Thread: Christensen: 2014 All-Star Game headed for Target Field

To be announced on Wednesday

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/167606645.html

Nobody excited about this? I was happy to hear it - there are so many new ballparks in MLB right now, I didn't know if getting an All-Star Game was a foregone conclusion by any means. While the Mets are getting it next year, the Reds, Phillies, Padres, Nationals, and Yankees have all opened new parks older than Target Field that have yet to host an All-Star Game (though old Yankee Stadium got it in 2008).

I thought this had been announced awhile ago.

Originally Posted by StormJH1

Nobody excited about this? I was happy to hear it - there are so many new ballparks in MLB right now, I didn't know if getting an All-Star Game was a foregone conclusion by any means. While the Mets are getting it next year, the Reds, Phillies, Padres, Nationals, and Yankees have all opened new parks older than Target Field that have yet to host an All-Star Game (though old Yankee Stadium got it in 2008).

True, but virtually all of those teams have hosted a game more recently than the Twins, which is also a major factor when considering the venue.

plus <going to rube mode> target field is better than all those other parks!!!!!

This gives the ground crew enough time to come up with a real cool outfield grass cut design.

Originally Posted by StormJH1

Nobody excited about this? I was happy to hear it - there are so many new ballparks in MLB right now, I didn't know if getting an All-Star Game was a foregone conclusion by any means. While the Mets are getting it next year, the Reds, Phillies, Padres, Nationals, and Yankees have all opened new parks older than Target Field that have yet to host an All-Star Game (though old Yankee Stadium got it in 2008).

The All Star Game alternates leagues, so the rest of those new parks couldn't have it in '14 because of being in the NL.

I'm looking forward to taking my kids. I went to the '85 HR Derby and AS Game at the Dome and for an 8 year old it didn't get much better then that (Other than maybe a WS championship at 11 and 15!).

This has just been 1 of the worst kept secrets. It seemed like since it was announced Target Field wouldn't get the 2013 that sources and people have reported they would get 2014. Seemed like it would have been a bigger surprised (bigger news) if they would not have been awarded the 2014 game.

Originally Posted by Brock Beauchamp

I thought this had been announced awhile ago.

You must have been thinking of the announcement that there was going to be this announement that it would be announced on Wednesday.

A couple of my friends went to the All-Star Game in Kansas City this summer and they said it was a great experience. They said there is so much to do that if you’re a baseball fan you should take a day off from work to enjoy it all. I think there was some consternation because Chicago was also in the mix because 2014 would be the 100^th anniversary of Wrigley Field but 2014 is also an American League year so I’m excited that the Twins got it! I vaguely remember the 1985 game so I’m definitely looking forward to “this generation’s All Star Game.” I mean, really people- it only comes around once every 30 years and we get to have it at Target Field, let’s enjoy it!

And please let them fix the ugly black hole by then.

Originally Posted by JB_Iowa

And please let them fix the ugly black hole by then.

Batter's eye?

This has been a given for years now.

Should help keep a few season ticket holders around for 2 more seasons. That's the reason this has been an open secret for a while, and why the announcement came just months after the 2013 game was announced.

Originally Posted by Ultima Ratio

Originally Posted by JB_Iowa

And please let them fix the ugly black hole by then.

Batter's eye?

Yes, the batter's eye. Ever since they took out the trees, I make it a point to try to check out the "batter's eye" at other fields. It doesn't have to be as ugly as the one at TF. That is one big, black eye in an otherwise beautiful park.

Originally Posted by JB_Iowa

Yes, the batter's eye. Ever since they took out the trees, I make it a point to try to check out the "batter's eye" at other fields. It doesn't have to be as ugly as the one at TF. That is one big, black eye in an otherwise beautiful park.

I was looking at that thing last night. It's awful. At the very least, they could have made it a solid sheet of black or green instead of that piecemeal thing they currently have in place.

Originally Posted by Brock Beauchamp

Originally Posted by JB_Iowa

Yes, the batter's eye. Ever since they took out the trees, I make it a point to try to check out the "batter's eye" at other fields. It doesn't have to be as ugly as the one at TF. That is one big, black eye in an otherwise beautiful park.

I was looking at that thing last night. It's awful. At the very least, they could have made it a solid sheet of black or green instead of that piecemeal thing they currently have in place.

Agreed, though it's not like you can find anyone who disagrees with that. Think if they ran a poll at Target Field: What do you like best in CF: (A) Bring back the trees; (B) A different, less distracting option, like shrubs or giant boulders or something; (C) A hastily-painted, streaky-looking giant black wall in an otherwise completely Limestone and Green ballpark. Option "C" isn't going to win, unless Joe Mauer gets to vote 25,000 times.

You could name countless ballparks that feature some type of rocks (Anaheim), ivy (Wrigley, Comerica), or otherwise visible features in or near the batter's eye, and nobody ever complains. The one that really kills me though is Coors Field:

Coors.jpg

This is different than what we had...how? And not only is Coors not perceived to be a "world-class" ballpark, but from what I hear, their hitters don't seem to have trouble locating the ball and crushing it in the thin air there. Also, ignore for a second the awesome tree and rock formations with the water pond...what about that creeping ivy up the green wall!?

But at Target Field the wavy branches of those evergreens were apparently so egregious, we couldn't even have them for a 2nd year.

target_field_trees_sm.jpg

What's sad is that they caved into the perception of 1-3 players (I frequently hear Mauer, Morneau, and Cuddy were the culprits) seeing the park from the inside out, at the expense of 40,000 fans looking from the outside IN. This was supposed to be their park, remember?! The people who paid for the damn thing?!