theBOMisthebomb

Great photos, thanks for sharing. Late December is a good time for a stroll down memory lane. I will always get emotional reminiscing on the 1987 and 1991 titles. The Kirby picture is still moving - I can't believe that was nearly 30 years ago. Just an observation - Killebrew was 35 years old in that picture. He looks 10 - 15 years older.

From those highlights, you an see the Metrodome was rocking in 2009. Target Field came into existence in 2010 and has been amazing. I'm not saying I want the Metrodome back, I do miss it though. This was a nice memory jog for some of the role players on the 2009 Twins. You really do forget names and details after 15 years.

Well, Gasper was 0 for 18 in 2024 to start his career.

Why not us?

He's fine in Minnesota, no regrets. Don't forget, he also played well in the 2023 playoffs for the Twins.

Perkins and Reardon.

It is right there on their website: https://www.mlb.com/twins/ballpark/information/guide#f-content Bring your own bottled water, bring your own food! The 2024 family friendly concession stands were more than reasonable if you were willing to simply walk to one of them: https://www.mlb.com/twins/ballpark/concessions Family-Friendly Pricing Item Sections/Portables Price Hot Dog Sections: 120, 133, 311 $3.99 Soft Pretzel Sections: 120, 133, 311 $3.99 Popcorn Sections: 120, 133, 311 $2.99 Peanuts Sections: 120, 133, 311 $2.99 Fountain Soda Sections: 120, 133, 311 $1.99 Bud/Bud Light Can Sections: 120, 133, 311 $4.99 Bottle Aquafina Sections: 120, 133, 311 $3.99 Ice Cream Novelty Sections 120, 133, 311 $3.49 This is just bellyaching and a lazy comment: "For a family of four, it’s not uncommon for the concessions bill alone to sit in the $150 range for a single game." If you are that concerned about the food budget for attending a Twins game, why not eat a hearty meal before leaving for the ballpark? Or grabbing some cheap affordable food on your drive to the ballpark and eat in the car so you aren't hungry at the ballpark? You are going to have to eat and have some expense whether you go to Target Field or stay home so there will be some cost regardless. In my opinion, I think it's reasonable to eat at home, go to the ballpark for a day game and (gasp) not eat there and come back home 5 hours later and have your next meal. For a 7 pm game, why can't you eat dinner at 5 pm before leaving for the ballpark and be done eating for the night. Why complain? Either go and enjoy and employ some of the affordable options mentioned here, stay home, or drop the complaints. One more affordable option is the family section where they load a hot dog, chips, and soda on each ticket. I did it when my children were very young and it was enough food for them and they got their own. No sharing with siblings. Anyway, whatever. You do realize that Major League was a movie and not reality? They still have $1 dog nights today and I have never seen the dogs sold out. Enjoy life and enjoy the games and ballpark experience. If it's too expensive for you, I'm sorry. Just know there are reasonable and affordable options with just a little bit of effort.

It seems Arraez moving around so much is mostly due to circumstances and budgets, not Luis being unwanted. WAR seems to undervalue Arraez for whatever reason. If the Padres move him, I'll enjoy watching him possibly win his 4th straight batting title in 2025 with a 4th different team.

Part of the charm of the baseball season is how unique it is in today's world. Baseball doesn't need to compete with the NFL or the NBA. The sport is popular in some ways more than it has been in recent years, look at youth participation and TV viewership for the 2024 World Series. I could get behind rolling back the regular season to the traditional 154 games so we can play full 7 game playoff series instead of 3 and 5 game series.

It sounds like beer league/bush league softball nonsense.

Brian Harper might be a candidate, for the fact he started with the Twins in 1988 as the backup to Tim Laudner. Harper did have a nice 5 year run as the main Twins catcher after 1988, so maybe that disqualifies him from this conversation.

"...the team will remain in Minnesota for Memorial Day Weekend, as they’ll be hosting the Kansas City Royals for a four-game series from May 23-26." This is wrong, the Twins play the Rays on May 26 and the Royals move on to play the Reds on May 26. I don't like the change as I already had Twins tickets to Target Field on Memorial Day holiday (May 26) and was looking forward to spending the holiday at Target Field. I'm out of town 4th of July. I know it's not all about me.

What a fun player to cheer for. I remember yelling and making a ruckus when Dozier hit a HR during his September 2016 hot streak. My wife was wondering why I was getting so excited when the Twins were so terrible. I told her how great this Dozier guy was and how much fun to see him have so much unexpected success. She quickly became a big Dozier fan.

It's going to be a long winter. Only 97 days, 22 hours until spring training begins per https://www.springtrainingcountdown.com/ "Countdown is currently based on pitchers and catchers reporting on February 12, 2025. The countdown will be adjusted as opening dates are announced".

Are there plans to replace Thad Levine?

Jake Cave for Luis Gil hurts. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20. I'm not remembering the logic of that trade,it seems silly now. The Dodgers are my NL team as I was born in LA. I'm envisioning Ohtani with a walk off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth in game 7.

The Cole Irvin and Kody Funderburk situations and related moves are indefensible. I'm fishing for some pats on the back... I witnessed the brutal Tuesday and Friday night debacles this past week at Target Field.

I don't think I should respond, I will anyway. It seems being on the side of defending the "city" is a no win position. As for traffic, I can't help much. Welcome to reality. "In Google Maps we trust" is one of my favorite sayings. It seems like very basic advice, although my 80 year old dad doesn't believe in listening to Google Maps and we paid dearly in August with an unnecessary one hour delay through Chicago. I was with a coworker once who was from way up north and we were traveling together to a work appointment. We hit a bit of traffic and she lost it with remarks such as how can people live here and this is so terrible, etc. I stayed silent at first and she continued with her insults. I finally told her that the traffic jam she was losing it over was three minutes (as I had been looking at the time closely). She seemed surprised and stopped her rant. By attending a Saturday or Sunday day game, you should most likely avoid any major traffic delays. There are parking apps like Spot Hero where you can book your spot ahead of time. $20 at most for Ramps ABC. The 910 LaSalle Ramp is $10. It's located by the Orpheum and two blocks from Ramp A (you can see Ramp A when you exit 910 LaSalle Ramp), so if you don't mind a little walk you can save $10. If you are afraid of Minneapolis, then don't go. The Montana thing is more a negative reflection back on Montana. I believe it's low class to denigrate and insult where other people live to try to brag about where you live to make yourself feel better about your own situation. Go ahead and promote how great your location and how great it is. I don't understand insulting the city and other folks and their way of life. And, it always seems it's the small town/rural side slinging the mud first. You can bring your own food into Target Field along with water bottles that you can refill. One life hack I learned a few seasons ago was to bring packet water flavors, they gave always let me bring them into the stadium. Essentially, you can eat the same food for the same cost if you didn't attend the ballpark. If you want ballpark food and alcohol, you may have to pay ballpark prices. Some cost savers at Target Field that you might take advantage of are $1 hot dogs on Tuesdays, the 612 deals on Saturdays, and the value stand concessions for all games by sections 120, 133, and 311 with family friendly prices: Hot Dog $3.99 Soft Pretzel $3.99 Popcorn $2.99 Peanuts $2.99 Fountain Soda $1.99 Bud/Bud Light Can $4.99 Bottle Aquafina $3.99 Ice Cream Novelty $3.49 For tickets, the field view seems a nice compromise between affordability and decent viewing. Tickets for today's game in section 305 are $21 each. Purchase at the ticket window when you arrive to avoid the high cost online fees. Parking $10 Tickets $84 Food $0 Total $94 If you want a premium seating and eating experience, you will most likely pay premium prices. I believe the options I've listed are reasonable and easy to achieve with some planning and would still prove a quality game day experience.

It's a low bar for success that should not be celebrated. Possibly acknowledged, not celebrated.

I've thought of posting these thoughts twice earlier and deleted... I've been to nine MLB stadiums the past four years and Target Field ranks somewhere between 7th and 9th as far as fan engagement and passion. They might be ahead of 2022 Angels fans and 2023 Royals fans. Might. Heck, Tigers fans at the 2024 trade deadline when they were in sell mode crushed the passion of Twins fans. It is painful to acknowledge. Maybe Twins and Angels fans are so disinterested because they know in their heart of hearts their club has zero chance at a championship. The 2023 postseason success for the Twins was supposed to erase those 30 year old feelings, it seems that chance slipped away unless they win these last 5 games and sneak into the playoffs. Twins fans (and Minnesota sports fans of men's major professional teams) are front runner bandwagon fans. It is difficult to admit, yet reality.

Here is my 2024 experience as a season ticket holder and a person who buys tickets to an additional 5 games or so each season. I am just a low level 20 voucher season ticket holder. I get that it's low bucks to the Twins ($600 per year). Still, my assigned ticket rep comes across as uninterested and standoffish. I actually set a time to discuss the new "premium" option they are offering for 2025 and the rep ghosted me. I had to hunt him down and ask for another time to discuss (with no apology from the rep for the previous appointment that he skipped out on with no explanation). Basically, they wanted me to decide to switch plans without comparing the numbers, which doesn't compute to me. I am guessing they have bigger accounts they are interested in managing. Still, if they are down on attendance why can't they find time for the smaller accounts. I've been a season ticket holder since 2018. I understand this might be isolated to just my rep or "one of those things". This is my second or third season with this rep and my third assigned rep since 2018.

That's an integrity question. I guess I'd rather follow the rules and pay the proper amount.

That is the conversation I have had with my season ticket rep for the last few years with little to no response - the value isn't there to commit to a season ticket package. You avoid the fees, which aren't insignificant (although one trip to the ticket window at Target Field could accomplish the same thing). Then, they sell the ballpark pass and let those folks essentially sit wherever they want to for a fraction of the cost. It's so frustrating. Now, the Twins have offered me the premium option after raising the cost of my flex plan by 3.4%. Which is a decent gesture except I can't compare costs because the pricing for the premium option isn't revealed yet.

Amen. Gladden is the worst of the worst. I cannot listen. I was grateful to get out from under the Dick Bremer television broadcast era. I had high hopes for Provus, that he would provide a fresh, modern voice. Unfortunately, Provus sounds restricted and nervous the times I've heard him, like he's afraid to be himself and worried about ts and hear some really impressive announcers.

The only fans I like less and that deserve more mocking and belittling than White Sox fans are Packers fans.