Article: My First Twins Game

[PeanutsFromHeaven]

It's strange to say for someone who has written this blog for nearly seven years, but I've never written in depth about my first Twins game. But I have a good reason for that.

 

I don't really remember it.I've tried to. I've imagined Kirby Puckett legging out a triple. I wishfully think that it was the Orioles so I can say that I saw Cal Ripken in the midst of his streak.

 

But I just don't remember it. Not the day. Not the year. Not the opponent. Not the outcome.

 

But I remember my grandfather, the man who took me there.

 

I remember coming to Minneapolis from Montana, over a single long day's drive. And knowing it we had made it, when I could see the lights on the porch and hear the game on the radio.

 

I remember sitting on a porch swing on summer mornings looking over the box scores with him as he sipped his coffee in an old robe and I peppered him with question after question.

 

I remember holding his hand and walking down the Metrodome's concrete steps to our seats.

 

I remember him point to the turf, and the bases, to see if I was following along, and joining in the "Noooo Smoking at the Metrodome".

 

I remember him bringing me a swirled sundae in a Twins helmet cup and smiling kindly as the sundae ended up half in my mouth and half on my shirt.

 

I remember his kind questions, "did you like it?", "who was your favorite player?", "what was your favorite moment?"

 

I remember him happily lobbing underhand whiffle balls to my brothers and me, when we asked to play in the front yard that night and many other nights there after.

 

In the years that followed we didn't always go to Twins games, we outgrew whiffle ball, and I actually became an adroit helmet sundae eater. But he still asked his questions while he sat in his barcalounger and I sat on the sofa beside him.

 

He still poured over box scores with the morning paper, and watched, and listened, and read whenever he could. He had opinions about who was doing well, and how the old players compared and he shared them with me regularly.

 

We talked about Paul Molitor getting hired and I remembered seeing him in downtown Minneapolis when I was a boy. We talked about Tony O missing the Hall of Fame again and how he used to watch the batting practice bombs. We talked about how he was convinced that my college friend should become my wife the moment he found out she was a singer with season tickets.

 

He passed away yesterday morning, after beating back cancer for longer than the doctors had thought he could. I knew he was tough, I knew he was proud, but when he passed I could only think about how kind he was and how happy he must have been with family around him, singing and sharing their love.

 

Just like he shared the game, and a sundae, and his hand with me.

 

Whatever day it was.

 

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[big dog]

Thank you.  May peace and grace be with you.

[stringer bell]

I'll repeat what I wrote on the original blog:

 

Sympathies to you and yours. Thanks for sharing your story. It brought a smile to my face and lump to my throat.

[JB_Iowa]

Deepest sympathy on your loss. What a wonderful legacy of memories you and your grandfather shared.

 

Thank you for sharing some of them with us,

Edited February 11, 2015 by JB_Iowa

[USAFChief]

Heartfelt sympathies, and heartfelt thanks for a heartfelt story.

 

You are lucky, and so was your grandpa.

[Squirrel]

That was a beautiful post and a beautiful tribute to your Grandfather.  My thoughts are with you and your family at this time.  

[DocBauer]

To very loosely paraphrase an old saying; "I guess heaven decided it needed a fan to keep score."

 

Don't remember my first Twins game much either. Must gave been about 5. It was at the old Met with the little league team my father had coached in our hometown of Brookings SD. But I do remember Killebrew and Carew. One of the great things about sports is memories often have more to do with moments and emotion rather than events.

 

Thank you for sharing. God bless and all my best.

[Halsey Hall]

Thanks for the post.  Sorry for your loss, the memories will live on forever. 

[tshide]

Thank you for a great story.   May your grandfather rest in peace while you keep his memory alive.   What a wonderful tribute.

[Jerr]

Great story and makes me value my Grandpa role

[zenser]

Sorry for your loss. May great stories and memories like this be your comfort in this hard time.

[Mauerpower]

@DocBauer when did you live in Brookings? My dad and his family grew up there. My grandfather owned a construction business.

[IndyTwinsFan]

Extremely touching!  Thanks for sharing your memories.

[John Bonnes]

Awesome job. Thanks for sharing this. 

[EL JEFE]

A story well told. Thanks. I am too old to remember my first game either. But, thankfully, I was in the Cub Scouts at the time and documented the event for a long forgotten achievement requirement. 

 

I posted this about a year ago at Twinkietown. Enjoy!

 

http://www.twinkietown.com/2014/2/17/5420936/this-just-in-from-1964

[spanman2]

Thank you for sharing your memories.  Sorry to hear about your grandfather.  What you shared is what makes baseball such a great game.  You often remember what happens outside of the game itself.  The sights, sounds etc. and the game you fall in love with for the rest of your life. 

[BD57]

Thank you for sharing your grandfather with us.   May God be with and bless you and your family in the days ahead.