Article: The Metrodome: Friday's Game 'Would Have Been Played. Period.'

[RandBalls Stu]

The former multi-purpose home of the Minnesota Twins sat down for a wide-ranging, sometimes combative Q&A with Twins Daily's RandBall's Stu. This interview has been edited for clarity and a potentially libelous claim by the stadium about former Twins pitcher John Smiley.RandBall’s Stu: This freak April blizzard caused the Twins to postpone Friday evening’s game well over 24 hours before the scheduled first pitch.

 

Metrodome: Huh. Is that right?

 

RS: You sound like you’re being sarcastic.

 

MD: You know what would have happened if the game was in the Metrodome?

 

RS: I mean, I sup—

 

MD: The game would have been played. Period.

 

RS: How can you say that, though?

 

MD: I’m saying it. I’ll say it again for you right now: The game would have been played.

 

RS: But your roof was notorious for collapsing and tearing during particularly nasty storms like this one.

 

MD: *deep sigh* Listen. A few incidents over 30 years of service does not make it notorious. You’re using isolated incidents to paint a picture that simply isn’t accurate.

 

RS: But you have to admit, this is the kind of storm that would have made you cross your fingers.

 

MD: I’m a stadium. I don’t have fingers.

 

RS: It’s a metaphor.

 

MD: Good for your English degree, cha-cha. Tell you what: Even if the roof collapsed or there was a tear in the fabric, you know what we would have done? We would have gotten the sewing machines and the air compressors out and gone to work. If you want to sit here with your metaphors and your internet weblog and sit in judgment of hard-working Minnesotans and a stadium that came in under budget for the taxpayers, feel free, but you’re wasting my time and yours.

 

RS: I apologize if you feel that way, but—

 

MD: That’s not an apology, but go on.

 

RS: Changing topics, then. What is retirement like for The Metrodome?

 

MD: It’s been great. I hang with some of the other retired multi-purpose stadiums. Three Rivers Stadium, Veterans Stadium, and Riverfront Stadium, we all meet for coffee every morning. Veterans Stadium has the best stories.

 

RS: That’s the old Philadelphia ballpark, right?

 

MD: Right. You know all those awful stories about Philly fans? They’re the tip of the iceberg. The depravity is remarkable. And that’s just the players! Tug McGraw, Lenny Dykstra…my God. My God.

 

RS: Go on.

 

MD: Are you kidding? And get sued? Anyway, you’re going to want to wait until…what’s Oakland’s stadium called this year?

 

RS: It’s back to Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

 

MD: Wow. Everything old is new again. Like I was saying though, she’s been writing everything down. Raiders fans, Charlie Finley, raw sewage. Everything.

 

RS: That sounds incredible.

 

MD: There’s a story about Vida Blue and Lyle Alzado trying to buy a speedboat with cigarette coupons that’ll make your hair stand up straight for a week.

 

RS: I know your time is limited, so I just wanted to ask you: You know how the revolving doors were like a vacuum and a wind tunnel at the same time?

 

MD: Oh friend, do I ever. Saw a kid get a soiled Dome Dog wrapper blown right into the face once. Best night of my life except for Game 6.

 

RS: Do you think you could ever show other stadiums how to do that? That was so cool.

 

MD: Took that one with me when Minneapolis built that shark fin on top of me. Gotta bounce. Peace.

 

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[theBOMisthebomb]

All I know is the Twins won two World Series titles in the Metrodome.

[bunt_vs_the_shift]

It was definitely a dump at the end of its run, but it was our dump and it was a distinct home field advantage for both the Twins and Vikings... Plus, as a kid I always liked that you could get major "air" by jumping as you left the Metrodome. That said, I'll take Target Field and its ambiance over the predictability of the Dome

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I don’t know. I think the Metrodome is being a complete jerk here.

[bighat]

 

It was definitely a dump at the end of its run, but it was our dump and it was a distinct home field advantage for both the Twins and Vikings... Plus, as a kid I always liked that you could get major "air" by jumping as you left the Metrodome. That said, I'll take Target Field and its ambiance over the predictability of the Dome

 

I have some good memories there too! Went to Game 1 and Game 7 of the 1991 World Series in the Metrodome. Went to the Final Four there as well. Also went to the first ever T'Wolves victory (vs. Philly or Golden State, if memory serves) at the dome. Waited for Frank Viola outside after a game and got an autograph. I lived in town so I'd actually bike down to the dome for day games in the summer, lock it up near Hubert's, and bike back home with my buddies after the game!  It was a different era....

 

All that said I'm glad the dome is gone. I'll take Target Field in a heartbeat, rainouts, snow-outs, and all. It's a far superior experience for fans, players, and I think it's a plus for signing free agents.

Edited April 12, 2019 by bighat

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Truth is, despite the two World Series, the Dome never really cared about the Twins or baseball. And especially the Vikings—wide left anyone? no, the Dome did not care about sports at all, makes me think it came here on false pretenses.

 

Truth is, all the Dome ever really cared about was rock concerts, parties, and drugs.

[Twodogs]

I wonder why he doesn't let the silverdome and Astro dome hang out with him for coffee. What does he think he is too good to hang out with other domes??? See even the MD wants to hang out with other open air stadiums. Racist.

 

I wonder if he let's Mike Ditka hang out with him? Didn't he call it a roller dome one time?

Edited April 12, 2019 by Twodogs

[John Bonnes]

Little disappointed we didn't get a "Dan Gladden" name drop in this story someplace. 

[USAFChief]

Huh, I thought Oakland's stadium was called "in dire need of replacement" this year, just like past years. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I wonder why he doesn't let the silverdome and Astro dome hang out with him for coffee.

Well, the Astrodome is still alive. I assume the Metrodome is speaking to us from the stadium afterlife.

 

The Silverdome is dead, although that was just over a year ago. Maybe it's still in purgatory? Or maybe it's taking some time coming to terms with its long, unsightly demise:

https://architecturalafterlife.com/2014/12/01/the-pontiac-silverdome-apocalypse-stadium/

[Don Walcott]

 

Truth is, all the Dome ever really cared about was rock concerts, parties, and drugs.

So true! Saw Dylan, Petty, Dead there, and from the smoke, it was clear the Dome was a Dead-Head.

[caninatl04]

"Welcome Ladies and  Gentlemen to Twins' October baseball.  As you know, given the bizarre schedule plus snow, the Twins will be playing four games today and another six tomorrow.  " 

[Doomtints]

It's all true.

[MMMordabito]

Oh c'mon,  you should have called him/her "Big Inflatable" at least once!

[jkcarew]

$3 to watch two different (well, mostly the same) world championship teams win games in about 2 1/2 hours.

 

Yeah....that sucked.

[spanman2]

 

All I know is the Twins won two World Series titles in the Metrodome.

You could say the Metrodome played a significant role in the winning of said World Series...way to go Teflon white/dingy white roof!

[spanman2]

MLB/NBA/NFL/Gopher football/baseball/World Series/Super Bowl/Final Four/concerts/monster trucks...horse trough bathrooms...fresh dome dogs (insert laughter)the list goes on and on!  Iowa football fans had too much fun one time...

[Doomtints]

 

It was definitely a dump at the end of its run, but it was our dump and it was a distinct home field advantage for both the Twins and Vikings... Plus, as a kid I always liked that you could get major "air" by jumping as you left the Metrodome. That said, I'll take Target Field and its ambiance over the predictability of the Dome

 

I think it was a dump from day one. Those bathrooms were ridiculous.

 

But yes, I saw many baseball games there and liked the place, even if I couldn't ever pee while at a game.

[Nine of twelve]

 

I lived in town so I'd actually bike down to the dome for day games in the summer, lock it up near Hubert's...

That was me during the 1986-1991 seasons, although I did night games as well depending on my work schedule. (I was single then, BTW.) I'd buy an upper level seat at below face value from a scal- ... uh, streetside ticket agent, sneak down to the lower level, find an unoccupied seat close to the infield, enjoy a bit of dome food along with a beverage or two, keep book while watching the game, and just enjoy major league baseball.

[Jacksson]

GREAT MOVE Pohlad FAMILY. Well, cheap asses, you got your stadium

off the backs of the ever stupid Minnesota State Legislators

(and us taxpayers).`

Didn't all you clowns grow up in Minnesota?

Or did your bucks permit you to only actually live here 5 months a year?

Everybody else (except the ignorant legislators) knew that building an

open air stadium for baseball in Minnesota was pure folly.

With the weather here, baseball here in April and October without a

retractable roof is lunacy. And September can be no bargain either.

Not withstanding the showers and thunderstorms that take place during

our "glorious" tepid, humid summers can make games uncomfortable for

both fans and players.

Too bad Eloise didn't insist on a retractable roof.

DUMMIES !!

[jimbo92107]

Those of us around and aware at the time may recall the long discussions about what type of stadium to build. Old Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington was notorious for slow drives to the game, rain postponements in spring, great baseball in summer, decent football in the fall, and then football in snow during winter. I remember as a child sitting in a sleeping bag during a Vikings game when it was -10F. I loved it. The Vikings won, while the other team huddled around propane heaters. 

 

Well, Minnesotans finally had enough of ritual suffering, and decided to build a new stadium closer to the middle of town. Everybody knew the best kind of stadium to build was a retractable dome, but that was twice as expensive as an inflatable dome. So penny-wise Minnesotans opted for the Metrodome, despite the earnest protests of "real baseball fans" like local TV anchorman Dave Moore. 

 

It didn't take long to discover that the playing field was too hard. It was murder on football players, and it created a new way of getting a hit in baseball, pounding a pitch into the dirt for a super-high bounce. A few years later people noticed that the dome material started to darken from cigarette smoke and indoor air pollution. The dull gray tinge made it very difficult to track a high fly ball to the fence. Twins players became experts at that very niche skill. 

 

By the time the Hump was torn down, pretty much everybody hated it. However, the inside structure of the place was in almost perfect condition. A brand new inflatable dome could have been installed, plus a new playing surface, for far less than the cost of a new stadium of any type. There were even proposals to retrofit the Hump to be an outdoor stadium, or even an outdoor stadium with a retractable roof. Architects these days!

 

Nawww, said the billionaire owners. That's not expensive and vain enough! They wanted separate new stadiums with hyper-pricey, enclosed box sections for millionaire fans of the Vikings and the Twins, or they'd all leave town! Took about ten seconds for the legislature to fold on both threats, and here we are...rain postponements again, just like in the old days at Metropolitan Stadium. 

 

I never went inside the new Vikings stadium, but I've been to several Twins games at Target Field. A standing room ticket goes as low as $12 bucks some days, and you can post yourself almost right behind home plate at a hot dog stand. Beautiful field, but those TVs and PA system are too much noise and distraction. My dad hated them, before he died, but I think a younger version of him would have liked the place. Dave Moore would have liked it, too. 

[Monkeypaws]

Indoor baseball: if I'm going to watch a game inside, I'd rather it were on television(at least the game I'm watching might be outside).

 

The sounds(echo), smells(cleaning fluid), are sights(pure artificial light) are all off in a dome.

 

There was nothing worse than going to an afternoon game at the Dome when it was 70 outside with a blue sky and puffy white clouds. Painful.

[ashbury]

Target Field when asked for comment sniffed, "Joe Mauer left that Teflon-topped, Heftybag-decorated hussy for me. 'Nuff said."

[USAFChief]

Some of you'se aren't getting the spirit and intent of Randball's articles.

[Devereaux]

I say cry me a homer hanky, grumpy old glorified warehouse. And see you at the May doubleheader.

[wallyrichards]

 

It was definitely a dump at the end of its run, but it was our dump and it was a distinct home field advantage for both the Twins and Vikings... Plus, as a kid I always liked that you could get major "air" by jumping as you left the Metrodome. That said, I'll take Target Field and its ambiance over the predictability of the Dome

 

Prefer out door baseball but it did serve its; purpose. And we won 2 world series so its hard to say anything bad about it. It was an advantage for the Twins but I think the Vikes lost a little when they went indoors. We use to kick butt at the MET. Loved those outdoor games and the tail gating was the best. Not like now.  

 

[wallyrichards]

 

Indoor baseball: if I'm going to watch a game inside, I'd rather it were on television(at least the game I'm watching might be outside).

 

The sounds(echo), smells(cleaning fluid), are sights(pure artificial light) are all off in a dome.

 

There was nothing worse than going to an afternoon game at the Dome when it was 70 outside with a blue sky and puffy white clouds. Painful.

I hear that. 

 

[wallyrichards]

 

Those of us around and aware at the time may recall the long discussions about what type of stadium to build. Old Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington was notorious for slow drives to the game, rain postponements in spring, great baseball in summer, decent football in the fall, and then football in snow during winter. I remember as a child sitting in a sleeping bag during a Vikings game when it was -10F. I loved it. The Vikings won, while the other team huddled around propane heaters. 

 

Well, Minnesotans finally had enough of ritual suffering, and decided to build a new stadium closer to the middle of town. Everybody knew the best kind of stadium to build was a retractable dome, but that was twice as expensive as an inflatable dome. So penny-wise Minnesotans opted for the Metrodome, despite the earnest protests of "real baseball fans" like local TV anchorman Dave Moore. 

 

It didn't take long to discover that the playing field was too hard. It was murder on football players, and it created a new way of getting a hit in baseball, pounding a pitch into the dirt for a super-high bounce. A few years later people noticed that the dome material started to darken from cigarette smoke and indoor air pollution. The dull gray tinge made it very difficult to track a high fly ball to the fence. Twins players became experts at that very niche skill. 

 

By the time the Hump was torn down, pretty much everybody hated it. However, the inside structure of the place was in almost perfect condition. A brand new inflatable dome could have been installed, plus a new playing surface, for far less than the cost of a new stadium of any type. There were even proposals to retrofit the Hump to be an outdoor stadium, or even an outdoor stadium with a retractable roof. Architects these days!

 

Nawww, said the billionaire owners. That's not expensive and vain enough! They wanted separate new stadiums with hyper-pricey, enclosed box sections for millionaire fans of the Vikings and the Twins, or they'd all leave town! Took about ten seconds for the legislature to fold on both threats, and here we are...rain postponements again, just like in the old days at Metropolitan Stadium. 

 

I never went inside the new Vikings stadium, but I've been to several Twins games at Target Field. A standing room ticket goes as low as $12 bucks some days, and you can post yourself almost right behind home plate at a hot dog stand. Beautiful field, but those TVs and PA system are too much noise and distraction. My dad hated them, before he died, but I think a younger version of him would have liked the place. Dave Moore would have liked it, too. 

 

So you're the guy chopping on the hot dog while blocking the isle? LOL jk but seriously I think they took a little more than 10 seconds to get the stadium funding ok'ed. I hear you on the rich owners. They had us over the barrel. 

 

[wallyrichards]

They could avoid all this bad weather by playing instead of taking days off early in the season. That would be the schedule makers. Why do we get screwed 2 years in a row?

[wallyrichards]

 

You could say the Metrodome played a significant role in the winning of said World Series...way to go Teflon white/dingy white roof!

 

Every stadium is different. Boston plays there games on a soft ball field and every one loves it Oakland has enough fall territory for 2 fields. The metro dome wasn't the only indoor stadium. The bigger question is I thought the Vikings new stadium was supposed to convert for baseball when the weather got bad. I wonder how much more that would've cost.