside the Metrodome. Being torn down doesn’t surprise me in the least. According to the Googles, cars park there now.

The two story building on the far right, which used to house Crump’s Baseball Museum, has been renovated.  

I was surprised to see Tiger Oak Publications when my mom sent these photos to me, while I was living in Colorado. Tiger Oak published a bunch of different bridal magazine titles, many of which were printed at my old job in Denver. They filed for bankruptcy in 2019, and their assets were sold off a few years alter. This building is now being used by Red Lake Nation College.

US Bank Stadium Construction, September 17, 2015. Photo taken from the corner of Sixth and Chicago. 

Laura and I were back in Minnesota in September 2015. One afternoon, we were driving around a rainy downtown Minneapolis, and found ourselves circling the blocks around the new Vikings stadium. Which was pretty defined in its state of construction. The lighted sign for Hubert’s Bar & Grill, luckily photobombed the shot… Unfortunately the well-known bar closed in November 2015. Without the Metrodome around, people didn’t come here looking for beer.

Which was sad because for long as I remembered, Hubert’s was always mentioned on Twins radio broadcasts. With player appearances and simulcasts and all sorts of cross-promotion. Like this ad, in a 1991 edition of Twins Magazine. But the Twins left, then the Vikings left, and Hubert couldn’t wait around for someone to come back. 

After Hubert’s closed, their space became Erik the Red, which lasted until Covid closed it in 2020. The building has sat vacant ever since.

As far as US Bank Stadium goes… It looks big.

I have zero interest in football, so I’ve never even looked at it on TV. Seeing it in person? I have even less interest in being part of crowd large enough for an event to booked there. So if Negativland comes through Minneapolis and somehow sells 75,000 tickets to their show in the VikingsDome, I will not go.

Yeah I would.

Minnesota NEEDS the Weatherman yelling about 409, to a sold out house in the Vikings end zone.

1987 Fleer All Stars - Kirby Puckett - Dome Auto

Getting Kirby Puckett’s autograph after a game at the dome was the Holy Grail of Metrodome autograph collecting. I wrote about it in the third ever post to this blog. It’s getting late and I’m getting tired, so I’ll just re-print that…

As a kid, I'd heard about how generous Puckett was in signing autographs at the Dome. I never saw that for myself. Perhaps he was early in his career, but by 1989, you would almost never see him outside the stadium. He typically exited through a different gate on the opposite side of the dome. If he wasn't picked up at the loading dock, away from everybody. 

In all the times I hung out after a game, I only saw Puckett outside the Dome twice. The first time, he told me he had to leave right away, so I let him get into his wife's SUV without asking him to sign my card. The second time I saw him was towards the end of the 1990 season. Puckett was very quiet and trying to keep a low profile by the Vikings entrance. His wife had not yet made it, so he signed for three kids. Myself included. Just as the crowd noticed him, his escape pulled up and he was gone. Waving to the crowd through the window as he left. I was envied by numerous people for snagging the elusive signature that day.

While he was never my favorite player, I was very excited to get this trophy piece in person. I'm sure by this point in his career, he was over the whole fan autographs situation. But he was very classy both times I encountered him. 

Rest In Peace Kirby.

The Twins are now in their 17th season at Target Field. Their 17th season in the Metrodome would have been 1998. For all of their flaws, the 2026 Twins are still miles ahead of the 1998 Twins, using my completely stupid measure of success, that I just made up. Needless to say, Target Field is at least 17 times better for baseball, than the Metrodome was. And I don’t consider Target Field my favorite Major League ballpark either. As far as I’m concerned, it can’t hold a candle to Coors Field, in Denver.

But it’s miles ahead of the Metrodome. 

Which had it’s charm, and I have some very solid memories of the games and events I saw there,

I’m not missing it. But to some degree, I was surprised to be sad to see it go.

Even though I was 1,000 miles away when it left.

******

The 2026 Minnesota Twins have continued to exceed my low expectations, and are decidedly not terrible through their first 25 or so games. Even more odd, the current Pohlad calling the shots, might just be the best Pohlad I’ve seen. It’s early, and he’s still Carl’s grandkid, but he’s been more present than any of his predecessors. Which means nothing, but he hasn’t done anything that really irritated me, beyond what I was expecting. And that’s a very low bar.

He wears a normal sized sport coat, and his head hasn’t unexpectedly shrunk 50%.

Will he open the wallet?

Time will tell… But so far, the 2026 Twins are no longer bringing up major Metrodome memories.